Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS)

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Application Process

Please submit all documents in a hard copy format with original signatures (by mail or hand delivery). Refer to our Surveying Exams page for exam and application deadlines.

All documents must be completed and submitted to the Board before an applicant is reviewed. Once a decision is reached, the applicant will be emailed the results of the review. If rejected, the applicant will be told what they must supply to the Board in order for their application to become approved. Incomplete applications, miscellaneous application materials, and rejected applications will be held for a period of one year before being discarded. Please contact licensing at the Board office if you need assistance.

The following documents/items are required to take the RPLS Exam:

1. RPLS Application

All questions must be answered. A Failure to complete any portion of the application form will disqualify your application for the Board review. This application must be accompanied by a check or money order (unless application is a military service member – see section 2).

Application Form Application Checklist

2. Application Payment

The application fee of $75.00 must be submitted with the application. This payment must be in the form of a personal check, cashier’s check or money order. No cash is accepted.

3. Boundary Land Surveying Experience and Professional Land Surveyor References

Supplementary Experience Records and Three References from Licensed or Registered Professional Land Surveyors. See the Download Forms page

4. (CHRC) Criminal History Record Check

In meeting with legislatively mandated fingerprinting requirements for all professional license holders, all applicants for license and registration must have a record check performed as part of the registration process.

After successfully completing the electronic fingerprint session at the state contracted vendor IdentoGO, TBPELS will receive a file daily with information regarding any matches to the DPS or FBI databases. If electronic fingerprinting is not possible, licensees may have their fingerprints processed by any law enforcement agency and then submitted to the state vendor for the record check requirement.

The only exception to this requirement is an applicant who is also a Professional Engineer and has previously met this requirement.

Refer to CHRC Webpage for instructions.

5. Transcripts

The applicant must submit certified college transcripts and any certificates of completion from other seminars/course taken. Only transcripts in sealed envelopes from the collegiate institution will be accepted as ‘certified’.

6. Approved Course Checklist

This form must be accompanied by course descriptions for each course from your collegiate catalog; not required if applying under section 1071.253 (1) All courses must be conferred by an official transcript. If your education experience has not changed since applying for the SIT, you are not required to resubmit your transcripts or the Approved Course Checklist. You are also not required to submit the Approved Course Checklist if you have a bachelor or associates degree in Land Surveying.

Surveyor Course Checklist 2026 Revised Surveyor Course Announcement

Exam

Visit our Surveying Exams page for more info.

Renewals

The yearly renewal period is from November 1st to December 31st.

Online - current and late renewals

https://pels.texas.gov/echo

Via Mail - current and late renewals

Contact the staff for a paper renewal notice and late renewal affidavit at licensing@pels.texas.gov