***Reminder to all Firms - Revised Board Rules .1103(a)(6) and (b)(5) now makes it a requirement for the firm's license number to be placed on all documents, specifications, reports, etc. The revised rule does not require a firm seal. Firm’s only need to put their firm license number on the documents. Since the firm address is also required, an acceptable example would be to put both the firm address and firm license number in a title block on the documents. The firm license numbers begin with the letter “C”, “P”, “D” or “F” depending on the type of licensure obtained with this Board.***

North Carolina General Statute 89C-24 and 55B, requires all corporations or firms that practice or offer to practice engineering and/or land surveying in North Carolina to obtain licensure with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors. Firm licensure is required in addition to the individual professional’s license.

N.C.G.S. 55B & 57C, requires all Corporations or Limited Liability Company’s Incorporated/Organized after June 5, 1969, to qualify in North Carolina as Professional Corporations or Professional Limited Liability Company’s.  To qualify, the corporation or limited liability must meet the requirements of N.C.G.S. 55B, which requires the firm to be at least 2/3 owned by the Licensees (in the profession(s) authorized/or will be authorized in North Carolina).  Up to 1/3 of the firm may be owned by non-licensed employees (must be employees).  No other company may be an owner of the firm.  All owners of the firm must be individual persons.

ESOPS are permitted if ALL Trustees are licensees and at least one of the Trustees is licensed in North Carolina.  If this requirement cannot be met, please contact the Director of Business Licensure.

At least one licensee (in each profession authorized or that will be authorized {engineering/land surveying) must be a NC licensee and an Officer, Director (Board of Directors) and Shareholder of the corporation or a Member and Manager of the Limited Liability Company.

To determine which application the firm must use to apply for licensure, review the following Business Firm Chart.  Click the appropriate link and follow the directions for completing the application.

Business Firms currently licensed with the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors that need to update their Business Firm Record may print and complete the appropriate change form below and then mail it to the attention of the Director of Business Licensure & Compliance with the required fee (if applicable).

Note: No Firm may change its name or the services being offered without first requesting approval from the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers & Surveyors.  For information on how to request these changes, please e-mail or call the Director of Business Licensure & Compliance.

If you have additional questions, please contact Director of Business Licensure & Compliance Mark Mazanek at (919) 791-2000 x 102 or by e-mail mmazanek@ncbels.org

Change Forms
Professional Corporation Change Form
Business Firm Change Form
PLLC Change Form
Chapter 87 Corporation Change Form

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