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How to become a licensed land surveyor in California. NCEES FS exam required. NCEES PS exam required. Experience: 4 years. Total initial fees: $950. Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Land Surveyor
Governing Authority
Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists
Official website →2 levels
License Levels
Required
FS Exam
Required
PS Exam
4 yrs
Experience Years
0 hrs
CE Hours
$950
Total Initial Fees
Official Title
Land Surveyor-in-Training (LSIT)
Requirements
Pass NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam; meet education requirements
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Official Title
Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
Requirements
Pass NCEES PS exam; 2 years of progressive experience under licensed surveyor; pass state-specific exam
Exam Required
Yes
Additional Requirements
Education & Degree Requirements
VerifiedDegree Required
Bachelor's degree in surveying, geomatics, or civil engineering with surveying emphasis
ABET Accredited
Not Required
Minimum Education
No formal degree required with sufficient experience (6+ years)
Accepted Alternatives
Most states require a degree in surveying, geomatics, or a related field from an ABET-accredited program. Some states allow additional experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience Under Licensed Surveyor
Verified4 yrs
Years with Degree
6 yrs
Years without Degree
Supervision
Must work under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor
Experience Type
Progressive surveying experience including boundary surveys, geodetic surveys, and/or construction surveys
Alternative Paths
Most states require progressive surveying experience under a licensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS). States with degree requirements typically need fewer experience years.
Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
NCEES FS Exam
Required
NCEES PS Exam
Required
State-Specific Exam
NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS)
110
Questions
6 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score; set by NCEES
Passing Score
$225
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based testing (CBT) year-round at NCEES-approved Pearson VUE centers
NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS)
100
Questions
8 hrs
Time Limit
Scaled score; set by NCEES
Passing Score
$375
Exam Fee
Format: Computer-based testing (CBT) year-round at Pearson VUE
State-Specific Exam: California State-Specific Surveying Exam (CSE)
Format: Multiple choice and/or written
Fee: $150
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
FS Exam Fee Paid directly to NCEES | $225 |
PS Exam Fee Paid directly to NCEES | $375 |
State Exam Fee | $100 |
License Fee | $150 |
Renewal Fee | $150 |
Total Initial Fees Includes application, FS exam ($225), PS exam ($375), state exam ($100), license fee ($150) | $950 |
Renewal & CE/PDH Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
No
PDH Required
CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$150
Regulatory Board
Land surveyor licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education or professional development hours (PDH) covering surveying standards, legal updates, and technical advancements.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
NCEES Comity
Accepted
Model Law Surveyor
Not Recognized
Reciprocity Type
NCEES comity/reciprocal licensure
Transfer Details
California accepts comity applications from surveyors licensed in other states who meet NCEES Model Law Surveyor requirements. Additional state-specific requirements may apply.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
Land surveyor license reciprocity is often facilitated through the NCEES comity process. Surveyors who meet Model Law Surveyor requirements may qualify for expedited licensure in other states.
Stamp/Seal Requirements
VerifiedProfessional Stamp/Seal Required
Seal Type
Rubber stamp or digital seal with license number, signature, and date
Details
All survey plats, maps, and legal descriptions prepared by or under the supervision of the licensee must bear the professional seal, signature, and date.
Licensed Professional Land Surveyors are typically required to affix their professional stamp or seal to all surveying documents, plats, and legal descriptions they prepare.
California does not require continuing education for surveyors — one of very few states without CE requirements. However, California's state-specific exam is considered particularly challenging and heavily tests California-specific boundary law and the Public Land Survey System.
State Minimum Technical Standards Apply
Reference: California Business and Professions Code Section 8700-8805
California has adopted minimum technical standards for land surveys that licensees must follow. These standards address boundary surveys, subdivisions, ALTA/NSPS surveys, and other survey types performed within the state.
California is one of few states that does NOT require continuing education for license renewal.
California has its own state-specific exam that is considered one of the more challenging in the nation.
The LSIT certification does not expire in California.
California requires only 2 years of experience with an approved surveying degree.
The Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is a consumer protection agency under DCA.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#1 of 51
Cost
#45 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Surveyors (SOC 17-1022)
Entry Level
$76,820
25th percentile
Median
$103,790
+43% vs. national avg ($72,740)Experienced
$134,070
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
3,750 employed in this state
Source: BLS OEWS – Surveyors (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+3.9%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+1,800
over 10 years
Annual Openings
3,500
per year (avg.)
47,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 420–450 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the NCEES FS and PS licensing exams.
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Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
California requires the NCEES FS and PS exams for Professional Land Surveyors. 4 years of experience under a licensed PLS is required. All licensing is managed through the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.