North Dakota
North Dakota land surveyors are regulated by the North Dakota State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (ND PELS), under NDCC Chapter 43-19.1. The board requires 8 years of total qualifying experience (reduced by education credit), passage of the FS and PS exams (neither can be waived), and a state-specific exam on North Dakota land procedures and practices. Exams may be taken as soon as a candidate desires without completing a specific amount of experience first.
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 Dakota offers multiple education pathways. For LSIT certification: ABET-accredited BS in Engineering or Surveying requires no experience; non-ABET Engineering or Surveying degree requires 2 years; 2-year Engineering Technology or Surveying degree requires 2 years; no education requires full 4 years of experience. For PLS registration: ABET BS requires 4 years total experience; non-ABET or 2-year degree requires 6 years; no degree requires full 8 years.
- 02
Pass the FS Exam and Obtain LSIT
Available nowThe NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. This requirement cannot be waived by the board. Exams may be taken as soon as a candidate desires, without completing a specific amount of experience first.
- 03
Gain Qualifying Experience
Accumulate the required years of qualifying surveying experience of a character satisfactory to the board (4 years with ABET BS, 6 years with other degrees, 8 years with no degree). Experience must include combined field and office work. The board offers online application submission with status tracking.
- 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. This requirement cannot be waived by the board. Professional examinations may be taken as soon as a candidate desires.
- 05
Pass the North Dakota State-Specific Exam
Prep coming soonUpon successful completion of the PS exam, professional land surveyor applicants must pass an examination pertaining to land procedures and practices in North Dakota (per Admin Code 28-02.1-06-02). This exam covers North Dakota surveying law, corner preservation statutes, and state-specific practices.
- 06
Apply for Registration
Submit your completed application with all required documentation. Applications must be on a board-prescribed form under oath, showing education, detailed technical experience summary, and references (per NDCC 43-19.1-17). NCEES Records may be accepted if transmitted within one year of application. North Dakota has the lowest total initial licensing fees nationally (approximately $700).
After you're licensed.
What this state requires to keep your license active.
- Total Hours
- 30 CPC credits per biennial (24-month) period
- Ethics Requirement
- At least 20 hours must be in technical subjects directly safeguarding public HSPW; remaining 10 may include professional management or ethics
- Carryover
- Not confirmed — verify with board
- Self-Study
- Not confirmed — verify with board
- Renewal Period
- Biennial
- Pre-Approval Required?
- Yes — providers must be approved (McKissock is approved provider #CPCAP-05)
- Audit
- Not confirmed — verify with board
Coming in from another state?
North Dakota offers registration by endorsement for individuals holding a valid license in another jurisdiction. NCEES Records are accepted if transmitted within one year. Online application with status tracking is available. Comity applicants must meet all ND requirements including the state-specific exam.
Verify everything yourself.
Every detail above is sourced from these documents. If the board updates, we update — usually within a week.
North Dakota's prep, when it's ready.
We'll email you when the state-specific exam prep launches — no waitlist tricks, no spam, no obligation.