DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS – GENERAL RULES  
(By authority conferred on the board by section 308 of the occupational code, 1980 PA  
299, MCL 339.308, and on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory affairs  
by sections 205 and 2009 of the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.205 and  
339.2009, and Executive Reorganization Order Nos. 1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4,  
MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and 445.2030)  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 339.17101 Definitions.  
Rule 101. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “ANSAC/ABET” means the Applied and Natural Science Accreditation  
Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.  
(b) “Code” means the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2677.  
(c) “Continuing education” means an instructional course or activity designed to  
bring licensees up to date on a particular area of knowledge or skills relevant to the  
licensee’s area of professional practice.  
(d) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(e) “EAC/ABET” means the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the  
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.  
(f) “ETAC/ABET” means the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission  
of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.  
(g) “NCEES” means the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and  
Surveying.  
(2) A term defined in the code has the same meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2013 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
R 339.17102 Rescinded.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS.  
R 339.17103 Rescinded.  
History: 1985 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
R 339.17104 Rescinded.  
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History: 1985 AACS; 2001 AACS.  
R 339.17105 Rescission.  
Rule 105. (1) R 338.551 to R 338.563 and R 338.581 to R 338.588 of the Michigan  
Administrative Code, appearing on pages 2446 to 2453 of the 1979 Michigan  
Administrative Code, are rescinded insofar as these rules pertain to land surveyors.  
(2) R 338.2401 to R 338.2461 of the Michigan Administrative Code, appearing on  
pages 2554 to 2565 of the 1979 Michigan Administrative Code, are rescinded.  
History: 1985 AACS.  
PART 2. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND EXAMINATIONS  
R 339.17201 Educational requirements.  
Rule 201. An applicant for licensure shall provide proof, as directed by the  
department, verifying 1 of the following to satisfy the educational requirements under the  
code:  
(a) Transcripts verifying that the applicant received a baccalaureate degree or higher  
in a surveying program accredited by any of the following:  
(i) The EAC/ABET.  
(ii) The ETAC/ABET.  
(iii) The ANSAC/ABET.  
(b) A NCEES credentials evaluation that verifies the applicant received a  
baccalaureate degree or higher and satisfies the NCEES surveying core program  
requirements found in the NCEES Surveying Education Standard.  
(c) A credentials evaluation that verifies the applicant received a baccalaureate degree  
or higher in surveying from an educational program that is substantially equivalent to a  
baccalaureate degree or higher program that is accredited by EAC/ABET, ETAC/ABET,  
or ANSAC/ABET. The credentials evaluation must be generated by a company that is a  
current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).  
History: 1985 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
R 339.17202 Professional surveying experience; verification; educational credit  
for experience.  
Rule 202. (1) Under section 2004(3)(a) of the code, MCL 339.2004, an applicant shall  
document not less than 8 years of professional experience in professional surveying,  
including not more than 5 years of education. An applicant shall satisfy the requirements  
of this rule to receive credit for professional experience.  
(2) Professional surveying work that is performed while under the supervision of a  
professional surveyor licensed in this state or licensed or registered in another state or a  
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province of Canada and involves work in 1 or more of the following areas qualifies as  
professional experience:  
(a) Providing professional services such as consultation, investigation, testimony,  
evaluation, planning, mapping, assembling, and interpreting reliable scientific  
measurements and information relative to the location, size, shape, or physical features of  
the earth, improvements on the earth, the space above the earth, or any part of the earth,  
and the utilization and development of these facts and interpretations into an orderly survey  
map, plan, report, description, or project.  
(b) Land surveying, which is the surveying of an area for its correct determination or  
description for its conveyance or for the establishment or reestablishment of a land  
boundary and the designing or design coordination of the plotting of land and the  
subdivision of land.  
(c) Geodetic surveying, including surveying for a determination of the size and shape  
of the earth, both horizontally and vertically, and the precise positioning of points on the  
earth utilizing angular and linear measurements through spatially oriented spherical  
geometry.  
(d) Utilizing and managing land information systems through the establishment of  
datums and local coordinate systems and points of reference.  
(e) Engineering and architectural surveying for design and construction layout of  
infrastructure.  
(f) Cartographic surveying for the making of maps, including topographic and  
hydrographic mapping.  
(3) An applicant for licensure shall provide proof, as directed by the department,  
verifying 1 of the following to receive credit for professional experience in surveying work:  
(a) Except as otherwise provided under subrules (1) and (4) of this rule, the applicant  
has obtained not less than 4 years of experience practicing as a licensed or registered  
professional surveyor in another state or a province of Canada.  
(b) All of the following:  
(i) The dates of performing surveying work that satisfies the requirements under  
subrule (2) of this rule.  
(ii) The supervising individual’s name and license or registration number and the  
state or province of Canada in which the supervising individual is licensed or registered as  
a professional surveyor.  
(iii) Documentation from the supervising individual attesting to the work experience,  
dates of work, and supervision.  
(4) The department shall grant not more than 5 years of professional experience credit  
to an applicant holding a degree that satisfies the requirements under R 339.17201. Credit  
is limited to the following amounts:  
(a) Not more than 4 years of professional experience for a baccalaureate degree.  
Experience is granted for only 1 baccalaureate degree.  
(b) Not more than 1 year of professional experience for a post-baccalaureate degree.  
Experience is granted for only 1 post-baccalaureate degree.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
R 339.17203 Examination requirements.  
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Rule 203. An applicant for a professional surveyor license shall satisfy all the  
following examination requirements under the code:  
(a) Achieve a passing score on the Fundamentals of Surveying Examination  
administered by NCEES. A passing score on the exam must be determined by NCEES.  
(b) Achieve a passing score on the Principles and Practice of Surveying Examination  
administered by NCEES. A passing score on the exam must be determined by NCEES.  
(c) Achieve a passing score on the Michigan Professional Surveying Examination.  
A passing score on the exam must be determined by the department’s chosen administrator  
of the exam.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1993 AACS; 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS.  
PART 3. PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR SEAL AND RELICENSURE  
R 339.17301 Professional surveyor seal.  
Rule 301. (1) The seal of a professional surveyor must include the licensee’s name  
and full license number, as shown on the licensee’s state-issued professional surveyor  
license and indicate “State of Michigan” and “Licensed Professional Surveyor” in the  
legend surrounding the seal. The seal must have a design substantially equivalent to Figure  
301 below.  
(2) A licensee's seal must be used by the licensee whose name appears on the seal for  
as long as the license is in effect. A licensee is responsible for the security of the licensee’s  
seal.  
FIGURE 301  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
R 339.17302 Rescinded.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2013 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
R 339.17303 Relicensure.  
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Rule 303. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed for less than 3 years after the  
expiration date of the license may be relicensed under section 411(3) of the code, MCL  
339.411, by satisfying all the following requirements.  
(a) Providing a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Providing proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant completed  
30 credit hours of continuing education, 2 credit hours of which must be in professional  
ethics related to surveying, in activities approved under R 339.17506, during the 2-year  
period immediately before the date of filing the relicensure application. If the department  
determines that the amount of the continuing education credit hours provided with the  
application is deficient, the applicant has 1 year after the date of filing the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient credit hours.  
(2) An applicant whose license has lapsed for 3 years or more after the expiration date of  
the license may be relicensed under section 411(4) of the code, MCL 339.411, by satisfying  
all the following requirements:  
(a) Providing a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Establishing that the applicant has met all the requirements for initial licensure under  
the code and these rules.  
(d) Providing proof, as directed by the department, verifying that the applicant completed  
30 credit hours of continuing education, 2 credit hours of which must be in professional  
ethics related to surveying, in activities approved under R 339.17506, during the 2-year  
period immediately before the date of filing the relicensure application. If the department  
determines that the amount of the continuing education credit hours provided with the  
application are deficient, the applicant has 1 year after the date of filing the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient credit hours.  
History: 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.  
PART 4. STANDARDS OF PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT  
R 339.17401 Solicitation of employment; restrictions; exception.  
Rule 401. (1) In the solicitation of employment, a licensee shall not falsify, or allow  
the misrepresentation of, the academic or professional qualifications of the licensee or the  
licensee's associates.  
(2) A licensee shall not pay, give, or offer to pay or give, directly or indirectly, to a  
client or potential client or to the agent of a client or potential client, a commission,  
contribution, gift, or other substantial valuable consideration to secure or retain  
professional surveying work. This restriction does not include payments to an employment  
agency for the purpose of securing employment or employees for salaried positions.  
(3) A licensee shall seek professional employment based on the licensee's  
qualifications, competence, and ability to properly accomplish the employment sought.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
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R 339.17402 Conflict of interest.  
Rule 402. (1) To avoid a conflict of interest, a licensee shall promptly inform, in  
writing, an employer or client of the licensee or a public body that the licensee serves of  
any employment, business association, interest, duty, or circumstance if that relationship  
is with another and involves the current or prospective work assignment of the licensee  
with that employer, client, or public body.  
(2) A licensee shall not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than  
1 individual for services performed on the same project or assignment, unless the  
circumstances are fully disclosed to all individuals that pay, or are required to approve  
payment, for the work performed by the licensee.  
(3) A licensee shall not ask for or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from  
contractors, their agents, or other individuals dealing with the client or employer of the  
licensee in connection with work for which the licensee is responsible, or ask for or accept  
financial or other valuable consideration from another for specifying products or services.  
History: 985 AACS; 2023 AACS.  
R 339.17403 Participation in project; responsibilities; survey identification.  
Rule 403. (1) A licensee shall take part only in those phases of a project in which the  
licensee is competent. In the areas of a project involving architecture or professional  
engineering in which the licensee lacks competence, the licensee shall retain licensed  
professional associates for those phases of that project.  
(2) A licensee is responsible for clear, accurate, and complete development of plats,  
plans, drawings, specifications, survey reports, and other instruments of service as is  
customary in the practice of the licensee's profession, and the material must properly satisfy  
the need for which it is intended.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2014 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.  
R 339.17404 Rescinded.  
History: 1985 AACS; 1995 AACS; 2014 AACS.  
PART 5. CONTINUING EDUCATION  
R 339.17505 Continuing education required for renewal; certification of  
compliance; document retention; continuing education waiver.  
Rule 505. (1) An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed during the 2-  
year period immediately before the expiration date of the license shall obtain 30 credit  
hours of continuing education during the 2-year period immediately before the expiration  
date of the license and satisfy both of the following requirements:  
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(a) Obtain 2 of the 30 credit hours of continuing education in an activity that focuses  
on the area of professional ethics related to surveying. The professional ethics related to  
surveying is not required to focus on areas specific to the rules or statutes.  
(b) Obtain all 30 credit hours of continuing education in activities that satisfy the  
requirements under R 339.17506.  
(2) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification  
of compliance with this rule and R 339.17506.  
(3) A licensee shall maintain documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule  
and R 339.17506 for a period of 4 years after the date of filing the application for license  
renewal.  
(4) A licensee is subject to an audit under this part and may have to provide  
documentation as described by R 339.17506 on request of the department.  
(5) An applicant shall submit a request for a waiver of continuing education  
requirements to the department for the board’s consideration not less than 30 days before  
the last regularly scheduled board meeting before the expiration date of the license.  
History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.  
R 339.17506 Acceptable continuing education; limitations.  
Rule 506. (1) The department shall grant credit for continuing education hours that  
satisfy the requirements in the following chart:  
Activity Activity and Proof Required  
Code  
Number of Continuing  
Education Credit Hours  
Granted for Activity and  
Allowed for Licensure  
Cycle  
(a)  
Completing a continuing education program or The number of continuing  
activity related to professional surveying that is education credit hours  
approved or offered for continuing education  
credit hours by another state board of  
professional surveyors.  
approved by the sponsor  
or the approving entity.  
If audited, a licensee shall provide  
documentation or a certificate of completion  
showing the licensee’s name, total continuing  
education credit hours earned, sponsor name  
and contact information, program title, and the  
date the program was held or completed.  
Passing an academic course related to  
(b)  
Fifteen continuing  
professional surveying from a baccalaureate  
education credit hours are  
degree or higher in a surveying program that is granted for each semester  
accredited by EAC/ABET, ETAC/ABET, or  
ANSAC/ABET.  
credit, or 10 continuing  
education credit hours are  
granted for each quarter  
credit.  
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If audited, a licensee shall provide a copy of  
the transcript showing credit hours of the  
academic courses related to surveying.  
Attending a seminar, in-house course,  
workshop, or professional or technical  
presentation related to surveying.  
(c)  
One continuing education  
credit hour is granted for  
every 50 minutes of  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, the licensee shall provide a copy of  
the presentation notice or advertisement  
showing the date of the presentation, the  
licensee’s name listed as a presenter or  
attendee, and the name of the organization that  
approved or offered the presentation.  
(d)  
Presenting a seminar, in-house course,  
workshop, or professional or technical  
presentation related to surveying. A licensee  
Two continuing education  
credit hours are granted  
for every 50 minutes of  
shall not receive credit hours for a presentation continuous instruction.  
offered as part of their regular job description  
or duties.  
If audited, the licensee shall provide a copy of  
the presentation notice or advertisement  
showing the date of the presentation, the  
licensee’s name listed as a presenter or  
attendee, and the name of the organization that  
approved or offered the presentation.  
(e)  
Teaching, instructing, or presenting on a  
Two continuing education  
subject related to professional surveying that is credit hours are granted  
part of an academic course related to surveying for every 50 minutes of  
that is offered at a college or university.  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, a licensee shall provide  
documentation by the college or university  
confirming the licensee as the teacher,  
instructor, or presenter of the academic course,  
the dates of the course or presentation, number  
of classroom hours spent teaching, instructing,  
or presenting, and the course title.  
(f)  
Initial publication of a peer-reviewed paper,  
article, or book related to surveying.  
Six continuing education  
credit hours are granted  
for this activity.  
If audited, the licensee shall provide a copy of  
the publication that identifies the licensee as  
the author or a publication acceptance letter.  
Serving as a voting member on a state or  
national surveying committee, board, council,  
(g)  
Three continuing  
education credit hours are  
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or association. To receive credit hours, a  
granted for the year in  
licensee shall take part in not less than 50% of which the licensee serves  
the regularly scheduled meetings of the  
committee, board, council, or association.  
as a member.  
If audited, a licensee shall provide  
documentation satisfactory to the department  
verifying the licensee’s participation in not less  
than 50% of the regularly scheduled meetings  
of the committee, board, council, or  
association.  
(h)  
Attending a Michigan board of professional  
surveyors meeting. To receive credit hours,  
One continuing education  
credit hour is granted for  
the licensee shall obtain a form provided by the each meeting attended.  
department from a department employee  
present at the meeting and have that employee  
complete, sign, and date the form. The  
licensee shall present a valid government-  
issued photo identification to the department  
employee for verification.  
If audited, the licensee shall provide a copy of  
the form completed, signed, and dated by the  
department employee who was present at the  
meeting.  
(i)  
Serving as a school-sponsored mentor to a  
surveying student in a school-sponsored  
Four continuing education  
credit hours are granted  
program. To receive credit hours, this activity for this activity.  
must not be part of the licensee’s regular job  
description.  
If audited, the licensee shall provide a letter  
from an authorized official from the school  
verifying the licensee’s role and the number of  
mentoring hours the licensee provided.  
(j)  
Obtaining patents related to surveying.  
Ten continuing education  
credit hours are granted  
for each approved patent.  
(2) Continuing education credit hours are not granted for a program or activity that has  
substantially the same content of a program or activity for which the applicant has  
already earned continuing education credit hours during the renewal period.  
(3) Not more than 12 continuing education credit hours may be earned during a 24-hour  
period.  
(4) As used in this rule, “continuous instruction" means the time spent completing an  
activity not including breakfast, lunch, or dinner periods, coffee breaks, or any other breaks  
in the program.  
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History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2022 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2025 MR 11, Eff. May 8, 2025.  
R 339.17507 Rescinded.  
History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS.  
R 339.17508 Rescinded.  
History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS.  
R 339.17509 Rescinded.  
History: 2013 AACS; 2020 AACS.  
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;