Landman Toolkit
The Landman Toolkit provides a resource of facts and statistics regarding AAPL and the energy industry.
WHAT IS A LANDMAN?
A landman is the public facing side of an oil, gas, mineral or other energy sources exploration and production team who interacts and negotiates directly with landowners to acquire leases for the exploration and development of minerals or other energy sources.
The Evolution of a Landman
How has the land profession changed since the 1950s? In 2022, AAPL developed a video titled The Path of the Landman — Powering the World to help tell the historical and hopeful story of the land professional and the opportunities that exist for land professionals in the energy industry. Watch the complete video.
Landman Roles & Responsibilities
There are various types of land professionals ranging from in-house (company) landmen to independent field landmen and independent land consultants.
IN-HOUSE (COMPANY) LANDMEN
Company landmen, also known as in-house or exempt landmen, negotiate deals and trades with other companies and individuals, draft contracts and administer their compliance, acquire leases, clear title, prepare land for drilling or operations for other energy sources and ensure compliance with governmental regulation.
INDEPENDENT FIELD LANDMEN
Independent field landmen serve clients on a contract basis. They are generally the industry’s contact with the public as they research courthouse records to determine ownership, prepare necessary reports, and locate mineral and landowners. They negotiate leases and various other agreements, obtain necessary curative documents and conduct surface inspections before drilling or operations for other energy sources commence.
INDEPENDENT LAND CONSULTANTS
Independent land consultants serve clients on a contract basis. They perform all of the functions listed above, plus the due diligence examinations required in the purchase and sale of companies and properties.
Learn how America's landmen play an important role in the production of energy by watching this video.
WHAT TYPES OF ENERGY DO LANDMAN WORK WITH?
Landmen work in all energy spaces and play a crucial role in the energy industry. Types of energy spaces landmen work within are listed below.
- Oil and natural gas
- Coal
- Wind
- Solar
- Geothermal
- Hydropower
- Nuclear
- Fuel cell and storage
THE AAPL DIFFERENCE
Code of Ethics
AAPL requires a strong Code of Ethics that stipulates a basis of conduct, business principles and ideals for its members. Every AAPL member commits to these high ethical standards outlined in AAPL’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. When landowners work with a member of AAPL, they can feel confident they are working with a landman who operates professionally and ethically.
It is understood that conduct of any member of the association inconsistent with the provisions be considered unethical and the individual's membership status be subject to review for possible disciplinary action as prescribed in the AAPL Bylaws.
Certification Program
Recognized throughout the industry as indicators of competency, proficiency and professionalism, AAPL offers three certifications proven to enhance a member's credibility in the industry. Learn more about AAPL's certification program by visiting the Professional Development webpage.
Member Benefits
In addition to the certification program, AAPL is committed to serving its members through education, professional publications, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy and much more. Review all member benefits on the Why Join and Benefits webpage.
BECOMING AN AAPL MEMBER
Close to 12,000 members regard AAPL as a valuable career resource and tireless advocate for their interests. We’re committed to serving you through education, professional publications, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy, professional certification and much more.
AAPL ACCREDITED PROGRAMS
AAPL provides curriculum guidance and program support for undergraduate and graduate level energy management and petroleum land management programs at the following accredited schools in the United States. We work with these programs to encourage the infusion of new talent to the profession by, among other benefits, offering free AAPL student membership to students enrolled in these programs.
The LST awards over $250,000 in student scholarships annually to students enrolled in these programs.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
The Landman Scholarship Trust was created and formed for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 but only such purposes as also constitute educational purposes under the law of trusts for the State of Texas.
The LST awards cash scholarships to qualified and deserving undergraduate and graduate students from the colleges or universities that offer an active and accredited curriculum in natural resources management or similar studies who wish to further their training in professional landwork, natural resources management or associated occupations. The LST also awards cash contributions to colleges or universities that offer an active and accredited curriculum in natural resources management or similar programs to promote interest in such studies and for related student activities.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
In an effort to meet the growing demand for skilled landmen working in renewables, AAPL launched a Renewable Energy Certificate Program in 2023. Members and nonmembers now have an opportunity to earn a certificate of completion for each e-learning module. At the completion of all modules, a Renewable Energy Certificate will be issued. Continuing education is not required to maintain the certificate. Learn more about the Renewable Energy Certification Program and how landmen are expanding their traditional skills in the Professional Development section of our website.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
The AAPL Educational Foundation, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 charted under the laws of Texas. The mission of the foundation is to promote education for the members of AAPL and the general public. The foundation is also authorized to undertake such activities as are reasonably anticipated to promote the welfare of the foundation.
The foundation provides financial support through grants to support education for AAPL members and the public. The foundation also provides financial support through grants for AAPL members who have suffered financial loss due to natural disasters.
THE FOUNDATION’S MISSION
- Promote education, instruction and training for members to improve or develop their capabilities
- Instruct the public on subjects useful to individuals and beneficial to the community
- Further the advancement of education
- Support other charitable purposes, such as natural disaster relief for members
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FOUNDATION AND DONATE TODAY!
Since 2015, the Educational Foundation has awarded more than $475,000 in education grants, $66,000 in professional development grants for AAPL members and $727,000 in disaster relief.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES
AAPL's Mentorship Program reflects AAPL's commitment to professional development. This unique online networking and career development tool helps members find, connect and share experiences with others. A mentor or mentee can be located in the same city or on the other side of the world.
The Mentorship Program is an exclusive AAPL member benefit. The Mentorship Committee meets monthly to match mentors and mentees. Applying to be a mentor or mentee is quick and easy. Simply complete the application found below. It may take up to 45 days from the date you enroll in the program to be notified you have been matched. If you have any questions about the program, please let us know by sending your questions and comments to aapl@landman.org.
LANDMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE
The Landman Survival Guide is a resource for how to make it as a landman.
Check back for an updated version to be released in early spring 2025!
LANDMAN SALARY DATA
Knowledge is power and AAPL has been equipping members — oil and gas company employees, land services employees and independent contractors — with compensation, demographic and other industry insights since membership surveys began in 1990.
The full Landman Compensation Survey report covers oil and gas company employees, land services employees and independent contractors and is divided into sections: respondent demographics; general compensation; state-by-state comparisons; compensation by certification, education and experience; and company projects. Members may log in and access all surveys on AAPL's website.
In 2023, the average salary for a landman was $136,791.
LANDMAN EVENTS
We host several events that enable you to connect and foster business relationships with your peers. Our Annual Meeting and NAPE are among the industry’s most renowned educational and networking events. Visit Landman Learning — AAPL's new learning management system — to find a complete calendar with all our upcoming events and education offerings.
We also encourage you to get involved with your local association for region-specific educational, social and philanthropic events
AAPL offers more than 75 educational opportunities each year.
No one helps you connect, reconnect and network with your industry peers like AAPL.
FIND AN AAPL MEMBER
Search our Public Membership Directory to see if someone is a member of AAPL and whether or not they have obtained the designation of a Certified Professional Landman (CPL), Registered Professional Landman (RPL) or Registered Landman (RL).*
*Members must be opted in to appear in the search results. If you are trying to verify someone's membership or certification and are unable to return any results, it may not necessarily mean they are not a member of AAPL. Please contact AAPL at 817-847-7700 for further assistance.
LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
AAPL currently has 38 affiliated local associations across the United States and Canada. Connect with one of our local associations and expand your network!
LANDMAN SOCIAL MEDIA
Authorized AAPL social media accounts include:
- Facebook: facebook.com/AAPLAmericasLandmen
- Twitter: twitter.com/AAPLlandman
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/aaplamericaslandmen
AAPL’s social handles can be used in your posts and photos to help link us to your post:
- Facebook: @AAPL America’s Landmen
- Twitter: @AAPLlandman
- LinkedIn: @AAPL – American Association of Professional Landmen
AAPL uses the unique hashtags, #PoweringtheProfession and #AmericasLandmen, and existing hashtags generated on social media to categorize content, find and share related content online.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
The Membership Directory has proven to be an excellent tool for landmen as well as other professionals in the energy industry. This expansive resource guide provides immediate access to AAPL’s membership of close to 12,000 landmen in a clear and organized manner.
In addition to the printed directory, the daily updated online member search feature makes finding a landman by name, company and geographical region quick and easy.
Not yet a member but need to verify if someone is a member of AAPL?
AAPL STUDENT INITIATIVE
The purpose of the AAPL Horizon Student Awareness Initiative (formerly Blankenship Student Awareness Initiative) is to promote the energy industry and the land profession to students as they choose their career path and support the AAPL accredited programs to recruit and retain students. The initiative is a subcommittee of the AAPL Accreditation Committee and comprised of past recipients of the Mary K. Blankenship Horizon Award and other AAPL Active Members.
Paramount+ has developed a new television show called Landman and is scheduled to premiere on Nov. 17, 2024. It is an American drama television series created by Taylor Sheridan, based on the Boomtown podcast by Christian Wallace.
AAPL plans to release a weekly podcast recapping each episode to help illustrate the nuances of landwork as it is depicted in the series.