Free California Professional Land Surveyors State Laws and Rules Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the California Professional Land Surveyors State Laws and Rules Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Who may use the title professional land surveyor in California?

   1. A. A person licensed under the PLS Act
   2. B. Any mapper
   3. C. Any contractor
   4. D. Any property owner

   Answer: A

   Explanation: BPC §8708 protects the professional land surveyor title for persons licensed under the Act.

   Reference: 2026 Professional Land Surveyors' Act — BPC § 8708

2. 2What Board information must be provided to a client?

   1. A. Notice explaining licensure and Board contact
   2. B. Exam score
   3. C. Personal tax return
   4. D. Employee roster

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 16 CCR §463.5 requires the prescribed written notice concerning licensure and Board contact.

   Reference: 2026 Board Rules — 16 CCR § 463.5

3. 3Does locating a parcel boundary by measurement constitute land surveying?

   1. A. Yes
   2. B. No
   3. C. Only for public land
   4. D. Only with GNSS

   Answer: A

   Explanation: BPC §8726 includes locating, relocating, establishing, reestablishing, or retracing property boundaries.

   Reference: 2026 Professional Land Surveyors' Act — BPC § 8726(a)

4. 4Can responsible charge exist without control over surveying decisions?

   1. A. No
   2. B. Always
   3. C. If salaried
   4. D. If remote

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 16 CCR §404.2 requires control over the professional decisions reserved to responsible charge.

   Reference: 2026 Board Rules — 16 CCR § 404.2

5. 5Which activity is geodetic surveying under California law?

   1. A. Stating monument positions by CCS coordinates
   2. B. Designing a bridge
   3. C. Testing soil
   4. D. Preparing taxes

   Answer: A

   Explanation: BPC §8726(a)(6) includes coordinate statements under the California Coordinate System.

   Reference: 2026 Professional Land Surveyors' Act — BPC § 8726(a)(6)

6. 6Who selects professional field methods, procedures, and tolerances for surveying work?

   1. A. Licensee in responsible charge
   2. B. Client alone
   3. C. Drafter
   4. D. Vendor

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 16 CCR §404.2 reserves selection of field methods, procedures, and tolerances to responsible charge.

   Reference: 2026 Board Rules — 16 CCR § 404.2(a)(2)

7. 7Is offering electronic survey data with a positional-accuracy statement regulated surveying?

   1. A. Yes
   2. B. Never
   3. C. Only if printed
   4. D. Only if sold

   Answer: A

   Explanation: BPC §8726 includes offering survey data or location information tied to stated accuracy.

   Reference: 2026 Professional Land Surveyors' Act — BPC § 8726

8. 8When must a responsible-charge licensee review a surveying decision?

   1. A. Before implementation
   2. B. Only after complaint
   3. C. After archiving
   4. D. Never if delegated

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 16 CCR §404.2 requires review and approval of professional decisions before implementation.

   Reference: 2026 Board Rules — 16 CCR § 404.2(a)(3)

9. 9What legally distinguishes professional responsible charge from merely subordinate surveying work?

   1. A. Independent control and direction
   2. B. Job title alone
   3. C. Years employed
   4. D. Vehicle assignment

   Answer: A

   Explanation: BPC §8703 defines responsible charge as independent control and direction of land-surveying work.

   Reference: 2026 Professional Land Surveyors' Act — BPC §§ 8703, 8705

10. 10May a licensee accept work outside demonstrated competence without qualified assistance?

    1. A. No
    2. B. Yes
    3. C. If urgent
    4. D. If inexpensive

    Answer: A

    Explanation: 16 CCR §415 requires practice only in fields in which the licensee is qualified by education or experience.

    Reference: 2026 Board Rules — 16 CCR § 415