Licensure   Requirements

Steps   for   Becoming   a   Land   Surveyor:

Step 1 - Complete Your Education

Applicants to be come an SIT (and eventually a PLS) must have either:

1. Four-year baccalaureate degree in Land Surveying from an accredited college or university program; or
2. Four-year baccalaureate degree in a related science, including at least 24 semester hours of land surveying courses from an IDFPR approved curriculum of an accredited institution.

Step 2 - Become an SIT

Once an individual has completed their education, they can submit an application to the State of Illinois to take the SIT exam.

With successful passage of the SIT exam, you are then an SIT.

Step 3 - Get Experience

After becoming licensed as an SIT, a potential surveyor must gain at least four years of "responsible charge experience" under a Professional Land Surveyor.

Step 4 - Take and Pass the PLS Exam

An SIT may apply to the State of Illinois to take the PLS exam if he or she has, or will have, completed the requisite 4 years experience prior to the exam date.

Upon successful passage of the PLS exam, you then become licensed as a PLS.

Taking the PLS as soon as you are eligible helps because (1) the information is more fresh; and (2) the SIT license expires after 10 years, and if you don’t take and pass the PLS exam by then, you must retake the SIT exam as well as the PLS exam to become licensed.

Testing   Process   &   Deadlines

Applicants must register through three separate entities – with three sets of deadlines – prior to taking the exam.  In January 2014, the FS will become computer based.  Click here for more information.

Step 1

Complete your application through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Deadline for October exam: May 15. Deadline for April exam: November 15.
Click here to access the IDFPR applications.

Step 2

Register with NCEES and obtain an identification number. You do not need to wait for IDFPR approval before applying for your NCEES ID number, however you should submit your IDFPR application prior to applying for the NCEES number.
Deadlines to register with NCEES: Approximately 60 days prior to exam date.
Click here to create an NCEES account.

Step 3

Register with Continental Testing (the company that administers the exams for the State of Illinois). Upon receiving approval from the IDFPR to take the exam, register online with Continental Testing for your seat to take the exam. You will need your NCEES ID number in order to do this.
Deadlines to register with Continental Testing: Approximately 60 days prior to exam date.
Click here to access the Land Surveyor in Training page at Continental Testing
Click here to access the PLS page at Continental Testing