Land Surveying License Process

Becoming a Professional Land Surveyor:

• By examination -You are an individual who is not already licensed in another state.

• By reciprocity - You are an individual who is already licensed in another state.

• By reinstatement - You were licensed in Kentucky and allowed it to expire.

1. Apply for the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination.
   • Application Instructions
   • Fundamentals of Land Surveying Exam Application (PDF - 265KB)

2. After receiving approval from the Board, register with ELSES.
   • ELSES registration site.

3. Take the Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination.
   • Unacceptable behavior at the testing center - Please Read Carefully!
   • Fundamentals of Land Surveying Examination Specifications. (PDF - 119KB)

4. Apply for the Principles & Practice of Land Surveying Examination.
   • Application Instructions
   • Principles & Practice of Land Surveying Exam Application (PDF - 265KB)

5. After receiving approval from the Board, register with ELSES.
   • ELSES registration site. 

6. Take the Principles of Land Surveying Examination
   • Unacceptable behavior at the testing center - Please Read Carefully!
   • Principles & Practice of Land Surveying Examination Specifications. (PDF - 125KB) 

If you are licensed in another State or U.S. territory, you are eligible for Kentucky licensure provided the requirements and qualifications supporting your license equals or exceeds Kentucky’s requirements in effect on the date of issuance. Kentucky requires an NCEES Record as an application for reciprocal licensure. Information regarding obtaining a record can be found at the NCEES Records Program. Please follow the instructions at that website and contact the NCEES Records Department at 800-250-3196 if you encounter problems. The fee payable to NCEES for establishing the record is $150 if you have been licensed in the profession for one year or more and $100 if for less than one year.  You must request the record from NCEES, we can not do this for you.

You must also send us a $150 application fee to the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors, 160 Democrat Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601.  Please make the check or money order for $150 payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer and include a letter with the payment indicating that it is your reciprocity application fee. There is no application to complete.  All fees are non-refundable.  If you prefer to pay this fee with a credit card, please call our office.

Upon approval of your application, you will be required to take and pass the 2-hour state specific Kentucky exam. It is given on various dates throughout the year at the Board office.

Application for reinstatement must be made by individuals who previously held a Kentucky license that has been expired for more than one year, or a licensee who has elected "inactive" or "retired" status and now wants to practice land surveying.

Apply for reinstament according to the instructions below:

1. Fill out the application form.
   • Reinstatement Application (PDF - 1028KB)
   • Part III "Endorsers" should only be completed for the time period from licensure in Kentucky through the application date. The endorser number (left hand side of table) must be written in the upper right hand corner of the corresponding Report of Professional Experience (RPE). (PDF - 780KB) The applicant is to complete Sections 1 and 3 and mail to the endorser to complete Section 2. Do not return with your application.
   • Sign and date page 3 and include a check or money order for $500 made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. All fees are non-refundable.  If you prefer to pay this fee with a credit card, please call our office.
     

2. The applicant must complete eight (8) professional development hours for each calendar year since license expiration, up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) hours including compliance with the requirements for courses in professional ethics and standards of practice. See 201 KAR 18:192 for further information.

3. Complete the Affidavit Regarding Engineering or Land Surveying.
   • Surveying Affidavit (PDF - 10KB)
   • Indicate whether or not you have practiced land surveying since the expiration of your license. If you did practice, please describe such practice on a separate sheet and attach to the affidavit.

4. Include a cover letter explaining the following:
   • Why did you allow your license to expire?
   • Why are you seeking reinstatement?
   • What do you intend to do with your license if reinstated?
   • What evidence of qualification for continued practice do you have as required by 201 KAR18:115?