Free Washington Land Surveyor Law Review Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Washington Land Surveyor Law Review practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Washington land surveyor who holds only a PLS license proposes to offer on-site wastewater treatment system design. Which license, by itself, is a statutory alternative to the on-site designer license?

   1. A. A professional engineer license under chapter 18.43 RCW.
   2. B. A professional land surveyor license under chapter 18.43 RCW.
   3. C. A land surveyor-in-training certificate under chapter 196-21 WAC.
   4. D. An on-site inspector certificate of competency under chapter 18.210 RCW.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: RCW 18.210.005(2) says design practice is unlawful "unless licensed in accordance with this chapter or licensed as a professional engineer under chapter 18.43 RCW." The PLS credential alone is not the listed alternative; the trainee and inspector credentials serve different roles.

   Reference: Chapter 18.210 RCW — On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems — RCW 18.210.005(2)

2. 2A consultant is retained to survey terrain and prepare topographical delineations requiring surveying skill, without establishing a property boundary. How does RCW 18.43.020 classify that service?

   1. A. It is engineering only because the consultant did not set boundary monuments.
   2. B. It is land surveying because topographical delineations are included in the definition.
   3. C. It is platting only because a terrain map is prepared for a landowner.
   4. D. It is excluded from surveying because no new parcel lines are created.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The statutory definition includes "the survey of land areas for the purpose of determining the topography thereof, the making of topographical delineations". Boundary monumentation is another included activity, not a prerequisite for topographic surveying.

   Reference: Chapter 18.43 RCW — Engineers and Land Surveyors — RCW 18.43.020(7)

3. 3A manufacturer seeks to sell a chemical additive for on-site sewage disposal systems in Washington. Which statement correctly describes the effect of ingredient approval or product review on that sale?

   1. A. The chemical additive remains barred even if its ingredients receive department approval.
   2. B. The chemical additive is barred only until its ingredients receive department approval.
   3. C. The chemical additive is barred only until the manufacturer registers its formulation.
   4. D. The chemical additive is barred only until department product review reaches a decision.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: RCW 70A.105.060(1) says a person "may not use, sell, or distribute a chemical additive to on-site sewage disposal systems." Subsections (2) through (5) describe ingredient approval, manufacturer registration, and product review for additives, but none creates an exception to the categorical chemical-additive ban.

   Reference: Chapter 70A.105 RCW — On-site Sewage Disposal Systems — RCW 70A.105.060(1)

4. 4A PLS releases a final boundary survey for client use. Which trio of authentication marks must appear on that final document?

   1. A. The licensee's seal or stamp, signature, and date of that signature.
   2. B. The licensee's seal or stamp, printed name, and document issue date.
   3. C. The licensee's seal or stamp, certificate number, and county filing date.
   4. D. The licensee's seal or stamp, initials, and client approval date.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: WAC 196-23-020(1) states that a final document "must contain the seal/stamp, signature and date of signature of the licensee who prepared or directly supervised the work." A printed name, certificate number, or initials may appear in project materials, but none replaces the licensee's signature and its date on the final survey.

   Reference: Chapter 196-23 WAC — Stamping and Seals — WAC 196-23-020

5. 5A Washington PLS submits a renewal application more than 90 days after the license expired. Besides the base renewal fee and application, what late fee basis applies?

   1. A. A fee equivalent to one half of the one-year renewal fee.
   2. B. A fee equivalent to the one-year renewal fee.
   3. C. A fee equivalent to the two-year renewal fee.
   4. D. A fee equivalent to the initial application fee.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: WAC 196-26A-040(5) specifies "a late fee equivalent to the fee for a one-year renewal in addition to the base renewal fee". The other fee bases are not the late-fee basis stated for this lapse.

   Reference: Chapter 196-26A WAC — Fees and Renewals — WAC 196-26A-040

6. 6A Washington PLS knowingly helps an unlicensed firm perform land surveying without required supervision. How is that conduct classified?

   1. A. Refuse the arrangement and prevent use of the license or firm name
   2. B. Provide nominal monthly review after the unlicensed firm completes each survey
   3. C. Allow the firm to work independently but sign its final maps
   4. D. Permit the work if the unlicensed firm discloses its status to clients

   Answer: A

   Explanation: WAC 196-27A-030(1) expressly makes aiding or abetting unsupervised or unlicensed practice misconduct. The controlling text states, "Aiding or abetting the unsupervised practice of engineering or land surveying"

   Reference: WAC 196 27 a COMBINEDCHAPTER — WAC 196-27A-030(1)

7. 7An on-site wastewater designer receives another practitioner's inquiry about differences in their work products. Under which circumstance is failure to respond specifically unprofessional conduct under WAC 196-33-200?

   1. A. The differences endanger the client's property.
   2. B. The differences make the client's project goals unachievable.
   3. C. The differences lead the board to request project records.
   4. D. The differences reveal an interest affecting design judgment.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: WAC 196-33-200(27)(d) identifies "Failure to respond to inquiries from other on-site practitioners or governmental agencies regarding differences in your respective work products" when public or client health, safety, welfare, or client property is endangered. The other conditions can trigger separate duties to a client, the board, or an employer, but do not by themselves establish this inquiry-response trigger.

   Reference: Chapter 196-33 WAC — On-site Design Professional Practice — WAC 196-33-200

8. 8A candidate applies for Washington land-surveyor-in-training certification. What minimum verified experience permits the application under WAC 196-21-010, using approved education, practical work, or both?

   1. A. Two years of qualifying experience.
   2. B. Four years of qualifying experience.
   3. C. Eight years of qualifying experience.
   4. D. Ten years of qualifying experience.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: WAC 196-21-010 requires "completion and verification of four years of experience" and allows approved education, practice, or both. Eight years belongs to initial PLS licensure, a different credential; the question asks the trainee minimum.

   Reference: Chapter 196-21 WAC — Land Surveyor-in-training Certification — WAC 196-21-010

9. 9A PLS establishes a new corner on the boundary between two ownerships in a survey that must be recorded. Within what maximum time after the establishment must the PLS file the record with the county auditor?

   1. A. Ten days after establishing the corner.
   2. B. Twenty days after establishing the corner.
   3. C. Forty-five days after establishing the corner.
   4. D. Ninety days after establishing the corner.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: RCW 58.09.040(1) makes filing mandatory "within ninety days after the establishment, reestablishment, or restoration of a corner on the boundary of two or more ownerships". The shorter periods relate to other administrative duties and are not the statutory filing deadline here.

   Reference: Chapter 58.09 RCW — Surveys, Recording — RCW 58.09.040(1)

10. 10During a boundary survey, a PLS concludes that the procedures in WAC 332-130-030(1) and (2) are unnecessary for this particular survey. Where must the departure be explained or shown?

    1. A. In the surveyor's private calculation file.
    2. B. In a letter retained only by the client.
    3. C. On the survey map produced for the work.
    4. D. In an oral explanation to the county auditor.

    Answer: C

    Explanation: WAC 332-130-030 requires that when those procedures are unnecessary in the surveyor's professional judgment, "departures from these requirements shall be explained and/or shown on the survey map produced." Private files, client correspondence, and oral remarks do not meet this map requirement.

    Reference: Chapter 332-130 WAC — Land Survey Standards — WAC 332-130-030