Professional Land Surveyor Renewal Guide
District of Columbia Surveyor PDH Requirements
A source-based summary of continuing education requirements for District of Columbia-licensed land surveyors.
District of Columbia Renewal Requirements
The following items are expressly stated in District of Columbia statutes, Board regulations, or current Board guidance unless marked as an interpretation.
Renewal cycle and total hours
- Renewal cycle Biennial. Land surveyor licenses expire August 31 in even-numbered years.
- Required hours 12 professional development hours per renewal period for land surveyors, which includes one required ethics course.
- First renewal exempt The requirement does not apply to an applicant seeking the first renewal of a license granted by examination.
- Attestation At renewal, the licensee attests through the OPLA online system that the continuing education has been completed.
Mandatory subjects
- Ethics One course in ethics is required within the 12 hours each renewal cycle.
- Professional relevance Continuing education programs must contribute to the licensee’s growth in professional competence in the practice of land surveying and engineering.
- Included in total The ethics course counts toward the 12-hour total and does not increase it.
- Note on engineers Professional engineers under the same Board have a higher requirement of 20 hours including ethics, so surveyors should confirm they are applying the 12-hour surveyor figure.
Online Study and Approval Rules
Online and distance education
Verified status. Online continuing education courses are accepted, and there is no stated cap on the number of hours earned online. A course must be a structured activity that contributes to professional competence in land surveying.
Practical interpretation. A District of Columbia surveyor can generally satisfy the 12-hour requirement, including the ethics course, through qualifying online coursework, provided the program is offered or accepted by a Board-approved entity.
Final authority over the acceptance of any claimed activity remains with the Board.
Provider and course approval
Verified requirement. To qualify, a continuing education program must be prepared, offered, administered, or accepted by an entity approved by the Board. The Board does not individually approve every course but sets criteria the program must meet.
Programs offered or sponsored by recognized national or state engineering and surveying societies are commonly accepted, and a program approved by a licensing board of another jurisdiction that regulates land surveying or engineering may be deemed approved.
Content standard. The activity must have a clear purpose and objective that maintains, improves, or expands skills and knowledge relevant to the licensee’s field of practice.
Records, Reporting, and Audit
Record retention
Continuing education is reported by attestation at renewal through the OPLA online system rather than by uploading documentation. The licensee is responsible for retaining a certificate of completion and a copy of the course outline for each activity claimed.
Because reporting is by attestation, documentation should not be submitted with the renewal unless the licensee is notified of selection for audit.
Audit procedure
The Office of Professional Licensing Administration may audit continuing education compliance for licensees at any time. A licensee selected for audit must produce records substantiating the hours attested at renewal.
Licensees should complete their continuing education on the normal schedule and renew online by the August 31 deadline, retaining supporting records in case of a later audit.
First Renewal, Fees, and Status
First renewal after examination. An applicant seeking the first renewal of a license that was granted by examination is exempt from the continuing education requirement for that renewal.
Renewal fees. The land surveyor renewal fee is $155.00 for up to two years, with a $50.00 late renewal fee. Reinstatement and inactive status are each $155.00.
Renewal timing. The Board has announced that the current renewal cycle opens June 1, 2026, ahead of the August 31 expiration. Licensees should confirm the exact renewal window through the OPLA portal.
Inactive status. A licensee may place a license on inactive status through the Board. An inactive license does not authorize the practice of land surveying in the District, and returning to active status is handled through the Board’s renewal or reinstatement process.
Primary District of Columbia Sources
Board regulations control if a summary conflicts with an official requirement. Licensees should verify their own renewal date and current instructions through the OPLA portal.
Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
The DLCP board page detailing the 12-hour surveyor requirement, ethics course, renewal dates, fees, and first-renewal exemption.
DCMR Title 17, Chapter 15
The District’s municipal regulations governing professional engineers and land surveyors, including continuing education provisions.
Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL)
The DLCP division that administers licensing and renewal for the District’s non-health professions, including land surveyors.
OPLA Online Renewal
The online portal where District licensees renew and attest to completed continuing education. An Access DC account is required.
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 District of Columbia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, is the controlling authority.