Hawaii
Hawaii land surveyors are regulated by the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors & Landscape Architects (EASLA), housed within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). The license title is Land Surveyor (LS). Candidates must pass the NCEES FS exam, the NCEES PS exam, and a Hawaii-specific exam on Hawaii Description Writing. Hawaii offers multiple pathways ranging from a 4-year degree with 3 years of experience to an experience-only path requiring 11 years. Notably, Hawaii does not require continuing education for land surveyor license renewal.
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
Hawaii offers four education/experience pathways: (1) Graduate of a 4-year geoscience, land surveying, civil engineering, or general engineering program from an approved school with 3 years of lawful experience; (2) Graduate of a 4-year arts & science program with a math, science, or related major with 7 years of experience; (3) Graduate of a 2-year civil engineering technology program with 7 years of experience; (4) No degree — 11 years of lawful experience. The Board does not count experience gained while earning your degree. Foreign degrees must be evaluated by EESA (Educational Evaluation Services of Architects).
- 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. Applicants with an ABET-accredited degree may register directly with NCEES without board pre-approval. Others must submit an application to the Board for pre-approval. The FS exam may be waived with 15 years of experience in responsible charge — but the PS exam cannot be waived. Hawaii is working toward 'decoupling' per a Board vote on August 8, 2024, but new rules have not yet been adopted.
- 03
Gain Qualifying Experience
Accumulate the lawful experience required by your education pathway (3–11 years). All experience must be verified by a licensed PLS/LS — it cannot be verified by any other profession. Experience under a licensed surveyor non-supervisor may be accepted for endorsement applicants. Responsible charge experience will require twice the amount of the required lawful experience (e.g., 2 years of responsible charge = 1 year of required experience credit).
- 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. Board approval is required before taking the PS exam. The PS exam cannot be waived under any circumstances. You must register and pay fees directly to NCEES after receiving board approval.
- 05
Pass the Hawaii Description Writing Exam
Prep coming soonHawaii requires a state-specific exam on Hawaii land matters and Hawaii land description writing. All applicants, regardless of licensure in another state, must take and pass this exam. You must submit an application to the Board for pre-approval to sit for the state exam. Allow 45–60 business days for processing.
- 06
Apply for Licensure
Submit your completed application to the Board with all required documentation. Fees include: $150 application fee, $80 for the Board exam, $128 for the 2-year license, and $100 for the biennial compliance resolution fund. NCEES Records are accepted but not required. Neither U.S. citizenship nor Hawaii residency is required. There is no option for 'retired' or 'inactive' status — if you let your license lapse, you must re-apply as a new applicant.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- No continuing education required for land surveyors
- Ethics Requirement
- N/A
- Carryover
- N/A
- Self-Study
- N/A
- Renewal Period
- Biennial — expires April 30 of even-numbered years; renewal fee $104
- Pre-Approval Required?
- N/A
- Audit
- N/A
Coming in from another state?
Hawaii offers licensure by endorsement for land surveyors holding an unexpired license issued by any domestic or foreign jurisdiction with requirements of a standard satisfactory to the Board. If the Board is in doubt about the standards, they may require additional examination. All endorsement applicants must pass the Hawaii Description Writing Exam. Responsible charge experience for endorsement applicants is credited at a 2:1 ratio (2 years responsible charge = 1 year of required experience). NCEES Records are accepted for verification but not required.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Hawaii's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.