Idaho
Idaho land surveyors are regulated by the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (IPELS), housed within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). Idaho requires a 4-year degree, passage of the NCEES FS and PS exams, an Idaho-specific PLS exam, and 4 years of progressive experience including boundary survey work. As of July 2025, IPELS has transitioned to biennial licensure.
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
Idaho requires a 4-year degree for licensure. ABET-accredited surveying programs (EAC, ANSAC, or ETAC) are unconditionally approved. For related 4-year degrees, applicants must have completed at least 18 semester credit hours of mathematics and basic sciences plus additional surveying courses as determined by the Board. There is no experience-only pathway in Idaho.
- 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. All applicants may enroll directly with NCEES at ncees.org/exams. Passing the FS qualifies you as a Land Surveyor Intern (LSI).
- 03
Gain 4 Years of Progressive Experience
Accumulate 4 years of progressive land surveying experience after graduation with a BS degree. Experience must include boundary survey work. Speed up the application process by asking references to email their forms to [email protected]. Upload and store transcripts in your NCEES account for validation by Idaho.
- 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. Register directly through NCEES after meeting experience requirements.
- 05
Pass the Idaho State Specific PLS Exam
Prep coming soonIdaho requires a state-specific professional land surveying examination covering Idaho laws, standards, and practices. The passing score is set by the Board. Reexamination is allowed until a passing score is attained, but the Board may require additional oral or other examinations.
- 06
Receive Your License
Submit your completed application online. A passing score on the written ethics questionnaire is also considered in determining eligibility. Upon approval of all requirements, IPELS will issue your Professional Land Surveyor license.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 30 PDH per biennium
- Ethics Requirement
- Not specified separately — PDH must demonstrate continuing competency
- Carryover
- Up to 30 PDH may carry forward per renewal period
- Self-Study
- Not specified — follows NCEES CPC Guidelines
- Renewal Period
- Biennial (transitioned from annual to biennial July 2025)
- Pre-Approval Required?
- No — courses meeting NCEES CPC Guidelines criteria are acceptable
- Audit
- Board may request documentation; electronic submittals preferred in PDF format
Coming in from another state?
Idaho evaluates each comity application on its merits for substantial compliance with Idaho law regarding experience, examination, and education. A minimum of 4 years of progressive experience after graduation with a BS degree is required. NCEES examinations satisfy the exam requirement. Applicants must also pass the Idaho state-specific PLS exam. NCEES Council Records are accepted for verification. The Board will consider only ABET-accredited surveying programs as unconditionally approved for education; other programs are evaluated on their specific merits.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Idaho's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.