Free Open-Book Examination of South Dakota Land Surveying Practice and Laws Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Open-Book Examination of South Dakota Land Surveying Practice and Laws practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A South Dakota consultant is hired to locate a deed boundary and place monuments marking it. Under SDCL 36-18A-4, how is this work classified?

   1. A. The practice of land surveying
   2. B. Real-estate appraisal
   3. C. Construction contracting
   4. D. Title insurance underwriting

   Answer: A

   Explanation: SDCL 36-18A-4 includes determining property boundaries and monumenting those boundaries within land surveying. The described service therefore requires land-surveying authority.

   Reference: Laws Chapter 36-18A — SDCL 36-18A-4

2. 2An applicant meets the education route in ARSD 20:38:30:03(3), based on a non-related bachelor's degree or a qualifying associate's degree. What minimum total surveying experience applies?

   1. A. Four years of qualifying experience.
   2. B. Five years of qualifying experience.
   3. C. Six years of qualifying experience.
   4. D. Seven years of qualifying experience.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: "(2)  Seven years of experience, of which a minimum of three years must be after earning the degree and a minimum of two years must be after enrollment as a land surveying intern in accordance with § 20:38:32:04, for an applicant meeting the education requirement described in subdivision 20:38:30:03(3)." The specified education route is subdivision (3), which carries a seven-year total, with the stated post-degree and post-intern minimums. The four-year route applies to subdivisions (1) and (2).

   Reference: Administrative Rules of South Dakota, Article 20:38 — ARSD 20:38:31:04(2)

3. 3What responsibility does a South Dakota land surveyor's seal imply under ARSD 20:38:37:01?

   1. A. Responsibility for the entire submission unless the surveyor's area is clearly identified
   2. B. Responsibility only for the sheet on which the seal appears
   3. C. Responsibility only for portions personally drafted by the surveyor
   4. D. Ownership of the submission without professional responsibility

   Answer: A

   Explanation: South Dakota's seal rule makes the seal signify responsibility for the entire submission unless accompanying information clearly identifies a narrower area of responsibility.

   Reference: Laws Chapter 36-18A — ARSD 20:38:37:01

4. 4A municipal engineer is not licensed as a land surveyor. What must happen to municipal duties that constitute land surveying?

   1. A. The engineer may perform them under the engineering title
   2. B. They must be delegated to a licensed land surveyor
   3. C. They must be performed by the county auditor
   4. D. They may be omitted from the project

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Current SDCL 9-14-24 requires land-surveying duties to be delegated to a licensed land surveyor when the municipal engineer lacks that license.

   Reference: Land Surveyor Laws — SDCL 9-14-24

5. 5A South Dakota surveyor buys a service on behalf of a client while performing a contract for that client. How does the sales-tax chapter classify that purchased service?

   1. A. A service purchase treated as a purchase for resale.
   2. B. A service purchase treated as a taxable retail sale.
   3. C. A service purchase treated as a tax-exempt service.
   4. D. A service purchase treated as a taxable use of services.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "shall be considered purchases for resale purposes." A surveyor's purchase of a service on behalf of a client while performing that client's contract is expressly classified as a resale purchase. Taxable retail sales, service exemptions, and taxable use are real tax categories for other transactions, but do not replace this express treatment.

   Reference: South Dakota Codified Laws — SDCL § 10-45-4.2

6. 6In a South Dakota action to determine a disputed boundary, what may the circuit court order to assist in fixing the line?

   1. A. A tax reassessment
   2. B. A new title policy
   3. C. A subdivision variance
   4. D. A survey of the boundary

   Answer: D

   Explanation: SDCL 21-40-5 authorizes the circuit court in a boundary proceeding to direct that the disputed boundary be surveyed.

   Reference: Land Surveyor Laws — SDCL 21-40-5

7. 7A public highway is proposed across South Dakota school land. Before locating the highway, what must be done with a map or plat showing its course and the acreage required?

   1. A. File it with the commissioner of school and public lands before location.
   2. B. File it with the register of deeds before location.
   3. C. File it with the commissioner of school and public lands after location.
   4. D. File it with the county auditor's office before location.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "prior to the locating of the same, there shall be filed in the office of the commissioner of school and public lands a map or plat" The filing is a prerequisite to location and goes to the commissioner of school and public lands. The other responses alter the required recipient or timing.

   Reference: South Dakota Codified Laws — SDCL § 31-20-2

8. 8A deed describes land as bounded by a road, and no evidence rebuts South Dakota's statutory presumption. Where is the landowner's boundary presumed to extend?

   1. A. Only to the near edge of the road right-of-way.
   2. B. To the center of the road or street way.
   3. C. Across the full width to the road's far edge.
   4. D. Only to the edge of the traveled road surface.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "presumed to own to the center of the way, but the contrary may be shown" With no contrary showing, the statutory presumption carries ownership to the center of the way. Neither the near edge, far edge nor traveled surface defines that presumption.

   Reference: South Dakota Codified Laws — SDCL § 43-16-3

9. 9Within what time must a surveyor generally file a required corner record after using or restoring a public land survey corner?

   1. A. Ten days
   2. B. Thirty days
   3. C. Sixty days
   4. D. Ninety days

   Answer: D

   Explanation: SDCL 43-20-3 requires the corner file to be completed, signed, and filed within ninety days after the listed corner activity.

   Reference: Land Surveyor Laws — SDCL 43-20-3

10. 10Each applicant has submitted a complete application, and none presents disciplinary grounds. Which applicant qualifies for expedited South Dakota licensing under SDCL 36-1B-1?

    1. A. An active-duty member's spouse transferred to South Dakota with a valid comparable Nebraska license in good standing.
    2. B. An active-duty member's adult dependent transferred to South Dakota with a valid comparable Nebraska license in good standing.
    3. C. An active-duty member's spouse transferred to South Dakota with a valid comparable Manitoba license in good standing.
    4. D. A recently separated veteran relocating to South Dakota with a valid comparable Nebraska license in good standing.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "Who holds in good standing the same or similar valid license, certificate, registration, or permit required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation issued by another state or the District of Columbia" and "Who is an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States or the spouse of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States" and "Who is the subject of a military transfer to South Dakota." A has all three conditions. B is an adult dependent rather than member or spouse; C's Manitoba credential is not from another U.S. state or D.C.; D is a separated veteran relocating without an active-duty transfer.

    Reference: South Dakota Codified Laws — SDCL § 36-1B-1