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Georgia (Ga) Land Surveyor License
Exam; Questions And Answers With
Rationales /Graded A +/
Update/100% Correct
Section 1: Georgia State Laws, Board Rules, and Licensing (O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 15; Board Rules 180-1 to 180-12)
1. What is the minimum age requirement to apply for a Georgia Land Surveyor license? A) 18 years old B) 21 years old C) 25 years old D) No minimum age Correct Answer: A) 18 years old Rationale: While some sources list 21, the official statute O.C.G.A. § 43- 15 - 9 states an applicant must be at least 18 years of age. This highlights the importance of consulting primary sources. 2. Under which state official's division does the Georgia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors operate for administrative purposes? A) The Governor's Office B) The Attorney General's Office C) The Secretary of State D) The Department of Transportation Correct Answer: C) The Secretary of State Rationale: The Board functions under the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division, which oversees various professional licensing entities in Georgia. 3. How many Professional Development Hours (PDH) are required for a Georgia Land Surveyor to renew their license biennially? A) 15 PDH B) 20 PDH
C) 30 PDH
D) 12 PDH
Correct Answer: C) 30 PDH Rationale: Per Georgia Board Rule 480- 5 - .03 (or 180-11), registrants must complete 30 PDHs per biennium (every two years). A maximum of 15 PDHs may be carried over from the previous cycle. Note: There is conflicting information in some resources stating 12 annual hours, but the biennial standard is 30.
4. What is the statute of limitations for the Board to initiate disciplinary action against a surveyor? A) 2 years from the date of the violation B) 5 years from the date of discovery C) 7 years from the date of the violation D) No statute of limitations Correct Answer: B) 5 years from the date of discovery Rationale: Georgia Board Rule 480- 9 - .01 specifies that disciplinary action must be commenced within five years of the discovery of the alleged violation. 5. How many members compose the Georgia Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and how many are licensed surveyors? A) 7 members total; 4 licensed surveyors B) 5 members total; 4 licensed surveyors C) 9 members total; 6 licensed surveyors D) 5 members total; 3 licensed surveyors Correct Answer: B) 5 members total; 4 licensed surveyors Rationale: O.C.G.A. § 43- 15 - 3 establishes a board of five members: four licensed professional engineers or land surveyors and one public member, all appointed by the Governor. 6. A firm that offers surveying services to the public in Georgia must obtain which of the following from the Board? A) A Professional Designation B) A Certificate of Authorization (COA) C) A Business Tax Waiver D) A Principal Place of Business Permit Correct Answer: B) A Certificate of Authorization (COA) Rationale: Any firm (corporation, partnership, LLC) providing land surveying
C) June 1 D) July 1 Correct Answer: C) June 1 Rationale: The Georgia Board requires applications to be submitted by June 1 for the October exam administration, allowing time for review and approval. Section 2: Minimum Technical Standards (Board Rule 180-7) and Plat Requirements
11. According to the Georgia Minimum Technical Standards (Rule 180- 7 - .03), what is the required minimum closure precision for a property survey in an urban area? A) 1:5, B) 1:7, C) 1:10, D) 1:15, Correct Answer: C) 1:10, Rationale: Rule 180- 7 - .03 specifies a minimum closure of 1:10,000 for urban surveys, reflecting the higher accuracy required where property values are higher and improvements are more dense. 12. For a survey in a rural area, what is the required minimum closure precision? A) 1:2, B) 1:5, C) 1:10, D) 1:20, Correct Answer: B) 1:5, Rationale: The same rule allows for a lower precision of 1:5,000 for surveys in rural areas where property lines are typically longer and improvements are less concentrated. 13. When a surveyor is unable to set a permanent monument at a property corner due to an obstruction like a stream or pavement, what is the required procedure? A) Set a temporary wooden stake and note it in the field book only B) Omit the corner from the survey C) Set a reference monument (offset) and show the relationship on the plat
D) Estimate the corner location based on adjoining property lines Correct Answer: C) Set a reference monument (offset) and show the relationship on the plat Rationale: Rule 180- 7 - .03 requires that when a corner cannot be monumented, a reference monument must be set with an offset distance and bearing, clearly shown on the plat.
14. According to Rule 180- 7 - .04, what is the minimum acceptable scale for a boundary survey plat intended for recording? A) 1 inch = 50 feet B) 1 inch = 100 feet C) 1 inch = 200 feet D) 1 inch = 400 feet Correct Answer: B) 1 inch = 100 feet Rationale: The technical standards require a minimum scale of 1" = 100' to ensure that the plat is legible and details are clear when reduced to a standard size for recording. 15. What color ink is required for the surveyor's original signature across the seal on a recordable plat? A) Blue B) Red C) Black D) Any contrasting color Correct Answer: C) Black Rationale: Rule 180- 7 - .07(d) explicitly requires black ink for signatures on documents intended for recordation to ensure they reproduce clearly. 16. Within how many days of completing a survey must a plat be filed with the Clerk of Superior Court? A) 30 days B) 60 days C) 90 days D) 180 days Correct Answer: C) 90 days Rationale: O.C.G.A. § 15- 6 - 67 mandates that a plat of a survey must be recorded with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the land lies within 90 days of completion.
Rationale: GA Minimum Standards 180- 7 - .07 specify a minimum font size of 0. inches to ensure legibility. Section 3: Boundary Law, History, and Legal Principles (Georgia-Specific)
21. Georgia's unique land division system in the eastern part of the state (originally the "Old Capital" area) is known as: A) Township and Range B) The Headright System C) The Land Lottery System D) Metes and Bounds Correct Answer: B) The Headright System Rationale: The Headright System (1783-1803) was used to distribute land in eastern Georgia. It was later replaced by the Land Lottery System in the western part of the state. 22. The Land Lottery System was primarily used to distribute land in which region of Georgia? A) The Coastal Plain B) The Piedmont region C) The western part of the state (originally Creek and Cherokee lands) D) The Savannah River basin Correct Answer: C) The western part of the state (originally Creek and Cherokee lands) Rationale: Between 1805 and 1832, Georgia used the Land Lottery system to distribute land in the west, which had been ceded by Native American tribes. 23. In the hierarchy of evidence for boundary retracement in Georgia, which carries the highest priority? A) Recorded distances and bearings B) Artificial monuments (e.g., iron pins) C) Natural monuments (e.g., rivers, trees) D) Adjoining property lines Correct Answer: C) Natural monuments (e.g., rivers, trees) Rationale: Based on common law and case law in Georgia, natural monuments are the highest form of evidence because they are original and permanent. Artificial monuments are next, followed by distances, courses, and area.
24. Which of the following best describes a "junior-senior rights" conflict in Georgia boundary law? A) A conflict between two equally old surveys B) A situation where a newer survey must give way to an older, established survey C) A conflict involving the state and a private landowner D) A dispute over mineral rights Correct Answer: B) A situation where a newer survey must give way to an older, established survey Rationale: The senior (older) right is paramount. If a conflict exists between two grants or surveys, the one that was first conveyed has priority over a later (junior) one. 25. What is the primary characteristic of "adverse possession" (prescription) in Georgia? A) The state's right to take private property for public use B) The transfer of property through a will C) Acquiring title to land through open, notorious, continuous, and hostile possession for a statutory period (7 years under color of title, 20 years without) D) The right to cross another's land for a specific purpose Correct Answer: C) Acquiring title to land through open, notorious, continuous, and hostile possession for a statutory period Rationale: Adverse possession is a method of acquiring title to land by possession for a statutory period. In Georgia, it is 20 years (7 years if under "color of title" and paying taxes). 26. A surveyor is retracing a boundary and finds a river has changed its course over time. What legal principle governs the boundary? A) Avulsion B) Accretion and Erosion C) Police Power D) Eminent Domain Correct Answer: B) Accretion and Erosion Rationale: The boundary generally moves with the gradual, imperceptible change of a water body (accretion/erosion). A sudden, perceptible change (avulsion) does not change the boundary. 27. What is the official definition of a "U.S. Survey Foot" in Georgia? A) 1 foot = 0.30480061 meters
C) The Attorney General D) The Commissioner of Agriculture Correct Answer: B) The Secretary of State Rationale: The Board functions under the Secretary of State's Professional Licensing Boards Division. Section 4: Principles of Surveying, Mathematics, and General Practice
31. What is the sum of interior angles for a closed traverse with 8 sides? A) 360° B) 540° C) 900° D) 1080° Correct Answer: D) 1080° Rationale: The sum of interior angles is (n-2) × 180°. For n=8, (8-2)×180° = 1080°. 32. A total station measures a slope distance of 100.00 ft at a vertical angle of 12°. What is the horizontal distance? A) 20.79 ft B) 97.81 ft C) 102.20 ft D) 104.00 ft Correct Answer: B) 97.81 ft Rationale: Horizontal distance = slope distance × cos(vertical angle). 100.00 ft × cos(12°) = 100.00 × 0.9781 = 97.81 ft. 33. The azimuth of a line is 135°. What is its equivalent bearing? A) N 45° E B) S 45° E C) S 45° W D) N 45° W Correct Answer: B) S 45° E Rationale: Azimuths are measured clockwise from north. 135° is in the southeast quadrant. The bearing is S 45° E (180° - 135° = 45°). 34. Magnetic declination is the angle between: A) True north and grid north
B) True north and magnetic north C) Magnetic north and compass south D) Grid north and magnetic north Correct Answer: B) True north and magnetic north Rationale: Declination is the angular difference between geographic (true) north and the direction a magnetic compass needle points (magnetic north).
35. A level loop is run over a distance of 4 miles. Using the formula 0.02 × √M, what is the maximum allowable error in feet? A) 0.02 ft B) 0.04 ft C) 0.08 ft D) 0.16 ft Correct Answer: B) 0.04 ft Rationale: 0.02 × √4 = 0.02 × 2 = 0.04 ft. This is a standard allowable misclosure for third-order leveling. 36. What is the primary purpose of a "benchmark" in leveling? A) To compute traverse closure B) To measure horizontal angles C) To provide a point of known elevation D) To establish a coordinate grid Correct Answer: C) To provide a point of known elevation Rationale: A benchmark is a permanent, stable point with a known elevation, used as a starting and closing reference for leveling operations. 37. A surveyor's steel tape is 100.02 ft long when compared to a standard at 68°F. If used in the field at 90°F, what is the primary correction that must be applied? A) Tension correction B) Sag correction C) Temperature correction D) Slope correction Correct Answer: C) Temperature correction Rationale: Steel expands with heat. If the tape is longer than standard at a higher temperature, the distance measured will be shorter than actual, requiring a temperature correction.
units on the ground. Since there are 12 inches in a foot, 2,400 inches / 12 = 200 feet.
42. In a leveling survey, a backsight (BS) reading of 4.50 ft is taken on a benchmark with an elevation of 100.00 ft. What is the height of instrument (HI)? A) 95.50 ft B) 100.00 ft C) 104.50 ft D) 108.00 ft Correct Answer: C) 104.50 ft Rationale: HI = Benchmark Elevation + BS. 100.00 ft + 4.50 ft = 104.50 ft. 43. Which type of error affects only precision (repeatability) and not accuracy (closeness to true value)? A) Systematic error B) Instrumental error C) Random error D) Personal error Correct Answer: C) Random error Rationale: Random errors, like human estimation of a rod reading, affect the precision or consistency of a measurement set but do not necessarily shift the mean away from the true value. 44. The "Bowditch rule" (or Compass Rule) is used to adjust a traverse by distributing errors based on: A) The angle of each line B) The length of each line C) The bearing of each line D) The number of setup points Correct Answer: B) The length of each line Rationale: The Bowditch rule assumes that errors are proportional to the length of the traverse sides. Longer sides receive a larger correction. 45. What is the primary purpose of a "cadastral survey"? A) To determine elevation changes for a construction project B) To define and re-establish legal property boundaries C) To locate natural features like rivers and lakes D) To map the ocean floor
Correct Answer: B) To define and re-establish legal property boundaries Rationale: Cadastral surveys are specifically concerned with land ownership, boundaries, and property descriptions.
46. A contour line on a topographic map is defined as: A) A line of constant slope B) A line of constant magnetic declination C) A line connecting points of equal elevation D) A line showing the direction of water flow Correct Answer: C) A line connecting points of equal elevation Rationale: Contours are the primary method of representing 3D terrain on a 2D map. 47. A fundamental rule of contour lines is that they: A) Always cross at saddle points B) Can merge only at a vertical cliff C) Never cross each other D) Always form a closed loop within the map boundary Correct Answer: C) Never cross each other Rationale: A single point on the ground cannot have two different elevations, so contour lines cannot cross. 48. In geodetic surveying, the reference ellipsoid is used to approximate: A) The magnetic field of the earth B) The shape of the geoid (mean sea level) C) The shape of the earth's land masses D) The distribution of gravity Correct Answer: B) The shape of the geoid (mean sea level) Rationale: The ellipsoid is a mathematically defined surface that approximates the geoid, which is the equipotential surface of the earth's gravity field (mean sea level). 49. A "turn point" (or turning point) is used in leveling to: A) Measure a horizontal angle B) Change the direction of a traverse C) Provide a temporary, stable surface to move the level rod forward D) Calibrate the level instrument Correct Answer: C) Provide a temporary, stable surface to move the level rod forward
C) 10,000 units on map = 1 unit on ground D) 1 unit on map = 1,000 units on ground Correct Answer: B) 1 unit on map = 10,000 units on ground Rationale: Map scale expresses the ratio of distance on the map to the corresponding distance on the ground.
54. A clinometer is used to measure: A) Horizontal angles B) Slope or vertical angles C) Distances D) Magnetic bearings Correct Answer: B) Slope or vertical angles Rationale: A clinometer, often integrated into a total station or used as a hand-held tool, measures angles of slope. 55. In a leveling survey, what is the purpose of taking a foresight (FS)? A) To determine the elevation of a new point B) To set up the tripod C) To measure the height of the instrument D) To close the level loop back to the benchmark Correct Answer: A) To determine the elevation of a new point Rationale: A foresight is a rod reading taken on a point of unknown elevation to determine that point's elevation using the Height of Instrument. 56. What is the term for the error when a total station is not exactly centered over a survey point? A) Parallax error B) Instrumental error C) Centering error D) Refraction error Correct Answer: C) Centering error Rationale: Centering errors occur when the instrument is not precisely positioned over the survey monument, causing angular errors. 57. A survey crew is using a GPS receiver to measure a baseline. What is the primary advantage of using static GPS surveying over real-time kinematic (RTK) surveying? A) It is faster B) It provides more accurate results for control points
C) It does not require a base station D) It works better in heavy tree cover Correct Answer: B) It provides more accurate results for control points Rationale: Static GPS involves long observation times and post-processing, yielding the highest possible accuracy, ideal for establishing geodetic control. RTK is faster but less precise.
58. Which of the following would cause a refraction error in leveling? A) The level rod is not plumb B) The instrument is not level C) Sunlight or heat waves cause the line of sight to bend D) The tape is not calibrated Correct Answer: C) Sunlight or heat waves cause the line of sight to bend Rationale: Refraction, particularly in hot conditions or over pavement, can bend the line of sight, causing an error in the rod reading. 59. What is the formula for calculating the new elevation of a point using the Height of Instrument (HI) method? A) Elevation = HI - BS B) Elevation = HI - FS C) Elevation = BS + FS D) Elevation = BS - FS Correct Answer: B) Elevation = HI - FS Rationale: After calculating the HI (BM elevation + BS), the elevation of any turning point is found by subtracting the FS reading. 60. "Grid north" differs from "true north" due to: A) Magnetic declination B) Map projection convergence C) Instrumental errors D) Atmospheric refraction Correct Answer: B) Map projection convergence Rationale: Grid north is the direction of the north-south grid lines on a state plane coordinate system, which converge toward the central meridian, differing from true north. Section 5: Advanced Topics, Ethics, and Exam Strategy
C) A lifetime waiver for continuing education D) An honorary engineering degree Correct Answer: B) Keep their original wall license Rationale: Georgia law allows a licensee who is retiring after at least 20 years of active licensure to keep their wall license, though they cannot practice.
65. What is the penalty for practicing surveying without a license in Georgia? A) A warning from the Board B) A misdemeanor, fine up to $5,000, and up to 12 months in jail C) A felony and a $50,000 fine D) A civil infraction with a $500 fine Correct Answer: B) A misdemeanor, fine up to $5,000, and up to 12 months in jail Rationale: O.C.G.A. § 43- 15 - 29 outlines the penalties for unlicensed practice as a misdemeanor, with a fine not to exceed $5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months. 66. A surveyor discovers a conflict with a previous survey during a retracement. What is the primary professional obligation? A) Ignore the conflict to avoid liability B) Call the previous surveyor and threaten a lawsuit C) Use professional judgment to resolve the conflict and document the findings on the new plat D) Refuse to complete the survey Correct Answer: C) Use professional judgment to resolve the conflict and document the findings on the new plat Rationale: The surveyor's duty is to the client and the public to resolve boundary conflicts based on evidence and principles, and to clearly show the resolution and any discrepancies on the plat. 67. Which of the following is a "ministerial act" that a seller's agent can perform for a buyer without creating an agency relationship? A) Advising the buyer on what price to offer B) Negotiating the terms of the sale C) Providing factual information about the property's location D) Recommending a home inspector Correct Answer: C) Providing factual information about the property's location
Rationale: Ministerial acts are factual, administrative tasks that do not involve advice or judgment, and do not create an agency relationship.
68. An LSIT (Land Surveyor in Training) can do which of the following? A) Seal and sign plats as a professional land surveyor B) Perform surveying work under the direct supervision of a licensed PLS C) Practice independently on properties under 5 acres D) Represent themselves as a professional land surveyor Correct Answer: B) Perform surveying work under the direct supervision of a licensed PLS Rationale: An LSIT has passed the FS exam but is not yet licensed. They must work under the supervision of a licensed surveyor to gain experience. 69. A "Class B" survey in Georgia (as defined in older standards) is typically associated with: A) Rural or residential surveys B) Urban or commercial surveys C) ALTA/NSPS surveys D) Hydrological surveys Correct Answer: A) Rural or residential surveys Rationale: The classification system historically related to closure requirements. Class B had a lower standard (1:5,000) suitable for rural areas, while Class A (1:10,000) was for urban. 70. The primary purpose of the Georgia "Rules of Professional Conduct" is to: A) Increase fees for surveyors B) Protect the public from incompetent or unethical practitioners C) Limit the number of surveyors in the state D) Standardize the colors used on survey plats Correct Answer: B) Protect the public from incompetent or unethical practitioners Rationale: Like most professional licensing boards, the primary mission is public protection, ensuring that surveyors act with integrity and competence. 71. If a surveyor's license has lapsed, they must: A) Retake the Principles and Practice (PS) exam B) Apply for reinstatement and pay the required fees C) Wait one year before reapplying
