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CO State licensure requirements

Colorado

Colorado land surveyors are regulated by the State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors, housed within the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO) under the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), and the intern designation is Land Surveyor Intern (LSI). Candidates must pass the NCEES FS exam, the NCEES PS exam, and the Colorado State Specific PLS Exam (COPLS).

See the pathway Board site
Quick reference

Everything on one card.

The fields most candidates ask us about, pulled directly from the board's published requirements.

01
Licensing Board
State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors
02
Board Website
dpo.colorado.gov/AES
03
License Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
04
Intern Title
Land Surveyor Intern (LSI)
05
Education
ABET-accredited 4-year surveying curriculum (2 years experience required); or non-ABET 4-year surveying curriculum (4 years experience required)
06
Experience
2 years progressive experience with ABET degree, or 4 years with non-ABET degree, under supervision of a PLS or exempted federal employee
07
Required Exams
FS (national), PS (national), COPLS (Colorado State Specific PLS Exam — 1.5 hours, closed-book, computer-based)
08
Renewal
Biennial, expires October 31 of odd-numbered years
09
CE Requirement
30 CEH per 2-year reporting period (calendar year based)
10
CE Carryover
Not specified — verify with board
11
Reciprocity
Yes — endorsement available for those licensed in another jurisdiction with substantially equivalent qualifications; must pass COPLS
Pathway

Step-by-step to PLS.

A linear view of the typical path — from education to license. Some steps overlap in practice.

  1. 01

    Meet Education Requirements and Enroll as LSI

    Colorado requires either: (I) graduation from a board-approved ABET-accredited surveying curriculum of 4+ years, or (II) graduation from a non-board-approved surveying curriculum of 4+ years. Enroll as a Land Surveyor Intern (LSI) by passing the FS exam and demonstrating qualifying education/experience. LSI enrollment requires: 2-year board-approved curriculum + 2 years experience, or high school + 4 years experience. Full-time undergraduate students do not receive employment experience credit.

  2. 02

    Pass the FS Exam

    Available now

    The NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. You must be enrolled as an LSI or be transferring from another state. If not already a Colorado LSI, you must pass the FS before being eligible for the PLS exam. Register through NCEES.

  3. 03

    Gain Progressive Land Surveying Experience

    Accumulate the required experience: 2 years with an ABET-accredited 4-year degree, or 4 years with a non-ABET 4-year degree. At least 2 years must be under the supervision of a PLS or exempted federal employee. Experience must be progressive and include verification of recent experience (within 12 months prior to application). Complete the Land Surveyor Experience Summary (limited to 3 pages) and Experience Verification forms.

  4. 04

    Pass the PS Exam

    Available now

    The NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. Colorado has application deadlines: December 1 for April exams and June 1 for October exams. Your complete application must be received by the deadline to be eligible for that testing window.

  5. 05

    Pass the Colorado State Specific PLS Exam (COPLS)

    Prep coming soon

    The COPLS is a 1.5-hour, closed-book, computer-based exam administered at proctored test sites. It covers Colorado surveying laws and practices. Refer to the State Specific PLS Exam Candidate Handbook for a test outline and study guidance with links to reference resources.

  6. 06

    Receive Your License

    Upon passing all examinations and submitting evidence of qualifying experience satisfactory to the board, you will be licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor. Applications can be submitted online through DORA's DPO Online Services system. All PLS licenses expire October 31 of odd-numbered years.

Available Azimuth Prep covers this exam now. Coming soon State-specific exam prep is in production.
Continuing education

After you're licensed.

What this state requires to keep your license active.

Total Hours
30 CEH per 2-year reporting period (calendar year based)
Ethics Requirement
Not specified separately — CE activities must be in land surveying subjects (basic surveying, boundary law, description writing, PLSS, surveying sciences)
Carryover
Not specified — verify with board
Self-Study
Not specified — board does not pre-approve activities
Renewal Period
Biennial — expires October 31 of odd-numbered years; CE reporting period is based on calendar years
Pre-Approval Required?
No — the Board does not pre-approve CE activities, courses, or programs; licensees are responsible for compliance
Audit
Audits conducted after each renewal reporting period
Reciprocity

Coming in from another state?

Colorado offers licensure by endorsement for Professional Land Surveyors licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction. Qualifications must be substantially equivalent to those currently required by Colorado's Board rules, policies, and Practice Act. Endorsement applicants must pass the Colorado State Specific PLS Exam (COPLS). NCEES Council Records may be used to provide supporting documentation (transcripts, experience, exam verification), but the Affidavit of Eligibility form must still be completed separately.

Source documents

Verify everything yourself.

Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.

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