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SD State licensure requirements

South Dakota

South Dakota land surveyors are regulated by the South Dakota Board of Technical Professions. South Dakota requires 30 PDH per biennial period with at least 20 hours in technical subjects safeguarding public health, safety, and welfare. The board does not pre-approve CE courses or providers.

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
South Dakota Board of Technical Professions
02
Board Website
dlr.sd.gov/bdcomm/engineer/
03
License Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
04
Intern Title
Land Surveyor Intern (LSI) — verify with board
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
30 PDH per biennial period; 20 must be technical HSPW; 10 may be professional management/ethics; 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

    South Dakota requires education in surveying or a related field. Verify specific degree and coursework requirements with the Board of Technical Professions.

  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.

  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 Licensure

    Submit your completed application to the Board of Technical Professions with all required documentation.

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
30 PDH per biennial (24-month) period
Ethics Requirement
At least 20 PDH must be in technical subjects directly safeguarding HSPW; remaining 10 may include professional management or ethics
Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
Self-Study
No online limitations; self-study activities must include testing with formal recorded passing scores
Renewal Period
Biennial
Pre-Approval Required?
No — board does NOT pre-approve courses or providers; licensees responsible for selecting qualifying courses
Audit
Not confirmed — verify with board
Reciprocity

Coming in from another state?

South Dakota offers comity licensure — verify specific requirements with the Board of Technical Professions. 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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