Michigan Land Surveyor CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years
We're building a tool that tracks your CE hours and reminds you before your deadline — no more digging through board sites to check where you stand. Join the waitlist:
Requirements Overview
The Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors, part of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, requires every professional surveyor to complete continuing education to renew. A surveyor licensed 24 months or more must earn 30 hours of continuing education during the 2-year renewal period; a surveyor at their first renewal who has held a license more than 12 but fewer than 24 months owes a prorated 15 hours.
The requirement applies whether or not you actively practice surveying, and no one is exempt from the base requirement. Hours must be relevant to the occupation. Michigan does not impose a separate professional-ethics hour requirement for surveyors, unlike several neighboring states.
Licenses renew every two years by October 31, and submitting the online renewal certifies compliance. Keep your documentation for 4 years — LARA audits a random selection of renewals after the period closes.
Exemptions
- Continuing Education Waiver (Hardship) — The Board of Professional Surveyors may waive the continuing education requirements for a renewal applicant who, upon written request, shows the failure to complete the required hours was due to disability, military service, absence from the continental United States, or a circumstance beyond the licensee's control. Waivers cannot be granted prospectively.No one is exempt from the base continuing education requirement; a waiver is granted only after the fact upon written request and board review.
How You Can Complete Your CE
Michigan CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Michigan that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- First renewal is prorated: a surveyor who has held a license more than 12 but fewer than 24 months at the first renewal must obtain 15 hours; a surveyor licensed 24 months or more must obtain the full 30 hours.
- The requirement applies whether or not the surveyor is actively practicing; no one is exempt from the base requirement.
- Licenses renew every 2 years by October 31, and submitting the online renewal certifies that the CE requirement has been met.
- Relicensure after a lapse requires completing 15 hours of continuing education during the 12 months immediately preceding the relicensure application.
- Retain documentation of completed continuing education for 4 years; LARA audits a random selection of renewals after the renewal period.
Tips for Michigan PLSs
- Confirm whether you are in a first (prorated) renewal or a full cycle: 12-to-24 months of licensure at renewal means 15 hours, while 24 months or more means the full 30 hours.
- Do not mail your certificates with the renewal. Michigan renewal is by certification — you self-certify on the online form and must produce documentation only if selected for audit.
- Keep completion records for 4 years from the date you apply to renew. LARA uses an automated random selection process for audits after the renewal period.
- If illness, military service, absence from the continental U.S., or another circumstance beyond your control prevents completing the hours, you can request a waiver in writing — but the Board cannot grant it prospectively, only after the fact.
- If your license lapses and you seek relicensure, you must complete 15 hours of continuing education in the 12 months immediately before applying.
Sources
- Cross-checked against the official published rules of the Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors (LARA, Bureau of Professional Licensing)
- Each stated figure recorded with its exact source excerpt
- 1 source cited — 1 primary (official board)
PLS Requirements in Nearby States
Other Professions in Michigan
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.