Professional Land Surveyor Renewal Guide
North Carolina Surveyor PDH Requirements
A source-based summary of continuing professional competency requirements for North Carolina-licensed professional land surveyors.
North Carolina Renewal Requirements
The following items are expressly stated in North Carolina statutes, Board rules, or current Board guidance unless marked as an interpretation.
Renewal cycle and total hours
- Renewal cycle Annual. Licenses renew by December 31 each year, and the renewal period is the preceding year.
- Required hours Every licensee shall obtain 15 PDH units during the renewal period. North Carolina refers to this as continuing professional competency (CPC).
- Carryover A licensee who exceeds the annual requirement may carry forward a maximum of 15 PDH units into the subsequent renewal period.
- Dual PE and PLS A dual licensee’s total PDH requirement remains 15, but must include the mandatory subject hours applicable to each profession held.
Mandatory subjects
- Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct Effective with the 2024 renewal, at least 1 of the 15 PDH must be in Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct.
- Standards of Practice for Land Surveying A professional land surveyor must obtain 1 PDH in the Standards of Practice for Land Surveying, addressing content related to Section .1600 of the Board Rules.
- State-specific element The Standards of Practice hour addresses North Carolina surveying standards and generally cannot be satisfied by a generic national course.
- Remaining hours The balance of the 15 PDH may be earned in activities relevant to the practice of land surveying.
Online Study and Approval Rules
Online and distance education
Verified status. There is no limit on the number of PDH that may be earned online for surveyors. All 15 PDH, including the ethics and Standards of Practice hours, may be earned through qualifying online coursework.
Practical interpretation. A North Carolina surveyor may satisfy the full requirement online, provided the activity meets the Board’s content standards and the licensee retains the required documentation, including a completed course evaluation where applicable.
Selection of courses and activities that meet the Board’s requirements is the responsibility of the licensee.
Provider and course approval
Verified change. Effective January 1, 2025, the Board no longer pre-approves continuing education sponsors or specific courses. Each licensee determines whether an activity meets the Board’s requirements, a change from the prior sponsor-approval system.
Because the Board conducts post-evaluation of documented courses for compliance, a course that does not meet the rule’s content standards may be found not acceptable after the fact. Certain subject areas, such as personal development and firm management, are not accepted.
Licensee responsibility. The shift away from pre-approval places the burden on the licensee to confirm that each activity qualifies before relying on it.
Records, Reporting, and Audit
Record retention
The licensee must maintain records documenting each activity, including the subject, title, date, duration, presenter’s name, PDH credits earned, and other pertinent information, together with completion or attendance verification.
PDH records are reported to the Board at renewal. The licensee should retain supporting documentation in case of a post-evaluation review or audit.
Audit and post-evaluation
The Board may conduct post-evaluation of documented courses for compliance with the continuing competency rules. A course found not to meet the requirements may be rejected, leaving the licensee responsible for making up the shortfall.
Because sponsors no longer submit quarterly rosters and the Board no longer pre-approves courses, the accuracy of the licensee’s own documentation is central to demonstrating compliance.
Exemptions and Status Options
New licensees. A new licensee, whether by examination or comity, is exempt from the CPC requirements for the first renewal period. Any PDH reported during the first renewal period carry over to the next year.
Active-duty military. The Board provides relief for active-duty military members, and a licensee in that circumstance should confirm the applicable exemption or adjustment with the Board.
Society and outreach credit. A licensee may earn up to 2 PDH annually for active participation in professional or technical societies or accrediting organizations, limited to 2 PDH per society or organization, and may also earn credit for active participation in qualifying educational outreach activities.
Reinstatement from retired status. Returning to current status from retired status requires a reinstatement application, including references and documentation of 30 PDH earned during the last 24 months.
Primary North Carolina 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.
21 NCAC 56 .1703
The Board’s continuing professional competency requirements rule, covering the 15-PDH requirement, the ethics and Standards of Practice hours, and carryover.
NCBELS Continuing Education
The Board’s official continuing education page for individuals, including the 2024 ethics requirement and the surveyor Standards of Practice requirement.
Revised CPC Rules 2023
The Board’s notice of the revised continuing professional competency rules, including the ethics and surveyor Standards of Practice additions.
NCBELS Renew Online
The Board’s online portal where North Carolina surveyors renew and report 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, and North Carolina ended sponsor pre-approval effective January 1, 2025. The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors is the controlling authority.