Frequently Asked Questions 

Professional Surveyors 

Examination 

 What are the deadline dates to apply for the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam?

You must submit your complete application to the Bureau of Commercial Services no later than February 1 for the April exam and August 1 for the October exam.   A complete application includes all required documentation, such as transcripts, references, and work experience forms.  If your application is incomplete, your approval may be delayed.  You will not be allowed to take the upcoming exam if you do not receive approval by the exam provider's (NCEES Exam Administration Services) deadline to register.

How do I reserve my seat for the examination?
After receiving approval from the Bureau of Commercial Services, you should visit the NCEES Exam Administration Services website www.ncces.org to pay the exam registration fee and reserve your seat.

When will I get my examination results?
It takes approximately 2 months for NCEES Exam Administration Services to mail the examination results to you. DO NOT CALL THE DEPARTMENT since we receive notice of the examination results approximately the same time you do. The results cannot be given over the telephone.

When and where will my examination be held?
The Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) and the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exams are given in four different locations within the state. The locations usually are: Warren, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Houghton. Please refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying's website at www.ncces.org for the exact dates, times and locations of the examinations.

The Michigan Part IIB examination is administered by PSI Services, LLC and your approval letter will give instructions for contacting PSI to register for the examination.

How do I get an examination study guide?
Please refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES Exam Administration Services) at www.ncees.org for study materials. The Bureau of Commercial Services office does not endorse any type of study guides.

What type of calculator is allowed in the exam room?
Please refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website at www.ncees.org for specifics regarding calculators.

I am planning to take the PS examination, what type of study material may be brought into the room?
All paperwork that is brought into the exam room must be bound; no loose material will be allowed into the examination room. Please refer to the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) website at www.ncees.org for study materials.

Does the State of Michigan proctor examinations to other states?
No.

Once licensed, where can I get my seal that is required by the licensing statute?
You can contact any local printer and they should be able to complete a seal for you.

What numbers need to be on my seal?
You can use the whole 10-digit number or the last five digits.

How do I notify the Department of a name change?
All name changes must be placed, in writing, via fax at 517-373-1044, by email at bcslic@michigan.gov or mailed to Bureau of Commercial Services, Professional Surveyors, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, Michigan, 48909.  We may ask for verification of a name change.  There is a $10 fee to re-issue the license; if you want the license to be re-issued, please state this in your correspondence and include a check or money order for $10 payable to the State of Michigan.

How do I change my address on my license?
Address changes may be made by telephone at (517) 373-7353 or in writing, via fax at 517-373-1044, by email at bcslic@michigan.gov or mailed to Bureau of Commercial Services, Professional Surveyors, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, Michigan, 48909. A new license is not required, however, if you want the license to be re-issued there is a $10 fee.  If you want the license to be reissued, please state this in your correspondence and include a check or money order for $10 payable to the State of Michigan.

How long does it take to process an application for a license?
It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process a new application.

How long does it take for my license to arrive?
Please allow 7-10 days to receive your license in the mail once your application has been approved. You can check the status of your application by going to our website at www.michigan.gov/surveyors and click on Check A License. If it indicates "pending" or "not found", the license has not been issued.

I lost my license. How do I request a duplicate license?
All requests for duplicate licenses must be placed in writing. A signed statement that the original document has been lost, stolen or destroyed must be forwarded to the Bureau of Commercial Services. In your request, include your license number and current address. Mail to: Bureau of Commercial Services, Professional Surveyors, P.O. Box  30018, Lansing, Michigan, 48909. There is a $10 fee for this service. (Make check or money order payable to the State of Michigan).

Is an electronic seal or "CAD" seal acceptable?
No. The Board has not approved the use of an electronic or "CAD" seal.

Does the State of Michigan have temporary licenses?
No. Michigan does not issue temporary licenses for Professional Surveyors.

How do I request a verification of exam scores?
 All verification of examination score requests must be placed in writing and sent to the Bureau of Commercial Services.  The request should include your social security number, where you would like the scores sent to, which exams you wish our office to verify, the approximate date exams were taken and any type of name changes, if applicable.   Mail to: Bureau of Commercial Services, Professional Surveyors, P.O. Box 30018, Lansing, Michigan, 48909.  There is a $15 fee for this service.    (Make check or money order payable to the State of Michigan.)  It takes approximately 4 weeks to process the request. 

May I pay fees via credit card payment?
No. The Department cannot accept credit card payments at this time for application fees.

Can I pay for my renewal on-line or with a credit card?
If you do not have a name or address change, you may be able to renew on-line with a credit card using Michigan's elicense process. Renewal applications will be mailed approximately 2 months prior to the license expiration date with instructions on using the elicense feature.

Can I come to the Department and pay in person?
Yes, our offices are located at 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, Michigan; see the map. The hours the Department can accept your payment are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We may not have change for large bills, so correct cash or check/money order is preferred.

When is my license up for renewal?
The Professional Surveyor's license's are on a two-year license cycle. Your license will lapse October 31st. In the second calendar year of licensure, a renewal notice will be sent to you in the mail approximately 2 months prior to this date. It is the responsibility of the licensee to notify the Bureau of Commercial Services of address changes to ensure the renewal will be sent to the appropriate address.

Why is it sometimes difficult to get through to the Department's staff by telephone?
The call volume between July and December, during the renewal cycle, increases dramatically. We ask that you be patient and keep trying or attempt to get your question answered by methods such as this website.

 My license has expired and I never received a renewal application.  What do I do now?
 If your license expired 10/31 of the current year, and it is after 12/31 of the expiration year, you must apply for relicensure.  Relicensure forms can be downloaded from the website at www.michigan.gov/surveyors in Forms & Publications.  If it is prior to 12/31 of the expiration year, you may renew your license at www.michigan.gov/bcsrenewal with a $20 late fee.

How do I apply for Relicensure?
Please fill out the Application for Relicensure and return with fee and appropriate documentation. Relicensure forms can be downloaded from the website at www.michigan.gov/surveyors in Forms & Publications.

Does the State of Michigan require continuing education?
There are no continuing education credits required at this time in order to keep your license active.

How can I verify a person's license status?
You may verify an individual's license on this website, www.michigan.gov/surveyors, and click on Check A License.

How do I file a complaint against a professional licensed by the Department?
A complaint form may be requested by contacting the Enforcement Division at 517-241-9202 or may be downloaded from this website.

Firm Requirements 

I am starting a firm, is there anything I must do to register the firm with the Department?
At least two-thirds of the principals must be licensed in the State of Michigan as Architects, Professional Engineers or Professional Surveyors. If all the principals are not licensed in the State of Michigan, an Application for Non- Licensed Principal Approval must be submitted to the Department. The application may be downloaded from this website.

If all principals are licensed in the State of Michigan, there is no need to register with the Department or fill out the Application for Non-Licensed Principal Approval.

Is there a fee involved for an application for Non-Licensed Principal Approval?
No, there is no fee to file this application.

Can a Surveyor be in responsible charge of multiple offices? If so, what is the minimum amount of time that the surveyor must spend in each office (physically) in order to satisfy the requirement for regular hours and daily supervision in conformance with Rule 404 (3) (b)?
The law does not restrict a Professional Surveyor from being in responsible charge of multiple offices. The definition in part as provided by Rule 339.17404 (2) requires the licensed professional surveyor have "such control that he or she can certify that he or she is knowledgeable and has reviewed and approved all actions by unlicensed persons who have participated in the survey." R339.17404 (4) states: "The licensed professional surveyor shall maintain regular hours at his or her office so that he or she can be contacted in person by the public." The statue does not require a specific number of hours.