Ohio Land Surveyor CE (PDH) Requirements (2026): 30 Hours Every 2 Years

Requirements Overview

Ohio's State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors (PEPS) applies one continuing-development rule to surveyors and engineers alike, set by statute (ORC 4733.151) and rule (OAC 4733-19-01). Every professional surveyor must complete 30 CPD hours during the two-year period before each biennial renewal, which expires December 31 of odd-numbered years.

Ohio also imposes an annual floor: at least 15 hours per calendar year, so you cannot defer all 30 to the second year. Within the 30, at least 2 hours must be in professional ethics or rules (required for registrations expiring on or after December 31, 2017). Excess hours carry forward, capped at 15 hours into the next biennium.

Dual registrants (both PE and PS) must earn at least 10 of the 30 hours in each discipline.

Mandatory Topics

Exemptions

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  First Year Of Registration — A registrant is exempt from the continuing professional development requirements during the first calendar year of registration.
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  Active Military Duty — The board may, upon request, waive the renewal fees and/or the continuing professional development requirement while the registrant is on active duty in any branch of the U.S. Armed forces.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Ohio CE Rules & Limits

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

• Annual minimum — at least 15 hours must be completed each year of the cycle, not just by the renewal deadline.
• Carry-over — A registrant who completes more than 30 hours in a biennial renewal period may carry forward a maximum of 15 excess hours to the next biennial renewal period.
• The requirement is 30 CPD hours per two-year biennium, with a per-calendar-year minimum of 15 hours (ORC 4733.151(A); OAC 4733-19-01(K)). Registrations expire December 31 of odd-numbered years.
• At least 2 of the 30 hours must be on professional ethics or rules relevant to engineering or surveying, for registrations expiring on or after December 31, 2017 (ORC 4733.151(C)(2)).
• A person registered as both a professional engineer and a professional surveyor must earn at least 10 of the 30 hours in engineering-related and at least 10 in surveying-related coursework or activities (ORC 4733.151(C)(1)).
• Up to 15 excess hours may be carried forward to the next biennium. Ohio does not pre-approve providers or courses; registrants self-certify and must retain a log plus certificates of completion for four calendar years, subject to audit (ORC 4733.151(E)-(G)).

Tips for Ohio PLSs

• Mind the annual minimum: Ohio requires 15 hours each calendar year, not just 30 across the biennium — banking everything into year two will leave you noncompliant for year one.
• Reserve 2 hours for professional ethics or rules each cycle; it is a fixed subset of the 30 hours, in force for registrations expiring on or after December 31, 2017.
• Ohio does not pre-approve providers or courses. You decide what qualifies and self-certify, so keep a detailed activity log plus certificates of completion for four calendar years in case of audit.
• You can carry up to 15 surplus hours into the next biennium — half the requirement — useful for a heavy course year.
• Hold both a PE and PS registration? Plan at least 10 hours in engineering-related and 10 in surveying-related activities within the same 30-hour total.

Sources

PLS Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Ohio

All Land Surveyor CE Requirements by State

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