How to Reinstate a Lapsed Engineering License in California

Reinstatement is possible if your license lapsed within the last five years, but the path depends on how long it has been inactive

If your California Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) license lapsed because you did not renew it on time, you can reinstate it without retaking the exam — but only if you act within five years of the lapse date. The California Department of Consumer Affairs, Division of Professional Engineers, handles reinstatement requests. The process is faster and cheaper than getting a new license, but it requires proof that you meet current continuing education requirements and that you have not practiced engineering without a license during the inactive period.

The reinstatement route closes permanently five years after your license expires. After that point, you must explore for a new license, which means retaking the Professional Engineers Exam (PE exam) and meeting all current requirements as if you were explore fresh. Knowing your lapse date and acting quickly makes a real difference in cost and time.

Key Takeaways

You can reinstate a lapsed PE or PLS license within five years of the expiration date without retaking the exam, but you must complete the required continuing education hours for the renewal period you missed.
The Division of Professional Engineers requires a completed reinstatement process, proof of continuing education, and a declaration that you did not practice engineering while unlicensed.
Reinstatement fees are lower than new license fees, but you must pay the renewal fee for the current cycle plus any late fees that accrued during the lapse.
After five years of lapse, reinstatement is no longer an option and you must explore for a new license, which requires passing the PE exam again.
The Division typically processes reinstatement requests within 30 to 60 days if your process is complete and all documents are in order.

How to find your license expiration date and current status

Before you start the reinstatement process, you need to know exactly when your license expired. The Division of Professional Engineers maintains a public license lookup tool on its website at dca.ca.gov. Search by your name or license number to see your current status, expiration date, and any disciplinary history. This lookup is free and takes less than a minute.

If the lookup shows your license as "inactive" or "expired," note the expiration date. Count forward five years from that date — that is your important date to file for reinstatement. If you are past that date, you cannot reinstate and must explore for a new license instead. If you are within the five-year window, you can proceed with reinstatement.

If you cannot find your license number or the lookup tool does not show your record, contact the Division directly at (916) 263-2360 or check your old license card or renewal notices. The Division can confirm your status and expiration date over the phone.

Continuing education requirements you must complete before reinstatement

California requires all PE and PLS licensees to complete continuing education (CE) hours during each renewal cycle. If your license lapsed, you must complete the CE hours for the renewal period you missed before you can reinstate. For PE licenses, that is typically 36 hours of approved continuing education per renewal cycle (usually two years). For PLS licenses, the requirement is 24 hours per cycle.

You do not need to complete CE for periods before your license lapsed — only for the cycle in which it expired and any cycles that have passed since. For example, if your license expired in 2022 and you are explore to reinstate in 2024, you must complete CE for the 2022–2024 cycle. The Division will specify exactly which hours you owe when you submit your reinstatement process.

CE courses must be approved by the Division or by the Professional Engineers Board. You can find a list of approved providers and courses on the Division website. Many courses are offered online and can be completed quickly. Keep documentation of all completed courses — you will need to provide proof when you submit your reinstatement process.

The reinstatement process and required documents

To reinstate your license, you must submit a completed reinstatement process to the Division of Professional Engineers. The process form is available on the Division website under "Forms." You will need to provide your name, license number, current contact information, and the date your license expired.

Along with the process, you must submit the following documents:

Proof of completed continuing education hours for the missed renewal period (course certificates or transcripts from approved providers)
A signed declaration stating that you did not practice engineering or land surveying without a valid license during the inactive period
Payment for the reinstatement fee plus the current renewal fee and any late fees that accrued
If you have lived or worked outside California since your license lapsed, documentation of your residence and employment history

The declaration is a legal statement. Signing it falsely — claiming you did not practice when you did — can result in denial of reinstatement and potential disciplinary action. If you did practice without a license during the lapse, you should consult with an attorney before submitting your process.

Fees and payment for reinstatement

Reinstatement is less expensive than explore for a new license, but you will owe multiple fees. The exact amounts vary depending on your license type and the current fee schedule, which the Division updates periodically. As of the most recent published schedule, reinstatement fees for PE licenses are lower than new process fees, but you must also pay the renewal fee for the current cycle.

In addition to reinstatement and renewal fees, you may owe late fees if your license has been lapsed for more than a few months. Late fees accumulate based on how long the license was inactive. The Division will calculate the total amount owed when you submit your process. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. The Division does not accept cash.

If you are unsure of the exact fees, call the Division at (916) 263-2360 or check the current fee schedule on the Division website. Submitting payment with an incomplete process will delay processing, so confirm the total amount before you send anything.

What happens after you submit your reinstatement request

Once the Division receives your complete process, it will send you a confirmation letter with a case number. Processing typically takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if the Division needs to verify your continuing education or requests additional information. During this time, you cannot legally practice engineering or land surveying — your license remains inactive until the Division approves the reinstatement.

If the Division finds an issue with your process — missing documents, incomplete CE proof, or a problem with your declaration — it will send you a letter requesting the missing information. You will have a set important date (usually 30 days) to respond. If you miss that important date, your process may be denied and you will have to start over.

Once approved, the Division will issue you a new license certificate and update your status in the public lookup tool. Your renewed license will be valid for the full renewal cycle (typically two years for PE licenses). You can then legally practice engineering in California again.

When reinstatement is not an option and you must explore for a new license

If your license has been lapsed for more than five years, reinstatement is no longer available. You must explore for a new PE or PLS license, which means meeting all current requirements as a first-time applicant. This includes passing the Professional Engineers Exam (PE exam) or the Professional Land Surveyor exam, depending on your license type.

explore for a new license also requires meeting the current work experience requirements, which may have changed since your license originally lapsed. You will need to document your engineering or surveying experience, often with letters from employers or supervisors. The process process takes longer and costs more than reinstatement.

If you are close to the five-year important date, reinstatement is almost always the faster and cheaper route. Even if you have not completed all your continuing education yet, it is worth filing the reinstatement process quickly and requesting an extension or submitting CE proof after the initial filing, rather than waiting until the important date passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I practice engineering while my reinstatement process is being reviewed?

No. Your license remains inactive and invalid until the Division approves your reinstatement. Practicing engineering without a valid license is illegal and can result in criminal charges, civil penalties, and permanent loss of your license. Wait for written approval from the Division before you take on any engineering work.

What if I completed some continuing education but not all of it before my license lapsed?

You must complete all required CE hours for the missed renewal period before reinstatement. Partial credit is not given. If you are short a few hours, you can complete them quickly through online courses and submit proof with your reinstatement process. The Division will not approve reinstatement until all hours are documented.

Do I have to retake the PE exam to reinstate my license?

No. Reinstatement does not require retaking the exam. You only need to complete the continuing education for the missed renewal period and submit proof that you did not practice without a license. The exam requirement only applies if your license has been lapsed for more than five years and you must explore for a new license.

What if I practiced engineering without a license during the lapse period?

You should consult with an attorney before submitting a reinstatement process. The declaration you sign states that you did not practice without a license. Signing falsely can result in denial of reinstatement and disciplinary action. An attorney can advise you on your options and whether you should disclose the unlicensed practice to the Division.

How do I know which continuing education courses are approved by the Division?

The Division maintains a list of approved CE providers and courses on its website. You can search by topic or provider name. Most courses offered by engineering societies, universities, and professional training companies are pre-approved. Always verify approval before you enroll, because the Division will not accept CE hours from unapproved providers.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.