Professional Land Surveyor Renewal Guide
Maryland Surveyor PDH Requirements
A source-based summary of continuing professional competency requirements for Maryland-licensed professional land surveyors and property line surveyors.
Maryland Renewal Requirements
The following items are expressly stated in Maryland statutes, Board rules, or current Board guidance unless marked as an interpretation.
Renewal cycle and total units
- Renewal cycle Biennial. Each professional land surveyor license is valid for a two-year term.
- Required units A minimum of 24 continuing professional competency (CPC) units per two-year renewal cycle, earned from qualifying activities described in the Board’s regulations.
- No carryover No carryover is permitted for any excess CPC units earned during a two-year cycle.
- Applies to both credentials The requirement applies to licensed professional land surveyors and to property line surveyors.
Mandatory content and categories
- 4 units in a defined cluster At least 4 of the 24 CPC units each cycle must be in content areas covering Minimum Standards of Practice, Maryland boundary law, ethical awareness, codes of conduct, and standards of care.
- Maryland-specific element Because the cluster includes Maryland boundary law and Minimum Standards of Practice, part of these 4 units is Maryland-specific.
- Category structure Under COMAR 09.13.08, at least 16 of the 24 units must be earned in higher-tier (Category A) activities, with no more than 8 in Category B activities.
- Verify categories Licensees should confirm how a given activity is categorized, since the 16/8 split affects which activities count toward the total.
Online Study and Approval Rules
Online and distance education
Verified structure. Maryland classifies qualifying activities into categories under COMAR 09.13.08. The category into which an online or self-study course falls determines how much of the 24-unit total it can satisfy, since at least 16 units must be Category A and no more than 8 may be Category B.
Practical interpretation. A surveyor relying on online coursework should confirm whether each course is treated as Category A or Category B, because only up to 8 units may come from the lower category. The mandatory 4-unit ethics and standards cluster must be satisfied within these categories.
The 4 mandatory units may draw on the Maryland Minimum Standards of Practice, boundary-law materials, and codes of conduct.
Qualifying activities
Verified requirement. CPC units are earned from qualifying activities described in the Board’s regulations. Qualifying activities are those that maintain, improve, or expand the skills and knowledge needed to practice land surveying or property line surveying.
The mandatory content cluster covers Minimum Standards of Practice; legal cases, commentaries, and materials on Maryland boundary law; awareness of ethical concerns and conflicts; familiarity with codes of conduct; and understanding of standards of practice or care.
Documentation. The licensee earns units upon completion of qualifying activities and must be able to document participation and completion.
Records, Reporting, and Audit
Record retention
At renewal the licensee certifies completion of the required CPC units. Documentation of participation and completion should be retained so it can be produced if the licensee is selected for audit.
License and permit holders receive a renewal notice 60 days before expiration and are expected to file the online renewal application within that window to keep the license active.
Audit and reinstatement
The Board audits CPC compliance. A licensee selected for audit must provide documentation supporting the units certified at renewal.
All reinstatement applicants are subject to a CPC audit. A licensee reinstating a lapsed license must certify completion of the required CPC units and complete any additional instructions from the Board.
Dual Licensure and Status Options
Dual engineer and surveyor licensees. A dual-licensed engineer and surveyor complies with the CPC requirements applicable to land or property line surveyors, except that at least one-third of the units earned must come from qualifying programs on engineering-related topics.
No carryover. Because no excess units carry forward, each two-year cycle must independently meet the full 24-unit requirement, including the 4-unit mandatory cluster and the Category A minimum.
Property line surveyors. Property line surveyors are subject to the same CPC requirement as professional land surveyors and should apply the same 24-unit structure.
Reinstatement audits. Because all reinstatement applicants are audited, a licensee who has let a license lapse should assemble complete CPC documentation before applying to reinstate.
Primary Maryland Sources
Board rules control if a summary conflicts with an official requirement. Licensees should verify their own renewal date and current instructions through the Board.
Board CPC Requirements
The Board’s official continuing professional competency page, with the 24-unit requirement, the 4-unit mandatory cluster, and the no-carryover rule.
COMAR Title 9, Subtitle 13
The Code of Maryland Regulations governing land surveyors, including the CPC categories and qualifying activities under 09.13.08.
Board for Professional Land Surveyors
Maryland’s dedicated surveyor licensing board, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
Renew Your License
The Board’s online renewal page for Maryland professional land surveyors and property line surveyors.
SurveyorCE offers a growing library of surveyor-focused PDH courses through a simple one-time $135 membership. Visit the homepage to see how the program works and decide whether it fits your renewal needs.
Important Notice
This page is an educational summary, not legal advice or a determination that any particular course will be accepted. Requirements, Board interpretations, and renewal procedures can change. The Maryland Board for Professional Land Surveyors, within the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, is the controlling authority.