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PA State licensure requirements

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania land surveyors are regulated by the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, under the Department of State. Pennsylvania requires 24 PDH per biennial period with no limitations on online coursework. Records must be maintained for 5 years.

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
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
02
Board Website
dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/EngineersLandSurveyorsandGeologists/
03
License Title
Registered Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
04
Intern Title
Surveyor-in-Training (SIT)
05
Education
4-year degree in surveying or related field — verify with board
06
Experience
Progressive experience under a licensed PLS — verify with board
07
Required Exams
FS (national), PS (national), state-specific exam — verify with board
08
Renewal
Biennial
09
CE Requirement
24 PDH per biennial period; no online limitations
10
CE Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
11
Reciprocity
Yes — verify specific requirements with board
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

    Pennsylvania requires education in surveying or a related field. Verify specific degree and coursework requirements with the board.

  2. 02

    Pass the FS Exam and Obtain SIT

    Available now

    The NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying exam is computer-based, offered year-round at Pearson VUE testing centers. 110 questions, 6 hours. Submit your application to be certified as a Surveyor-in-Training (SIT).

  3. 03

    Gain Qualifying Experience

    Accumulate progressive land surveying experience under the supervision of a licensed PLS. Verify specific requirements with the board.

  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

    Apply for Registration

    Submit your application with the appropriate fee and required supporting documentation to the Board at P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649. Application fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. If you fail the exam or fail to sit, you must submit a reexamination application with a new fee.

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
24 PDH per biennial period
Ethics Requirement
Not specified separately — verify with board
Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
Self-Study
No limitations on online hours
Renewal Period
Biennial
Pre-Approval Required?
Not confirmed — board does not pre-approve but providers/activities must meet standards
Audit
Records must be maintained for 5 years after completion; log documenting type of activity required (per Section 4.5(f) of the Act)
Reciprocity

Coming in from another state?

Pennsylvania offers comity licensure — verify specific requirements with the board. Reactivation of inactive license requires completion of all delinquent CE (up to 24 PDH max) plus current period requirements.

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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