New Mexico
New Mexico land surveyors are regulated by the New Mexico Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors. The license title is Professional Surveyor (PS). Candidates must possess an approved 4-year degree, complete a 4-year internship, and pass the FS and PS exams. The board no longer accepts direct applications for FS/FS exams — candidates register through NCEES. New Mexico requires 30 PDH per biennial period including 2 PDH in ethics.
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
New Mexico requires an approved 4-year degree in the profession (surveying, civil engineering, or related field from an accredited institution). The New Mexico Engineering and Surveying Practice Act and Administrative Code detail the specific requirements.
- 02
Pass the FS Exam and Obtain Intern Certification
Available nowThe NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. Note: The board no longer accepts direct applications for the FS exam — register through NCEES. Passing the FS does not automatically approve you for Intern Certification; you must meet all requirements under the NM Practice Act and Administrative Code.
- 03
Complete 4-Year Internship
Complete at least a 4-year internship under the supervision of a licensed Professional Surveyor. The internship must provide progressive experience in land surveying practice.
- 04
Pass the PS Exam
Available nowThe NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round. Once your application is approved and eligibility established, the board will notify you of required exam fees, dates, and locations. The board maintains close contact with applicants throughout the examination process.
- 05
Apply for Licensure
Submit your completed application to the board. If approved, you will be notified of the initial licensing fee and issued a license number. The license number determines your renewal schedule. Contact the board at 505-476-4565 for questions. Refer to the fee schedule for specific costs.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 30 PDH per biennial (24-month) period
- Ethics Requirement
- 2 PDH in Ethics (mandatory)
- Carryover
- Not confirmed — verify with board
- Self-Study
- Not confirmed — verify with board
- Renewal Period
- Biennial
- Pre-Approval Required?
- Not confirmed — verify with board
- Audit
- Not confirmed — verify with board
Coming in from another state?
New Mexico offers licensure by comity or endorsement for surveyors licensed in other states. However, additional examination(s), internship, or education may be required if the initial out-of-state license was determined not to have been issued under equal or exceeding requirements as New Mexico had at the time of initial licensure. NCEES Records are accepted. Contact the board for specific comity requirements.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
New Mexico's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.