Getting A Permit

Qualified firms may apply for a permit to practice in Kentucky in:

• Engineering 
• Land Surveying

• Application for Permit to Practice Engineering and/or Land Surveying (PDF - 599KB)

A business entity must have a permit in order to engage in the practice of engineering and/or land surveying in this state. The permit will be valid until the following December 31st at which time the permit must be renewed. A renewal notice will be mailed prior to December 31st. Permits are renewed annually. If your renewal is received after December 31st, you must pay a penalty equal to ten percent of the renewal fee for each month, or fractional month, that payment of the renewal is delayed. Any permit holder who fails to renew within one year after expiration must apply for reinstatement.

• Practicing engineering and/or land surveying without this permit is a violation of state law.
• Separate permits are required for engineering and land surveying. You may apply for both permits on the same form by checking the third box, "Permits to practice both engineering and land surveying". Under question #1, you must list a responsible charge for both professions.
• You are required to obtain a business entity permit if you practice as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or professional limited liability company. The only exemption from the business entity permit is a sole proprietor practicing in his or her own name. This means, at minimum, your first (or middle name) plus your last name with no reference to others, such as "and Associates". For example, Doe Surveying would require a permit. John Doe Surveying would not require a permit. John Doe and Associates Surveying would require a permit.
• A business entity must have a Kentucky licensed Professional Engineer (Professional Land Surveyor) on staff who will be in responsible charge of the engineering (land surveying) services provided in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. If more than one place of business is maintained in Kentucky, a different Kentucky licensed Professional Engineer (Professional Land Surveyor) must be in responsible charge of the engineering (land surveying) work for each office and be located at that facility. A licensee who renders occasional, part-time, or consulting services to or for a business entity shall not be in responsible charge.
• A business entity must notify the board in writing within thirty days of any changes in the information contained in the application.

If applying for an engineering permit, the responsible charge listed in question #1 must sign as Professional Engineer. If applying for a land surveying permit, the responsible charge listed in question #1 must sign as Professional Land Surveyor. The Principal Officer signature must be someone listed in #4.

• KRS 322.010 - Definitions (PDF - 11KB)
• KRS 322.060 - Prerequisites for practice of engineering by a business entity (PDF - 9KB)
• 201 KAR 18:180 - Business entity permits.