How do I verify a land surveyor's license in Washington state?

Search the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) online license lookup at dol.wa.gov. You can search by name or license number. Confirm the license type is Professional Land Surveyor (PLS), the status is active, and there are no disciplinary actions on record.

How many quotes should I get for a land survey in Washington?

Get at least three written quotes. Survey pricing varies by firm, location, and workload. Three quotes gives you enough data to spot outliers and negotiate from a position of knowledge.

Can I use a surveyor licensed in Oregon or Idaho for a Washington property?

No. Washington state law requires that anyone performing and certifying survey work that affects property rights in Washington hold an active Washington PLS license. Licenses from other states are not automatically recognized.

What is the difference between a land surveyor and an engineer in Washington?

Professional Engineers (PE) and Professional Land Surveyors (PLS) are separate licenses in Washington. Boundary surveys, subdivision plats, and other work affecting property rights must be performed by a PLS. Engineers handle structural, civil, and mechanical design work. Some professionals hold both licenses.

How far in advance should I contact a surveyor in Washington?

Two to four weeks is typical for residential work in most of Washington. During spring and summer, when construction activity peaks, some firms book three to six weeks out. Contact surveyors early if you have a closing or permit deadline.

How to Find a Land Surveyor in Washington

Key takeaway

Find a licensed land surveyor in Washington state. Verify PLS credentials through the DOL, compare quotes, and know what to ask before you hire.

Why You Need a Licensed PLS in Washington

Washington RCW 18.43 restricts the practice of land surveying to licensed Professional Land Surveyors (PLS). Only a PLS can legally perform, sign, and stamp boundary surveys, subdivision plats, and other survey work that affects property rights in Washington. Hiring an unlicensed person to perform this work produces documents with no legal standing and can create title problems that are expensive to untangle.

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), through the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS), issues and maintains PLS licenses. Every licensed surveyor in the state is in their database.

Step 1: Verify the License Before You Call

Go to the DOL license lookup at dol.wa.gov and search for any surveyor or firm you are considering. Look for three things: the license type must be Professional Land Surveyor (not engineer, drafter, or technician), the status must be active, and there should be no disciplinary actions or suspensions listed.

Do this before you spend time on a phone call or comparison. It takes under two minutes and filters out any unqualified candidates immediately.

Step 2: Know What Type of Survey You Need

Different survey types require different expertise and produce different deliverables. Telling a surveyor exactly what you need helps them give you an accurate quote. Common types in Washington:

Boundary survey: Determines the legal limits of your property. Required for fence disputes, building permits near property lines, and lot line adjustments.
Elevation certificate: Documents your structure's elevation relative to the FEMA Base Flood Elevation. Required for flood insurance in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Topographic survey: Maps surface elevations and features. Used by architects and engineers for site design.
ALTA/NSPS survey: Comprehensive survey for commercial real estate transactions. Meets national minimum standards required by title companies and commercial lenders.
Construction staking: Places physical stakes to guide contractors building foundations, utilities, or grading projects.
Subdivision plat: Creates a recorded plat dividing land into multiple lots. Requires coordination with the county auditor.

Step 3: Gather Your Property Information

Before contacting any surveyor, pull together the basic information they will ask for. Having this ready makes your calls faster and your quotes more accurate.

Parcel number: Find this on your county assessor's website or your property tax statement. This is the fastest way for a surveyor to pull the existing records for your parcel.
Lot size: Approximate acreage or square footage.
Purpose: Why you need the survey. Be specific: “I want to install a fence along the rear lot line” tells a surveyor more than “I need a survey.”
Prior surveys: If you have a copy of a prior survey or plat, share it. It helps surveyors estimate research time.

Step 4: Contact Multiple Firms and Compare Quotes

Get at least three written quotes. Washington has hundreds of licensed PLS firms ranging from large regional firms with multiple crews to solo practitioners specializing in particular counties or survey types.

When you call each firm, ask:

Are you licensed in Washington as a PLS?
Have you worked in my area or pulled records for nearby properties?
What is included in your quote: research, fieldwork, monuments, and documentation?
What is your estimated turnaround time?
Are there additional costs, such as county filing fees, that are not in the quote?

A surveyor with recent work in your neighborhood may have prior control monuments and record research already done. This can reduce your cost and turnaround time. It is worth asking directly.

Step 5: Understand What You Are Paying For

Survey pricing is not arbitrary. When you receive a quote, you are paying for three distinct phases of professional work.

Research

The PLS reviews deed records, plat maps, prior survey filings at the county auditor, and any other documents relevant to establishing your property's legal boundary. For rural properties with older deed descriptions or properties near water bodies, this phase can be extensive.

Fieldwork

A crew visits your property to search for existing monuments, measure the parcel with GPS and total station equipment, and set new corner monuments where needed. Difficult terrain, dense vegetation, and limited access all add time and cost.

Documentation

The PLS prepares the final map or certificate, signs and seals it, and if required under RCW 58.09, files a Record of Survey with the county auditor. County filing fees are typically billed to the client separately from the survey fee.

Where to Search for Licensed Washington Surveyors

Several resources list licensed PLS firms in Washington:

Washington State DOL license lookup: The official source. Search by name, license number, or city at dol.wa.gov. Gives you license status but not specialty or contact details.
Washington Society of Professional Surveyors (WSPS): The state professional association maintains a member directory at wsps.net. Member firms have agreed to the association's professional standards.
County auditor offices: Local offices can sometimes refer you to surveyors who regularly file records in their county.
Our directory: Lists licensed Washington PLS firms by county with contact information and specialty filters.

Red Flags to Avoid

A few warning signs that suggest you should look elsewhere:

No written quote. Any reputable firm will provide a written estimate.
No license number provided on request. Every PLS has a Washington license number and should share it without hesitation.
Quotes significantly below all other bids. Survey work has real costs. An unusually low bid often means corners will be cut.
Reluctance to explain what is included. A good surveyor can explain in plain language exactly what you are getting for the price.

Find a Licensed Surveyor in Washington

Our directory lists licensed Washington Professional Land Surveyors by county and service type. Search Washington surveyors to compare firms, review specialties, and request quotes for your project.