Florida Land Surveyor CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 24 Hours Every 2 Years
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Requirements Overview
The Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers — housed within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), separate from the engineering board (FBPE) — requires 24 continuing education credits per biennium to keep a license active (FAC Rule 5J-17.041). One credit equals a classroom hour of at least 50 minutes.
A specific block is mandatory: at least 6 of the 24 credits must be a course on Florida's minimum technical standards, on Florida's laws affecting the practice of surveying and mapping, or a course combining both. The remaining credits are general.
Florida is strict about sourcing: every course must be offered by a board-approved provider and approved before you attend to earn full credit — there is no self-reported credit, and providers report your completions directly to FDACS. Up to 12 excess credits may be carried forward to the following renewal period. Always confirm a provider's approval status before enrolling.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida minimum technical standards or laws affecting surveying and mapping | 6 | Every renewal | At least 6 of the 24 credits must be an approved provider's course on Florida's minimum technical standards, on Florida's laws affecting the practice of surveying and mapping, or a course combining both subjects. These count within the 24-credit total. |
How You Can Complete Your CE
Florida CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Florida that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — Up to 12 excess CE credits earned beyond the required 24 may be carried forward to the following renewal period.
- 24 CE credits are required each biennium, of which at least 6 must cover Florida's minimum technical standards and/or laws affecting the practice of surveying and mapping (FAC 5J-17.041).
- One CE credit is awarded for each classroom hour of at least 50 minutes of instruction.
- All courses must be from a board-approved provider and approved before attendance — there is no self-reported credit; providers submit completions to FDACS within 30 days (10 business days in the final month of the cycle).
- Up to 12 excess credits may be carried forward to the next renewal period.
- Surveyors and mappers are regulated by the Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers within FDACS — a different board from the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE).
Provider Requirements
All continuing education courses must be offered by a Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers approved provider and must be approved by the board prior to attendance to receive full credit. Providers electronically report course completions to FDACS within 30 days (10 business days during the last month of the renewal cycle).
Tips for Florida PLSs
- Confirm the provider is on the Florida Board's approved list before you enroll — courses from non-approved providers earn no credit, no matter the subject.
- Schedule the 6-credit block on Florida minimum technical standards and/or surveying laws early; it is required every renewal and is separate from your general technical credits.
- You do not self-report — approved providers submit completions to FDACS. If your record looks short near renewal, remember providers have up to 30 days (10 business days in the final month) to report.
- Carry up to 12 excess credits into the next biennium, so a productive course year can offset the following cycle.
- Remember surveyors and mappers are regulated by FDACS, not the engineering board — use the FDACS provider list and rules (Chapter 5J-17), not FBPE guidance.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Florida Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers (FDACS)
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
PLS Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Florida
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.