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WI State licensure requirements

Wisconsin

Wisconsin land surveyors are regulated by the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors. Wisconsin requires 20 CE hours per biennial period with mandatory categories in WI statutes/rules, professional conduct/ethics, and professional land surveying.

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
Wisconsin DSPS — Examining Board of Architects, Landscape Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers, and Professional Land Surveyors
02
Board Website
dsps.wi.gov
03
License Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
04
Intern Title
Land Surveyor Intern — 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
20 hours per biennial period; must include 2 PDH each in: (1) WI statutes/rules, (2) professional conduct/ethics, (3) professional LS or related sciences
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

    Wisconsin requires education in surveying or a related field. Verify specific degree and coursework requirements with DSPS.

  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 DSPS 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
20 hours per biennial renewal period
Ethics Requirement
Minimum 2 PDH each in: (1) Wisconsin statutes and rules regulating PLSs and surveys; (2) professional conduct and ethics; (3) professional land surveying or related sciences
Carryover
Not confirmed — verify with board
Self-Study
Not confirmed — verify with board
Renewal Period
Biennial — CE requirement does not apply to first biennium after initial licensure
Pre-Approval Required?
Not confirmed — verify with board; see Administrative Code for details
Audit
Not confirmed — verify with board
Reciprocity

Coming in from another state?

Wisconsin offers comity licensure — verify specific requirements with DSPS. 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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