Professional Land Surveyor Renewal Guide
Pennsylvania Surveyor PDH Requirements
A source-based summary of continuing education requirements for Pennsylvania-licensed professional land surveyors.
Pennsylvania Renewal Requirements
The following items are expressly stated in Pennsylvania statutes, Board rules, or current Board guidance unless marked as an interpretation.
Renewal cycle and total hours
- Renewal cycle Biennial. Land surveyor licenses renew on a two-year cycle, with the Board emailing renewal notices two to three months before expiration.
- Required hours During each biennial renewal period, a licensee shall complete 24 PDH units of continuing education, as a condition of renewal.
- Carryover A maximum of 12 PDH may be carried forward into the next renewal period.
- First biennium exempt A licensee is not required to complete continuing education during the biennium in which the licensee is first licensed.
Subjects and dual licensees
- No fixed subject minimums Pennsylvania does not mandate a set number of ethics hours or a state-specific statutes course for surveyors; law and ethics content is permitted but not separately required.
- Dual licensees A licensee who holds more than one license from the Board must complete the required continuing education to renew each license.
- Shared-course credit A continuing education activity applicable to more than one class of license may be applied to each license for which the course is applicable.
- Excluded content No credit is given for a course in practice building or office management.
Online Study and Approval Rules
Online and distance education
Verified status. Online continuing education courses are accepted by the Board, and there is no stated cap on the number of PDH earned online for surveyors. All 24 PDH may generally be earned through qualifying online coursework.
Practical interpretation. A surveyor may satisfy the full requirement through qualifying online courses relevant to the practice of surveying, provided the content maintains, improves, or expands skills and knowledge, including law and ethics applicable to the profession.
One hour of professional development in coursework, seminars, or technical presentations equals one PDH unit; one continuing education unit equals ten PDH units.
Provider and course approval
Verified process. The Board does not pre-approve providers or specific courses. Each licensee determines whether an activity meets the Board’s requirements, and the Board retains authority over acceptance.
Credit is available for coursework, seminars, and technical presentations, for teaching such activities at double the standard PDH value (with limits and an exclusion for full-time faculty performing their regular duties), and for other qualifying professional development defined by the Act.
Licensee responsibility. Because there is no pre-approval, the licensee confirms that each activity qualifies and retains documentation.
Records, Reporting, and Audit
Record retention
Pursuant to the Act, each licensee must maintain a log documenting the type of continuing professional competency activity claimed for PDH, and must maintain records verifying completion for 5 years after completion of the activity.
At renewal, the licensee certifies compliance with the continuing education requirement through the PALS online system. Documentation is produced if the licensee is audited.
Audit and reactivation
The Board verifies that the licensee complied with the continuing education requirements during the biennial period immediately preceding the renewal. A licensee selected for audit provides the activity log and proof of completion.
For reactivation of a lapsed license, the Board will not reactivate until all delinquent continuing education, not to exceed 24 PDH, has been completed, and the licensee uploads proof of the 24 PDH and the activity log with the reactivation application.
Exemptions and Status Options
First licensure. A licensee is not required to complete continuing education during the biennium in which first licensed, easing the transition into active practice.
Reactivation. A licensee who allowed licensure to lapse by failing to register biennially may apply for reactivation by paying the current registration fee, verifying the period of non-practice, and completing delinquent continuing education not to exceed 24 PDH.
Good-cause relief. The Board may excuse continuing education for good cause under the Act, subject to documentation and Board approval.
Recent requirement. Pennsylvania’s mandatory continuing education for engineers, land surveyors, and geologists was established under Act 170 of 2006 and implemented by Board regulation; licensees should confirm the current biennial requirement through the Board.
Primary Pennsylvania 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.
49 Pa. Code § 37.111
The Board’s continuing education rule, covering the 24-PDH requirement, dual-license and shared-course rules, carryover, and records.
63 P.S. § 151.5 (Act Section 4.5)
The Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law provision requiring continuing professional competency as a condition of renewal.
Land Surveyor Licensure Snapshot
The Department of State’s official snapshot summarizing the 24-PDH continuing education requirement for land surveyors.
PALS Online Licensing
Pennsylvania’s online licensing system where surveyors renew, reactivate, and certify continuing education.
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 Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists is the controlling authority.