OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

West Virginia Land Surveyor — Requirements & Free Practice

US-WV · License preparation

703 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Combined practice

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Professional Surveyor

License to practice professional surveying in West Virginia.

Licensing authority: West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors · Application information

Licensure by comity — first licensed after 2004
West Virginia Surveying Examination
Character
Good moral character; initial criminal-record review follows §30-1-24.
Discipline
No current disciplinary investigation, pending license charges, prior revocation, or previous failure of a West Virginia licensure examination.
Documentation
Current application requires five character references, verified last ten years of experience, transcript as applicable, and surveying resume.
Education
Education must meet the current requirements of §30-13A; Board reviews substantially equivalent education and experience.
Examination boundary
The Board form states “COMITY – WV State Exam Only”; the West Virginia examination is required by 23 CSR 1 §3.6.c.
Existing license
Valid professional surveyor license in another jurisdiction, with substantially equivalent qualifications and reciprocal privileges.
Fees and deadline
Applicable fees and current directory deadline of thirty days before scheduled examination.
Prior examinations
§30-13A-13(1) requires substantially equivalent prior examination qualifications. The examinations underlying another jurisdiction’s license are not individually identified by that provision; supply all requested exam-score and license verifications.
Licensure by comity — first licensed on or before December 31, 2004
West Virginia Surveying Examination
Character
Good moral character; initial criminal-record review follows §30-1-24.
Discipline
No current disciplinary investigation, pending license charges, prior revocation, or previous failure of a West Virginia licensure examination.
Documentation
Current application requires five character references, verified last ten years of experience, transcript as applicable, and surveying resume.
Education
Board considers qualifications in the context of when they changed; current form accepts experience in lieu of formal education for applicants licensed on or before December 31, 2004.
Examination boundary
The Board form states “COMITY – WV State Exam Only”; the West Virginia examination is required by 23 CSR 1 §3.6.c.
Existing license
Valid professional surveyor license in another jurisdiction, with substantially equivalent qualifications and reciprocal privileges.
Fees and deadline
Applicable fees and current directory deadline of thirty days before scheduled examination.
Prior examinations
§30-13A-13(1) requires substantially equivalent prior examination qualifications. The examinations underlying another jurisdiction’s license are not individually identified by that provision; supply all requested exam-score and license verifications.
Restore delinquent license within thirty six months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education and fees
Complete required continuing education and pay renewal and accrued late fees (twenty percent per month or fraction under 23 CSR 1).
Practice
No practice while delinquent.
Time
Within thirty-six months after delinquent status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — surveying or related associate degree
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Board-approved two-year or associate degree in surveying or a related field with at least thirty surveying or related course hours; four years surveying experience, including two years in responsible charge under direct supervision.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
Licensure by examination — other bachelor degree
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Four-year or bachelor degree with at least thirty surveying or related course hours; four years surveying experience, including two years in responsible charge under direct supervision.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
Licensure by examination — surveying bachelor degree
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Board-approved four-year or bachelor surveying degree with at least thirty surveying or related course hours and at least two years of surveying experience in responsible charge.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
New license application after expiration
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Meet all current education, experience, and examination requirements at time of application; applicable degree alternative and Board review govern.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
Prior scores
FS and PS are retained as currently offered examinations involved in the licensing requirements; whether a prior passing score satisfies a requirement is an applicant condition.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
Trigger
License unrenewed for thirty-six months or voluntarily surrendered; prior expired license cannot be renewed.
Return from inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Acquire delinquent PDH up to two years; after four or more inactive years meet minimum-standards and ethics requirements within the first year back.
Fees
Pay applicable fees determined by Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual active license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Eight PDH per renewal year; every four years at least two PDH minimum technical standards and two PDH professional ethics, with Board-approved exemptions under 23 CSR 2 §5.1.
Fees
Renewal form and annual renewal fee; Board may deny renewal on original-licensure denial grounds.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return from retirement of five or more years
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Meet all current education, experience, and examination requirements at time of application; applicable degree alternative and Board review govern.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
Prior scores
FS and PS are retained as currently offered examinations involved in the licensing requirements; whether a prior passing score satisfies a requirement is an applicant condition.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
Trigger
Retired for at least five years; applies except to licensees approved for early retirement due to physical disability or debilitating illness.
Return from retired status in less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Acquire delinquent PDH for retired years up to two years; after at least four retired years meet quadrennial minimum-standards and ethics requirements in first active year.
Fees
Current renewal fee; status changes when all requirements and fees are satisfied.
Request
Written explanation justifying return to active practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after revocation
Application period
The form says applications expire six years after application; 23 CSR 1 §4.1.g specifies a new application after ten years without passing. Both demands are disclosed as applicant conditions.
Board exceptions
23 CSR 1 §3.1.g permits discretionary exceptions for active duty, physical disability, illness, or other extenuating circumstances.
Character
Good moral character. Criminal-conviction eligibility is governed by the rational-nexus standard of W. Va. Code §30-1-24; moral turpitude alone is not a lawful ground to deny initial licensure.
Citizenship
United States citizen or eligible for employment in the United States.
Deadline
The current Board application directory states thirty days before the scheduled state examination; the May 2023 form still lists February 1 and August 1.
Documentation
Board application, official transcripts, verified experience, resume, and two complete surveys made within the preceding three years, including a boundary survey and its supporting records.
Education and experience
Meet all current education, experience, and examination requirements at time of application; applicable degree alternative and Board review govern.
Fees
Applicable fees; qualifying low-income individuals and military families may request the initial licensing fee waiver under §30-1-23.
Intern time limit
PS and West Virginia examinations must be passed within ten years of FS, otherwise FS must be retaken.
Minimum age
At least eighteen years old.
Prior scores
FS and PS are retained as currently offered examinations involved in the licensing requirements; whether a prior passing score satisfies a requirement is an applicant condition.
References
Five references, at least three surveyors familiar with the applicant’s work; Board forms specify unrelated references, no Board members, and no more than one from the same employer.
Secondary education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Sequence
Pass FS and complete required experience before taking PS and the West Virginia examination; SI must be in good standing.
Trigger
Previous revocation; Board may weigh prior suspension and revocation when deciding new application.
Special supervision authorization
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Signed and dated application by supervisor and supervisee, written justification, and prescribed fee.
Approval
No special supervision until written Board authorization is issued.
Status
Active licensee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Special supervision reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Rectify the matters that invalidated special supervision, including inactive license status or disciplinary action.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Special supervision renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline and fees
Renew annually before authorization expires June 30 and pay prescribed fee.
Status
Maintain active license status and comply with disciplinary orders.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board review
Show ability to resume practice with reasonable skill and safety and satisfy the suspension order.
Discretionary assessment
23 CSR 5 §4.3.b.1 allows an appropriate examination selected by the Board if competence cannot otherwise be resolved; no particular examination is named.
Education
Acquire delinquent PDH for up to two years, plus additional PDH and other conditions imposed by the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Universal professional licensing recognition — military spouse
West Virginia Surveying Examination
Criminal history
No disqualifying criminal history as determined by the Board.
Discipline
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; other discipline must be corrected and fully resolved, or determination is held pending resolution.
Eligibility
Be married to an active-duty United States armed forces member and accompany that member to a permanent change of station at a military installation in West Virginia.
Existing license
Current license in the same discipline and practice level, in good standing everywhere held; originating state verifies its minimum education and applicable experience or supervision requirements were met.
Fees
Pay applicable fees, subject to statutory fee waivers.
Practice
License valid in West Virginia only; no interstate compact privilege is conferred.
Prior examinations
Previously pass any examinations required by the licensing jurisdiction. §30-1-27(b)(5) does not identify those examinations, so this is applicant evidence rather than a named exam leaf.
State examination
§30-1-27(d) permits a Board-administered state-law examination; 23 CSR 1 §3.6.c requires the WV examination of an individual licensed elsewhere. Retain that identified examination, with the statutory discretion disclosed.
Universal professional licensing recognition — resident
West Virginia Surveying Examination
Criminal history
No disqualifying criminal history as determined by the Board.
Discipline
No revocation or surrender while under investigation; other discipline must be corrected and fully resolved, or determination is held pending resolution.
Eligibility
Establish residence in West Virginia.
Existing license
Current license in the same discipline and practice level, in good standing everywhere held; originating state verifies its minimum education and applicable experience or supervision requirements were met.
Fees
Pay applicable fees, subject to statutory fee waivers.
Practice
License valid in West Virginia only; no interstate compact privilege is conferred.
Prior examinations
Previously pass any examinations required by the licensing jurisdiction. §30-1-27(b)(5) does not identify those examinations, so this is applicant evidence rather than a named exam leaf.
State examination
§30-1-27(d) permits a Board-administered state-law examination; 23 CSR 1 §3.6.c requires the WV examination of an individual licensed elsewhere. Retain that identified examination, with the statutory discretion disclosed.

Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round in testing windows at NCEES-approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based test, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES FS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); includes alternative item types (AITs) in addition to traditional multiple-choice questions; uses both SI and U.S. Customary units
Exam questions
110 questions
Time limit
6-hour appointment: nondisclosure agreement (2 minutes), tutorial (8 minutes), exam (5 hours and 20 minutes), scheduled break (25 minutes)
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$225 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Surveying Processes and Methods (16–24 of 110 questions)
    • A. Instrumentation (e.g., GNSS/GPS, levels, total stations, robotic total stations, scanners, UAS)
    • B. GNSS/GPS surveys (e.g., static, kinematic, OPUS, real-time networks)
    • C. Control surveys (e.g., horizontal, vertical, network design, accuracy standards)
    • D. Cadastral (e.g., Public Land Survey System [PLSS], boundary, metes and bounds, land title)
    • E. Topographic surveys
    • F. Construction surveys (e.g., layout, as-built, quantity)
    • G. Land development (e.g., subdivision design/platting, land use, environmental, flood plains, wetlands)
    • H. Field record keeping and documentation (e.g., procedures, field books, raw data files)
  • 2. Mapping Processes and Methods (14–21 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic mapping concepts (e.g., scaling, symbols, features, legend, contours, cartography)
    • B. Types of maps (e.g., plan and profile, cross section, plat, record of survey, ALTA, topographic, planimetric)
    • C. CAD (e.g., 2-D, 3-D, building information modeling [BIM])
    • D. GIS (e.g., feature collection, map projections, coordinate systems, metadata, database design and management, spatial data analysis, GIS applications)
    • E. Digital terrain model (e.g., machine control, triangulated irregular network [TIN], digital surface model, digital elevation model)
    • F. Photogrammetry and remote sensing (e.g., close range, conventional, softcopy, ground control, quality control, flight planning, project planning, UAS, drone, LiDAR, satellite, digital image analysis and processing)
  • 3. Boundary Law and Real Property Principles (19–29 of 110 questions)
    • A. Public records and descriptions (e.g., land descriptions, mineral rights, ownership rights, weighting evidence)
    • B. Common law principles (e.g., controlling elements, unwritten rights, adverse possession)
    • C. Easements (e.g., granted, implied/prescriptive)
    • D. Simultaneous and sequential conveyances
    • E. Metes and bounds
    • F. PLSS
    • G. Water law (e.g., riparian, littoral rights, water marks/levels)
    • H. Sources of law (e.g., federal/state/local, administrative, common, citations, legal research)
    • I. Encumbrances (e.g., restrictive covenants, mortgages, liens)
    • J. Real property law (e.g., deeds, chains of title)
  • 4. Surveying Principles (13–20 of 110 questions)
    • A. Basic surveying (e.g., horizontal surveys, vertical surveys, understanding of historical methods and instruments, route surveying, magnetic declination)
    • B. Geodesy (e.g., spherical trigonometry, geometric, physical, geodetic coordinates, orthometric corrections, convergence, geodetic reductions, gravity modeling, geoid modeling)
    • C. Applied geodesy (e.g., datums and datum conversions, latitude/longitude, coordinate transformations, state plane coordinate system [SPCS], map projections, control networks, reduction of observations, deflection of vertical, satellite coordinate systems)
  • 5. Survey Computations and Computer Applications (17–26 of 110 questions)
    • A. Coordinate geometry
    • B. Traverse closure and adjustments
    • C. Leveling (e.g., differential, trigonometric, reciprocal, precise)
    • D. Least squares adjustments
    • E. Area
    • F. Horizontal curves
    • G. Vertical curves
    • H. Volume (e.g., mass diagrams, earthwork)
    • I. Spreadsheets
    • J. Slopes and grades
  • 6. Business Concepts (11–17 of 110 questions)
    • A. Project planning (e.g., resource management, scheduling, cost estimation, tracking)
    • B. Safety (e.g., signage, basic first aid, safety equipment)
    • C. Liabilities (e.g., negligence, employee behavior, errors and omissions)
    • D. Contracts (e.g., basic elements, scope of work, specifications)
    • E. Supervision (e.g., survey team leadership, personnel management)
    • F. Project documentation and record management
    • G. Ethics
    • H. Communication (e.g., written communication, oral communication, alternate forms of communication, conflict resolution)
  • 7. Applied Mathematics and Statistics (10–15 of 110 questions)
    • A. College mathematics (e.g., trigonometry, analytical geometry and calculus, linear algebra and matrix theory)
    • B. Probability and statistics (e.g., mean, median, mode, hypothesis testing, normal distribution, linear regression)
    • C. Measurement science (e.g., error analysis, error propagation, positional tolerance, positional accuracy, random/systematic/blunder errors, unit conversions)
    • D. Quantitative reasoning (e.g., critical thinking, data analysis and validation, blunder detection, data quality, redundancy)
Examination sources

Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) Exam

Provider
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES); administered year-round via computer-based testing at approved Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based, closed book with an electronic reference (NCEES PS Reference Handbook and the specified standards); U.S. Customary units; questions require a variety of approaches and methodologies, including design, analysis, and application
Exam questions
100 questions
Time limit
7 hours, including a tutorial and an optional scheduled break
Passing score
Results reported as pass or fail; failing examinees receive a diagnostic report by major topic
Exam fee
$375 exam fee payable directly to NCEES
Examination outline
  • 1. Legal Principles (18–27 of 100 questions)
    • A. Principles of Evidence — 1. How to search for data and for physical evidence to evaluate data; 2. How to evaluate data; 3. Parol evidence; 4. Prescriptive rights; 5. Adverse possession; 6. Acquiescence; 7. Controlling elements; 8. Easement rights
    • B. Common Law Boundary Principles — 1. Historical and current common law principles; 2. Riparian and littoral rights; 3. Sovereign rights, including both navigable waters and eminent domain; 4. Sovereign land grants
    • C. Sequential and Simultaneous Conveyance Concepts — 1. Types of conveyances; 2. Junior/senior rights; 3. Record and physical evidence
    • D. Legal Descriptions for Real Property Transactions — 1. Preparation and interpretation of legal descriptions; 2. Controlling elements and how they impact the description; 3. Unwritten rights and how they impact the description; 4. Encumbrances and how they impact the description; 5. Easements and how they impact the description
    • E. Evidence for the Perpetuation of the U.S. PLSS
  • 2. Professional Survey Practices (22–33 of 100 questions)
    • A. Public/Private Record Sources — 1. Resources for private and public records; 2. Local public records indexing and filing system; 3. Local survey office records
    • B. Documentation, Supervision, and Clear Communication of Field Procedures — 1. Field surveying techniques; 2. Field surveying practices; 3. Data collection protocols
    • C. GPS/GNSS including satellite constellations, static GPS, RTK, PPP, and virtual networks
    • D. Surveying Principles and Computations — 1. Technical computations; 2. Applicable software
    • E. Monumentation Standards — 1. Applicable monumentation criteria; 2. Monument types
    • F. Land Development Solutions — 1. Regulatory land development criteria; 2. Construction criteria; 3. Land development implementation procedures
    • G. Survey Maps/Plats/Reports — 1. Technical communications by schematic, platting, and mapping processes and procedures; 2. Communication options
    • H. GIS — 1. GIS spatial databases and metadata; 2. Datums and projections related to GIS
  • 3. Standards and Specifications (8–12 of 100 questions)
    • A. BLM Manual of Surveying Instructions
    • B. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards — 1. Current ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey Standards; 2. State statutes regarding boundary surveys in conjunction with ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • C. FEMA Requirements — 1. FEMA specifications and instructions; 2. Horizontal and vertical datums related to FEMA flood zones; 3. Current FEMA elevation certificate; 4. FEMA Flood Insurance Study
  • 4. Business Practices (13–19 of 100 questions)
    • A. General Business Practices and Procedures — 1. Project planning and project management; 2. Deliverables; 3. Costs, budgets, and contracts; 4. Types of surveys; 5. Site features and conditions; 6. Scope of services; 7. Appropriate equipment and instruments
    • B. Risk Management Procedures — 1. Safety procedures; 2. QA/QC methods; 3. Risk management in contracts; 4. Insurance needs and requirements; 5. Potential liabilities
    • C. Professional Conduct
    • D. Communication with Clients, Staff, Related Professions, and the Public — 1. Different forms of communications; 2. Appropriate type of communication to convey concepts; 3. Related professions and their impact on client needs and deliverables
  • 5. Areas of Practice (24–36 of 100 questions)
    • A. ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys — 1. Legal documents, such as deeds, easements, and agreements; 2. Zoning information as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys; 3. Title insurance commitment letters and policies; 4. Underground features as applied to ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys
    • B. Control Networks and Geodetic Network Surveys — 1. Datums and reference frames relative to control networks; 2. Differences between local datums and geodetic datums; 3. Equipment appropriate for control surveys; 4. The Federal Geographic Data Committee Geospatial Positioning Accuracy Standards; 5. The National Geospatial Programs (NGP) Standards and Specifications—Digital Data Standards
    • C. Construction Surveys — 1. Construction plan reading; 2. Construction calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 3. Construction techniques and activities; 4. Horizontal and vertical positioning relative to a plan or datum
    • D. Boundary Surveys — 1. Physical boundary evidence; 2. Boundary reconciliations; 3. Historical measurement accuracy, equipment, and techniques; 4. Legal principles related to boundary surveys
    • E. Route Surveys for Alignments and Utilities — 1. Route alignment stationing practices; 2. Reading and interpreting roadway and utility plans
    • F. Topographic — 1. Topographic/planimetric mapping and control standards; 2. Interpretation, reconciliation, and adjustment of topographic survey data; 3. QA/QC procedures as applied to topographic surveys; 4. Ground, hydrographic, and remote sensing equipment; 5. The U.S. National Map Accuracy Standards as applied to topographic surveys; 6. Tools and techniques required to perform hydrographic, bathymetric, and remote sensing surveys; 7. Nomenclature related to utilities
    • G. Surveys to Establish New Parcels, Lots, or Units — 1. Types of subdivisions; 2. Platting; 3. Condominiums and associations; 4. Deed restrictions and restrictive covenants; 5. Zoning and subdivision ordinances
    • H. As-Built/Record Drawing Surveys — 1. As-built/record drawing calculations including slopes, grades, and plan details; 2. As-built/record drawing techniques and activities; 3. Horizontal and vertical as-built/record drawing positions relative to a plan or datum
    • I. Consultation Services — 1. Site topography and slope for development purposes; 2. Site access for development purposes; 3. Zoning standards related to new projects; 4. Floodplains as related to land development
Examination sources

West Virginia Surveying Examination

Provider
West Virginia Board of Professional Surveyors
Format
Closed-book multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
60
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
70%
Examination outline
  • A. West Virginia Statutes
    • General Provision Respecting Officers - County Surveyor - Chapter 6-2 & 7-3
    • Land Use Planning - Subdivisions - Chapter 8A-5 & 6
    • Roads & Highways – Roads & Right-of-Ways - Chapter 17-1 & 4
    • Environmental Resources - Oil & Gas – Chapter 22
    • Miners’ Health, Safety and Training - Mines & Minerals - Chapter 22A
    • Professions and Occupations - Licensing - Chapter 30-13A (Land Surveyors)
    • Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act - Chapter 36B-2-109 through 114
    • Real Property - Chapter 37-5-2 (Adjoining Owners); Chapter 37-12-1 & 2 (Magnetic Meridian)
    • Liens - Chapter 38
    • Records and Papers - Chapter 39
    • Acts Void as to Creditors and Purchasers – Recording – Chapter 40-1-9
    • Actions, Suits, and Arbitration - Chapter 55-2 & 4
    • Crimes and Their Punishment - Chapter 61-3B-1 (Trespass); Chapter 61-3-30 (Destruction)
    • The State and its Subdivisions – West Virginia Coordinate System - Chapter 1-1-5
  • B. West Virginia Code of State Rules - Title 23
    • 23CSR1 – Examination and Licensing of Professional Surveyors in West Virginia, (2014)
    • 23CSR2 – Mandatory Continuing Education for Land Surveyors, (2004)
    • 23CSR3 – Disciplinary and Complaint Procedures for Professional Surveyors, (2011)
    • 23CSR4 – Fees for Surveyors and Surveying Firms in West Virginia, (2008)
    • 23CSR5 – Standards for the Practice of Surveying in West Virginia, (2008)
  • C. Retracement Procedures & Practices
    • Magnetic Bearings
    • Magnetic Declination
    • Secular Change
    • Conversion for Different Meridians (Meridian Rotation)
    • Slope and Horizontal Distances
    • Historical Practices & Procedures
    • Research & Records
    • Monument Identification
    • Description Interpretation
    • Dendrology and Wood Identification
  • D. Case Law
    • Retracement of Rural Boundaries
    • Retracement of Subdivision Lot Boundaries
    • Rivers and Streams
    • Roads and Streets
    • Rights-of-way and Easements
    • Establishment of Boundaries by Unwritten Methods
  • E. West Virginia Court System
    • Structure of Court System
    • Judicial Proceedings
  • F. Land Development
    • Hydrology and Drainage
    • Flood Plains and Wetlands
    • Regulatory Permits
Examination sources