Professional Land Surveyor Renewal Guide
Montana Surveyor PDH Requirements
A source-based summary of continuing professional competency requirements for Montana-licensed professional land surveyors.
Montana Renewal Requirements
The following items are expressly stated in Montana statutes, Board rules, or current Board guidance unless marked as an interpretation.
Renewal cycle and total hours
- Renewal cycle Biennial. Licenses renew by June 30 of even-numbered years, covering the two-year renewal period.
- Required hours Every licensee must obtain 30 PDH units during the two-year renewal period. The same requirement applies to engineers and land surveyors.
- Carryover A licensee who exceeds 30 PDH in a renewal period may carry forward a maximum of 15 PDH into the subsequent period.
- Engineer-surveyors A person licensed as both an engineer and a land surveyor must obtain at least one-third of the required hours in each profession.
Mandatory subjects and limits
- No mandatory subjects Montana does not require a set number of ethics hours or a state-specific statutes course for surveyors; the requirement is 30 qualifying PDH.
- Self-study cap A maximum of 10 PDH per renewal cycle may be earned through self-study.
- Self-study defined Self-study is a formatted review of new subject matter or technical information, such as video series or internet courses that do not include a final examination.
- Relevance Each activity must have a clear purpose and objective that maintains, improves, or expands skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s field of practice.
Online Study and Approval Rules
Online, distance, and self-study
Verified distinction. The key limit is on self-study, capped at 10 PDH per cycle. Self-study means formatted review activities without a final examination, such as certain video series or internet courses.
Practical interpretation. An online course that includes a graded final examination is generally not treated as self-study and is not subject to the 10-PDH self-study cap. This distinction matters: a surveyor relying on on-demand courses without an exam can apply only 10 of the 30 hours, while examined online courses can count more broadly.
There is no separate cap on qualifying online coursework that is not classified as self-study.
Provider and course approval
Verified process. The Board does not pre-approve providers or specific courses but retains final authority over approval of continuing education content and activities. Each licensee determines whether an activity meets the Board’s requirements.
PDH units may be earned through college courses; continuing education courses; correspondence, televised, videotaped, and other short courses or tutorials; presenting or attending seminars, in-house courses, workshops, or technical presentations; teaching or instructing; authoring published works; active participation in professional or technical societies; and patents.
Conversions. One CEU equals 10 PDH; college and ABET-approved coursework converts per the Board’s rule.
Records, Reporting, and Audit
Record retention
The responsibility for maintaining records to support claimed credits rests with the licensee. These records must be maintained for three years, and copies may be requested by the Board for audit verification.
At renewal, the licensee affirms an understanding of the recurring duty to comply with continuing education requirements. Documentation is produced on request rather than submitted routinely with the renewal.
Audit
The Board conducts audits to verify compliance. A licensee selected for audit must provide documentation supporting the PDH claimed for the renewal period.
Because carryover is capped at 15 PDH, audit review confirms both the current period’s hours and any carryover applied from the prior period.
Exemptions and Status Options
New licensees. A licensee’s first renewal may be subject to a reduced or waived requirement under the Board’s rules; a surveyor licensed for only part of the first renewal period should confirm the applicable proration with the Board.
Engineer-surveyors. A person holding both licenses satisfies the 30-PDH requirement with at least one-third of the hours earned in each profession, rather than a separate 30 for each.
Hardship and inactive status. The Board’s rules provide for relief in defined circumstances and for inactive status. An inactive licensee may not practice land surveying in Montana, and returning to active status is handled through the Board’s process.
Intern certificates. Land surveyor interns renew their certificates every two years by June 30. Continuing education obligations attach to licensure as a professional land surveyor.
Primary Montana 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.
Mont. Admin. R. 24.183.2105
The Board’s continuing professional competency rule, covering the 30-PDH requirement, the self-study cap, carryover, engineer-surveyor rules, and records.
Land Surveyor License Information
The Board’s official land surveyor page, with renewal and continuing education information.
Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
The Montana board that licenses and regulates professional engineers and professional land surveyors, within the Department of Labor and Industry.
Montana ePass Licensing
Montana’s online licensing system for renewing and managing a professional land surveyor license.
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 Montana Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, within the Department of Labor and Industry, is the controlling authority.