Retiring Professionals

Retired Status

Retiring your Professional Engineer or Professional Surveyor license

A professional engineer (PE) or professional land surveyor (PLS) who has discontinued active practice may be eligible to apply for retired status with the North Dakota State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Under North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC) Chapter 28-02.1-12, retired status is available to individuals who have discontinued active practice as a professional engineer or professional land surveyor, or both. Active practice includes exercising direct supervision and control over the development and production of engineering or land surveying documents or related activities involving the offering or provision of professional services.

What can you do with a retired license

A retired registrant may:

  • Retain the Board-issued wall certificate of registration.
  • Use the title Professional Engineer, Registered Land Surveyor, or Professional Land Surveyor, provided the title is followed by “retired” or “ret.”
  • Perform engineering or land surveying work in a volunteer capacity, provided the individual does not create an engineering or land surveying document and does not use their professional seal, except as specifically permitted by NDAC.
  • Provide experience verifications and references for individuals seeking registration.
  • Serve in an instructional capacity on engineering or land surveying topics.
  • Provide technical expert services before a court, or in preparation for pending litigation, concerning engineering or land surveying work performed before obtaining retired status.
  • Serve on commissions, boards, committees, or other functions that support the principles of registration and promote the engineering and land surveying professions.

Restrictions on a retired license

A retired registrant may not:

  • Perform engineering or land surveying activities unless the activity is under the direct supervision of a North Dakota-registered professional engineer or professional land surveyor with a valid active registration.
  • Serve as the designated engineer or engineer in responsible charge for a North Dakota engineering organization.
  • Serve as the designated land surveyor or land surveyor in responsible charge for a North Dakota land surveying organization.
  • Apply their professional engineer or professional land surveyor seal to plans, specifications, plats, or reports, except where specifically permitted under NDAC 28-02.1-12-04.

Continuing Education

Individuals with retired registration are exempt from continuing professional competency requirements while they remain in retired status.

Returning to Active Practice

Retiring a license does not prevent an individual from returning to active practice. However, an individual with retired license must complete the Board’s renewal process to regain active registration. The individual will retain the same license number held before entering retired status.

Retired Status Must Be Renewed Every Two Years

Retired registration status is not permanent. It must be renewed every two years to remain in retired status. Failure to maintain the retired registration will affect an individuals registration status and their ability to return to active practice. The current fee for retired registration is: $20.00

How to Apply for Retired Status

Individuals wishing to change their registration to retired status must complete the Board-approved renewal form using the one of the options below. Retired status becomes effective upon Board approval.

Please note: If retired status is requested and granted before the current registration expires, the Board does not refund any renewal fees that have already been paid. Individuals entering retired status will retain the registration number they held prior to becoming retired.

Renewals