Texas has enacted legislation that will change how engineering and land surveying licenses are renewed in the state.

In late 2025, Texas passed Texas Senate Bill 681, directing the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS) to transition from an annual renewal system to a biennial renewal cycle.

Because thousands of licenses must be moved to the new schedule, the Board is implementing the change through a temporary transition period. Organizations and professionals licensed in Texas should review the new structure to ensure they continue meeting regulatory requirements and maintain good standing.

Transition to a Biennial Renewal Schedule

As discussed in our earlier overview of the legislative changes under SB681 affecting AEC firms, Texas is transitioning professional licensing renewals to a two-year cycle. The Board has now released additional details explaining how this transition will occur.

TBPELS will move licenses to the new system based on their current expiration dates rather than shifting all licenses at once.

During the transition period, licenses will fall into one of two renewal timelines:

• 16-month renewal periods, treated as annual renewals
• 27-month renewal periods, treated as biennial renewals

A license’s current expiration date determines which timeline applies. The Board has published a detailed schedule explaining how existing expiration dates transition to the new cycle.

Once the transition is complete, all licenses will follow the standard biennial schedule.

Under the new structure, all biennial licenses will expire in either January or July. This schedule allows the Board to align renewal cycles across license holders.

Renewal Fees

Renewal fees will increase to reflect the longer renewal period.

• Biennial renewal fees will double compared to current annual renewal fees.
• Fees will not be prorated during the transition period.

As a result, license holders may pay the full renewal fee even if their transition period is shorter or longer than two years.

Continuing Education Requirements

Continuing education requirements will also adjust as the renewal cycle changes.

For the 2026 renewal, current continuing education requirements remain in place for both engineers and land surveyors.

Engineers

• The first renewal after 2026 will require continuing education based on the length of the licensure period.
• Continuing education requirements will double for future biennial renewals.

Land Surveyors

• Continuing education requirements will double for all renewals following the transition.

License holders should review the Board’s guidance to ensure they meet education requirements before their renewal date.

Changes to Initial License Terms

The transition also affects newly issued licenses.

Licenses issued before March 31, 2026

• Follow the annual renewal schedule
• Expire June 30, 2027

Licenses issued after March 31, 2026

• Follow the biennial renewal schedule
• Expire July 31, 2028

This cutoff helps the Board move new licenses directly into the biennial renewal cycle.

How Harbor Compliance Supports Licensing Requirements

Regulatory changes can create additional administrative work for engineering and surveying firms, especially those managing licenses across multiple jurisdictions.Harbor Compliance helps organizations manage professional licensing requirements through experienced specialists and purpose-built software that provides visibility into renewal deadlines, licensing obligations, and filing status. These tools help firms stay organized and maintain good standing as regulatory requirements evolve. Contact us today to learn more.