Free Maine Specific Multiple Choice Exam (MSMC) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Maine Specific Multiple Choice Exam (MSMC) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An applicant is documenting the supervised experience required for initial Maine professional land-surveyor licensure. What duration must the applicant demonstrate under the current Board rule?

   1. A. 12 months
   2. B. 18 months
   3. C. 24 months
   4. D. 36 months

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Chapter 50 requires the applicant to "Demonstrate twenty-four (24) months of full-time experience under the supervision of a licensed surveyor."

   Reference: Ch 50 Pls Licensure — 02-360 C.M.R. ch. 50, §1(2)

2. 2A person offers boundary-location services to the public in Maine but holds no surveying license. No statutory exemption applies. What does Maine law require?

   1. A. The person may offer the work if a licensed surveyor reviews it later
   2. B. The person must obtain a license before practicing or offering to practice
   3. C. The person may advertise but may not set monuments
   4. D. The person may practice if every client signs a waiver

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Maine's licensing statute makes it unlawful to practice, advertise, or offer land surveying without a license unless a stated exemption applies. A later review or client waiver is not one of those exemptions.

   Reference: Title32Ch141 — 32 M.R.S. §18202

3. 3For purposes of Maine's professional land-surveyor licensing chapter, what does responsible charge mean?

   1. A. Periodic review and final approval
   2. B. Direct control and personal supervision of land surveying
   3. C. Ownership of the surveying firm
   4. D. Custody of the original field notes

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 18201 defines responsible charge as direct control and personal supervision of land surveying.

   Reference: Title32Ch141 — 32 M.R.S. §18201(8)

4. 4A Maine licensee sets field monuments intended to depict a title boundary. Do Chapter 90's Part 2 technical standards apply?

   1. A. Yes, because setting monuments for a title boundary is expressly covered
   2. B. Only if the plan is recorded the same day
   3. C. Only if the client owns both adjoining parcels
   4. D. No, because Part 2 applies only to construction staking

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Part 2 applies when a licensee is "setting monuments or making marks in the field intending to depict the location of title or easement boundaries."

   Reference: Ch 90 Standards of Practice — 02-360 C.M.R. ch. 90, pt. 2, §1

5. 5For Maine Board rules, which records qualify as public records for a boundary survey?

   1. A. Records accessible from state agencies, courts, registries, town offices, local officials, and public utilities
   2. B. Only deeds personally owned by the client
   3. C. Only records stored in the surveyor's office
   4. D. Any oral account supplied by an adjoining owner

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Chapter 10 defines the term as follows: "“Public records” are those accessible at or available upon request from agencies and instrumentalities of the State of Maine, clerks of court and registers of deeds, and town offices, local officials, and public utilities." Option A tracks that defined set.

   Reference: Ch 10 Definitions — 02-360 C.M.R. ch. 10, §2

6. 6At completion of a Maine boundary survey, what monument condition must the licensee ensure?

   1. A. Enough monuments are present so boundaries are apparent or reasonably recoverable by the client
   2. B. A monument is placed every 25 feet without exception
   3. C. Only original monuments remain on the parcel
   4. D. Every monument is visible from the public road

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Chapter 90 requires "sufficient monuments" so boundary locations are apparent and obvious or may be reasonably recovered or found by the client.

   Reference: Ch 90 Standards of Practice — 02-360 C.M.R. ch. 90, pt. 2, §5(1)

7. 7What relationship must a Maine licensee's final written report or plan have to the client engagement?

   1. A. It must be consistent with the written confirmation
   2. B. It must expand every service beyond the agreed scope
   3. C. It must omit all agreed exceptions
   4. D. It must replace the written confirmation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Chapter 90 requires the licensee to provide a report or plan "that is consistent with the written confirmation."

   Reference: Ch 90 Standards of Practice — 02-360 C.M.R. ch. 90, pt. 2, §6(1)

8. 8A Maine survey crew needs to move a fence post on another person's land to obtain a measurement. Does the statutory right of entry itself authorize that action?

   1. A. Yes, after giving the hand-delivery notice
   2. B. Yes, if the surveyor later pays for any damage
   3. C. No, intentionally moving the item requires the owner's permission
   4. D. No, but only when the item marks a recorded boundary

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 18231 does not authorize a surveyor or assistant to intentionally destroy, injure, damage, or move an object, chattel, or item on another's land without the owner's permission. The right of entry therefore does not itself authorize moving the fence post.

   Reference: Title32Ch141 — 32 M.R.S. §18231(1)

9. 9A survey plan dated in 2026 is submitted for recording in Maine. What paper requirement applies?

   1. A. White paper with a minimum weight of 20 pounds
   2. B. Blue linen with a minimum weight of 16 pounds
   3. C. Polyester film at least 4 mils thick
   4. D. Any colored paper if laminated

   Answer: A

   Explanation: For a plan dated on or after January 1, 2020, section 652 requires white paper with a minimum weight of 20 pounds.

   Reference: 33 M.R.S. §652 — 33 M.R.S. §652(1)

10. 10Under Maine's municipal subdivision statute, what basic land-division threshold generally creates a subdivision?

    1. A. Two or more lots within 3 years
    2. B. Three or more lots within 5 years
    3. C. Four or more lots within 7 years
    4. D. Five or more lots within 10 years

    Answer: B

    Explanation: Section 4401 generally defines subdivision as division of a tract or parcel into three or more lots within a five-year period, subject to stated exceptions.

    Reference: 30-A M.R.S. §4401(6) — 30-A M.R.S. §4401(4)