California

No degree required

Licensing Board

California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

Education

No degree required (2 years work experience qualifies for LSIT per BPELSG)

Experience

6 years total qualifying experience without degree; BS from approved program offsets up to 4 years

Examinations

  • FS (Fundamentals of Surveying) — required by all states
  • PS (Principles and Practice of Surveying) — required by all states
  • State-specific: California State-Specific PLS Exam (4-hour) plus Laws & Board Rules Exam

Continuing Education

No mandatory CE for renewal (confirmed per BPELSG; board considering implementation as of 2024 but not yet enacted)

Reciprocity & Comity

Limited comity; California has unique requirements

Professional Society

California Land Surveyors Association

Last verified: April 2026. Requirements can change — always confirm with California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists .