Is there still a (land) surveying profession?

Land surveying has grown from a technical occupation into a profession. The criteria for what constitutes a profession, as distinct from a trade, is explored. Surveying meets criteria. It is maintained that the history of surveying can be seen as having two distinct paradigms. The question is raised as to whether it is entering a third paradigm based on technological developments of the last half-century but answered the in the negative. The introduction of the term 'geomatics' is considered and is found to have failed to meet the advances expected of it. It is maintained that the descriptor 'land' has out lived its usefulness. It is proposed that the adoption of the term 'geospatial' surveyor, by stealth rather than statute, is likely to achieve what geomatics did not. It is noted that this is already happening in the United Kingdom and in Australia similarly.