Comity for Professional Surveyors
Application Process
Comity is the process where a PS gets an Ohio license based upon their license in another state or US Territory. If you are not licensed in another state or US Territory, including Canada, Europe, etc., you have to pass the Fundamentals (FS) and Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exams.
We don't grant an Ohio license automatically if you're licensed in another state. We'll grant the license only if you meet the requirements faced by Ohio licensees at the time of your original licensure in your home state. For example, if the Michigan Board originally licensed you in February 1986, we ask you to meet the Ohio licensure requirements current in February 1986.
Additionally, you will have to pass the Ohio-specific 2-hour professional surveying examination. Turnaround times for permanent registration do not include scheduling, taking and passing the Ohio-specific 2-hour surveying exam.
Ohio has 2 aplication paths for comity:
1. Standard Application. The Standard Application is the traditional paper and pencil route: the application, check, and transcript mailed to us. Turnaround time: 45-60 days.
2. NCEES Record. We need the first page of our application completed, the last page notarized. Mail the application, check, and NCEES transmittal form. We'll get everything else from NCEES. Turnaround time: 30 days after receipt of NCEES Record.
Temporary Permits
We only grant temporary permits for candidates applying for a permanent Ohio license. We have no legal provision for one-time, short-term licensure in Ohio. Turnaround time: 7 days.
The License, Seal, Certificate
After you pass the Ohio Two-hour exam, we'll mail a letter with your license number and info on our seal/stamp. We no longer mail pocket cards, sorry. The certificate will follow in 4-6 weeks.