Land Surveyor License Cost by State (2026): Complete Fee Breakdown

Becoming a licensed land surveyor is a multi-year process in every state, but the government fees involved vary considerably. Initial licensing fees across the 51 states we track range from $700 to $1100. Understanding what you will pay -- and what those fees cover -- is an important part of planning your path to licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS).

This guide breaks down government licensing fees for surveyors across all states, with context on the intern (EIT/SI) pathway, the PLS license, exam costs, and NCEES comity reciprocity. Data is pulled directly from our verified state surveyor databases.

The Two-Stage Licensing Path

Surveyor licensing in the United States follows a two-stage pathway in most states. Fees exist at both stages:

What Costs Are Included in Our Fee Data?

Key Statistics

Cheapest States for Surveyor Licensing

These states have the lowest government fees in our database. Note that NCEES exam fees (~$175 per exam) are separate and apply in all states that use the national FS and PS exams:

1. North Dakota -- $700 (4 years experience required) -- intern level available -- NCEES comity accepted
2. Oklahoma -- $700 (4 years experience required) -- intern level available -- NCEES comity accepted
3. Georgia -- $750 (4 years experience required) -- intern level available -- NCEES comity accepted
4. Indiana -- $750 (4 years experience required) -- intern level available -- NCEES comity accepted
5. North Carolina -- $755 (4 years experience required) -- intern level available -- NCEES comity accepted

Most Expensive States for Surveyor Licensing

These states have the highest government fees. In some cases, higher fees reflect state-administered supplemental exams in addition to the national NCEES exams:

1. Arizona -- $1,100 (state-specific exam required in addition to NCEES) (4 yrs experience required)
2. Washington -- $1,034 (state-specific exam required in addition to NCEES) (4 yrs experience required)
3. Nevada -- $1,000 (state-specific exam required in addition to NCEES) (4 yrs experience required)
4. Massachusetts -- $1,000 (state-specific exam required in addition to NCEES) (4 yrs experience required)
5. Connecticut -- $1,000 (state-specific exam required in addition to NCEES) (4 yrs experience required)

NCEES Comity: Reducing Multi-State Costs

51 states participate in NCEES comity (endorsement), which allows licensed surveyors to obtain reciprocal licensure in participating states without retaking the FS or PS exams. This can save $350+ in NCEES exam fees per additional state, plus significant exam preparation costs.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

The Intern Pathway: Starting Costs

51 states offer or require a Surveyor Intern (SI) credential as the first step toward PLS licensure. Obtaining the intern credential as early as possible allows you to begin accumulating supervised experience toward the PLS.

Complete State-by-State Fee Table

The table below covers all 51 states in our database, sorted alphabetically. Click any state for the full requirements, exam details, and fee schedule.

Note: Government fees shown are for initial PLS licensure and may not include NCEES exam fees (~$175 each for FS and PS), which are paid directly to NCEES and apply in most states.

Total Cost of Becoming a Licensed Surveyor

When planning your path to PLS licensure, budget for costs across the full journey:

Tips for Managing Surveyor Licensing Costs

• Take the FS exam as soon as eligible. Most states allow you to sit for the FS exam in your final year of your degree program. Passing early lets you start accumulating supervised experience immediately.
• Use NCEES comity for additional states. If you plan to work in multiple states, use NCEES comity to add states without retaking exams. This is far cheaper than individual state licensing from scratch.
• Invest in exam preparation. Pass rates for the PS exam are historically around 60-70%. A quality prep course that ensures a first-pass result saves $175+ in retake fees plus months of delay.
• Document all supervised experience carefully. Average required experience across states is 4 years. Missing documentation can delay your application and require costly additional time under supervision.
• Check for ABET requirement impact. 18 states require an ABET-accredited degree. Attending an ABET-accredited program can prevent complications at the application stage.

Next Steps

Click any state in the table above for the complete licensing requirements and fee schedule. Also explore our related surveying guides:

• How to Become a Licensed Land Surveyor: Complete Guide
• Browse all state surveyor licensing requirements

Sources

Fee data is sourced from official state surveyor licensing boards, state administrative codes, and the NCEES fee schedule for the FS and PS exams.

• Individual state surveying board websites (cited on each state page).
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) -- exam fees and comity program details.
• National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) -- licensure requirements overview.

Data was last verified in early 2026. Fees and requirements change as states update their licensing regulations. Always confirm current fees and requirements with your state's surveying licensing board before applying.