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

Requirements Overview

The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS) requires continuing professional development, measured in Professional Development Hours (PDH), for licensed land surveyors. The rule is set per year: you must accumulate 15 PDH each year of a two-year renewal cycle, for 30 PDH per renewal period. Licenses expire every two years on your birthday.

A surveyor-specific twist: on and after January 1, 2019, every licensee must attest at renewal to reading chapter 58.09 RCW (the Survey Recording Act) and chapter 332-130 WAC (minimum standards for land boundary surveys). That attested reading counts as a qualifying activity worth 2 PDH. PDH earned above the 15-per-year requirement may be carried forward to the next renewal period, though self-study is capped at 5 PDH per year.

All renewals are subject to board audit, so keep records for the current period plus the prior two years. Notably, Washington professional engineers have no CE requirement — this obligation is specific to land surveyors (and on-site sewage system designers).

Mandatory Topics

Exemptions

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  Retired Status — Licensees in Retired Status are exempt from the PDH requirements.
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  Inactive Status — Licensees in Inactive Status are exempt from the PDH requirements.
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  Waiver (Disability, Illness, Hardship, Or Military) — The board may waive the time requirement for physical disability, prolonged illness, extenuating circumstances/hardship, or active military duty (120 or more days). A waiver expires at the next renewal unless extended.

How You Can Complete Your CE

Washington CE Rules & Limits

Details specific to Washington 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 — PDH credits gained in excess of the 15-PDH annual requirement may be carried forward to the next renewal period.
• The requirement is measured per year: 15 PDH each year of a two-year renewal cycle (30 PDH per renewal period). Licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday.
• On and after January 1, 2019, every licensed surveyor must attest at renewal to having read chapter 58.09 RCW (Survey Recording Act) and chapter 332-130 WAC (minimum standards for land boundary surveys); this reading is worth 2 PDH (WAC 196-16-110 and 196-16-120).
• PDH earned in excess of the 15-per-year requirement may be carried forward to the next renewal period (WAC 196-16-130). Self-study is capped at 5 PDH per year.
• Records must be retained for the current renewal period plus the prior two years; all renewals are subject to board audit, and disqualified credits must be made up in the next period (WAC 196-16-135). Noncompliance or falsification is grounds for discipline (WAC 196-16-140).
• Washington professional engineers have no continuing education requirement — the CPD obligation applies to land surveyors (and on-site sewage system designers) under WAC 196-16.

Tips for Washington PLSs

• Hit 15 PDH in each of the two years — the requirement is annual, not just 30 by the end of the cycle, so you cannot bank all 30 in one year.
• Each renewal, complete the mandatory attestation that you read ch. 58.09 RCW (Survey Recording Act) and ch. 332-130 WAC (boundary survey standards); it satisfies a requirement and earns you 2 PDH.
• Limit self-study to 5 PDH per year — beyond that cap it won't count, so mix in live seminars, conferences, or college coursework for the rest.
• Carry forward pays off: PDH earned above 15 in a year can roll into the next renewal period, so a heavy conference year can cushion a lighter one.
• Keep your records for the current period plus the prior two years — every renewal is subject to audit, and disqualified credits must be made up in the next period.

Sources

PLS Requirements in Nearby States

Other Professions in Washington

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.