Easiest States to Get a Land Surveyor License (2026): Ranked
Becoming a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) is one of the most rigorous licensing paths — typically requiring a 4-year degree, years of supervised experience, and national exams. But the details vary by state. Across the 51 states we track, experience requirements average 4 years, government fees range from $700 to $1100, and 51 states participate in NCEES comity for easier interstate endorsement.
This guide ranks states by overall ease of PLS licensure, factoring in fees, experience requirements, state exam requirements, and NCEES comity participation.
Key Takeaways
- 51 states offer an intern/trainee level (formerly EIT) as a stepping stone to PLS
- 8 states rely solely on NCEES national exams (FS + PS) without a separate state exam
- 51 states participate in NCEES comity, allowing easier license transfers
- Lowest experience requirement: 4 years (Alabama)
Easiest States for PLS Licensure (Ranked)
Rankings favor states with NCEES comity participation (transferable license), lower fees, fewer experience years, and no additional state exam beyond national NCEES exams.
| Rank | State | Experience Yrs | State Exam | NCEES Comity | Gov. Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Alaska | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $950 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $920 |
| #3 | Hawaii | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $844 |
| #4 | Montana | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $850 |
| #5 | Oklahoma | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $700 |
| #6 | Utah | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $775 |
| #7 | Vermont | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $800 |
| #8 | Wyoming | 4 yrs | Not required | Yes | $800 |
States Participating in NCEES Comity
NCEES comity allows licensed surveyors to obtain licensure in additional states more easily, often without re-examination. These 51 states participate:
States With No Additional State Exam
These 8 states rely entirely on NCEES national exams (Fundamentals of Surveying and Principles and Practice of Surveying) without requiring an additional state-specific exam:
States With Lowest Experience Requirements
| State | Experience Yrs | Intern Level | NCEES Comity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Alaska | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Arizona | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Arkansas | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| California | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Colorado | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Connecticut | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Delaware | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| District of Columbia | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
| Florida | 4 yrs | Yes | Yes |
All States: PLS Licensing Requirements
| State | Intern Level | PLS Level | Experience Yrs | State Exam | Gov. Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $900 |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $950 |
| Arizona | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $1,100 |
| Arkansas | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $775 |
| California | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $950 |
| Colorado | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $1,000 |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $901 |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $920 |
| Florida | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $900 |
| Georgia | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $750 |
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $844 |
| Idaho | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $780 |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Indiana | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $750 |
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $780 |
| Kentucky | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $775 |
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Maine | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $1,000 |
| Michigan | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $788 |
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $830 |
| Mississippi | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Missouri | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $760 |
| Montana | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $850 |
| Nebraska | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $1,000 |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $820 |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $910 |
| New Mexico | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| New York | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $964 |
| North Carolina | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $755 |
| North Dakota | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $700 |
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $700 |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $825 |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $755 |
| Rhode Island | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $810 |
| South Carolina | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $780 |
| Tennessee | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $800 |
| Texas | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $900 |
| Utah | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $775 |
| Vermont | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $800 |
| Virginia | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $790 |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $1,034 |
| West Virginia | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $775 |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | Required | $780 |
| Wyoming | Yes | Yes | 4 yrs | No | $800 |
The NCEES Exam Pathway
Most states use NCEES standardized exams as the primary route to PLS licensure:
- FS (Fundamentals of Surveying) — Entry-level exam taken after completing an accredited degree. Required to become a surveying intern in most states.
- PS (Principles and Practice of Surveying) — Advanced exam taken after accumulating required supervised experience. Passing PS is the final step to PLS licensure in most states.
- State-specific exam — Some states add their own exam covering state law and local surveying standards in addition to the NCEES exams.
Explore by State
See complete PLS licensing requirements, fees, and renewal rules for every state.
View All Surveyor State Pages →Land Surveyor Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $103,790 | $1,050 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Texas | $59,450 | $1,000 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Florida | $62,100 | $1,000 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| New York | $79,050 | $1,064 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $73,680 | $855 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Illinois | $77,540 | $900 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Ohio | $65,970 | $900 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Georgia | $60,410 | $850 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| North Carolina | $67,870 | $855 | 8.1 yr | View → |
| Michigan | $69,990 | $888 | 8.1 yr | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
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