Delaware Land Surveyor CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

The Delaware Board of Professional Land Surveyors — part of the Division of Professional Regulation, and separate from the engineering board (DAPE) — requires 24 PDH of professional development each biennium as a condition of renewal (24 Del. Admin. Code 2700, §10.1). The renewal period runs July 1 to June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Two restrictions shape how you earn the hours. No more than 8 of the 24 PDH may come from online courses (§10.1.1), and Delaware allows no carryover — any hours beyond 24 in a biennium cannot be applied to the next cycle (§10.1).

Several licensees get a reduced load. Surveyors 62 or older who are retired (working under 20 hours a week), and disabled licensees, need only 12 PDH per biennium (max 4 online). New licensees are pro-rated: none if licensed under a year, 12 PDH if one to two years, and the full 24 if licensed two or more years. Keep records for at least five years, because the Board audits at random.

Exemptions

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  Newly Licensed (Pro-Rated) — A surveyor licensed less than 1 year at renewal owes no continuing education; licensed 1 year but less than 2 years owes 12 PDH (max 4 online); licensed 2 or more years owes the full 24 PDH (max 8 online).
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  Retired / Senior (Age 62+) Or Disabled — A licensee 62 or older at renewal who is retired (working fewer than 20 hours weekly), or who is disabled, must complete only 12 PDH each subsequent biennium, of which no more than 4 may be online.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Delaware CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Delaware that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — No carryover. Excess PDH earned beyond the required 24 in a biennium may not be applied to the next biennium.
• The renewal period runs July 1 to June 30 of odd-numbered years; the full 24 PDH must be completed within that biennium.
• No more than 8 of the 24 PDH may be earned through online courses (no more than 4 of 12 for reduced retired/disabled licensees).
• Delaware does not allow carryover — excess hours earned in one biennium cannot be applied to the next.
• New licensees are pro-rated: none required if licensed under 1 year, 12 PDH if 1 to under 2 years, and the full 24 PDH if licensed 2 or more years at renewal.
• Retain PDH records for at least 5 years; the Board conducts random audits and noncompliance carries a minimum reprimand plus a $250 fine.
• Land surveyors are regulated by the Delaware Board of Professional Land Surveyors (Division of Professional Regulation) — a different body from the Delaware Association of Professional Engineers (DAPE), which licenses engineers.

Tips for Delaware PLSs

• Watch the online cap: at most 8 of your 24 PDH can be online courses, so plan at least 16 hours of in-person or other approved formats.
• Do not over-invest late in the cycle expecting to bank hours — Delaware allows no carryover, so anything over 24 in a biennium is lost.
• The cycle ends June 30 of odd-numbered years; count your 24 hours within that July-to-June window rather than a calendar year.
• If you are 62+ and retired (under 20 hours/week) or disabled, you may qualify for the reduced 12-PDH requirement (max 4 online) — confirm eligibility with the Board.
• Keep completion certificates for at least five years; Delaware runs random audits and noncompliance brings a reprimand plus a $250 fine.

Sources

PLS Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Delaware

All Land Surveyor CE Requirements by State

Open any other state's Land Surveyor CE (PDH) requirements, or see the full Land Surveyor CE hub to compare every state in one table.