Registered Professional Land Surveyor (RPLS)

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Application Process Exam Renewals

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 the Texas Specific Surveying Exam (TSSE) exam information 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

Effective January 1, 2026, the new 32 hour education requirements described in Section 134.31 of our Laws and Rules will take effect. Applications submitted after January 1, 2026 will need to meet these new requirements. If you are unsure about whether you need to meet the new education requirements, please refer to our Education Requirement FAQ.

An Approved Course Checklist must be accompanied by course descriptions for each course from your collegiate catalog. All courses must be conferred by an official transcript. If your education has not changed since being approved for the SIT under 1071.253(1-4), you are not required to resubmit your transcripts or the Approved Course Checklist.

Please choose the appropriate course checklist based on when you plan on submitting your application:

Exams

An individual must take and pass the NCEES Principals and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam prior to applying to become a RPLS. A Texas SIT may register to take the PS exam. A Texas SIT can take the PS Exam as many times as needed to pass. There is no limit to the amount of attempts an individual has to pass the PS before applying. Only after you have passed the PS Exam can your application to take the TSSE exam be reviewed.

NCEES generates and administers the Principals and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam. A Texas SIT may register for the computer based PS exam that is offered at testing centers around the nation, and offered year-round. For more information about the PS exam protocol, please visit NCEES.org. All individuals are required to register with NCEES and pay the exam fee. Once the individual has completed these activities, they will receive an email from NCEES inviting them to select an exam time and location. Only individuals who have passed the PS exam may submit an application to take the TSSE for RPLS registration.

For more information about the TSSE, please visit our Surveying Exams page.

Renewals

The renewal period for 2026 opens November 1st and closes December 31st. Renewal periods in 2027 and on will be posted to our homepage when open.

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