North Carolina
North Carolina land surveyors are regulated by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS). The license title is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). North Carolina requires 15 PDH annually — one of the higher annual CE requirements nationally — including mandatory hours in Ethics and Standards of Practice.
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
North Carolina requires a degree in surveying or a related field. Verify specific degree and coursework requirements with NCBELS, as they have specific curriculum standards.
- 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.
- 03
Gain Qualifying Experience
Accumulate progressive land surveying experience under the supervision of a licensed PLS. Verify specific experience requirements with NCBELS.
- 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.
- 05
Pass the NC State-Specific Exam
Prep coming soonNorth Carolina requires a state-specific exam — verify the current format and content with NCBELS.
- 06
Apply for Licensure
Submit your completed application to NCBELS with all required documentation.
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 15 PDH annually (ending December 31)
- Ethics Requirement
- 1 PDH in Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct per annual renewal (effective 12/31/2024)
- Carryover
- Up to 15 PDH may carry forward to the next renewal period
- Self-Study
- No limit on online hours; correspondence courses accepted with exam requirement
- Renewal Period
- Annual — expires December 31
- Pre-Approval Required?
- Sponsors must be approved by NCBELS; licensees may select non-sponsor courses but post-evaluation may result in non-acceptance
- Audit
- Board may audit; course evaluation forms must be sent to sponsors for each course taken
Coming in from another state?
North Carolina offers comity licensure — verify specific requirements with NCBELS. NCEES Records are accepted.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
North Carolina's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.