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

Requirements Overview

The South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors requires every licensed surveyor to obtain 30 PDH units during each biennial (two-year) renewal period as a condition of renewal. Licenses expire June 30 in even-numbered years.

There is no fixed ethics or laws block, but South Carolina caps non-technical content: effective July 1, 2022, no more than 50% of the PDH claimed in a renewal cycle may be in business or non-technical subject matter. Live internet-based and archived/correspondence distance courses are expressly allowed. If you exceed the requirement, up to 15 excess PDH may be carried into the next period — though claiming the full 15 carryover subjects your prior period to audit.

Several exemptions apply, including new licensees (first renewal period), retirees, and those licensed before January 1, 1969.

Exemptions

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  New Licensees (First Renewal Period) — New licensees by way of examination or comity are exempt for their first renewal period.
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  Physical Disability, Illness, Or Extenuating Circumstances — Licensees experiencing physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances may apply to the Board for an exemption or extension of time; supporting documentation must be furnished.
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  Retired Licensees — Licensees who list their occupation as 'Retired' and certify they no longer receive remuneration for engineering or surveying services are exempt. To return to active practice they must first earn PDH for each year exempted, not to exceed 30 PDH.
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  Licensed Before January 1, 1969 — Engineers and surveyors continuously licensed by the Board prior to January 1, 1969 are exempt from continuing education requirements.

How You Can Complete Your CE

South Carolina CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to South Carolina that generic CE guides tend to miss:

• Carry-over — If a licensee exceeds the requirement, up to 15 excess PDH units may be carried forward into the subsequent renewal period. Claiming the full 15 carryover units subjects the previous renewal period to audit.
• The requirement is 30 PDH units per biennial renewal period; South Carolina surveyor licenses expire June 30 in even-numbered years (R.49-602).
• Effective July 1, 2022, no more than 50% of PDH claimed in a renewal cycle may be earned in business or non-technical subject matter (R.49-602(D)).
• There are no fixed mandatory subject hours (no required ethics/laws block), but the 50% technical rule effectively floors technical content.
• Dual licensees (engineer and surveyor) earn the same 30 total, but at least 10 units must be obtained separately for each profession (R.49-609).
• Keep records for at least two renewal cycles; NCEES Records Program transcripts are accepted as documentation (R.49-605).

Tips for South Carolina PLSs

• Keep at least half of your 30 PDH in technical subjects — the 50% cap on business/non-technical content is a hard limit as of July 2022.
• If you carry forward the full 15 excess PDH, expect the Board to audit your prior renewal period, so keep that documentation airtight.
• New surveyors licensed by examination or comity are exempt for their first renewal period; confirm your first full compliance cycle with the Board.
• Dual engineer-and-surveyor licensees still owe 30 total, but at least 10 units must be earned separately for each profession.
• Maintain records for at least two renewal cycles. NCEES Records Program transcripts are accepted as proof if you are audited.

Sources

PLS Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in South Carolina

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.