DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR’S OFFICE  
PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS – GENERAL RULES  
Filed with the secretary of state on July 23, 2020  
These rules take effect immediately upon filing with the secretary of state unless adopted  
under section 33, 44, or 45a(6) of the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA  
306, MCL 24.233, 24.244, or 24.245a. Rules adopted under these sections become  
effective 7 days after filing with the secretary of state.  
(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)  
R 339.17101, R 339.17201, R 339.17202, R 339.17203, R 339.17301, R 339.17505, and  
R 339.17506 of the Michigan Administrative Code are amended, R 339.17303 is added,  
and R 339.17507, R 339.17508, and R 339.17509 are rescinded as follows:  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS  
R 339.17101 Definitions.  
Rule 101. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means the occupational code, 1980 PA 299, MCL 339.101 to 339.2677.  
(b) “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 a licensee’s  
area of professional practice.  
(c) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(2) Terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
PART 2. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND EXAMINATIONS  
R 339.17201 Educational requirements.  
Rule 201. An applicant for a professional surveyor license shall submit 1 of the  
following to satisfy the educational requirements under the act:  
(a) Transcripts verifying that he or she received a baccalaureate degree or higher  
degree in a surveying program accredited by any of the following:  
November 19, 2019  
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(i) The Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for  
Engineering and Technology, Inc. (EAC/ABET).  
(ii) The Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET  
(ETAC/ABET).  
(iii) The Applied and Natural Science Accreditation Commission of ABET  
(ANSAC/ABET).  
(b) A National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)  
credentials evaluation that verifies he or she received a baccalaureate degree or higher  
degree and meets the NCEES surveying core program requirements found in the NCEES  
Surveying Education Standard.  
(c) A credentials evaluation that verifies he or she received a baccalaureate degree or  
higher degree in surveying from an educational program that is substantially equivalent to  
a baccalaureate degree or higher degree 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).  
R 339.17202 Professional surveying experience; verification; educational credit for  
experience.  
Rule 202. (1) Pursuant to section 2004(3)(a) of the act, MCL 339.2004(3)(a), an  
applicant for a professional surveyor license shall document at least 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 who is licensed or registered in Michigan or another state 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, which includes 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.  
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(f) Cartographic surveying for the making of maps, including topographic and  
hydrographic mapping.  
(3) An applicant for a professional surveyor license shall submit to the department 1 of  
the following to receive credit for professional experience:  
(a) Proof acceptable to the department verifying that he or she has obtained not less  
than 4 years of experience practicing as a licensed or registered professional surveyor in  
another state.  
(b) All of the following:  
(i) The dates of performing work that satisfies the requirements under subrule (2) of  
this rule.  
(ii) The supervising individual’s name, license or registration number, and state in  
which the supervising individual is licensed or registered as a professional surveyor.  
(iii) Documentation from the supervising individual attesting to the work experience,  
supervision, and the dates of work and supervision.  
(4) The department shall grant not more than 5 years of professional experience in  
professional surveying to an applicant holding a degree that satisfies the requirements  
under R 339.17201. Credit must be granted in the following amounts:  
(a) Not more than 4 years of professional experience must be granted for a  
baccalaureate degree. Experience must be granted for only 1 baccalaureate degree.  
(b) Not more than 1 year of professional experience must be granted for a post-  
baccalaureate degree. Experience must be granted for only 1 post-baccalaureate degree.  
R 339.17203 Examination requirements.  
Rule 203. An applicant for a professional surveyor license shall satisfy all of the  
following to meet the examination requirements under the act:  
(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.  
PART 3. PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR SEAL AND RELICENSURE  
R 339.17301 Professional Surveyor Seal.  
Rule 301. (1) Effective 60 days after the promulgation of this rule, the seal of a  
professional surveyor must include the licensee’s full name and license number, as shown  
on his or her 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 similar to Figure 301 below.  
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(2) A licensee's seal must be used by the licensee whose name appears on the seal for  
so long as the license remains in effect. A licensee is responsible for the security of his  
or her seal.  
FIGURE 301  
R 339.17303 Relicensure.  
Rule 303. (1) An applicant whose license has lapsed for less than 3 years after the  
expiration date of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(3) of the act, MCL  
339.411(3), by satisfying all of the following requirements.  
(a) Submitting a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Submitting proof to the department that he or she completed 15 hours of  
continuing education, 1 of which must be in the area of professional ethics related to  
surveying, in activities approved under R 339.17506 during the 1-year period  
immediately preceding the date of filing the relicensure application. If the department  
determines that the amount of the continuing education hours submitted with the  
application is deficient, the applicant has 1 year from the date of filing the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient hours.  
(2) An applicant whose license has lapsed for 3 years or more after the expiration date  
of the last license may be relicensed under section 411(4) of the act, MCL 339.411(4), by  
satisfying all of the following requirements:  
(a) Submitting a completed application on a form provided by the department.  
(b) Paying the required fee to the department.  
(c) Establishing that he or she has met all of the requirements for initial licensure  
under the act and these rules.  
(d) Submitting proof to the department verifying that he or she completed 30 hours of  
continuing education, 2 of which must be in the area of professional ethics related to  
surveying, in activities approved under R 339.17506 during the 2-year period  
immediately preceding the date of filing the relicensure application. If the department  
determines that the amount of the continuing education hours submitted with the  
application are deficient, the applicant has 1 year from the date of filing the application to  
provide proof of completing the deficient hours.  
PART 5. CONTINUING EDUCATION  
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R 339.17505 Continuing education; license renewal; requirements.  
Rule 505. (1) An applicant for license renewal who has been licensed during the 2-year  
period immediately preceding the expiration date of the license shall obtain not less than  
30 hours of continuing education during the 2-year period immediately preceding the  
expiration date of the license and satisfy both of the following requirements:  
(a) Obtain 2 of the 30 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 Michigan administrative rules or  
statutes.  
(b) Obtain all of the 30 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 retain documentation of satisfying the requirements of this rule and  
R 339.17506 for a period of 4 years from the date of filing the application for license  
renewal.  
(4) A licensee is subject to audit under this part and may be required to submit  
documentation as described by R 339.17506 upon request of the department.  
(5) A request for a continuing education waiver pursuant to section 204(2) of the act,  
MCL 339.204(2), must be received by the department before the expiration date of the  
license.  
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  
Code  
Activity and Proof Required  
Number of Continuing  
Education Credits for the  
Activity  
(a)  
Completing a continuing education program or The number of continuing  
activity related to professional surveying that is education credits approved  
approved or offered for continuing education  
credit by another state board of professional  
surveyors.  
by the approving entity  
must be granted for this  
activity.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit  
documentation or certificate of completion  
showing the licensee’s name, total continuing  
education credits earned, sponsor name and  
contact information, program title, and the date  
the program was held or completed.  
(b)  
Passing an academic course related to  
professional surveying from a baccalaureate  
degree or higher degree surveying program  
Fifteen continuing  
education credits must be  
granted for each semester  
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that is accredited by EAC/ABET,  
ETAC/ABET, or ANSAC/ABET.  
credit or 10 continuing  
education credits must be  
granted for each quarter  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of the credit.  
transcript showing credit hours of the academic  
courses related to surveying.  
(c)  
Attending a seminar, in-house course,  
workshop, or professional or technical  
presentation related to surveying.  
One continuing education  
credit must be granted for  
every 50 minutes of  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit 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.  
Presenting a seminar, in-house course,  
workshop, or professional or technical  
presentation related to surveying. A licensee  
shall not receive credit for a presentation  
offered as part of their regular job description  
or duties.  
(d)  
Two continuing education  
credits must be granted for  
every 50 minutes of  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit 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 a subject  
Two continuing education  
related to professional surveying that is part of credits must be granted for  
an academic course related to surveying that is every 50 minutes of  
offered at a college or university.  
continuous instruction.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit  
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  
credits must be granted for  
this activity.  
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If audited, the licensee shall submit 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,  
or association. To receive credit, a licensee  
(g)  
Three continuing  
education credits must be  
granted for the year in  
shall participate in at least 50% of the regularly which the licensee serves  
scheduled meetings of the committee, board,  
council, or association.  
as a member.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit  
documentation satisfactory to the department  
verifying the licensee’s participation in at least  
50% of the regularly scheduled meetings of the  
committee, board, council, or association.  
Attending a Michigan board of professional  
surveyors meeting. To receive credit, the  
licensee shall obtain a form provided by the  
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.  
(h)  
One continuing education  
credit must be granted for  
each meeting attended.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit 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  
program. To receive credit, this activity shall  
not be part of the licensee’s regular job  
description.  
Four continuing education  
credits must be granted for  
this activity.  
If audited, the licensee shall submit a letter  
from an authorized official from the school  
verifying the licensee’s role and the number of  
mentoring hours the licensee provided.  
Obtaining patents related to surveying.  
(j)  
Ten continuing education  
hours must be granted for  
each approved patent.  
(2) Continuing education credits must not be 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 credits during the renewal period.  
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(3) Not more than 12 continuing education credits must 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.  
R 339.17507 Rescinded.  
R 339.17508 Rescinded.  
R 339.17509 Rescinded.  
;