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MO State licensure requirements

Missouri

Missouri land surveyors are regulated by the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects (APEPLSPLA). The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). Missouri overhauled its qualification rules effective January 1, 2024, offering three education-and-experience tracks. Candidates must pass the NCEES FS exam, the NCEES PS exam, and Parts I and II of the Missouri Specific Examination.

See the pathway Board site
Quick reference

Everything on one card.

The fields most candidates ask us about, pulled directly from the board's published requirements.

01
Licensing Board
Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, and Professional Landscape Architects (APEPLSPLA)
02
Board Website
pr.mo.gov/apelsla.asp
03
License Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
04
Intern Title
Land Surveyor Intern (LSIT)
05
Education
3 tracks (as of Jan 2024): BS with 15 hrs surveying → 4yr exp; 60 credits with 15 hrs surveying → 5yr exp; 15 hrs surveying + HS diploma → 6yr exp; all tracks require 6 hrs in boundary law
06
Experience
4–6 years under PLS depending on education; at least 24 months field and 16 months office; military experience up to 1 year even without PLS supervision
07
Required Exams
FS (national), PS (national), Missouri Specific Examination Parts I and II
08
Renewal
Biennial (initial license valid through Dec 31 of current year)
09
CE Requirement
20 PDH per biennial cycle; 4 PDH Missouri Minimum Standards every 4 years; max 12 PDH online per cycle
10
CE Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
11
Reciprocity
Yes — must have 15 hrs surveying coursework + pass MO Specific Exam Parts I and II
Pathway

Step-by-step to PLS.

A linear view of the typical path — from education to license. Some steps overlap in practice.

  1. 01

    Meet Education Requirements and Enroll as LSIT

    As of January 1, 2024, Missouri offers three tracks: Track 1 — BS in approved curriculum with 15 semester hours of surveying (including 6 hrs boundary law); Track 2 — 60+ college credits with 15 hrs approved surveying coursework (6 hrs boundary law); Track 3 — HS diploma/GED + 15 hrs approved surveying coursework (6 hrs boundary law) + 2 years experience under a PLS. Those enrolled before January 1, 2024 are grandfathered under old rules. The 15-hour surveying core is non-negotiable across all tracks.

  2. 02

    Pass the FS Exam

    Available now

    The NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. Register through NCEES after meeting LSIT enrollment requirements.

  3. 03

    Gain Qualifying Experience

    Accumulate 4 years (Track 1), 5 years (Track 2), or 6 years (Track 3) of satisfactory field and office experience under the immediate personal supervision of a PLS. At least 24 months must be field experience and 16 months must be office experience. Up to 1 year of military land surveying experience may count even without PLS supervision. Up to 1 year of board-approved postsecondary education may substitute for experience (Track 3 only). Experience must be documented in chronological detail with 100% time accountability.

  4. 04

    Pass the PS Exam

    Available now

    The NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers.

  5. 05

    Pass the Missouri Specific Examination (Parts I and II)

    Prep coming soon

    Missouri requires passing both Part I and Part II of the Missouri Specific Examination. These exams cover Missouri surveying laws, minimum standards for property boundary surveys (20 CSR 2030-16), the Public Land Survey System as applied in Missouri, and state-specific practice requirements. Both parts are required for comity applicants as well.

  6. 06

    Apply for Licensure

    Submit your completed application to APEPLSPLA with all required documentation. Processing time varies. If licensure is granted, your initial license is valid until December 31 of the current year. The board does not project specific licensure dates. Completed applications are processed in order of receipt.

Available Azimuth Prep covers this exam now. Coming soon State-specific exam prep is in production.
Continuing education

After you're licensed.

What this state requires to keep your license active.

Total Hours
20 PDH per biennial renewal cycle
Ethics Requirement
4 PDH in Missouri Minimum Standards required every 4 years (counts toward the 20 PDH in the cycle it is taken)
Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
Self-Study
Maximum 12 PDH online per renewal cycle
Renewal Period
Biennial — initial license valid through Dec 31 of current year; see Statute 327.351 and Board Rule 20 CSR 2030-11.010 for renewal details
Pre-Approval Required?
Not confirmed — verify with board
Audit
Not confirmed — verify with board
Reciprocity

Coming in from another state?

Missouri offers comity licensure for PLSs licensed in another state, territory, U.S. possession, or foreign country. Comity applicants must have a minimum of 15 semester hours of land surveying coursework and must pass Parts I and II of the Missouri Specific Examination. Experience must be documented with 100% time accountability. NCEES Records are accepted.

Source documents

Verify everything yourself.

Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.

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