The role of a Professional Surveyor involves the precise measurement and mapping of land, which is foundational to property ownership, development, and legal descriptions. These professionals establish and define property boundaries, prepare plats, and perform topographic and construction surveys. Licensure in Michigan requires academic preparation, supervised fieldwork, and rigorous examination. This article outlines the specific requirements mandated by the Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors.
Meeting Michigan’s Educational Requirements
The Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors requires candidates to possess a baccalaureate or higher degree in a surveying program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Acceptable accreditation bodies include the EAC/ABET, ETAC/ABET, or ANSAC/ABET. Official transcripts must be provided to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) as part of the application process.
A degree from a non-ABET-accredited program may be accepted if the coursework is deemed substantially equivalent. The applicant must obtain a credentials evaluation from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) or a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). This evaluation must verify the degree meets the NCEES Surveying Education Standard core requirements.
Gaining Required Field Experience (The Surveyor-in-Training Phase)
Michigan law requires applicants to document at least eight years of professional surveying experience for final licensure. Up to five years of this total requirement can be credited through education: four years for a baccalaureate degree in an approved surveying program, and an additional year for a post-baccalaureate degree.
A candidate with a bachelor’s degree must acquire a minimum of four years of acceptable, supervised professional experience after graduation. This professional experience must be gained under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Surveyor (PS) in Michigan or another jurisdiction. The work must involve common surveying tasks such as boundary determination, geodetic surveying, platting, and construction layout.
Documentation of this experience is required via completed experience forms submitted to the department. The forms require the supervising individual to attest to the work experience, the nature of the supervision, and the dates of employment.
Navigating the Licensing Examinations
The path to full licensure requires passing three distinct examinations, two national and one state-specific. The first is the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, a standardized, computer-based test administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This exam is typically taken after or near the completion of the educational requirements. The second national component is the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, which assesses the candidate’s understanding of professional practice. The third test is the Michigan Principles & Practice of Professional Surveying exam, administered by PSI, which covers the specific laws, rules, and procedures governing surveying within Michigan.
Candidates must pass all three exams and complete all education and experience requirements before submitting their final application. The department no longer requires pre-approval for testing, but candidates must notify the department of their NCEES exam results during the online application process for score verification.
Final Application and Licensure as a Professional Surveyor
Once the educational, experience, and examination requirements have been successfully completed, the final step is submitting the administrative application package to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This process is completed online through the MiPLUS system. The application requires the candidate to complete all fields, answer good moral character questions, and pay the licensing fee, which is $135 for a new two-year license.
The candidate must upload all supporting documentation, including official transcripts and the completed experience forms that document professional work. The department reviews the complete submission to verify that the candidate has met all statutory and administrative rules. Upon successful verification, the candidate is formally issued the Professional Surveyor (PS) license, granting them the legal authority to practice independently in the state.
Maintaining Your License and Career Outlook
A Professional Surveyor license in Michigan operates on a biennial renewal cycle, requiring the licensee to meet Continuing Professional Competency (CPC) requirements. Licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year period immediately preceding the license expiration date.
Of the required 30 hours, a minimum of two hours must be dedicated to professional ethics related to surveying. The continuing education can be acquired through various activities:
- College courses
- Seminars
- Distance learning
- Professional presentations
Failure to complete the necessary hours before the expiration date can result in the need to apply for relicensure.
The career outlook for a licensed Professional Surveyor in Michigan is favorable, with opportunities across civil engineering firms, government agencies, and private land development companies. The average annual pay for a Licensed Land Surveyor in the state is approximately $84,470, with the top earners making over $115,000 annually. Specialization can lead to higher-paying roles, such as a Land Survey Manager, which can increase earning potential.