Michigan
Michigan land surveyors are regulated by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing. The license title is Professional Surveyor (PS). Candidates must pass the NCEES FS exam, the NCEES PS exam, and the Part IIB Michigan Principles & Practice of Professional Surveying exam administered by PSI. Michigan does not require department approval before scheduling any of the exams.
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
Michigan requires an ABET-accredited BS degree in surveying (EAC, ETAC, or ANSAC accreditation), or an acceptable baccalaureate degree meeting board criteria per R 339.17201. Foreign degree holders must obtain a credentials evaluation from a NACES member organization. The department may grant up to 5 years of professional experience credit for qualifying degrees.
- 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. Michigan does not require department approval before scheduling — register directly with NCEES at ncees.org.
- 03
Gain 4 Years of Professional Experience
Accumulate at least 4 years of professional surveying experience under the supervision of a licensed/registered professional surveyor in Michigan or another state. Experience must include both office and field work in areas such as boundary surveying, geodetic surveying, mapping, and construction layout. Documentation from the supervising professional must attest to the work experience, supervision, and dates.
- 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. No department approval needed — register directly with NCEES.
- 05
Pass the Part IIB Michigan Exam
Prep coming soonThe Part IIB Michigan Principles & Practice of Professional Surveying exam is a state-specific exam administered by PSI at testing centers. Contact PSI at psiexams.com or 855-579-4635 to schedule. No department pre-approval is required. This exam covers Michigan-specific surveying laws, standards, and practices.
- 06
Apply for Licensure
Submit your online application with all required documentation through LARA's licensing system. Upload the month and year you passed NCEES exams during the Supporting Documentation step. Application fee: $135. The application is valid for 1 year — if you haven't met all requirements within that window, you must reapply. Use CE Broker to track continuing education after licensure.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 30 PDH per biennial (24-month) cycle
- Ethics Requirement
- 2 PDH in ethics as it relates to professional surveying
- Carryover
- Not confirmed — verify with LARA
- Self-Study
- Not more than 12 PDH may be earned in any 24-hour period
- Renewal Period
- Biennial
- Pre-Approval Required?
- No — licensees self-certify compliance at renewal; LARA partners with CE Broker for tracking
- Audit
- Random audit — records must be maintained for 4 years
Coming in from another state?
Michigan offers reciprocal licensure for Professional Surveyors licensed in another state with at least 4 years of practice experience. Reciprocal applicants must pass the Part IIB Michigan Principles & Practice of Professional Surveying exam. Application fee for reciprocal applicants is $135.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
Michigan's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.