PS — Comity/Reciprocity Pathway
Detailed licensing requirements and pathways
LICENSE GRADE
Professional Surveyor
STATUS
current
EFFECTIVE DATE
2024-01-01
SOURCE SUMMARY
Pathway for Professional Land Surveyors licensed in another state seeking California licensure through comity. Must meet all standard requirements including California state-specific PLS exam.
Requirements at a Glance
Visual summary of what this pathway requires
Exams
LAW
Experience
See Details
Professional practice
References
4
References
Additional
• Comity Available
Comity Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
COMITY
accepts_ncees_record: True
requires_good_standing: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8744
Applicants licensed in another state (comity applicants) must meet same application requirements as all other applicants. Must provide verification of licensure and exam from other state through NCEES verification system. May submit NCEES Records in lieu of Work Experience Engagements/References and transcripts (optional). Must include summary of all engagements listed within NCEES Record if using.
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Examination Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EXAM
exam: LAW
jurisdiction_specific: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8744; California state-specific PLS exam requirement
California law requires that ALL Professional Land Surveyor applicants, including comity applicants, successfully pass the California state-specific Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) exam. Administered twice yearly (spring and fall), 2-hour exam covering Professional Land Surveyors' Act (Business and Professions Code sections 8700-8805), Board Rules (Title 16 CCR sections 400-476), and related surveying law topics.
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Experience Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
EXPERIENCE
years_required: 0
progressive: True
under_pe_ps_supervision: True
broad_based: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8742; Section 8744
Comity applicants must meet California's qualifying experience requirements per Section 8742. Experience must be verified through NCEES verification system or Work Experience Engagement/Reference forms.
100% confidence
Reference Requirements
Type Parameters Required Source Citation Notes
REFERENCES
count: 4
from_pe_ps_only: True
Required
California Professional Land Surveyors' Act
Business and Professions Code Section 8743; Section 8744
Minimum of four (4) completed Work Experience Engagement/Reference forms required from land surveyors or civil engineers duly qualified to practice. If using NCEES Record in lieu of Work Experience Engagements/References, must include summary of all engagements listed within NCEES Record.
100% confidence