Alaska
Alaska land surveyors are regulated by the Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors (AELS), housed within the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing. The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), and candidates must pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, and the Alaska Land Surveying Examination (AKLS). Alaska requires a combined total of 8 years of education and experience, with at least 3 years of responsible charge experience under a registered land surveyor.
Everything on one card.
The fields most candidates ask us about, pulled directly from the board's published requirements.
Step-by-step to PLS.
A linear view of the typical path — from education to license. Some steps overlap in practice.
- 01
Meet Education Requirements
Alaska requires a combined total of 8 years of education and experience. An ABET-accredited BS in land surveying earns 4 years of education credit. A BS with an ABET master's or doctorate earns 5 years of credit. A 4-year degree with board-approved surveying courses (at least 12 semester credits in math/science including calculus, physics, and statistics, plus at least 30 semester credits in geomatics and land surveying including boundary law, GNSS, geodesy, and GIS) earns 2 years of credit. Education and experience cannot be counted concurrently.
- 02
Pass the FS Exam
Available nowThe NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. Alaska does not require board authorization to sit for the FS exam — register directly through NCEES. Alaska does not issue LSIT certification numbers but keeps your score on permanent record and can verify it to other state boards for a $20 fee.
- 03
Gain Qualifying Experience
Accumulate the work experience required by your education pathway (3–6 years depending on degree). At least 3 years must be responsible charge experience under the supervision of a land surveyor registered in the United States, performing work as described in AS 08.48.341. The remainder must be derived from field or office work involving land surveying activities. No more than 12 months of credit may be claimed per calendar year.
- 04
Pass the PS Exam
Available nowThe NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. You must submit an application to the AELS board and be approved before sitting for the PS exam. Applications must be received at least 30 days before a scheduled board meeting (the board typically meets in February, May, August, and November).
- 05
Pass the Alaska Land Surveying Examination (AKLS)
Prep coming soonThe AKLS is a state-specific exam covering Alaska laws, procedures, and practices. It is a 60-question, open-book, multiple-choice exam administered at least once per year (typically in April). You must be approved by the board to sit for the AKLS. Reference materials include the ASPLS Standards of Practice (4th Edition), Alaska statutes and regulations, and the BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions.
- 06
Receive Your License
Once all requirements are verified and all three exams are passed, the board will issue your certificate of registration as a Professional Land Surveyor. Your seal will read 'Registered Professional Land Surveyor.' Licenses can typically be issued the week following receipt of exam scores if all other requirements are met.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 24 PDH per 24-month biennial period
- Ethics Requirement
- Not specified separately — all PDH must address health, safety, and welfare (HSW)
- Carryover
- Up to 12 excess PDH may carry forward to the next biennial period
- Self-Study
- Not specifically limited — no limits on online hours
- Renewal Period
- Biennial — expires December 31 of odd-numbered years
- Pre-Approval Required?
- No — do not submit CE documentation unless notified of audit
- Audit
- Random audit — records must be maintained by the registrant
Coming in from another state?
Alaska does not have automatic reciprocity with any state or country. Comity may be granted at the board's discretion to registrants from other jurisdictions who were registered by examination (FS and PS). All comity applicants must pass the Alaska Land Surveying Examination (AKLS). NCEES Council Records are accepted for verification of education, exams, and current registration, but the full application must still be completed. Comity applicants must have at least 36 months of responsible charge experience verified by a registered land surveyor.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Alaska's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.