Massachusetts
Massachusetts land surveyors are regulated by the Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, housed within the Division of Professional Licensure. The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). Massachusetts is unique in requiring both an oral examination and a Massachusetts-specific jurisprudence exam as part of the PS exam. Massachusetts uses a classification system (250 CMR 3.04) for determining education and experience requirements, and notably does not currently require continuing education for 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
Massachusetts uses Application Classifications per 250 CMR 3.04 to determine education and experience requirements. The most common pathway is a 4-year ABET-accredited degree in land surveying or a related field. Foreign degree holders must obtain a credentials evaluation from NCEES. The board evaluates each application against the classification tables to determine which pathway the applicant qualifies under.
- 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. Upon passing, you may apply for an optional Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) certificate, though it is not required for PLS licensure.
- 03
Gain Qualifying Experience
Accumulate the required years of experience (4–8 years depending on your classification) under the direct supervision of a Professional Land Surveyor licensed within the United States or its territories. Experience must be documented and verified by the supervising PLS.
- 04
Pass the PS Exam (Including MA Jurisprudence)
Available nowThe PS Exam in Massachusetts consists of two components: (1) the uniform NCEES PS exam, and (2) a Massachusetts-specific jurisprudence exam prepared and graded by the Board. Both components must be passed. If you pass only one component, you have 5 years to pass the remaining component.
- 05
Pass the Oral Exam
Prep coming soonMassachusetts requires an oral examination for PLS applicants. This exam assesses your practical knowledge, professional competence, and familiarity with Massachusetts surveying practice. Comity applicants must also sit for the oral exam.
- 06
Apply for Registration
Submit your completed application with all required documentation, NCEES Record (or equivalent), transcripts, experience verification, and references. The Board and its subcommittees evaluate and act on license applications. Upon approval, you will be registered as a Professional Land Surveyor in Massachusetts.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- No continuing education currently required (proposed 18 PDH biennial has not yet been adopted)
- Ethics Requirement
- N/A
- Carryover
- N/A
- Self-Study
- N/A
- Renewal Period
- Biennial — expires June 30 of even-numbered years
- Pre-Approval Required?
- N/A
- Audit
- N/A
Coming in from another state?
Massachusetts offers registration by comity for PLSs licensed in other states who meet all Massachusetts requirements for at least one Application Classification. Comity applicants must submit an NCEES Record (or Board-approved equivalent), sit for an oral exam, and pass the Massachusetts-specific jurisprudence component. The Board may waive the personal examination in certain classification scenarios. Massachusetts may also enter mutual reciprocity agreements for foreign-licensed engineers.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Massachusetts's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.