Louisiana
Louisiana land surveyors are regulated by the Louisiana Professional Engineering and Land Surveying Board (LAPELS), established in 1908 as the second-oldest licensing board of its kind in the country. The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). Candidates must pass the NCEES FS exam, the NCEES PS exam, and the Louisiana Laws and Procedures exam, along with meeting education and experience requirements. Louisiana requires 8 PDH per calendar year for PLS licensees.
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
Louisiana requires a 4-year bachelor's degree program with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of surveying, mapping, and real property courses approved by the LAPELS Board. ABET-accredited programs (such as Geomatics) or comparable ABET-accredited surveying and mapping programs are accepted.
- 02
Pass the FS Exam and Become a Land Surveyor Intern
Available nowThe NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. Upon passing and meeting education requirements, you may become a Land Surveyor Intern (LSI). A recommendation from an active Louisiana PLS is also required.
- 03
Gain 4 Years of Qualifying Experience
Accumulate at least 4 years of combined office and field experience in land surveying, including 2 or more years of experience in responsible charge of land surveying projects under the supervision of a Professional Land Surveyor. All experience must be verified by licensed PLSs using LAPELS experience verification forms.
- 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 apply to LAPELS for permission to take the exam after meeting education and experience requirements. Testing fees are paid directly to NCEES after board approval.
- 05
Pass the Louisiana Laws and Procedures Exam
Prep coming soonLouisiana requires a state-specific exam covering Louisiana surveying laws and procedures. This exam is administered by LAPELS and is required for both examination and comity applicants. Study materials include Louisiana statutes, the History of Land Titles in Louisiana, General Instructions to US Deputy Surveyors, and Legal Aspects of Boundary Surveying in Louisiana.
- 06
Apply for Licensure
Submit your completed application to LAPELS with all required documentation. Upon approval of all education, experience, and examination requirements, the board will issue your Professional Land Surveyor license.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 8 PDH per calendar year in land surveying-related acceptable activities (16 PDH per biennium)
- Ethics Requirement
- Not specified separately for PLS — verify with LAPELS
- Carryover
- Excess PDH may carry forward — verify specific limits with LAPELS
- Self-Study
- Not restricted — no limit on online or self-study methods
- Renewal Period
- Biennial
- Pre-Approval Required?
- Board does not pre-approve specific courses or providers; licensee is responsible for ensuring compliance
- Audit
- Board may request PDH activity log and supporting documentation; records must be maintained for 6 years
Coming in from another state?
Louisiana offers licensure by comity for Professional Land Surveyors licensed in other jurisdictions who meet equivalent requirements. All comity applicants must pass the Louisiana Laws and Procedures exam. NCEES Council Records are accepted for verification. Applications are reviewed at regularly-scheduled board meetings.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Louisiana's prep, when it's ready.
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