Engineers & Land Surveyors

For more information about the requirements for licensure as a professional engineer, refer to Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 193C—Chapter 4.

• Engineer Reference Form
  • Required when applying for a professional engineer license on the basis of examination or by comity. 
• Ethics Questionnaire: 
  • Required when applying for a professional engineer license on the basis of examination or and by comity. 
• Professional Engineer Project Statement Form: 
  • Required when applying for a professional engineer license on the basis of examination.
• Unlicensed Supervisor Form:
  • Required if the applicant's direct supervisor is not a licensee.

For more information about the requirements for licensure as a land surveyor, refer to Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) 193C—Chapter 5.

All applicants for the Fundamentals of Land Surveying and Professional Land Surveyor exam needs to submit an application with the Engineering and Land Surveying Board. The application must be approved before registering for the exam with the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).  Note: Applications will be reviewed at the next regularly-scheduled board meeting.  

• The Fundamentals of Land Surveying exam is a computer-based exam administered throughout the year by the NCEES.
• The national portion of the Professional Land Surveyor exam is computer-based and administered throughout the year by the NCEES.
• The Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination is administered by the Iowa Board twice a year (April/October) for initial licensees, and throughout the year  for comity applicants. 
  • State Specific Land Survey Exam Syllabus
• Dodds Book
• Professional Land Surveyor Reference Form
  • Required when applying for a professional land surveyor license on the basis of examination or by comity.
• Fundamental of Land Surveying Reference Form
  • For fundamentals of land surveying examination applicants with an experience requirement.

All applicants for a professional land surveyor license by comity must submit an application with the Engineering and Land Surveying Board. Note: Applications will be reviewed at the next regularly-scheduled board meeting. 

• Ethics Questionnaire
  • Required with an application for licensure as a professional land surveyor.
• Professional Land Surveyor Reference Form
  • Required when applying for a professional land surveyor license on the basis of examination or by comity.
• Fundamental of Land Surveying Reference Form
  • For fundamentals of land surveying examination applicants with an experience requirement.
• Professional Land Surveyor Project Statement Form
  • Required when applying for a professional land surveyor license on the basis of examination.
• State Specific Land Survey Exam Syllabus
  • For preparation for the Iowa State Specific Land Surveying Examination.
• Unlicensed Supervisor Form
  • Required if the applicant's direct supervisor is not a licensee.
• Verification of Record
  • Information regarding the online verification for the NCEES.

• License by Verification Form
  • Required when applying for a professional engineering or professional land surveying on the basis of license by verification pursuant to Iowa Code section 272C.12. 

Use this form in conjunction with the online application. The form may be completed electronically and does not need to be mailed.

• Iowa Code Chapter 542B — Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors
• IAC 193C — Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board

Notice of Renewal

Approximately 45 days prior to the expiration date, notice will be sent to the most recent email address of record. 

To ensure receipt of the renewal notice and other board correspondence, submit changes to your email address in a timely manner. Failure to receive the renewal notice does not eliminate the responsibility for submitting a timely-filed renewal.

Renewal Options

     » Renew to active status;
     » Renew to inactive status;
     » Allow license to lapse; or
     » Renew to retired status.* 

*Note: Retired status is only available to select license types as indicated in the following section.

Renew the license to active status.

To maintain an active license, which allows the continued practice of the profession in Iowa, submit a timely renewal, including payment of the renewal fee. 

Continuing education is required for active renewal. Refer to board rules for specific continuing education requirements for the purposes of renewal.

Renew the license to inactive status.

Renewing a license to inactive status allows a licensee to maintain a current license as opposed to allowing the license to lapse. An application and renewal fee are still required for inactive renewal.

Note: Licensees who hold inactive licenses are prohibited from practicing in Iowa until the license has been reactivated.

Allow the license to lapse. 

If a licensee is not practicing in Iowa and does not intend to return to practice in Iowa in the near future, the licensee may allow the license to lapse. Lapsed status signifies a license was not renewed and does not negatively impact its standing.  

Lapsed licenses may be reactivated at a later date by submitting the appropriate application and fee(s).

Retired Status

Some licensing boards provide the option for retired status. For a licensee to claim retired status, the licensee must not reasonably expect to return to the practice of the profession due to bona fide retirement or disability. The following ​licensed professions ​​provide the option for retired status.

• Accountants — CPAs and LPAs
• Landscape Architects
• Real Estate Appraisers

A licensee with retired status may use the professional title or abbreviations if the retired status is referenced. (e.g. C.P.A., retired; L.P.A., retired; P.L.A., retired)

Laws are contained in the Iowa Code. They are enacted by the Iowa Legislature and provide statutory authority to the professional licensure boards.

• Chapter 542B - Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors

• Iowa Administrative Code 193C — Chapter Listing