NORTH CAROLINA
PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR
EXAMINATION
STATE LAW PORTION
Questions & Answers with Rationales
Covers: Purpose, Definitions & Scope • Board Composition, Powers
& Duties • Licensure Requirements (Education, Experience &
Examination) • License Renewal, Seals & Continuing Education •
Minimum Standards of Practice & Plat Requirements • Disciplinary
Actions, Unlicensed Practice & Ethics • Business Entities & Corporate
Practice of Surveying • General Provisions, Exemptions &
Miscellaneous
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 1
, and requirements directly with the Board, as laws and figures may change.
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 2
, 1.Purpose, Definitions & Scope of Chapter 89C
Question 1
What is the general purpose of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 89C?
A. To regulate real estate agents
B. To safeguard life, health, and property, and to promote the public welfare
by regulating the practice of engineering and land surveying
C. To set statewide property tax rates
D. To license home builders
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 89C, the Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Act,
exists to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that only
qualified, licensed individuals practice engineering and land surveying in
North Carolina.
Question 2
Under Chapter 89C, which term describes the profession of measuring
and mapping land boundaries and features?
A. Land surveying
B. Civil drafting
C. Land planning
D. Real estate appraisal
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: 'Land surveying' is defined under the Act to include locating,
relocating, establishing, reestablishing, or retracing property lines/boundaries,
as well as related mapping, platting, and topographic work performed by or
under the responsible charge of a licensed professional land surveyor.
Question 3
Which of the following best defines 'responsible charge' as used in
Chapter 89C?
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 3
, A. Delegation of all work to unlicensed subordinates with no oversight
B. Direct control and personal supervision of surveying work by a licensed
professional land surveyor
C. Ownership of the surveying company
D. Financial responsibility for a project, unrelated to technical oversight
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: 'Responsible charge' refers to the direct control and personal
supervision of surveying (or engineering) work by a licensee, meaning the
licensee is professionally and directly accountable for the technical decisions
and work product, not merely a nominal reviewer.
Question 4
Is it lawful for an unlicensed person to practice land surveying in North
Carolina, even if supervised remotely by a licensee in another state?
A. Yes, as long as the supervising person holds any U.S. surveying license
B. No; practicing land surveying in North Carolina generally requires
licensure in North Carolina, or qualifying supervision by an NC-licensed
professional land surveyor in responsible charge
C. Yes, if the unlicensed person has five years of experience
D. Yes, if the client provides written consent
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 89C requires that the practice of land surveying within
North Carolina be performed by, or under the direct responsible charge of, a
person licensed in North Carolina. Licensure in another state alone does not
authorize practice within NC, nor does client consent override the licensing
requirement.
Question 5
Which of the following activities would generally fall within the statutory
definition of land surveying requiring licensure?
A. Determining and mapping the boundary lines of real property for the
purpose of establishing corners and lines
B. Drawing a floor plan for interior office furniture placement
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 4
PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR
EXAMINATION
STATE LAW PORTION
Questions & Answers with Rationales
Covers: Purpose, Definitions & Scope • Board Composition, Powers
& Duties • Licensure Requirements (Education, Experience &
Examination) • License Renewal, Seals & Continuing Education •
Minimum Standards of Practice & Plat Requirements • Disciplinary
Actions, Unlicensed Practice & Ethics • Business Entities & Corporate
Practice of Surveying • General Provisions, Exemptions &
Miscellaneous
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 1
, and requirements directly with the Board, as laws and figures may change.
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 2
, 1.Purpose, Definitions & Scope of Chapter 89C
Question 1
What is the general purpose of North Carolina General Statute Chapter 89C?
A. To regulate real estate agents
B. To safeguard life, health, and property, and to promote the public welfare
by regulating the practice of engineering and land surveying
C. To set statewide property tax rates
D. To license home builders
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 89C, the Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Act,
exists to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that only
qualified, licensed individuals practice engineering and land surveying in
North Carolina.
Question 2
Under Chapter 89C, which term describes the profession of measuring
and mapping land boundaries and features?
A. Land surveying
B. Civil drafting
C. Land planning
D. Real estate appraisal
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: 'Land surveying' is defined under the Act to include locating,
relocating, establishing, reestablishing, or retracing property lines/boundaries,
as well as related mapping, platting, and topographic work performed by or
under the responsible charge of a licensed professional land surveyor.
Question 3
Which of the following best defines 'responsible charge' as used in
Chapter 89C?
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 3
, A. Delegation of all work to unlicensed subordinates with no oversight
B. Direct control and personal supervision of surveying work by a licensed
professional land surveyor
C. Ownership of the surveying company
D. Financial responsibility for a project, unrelated to technical oversight
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: 'Responsible charge' refers to the direct control and personal
supervision of surveying (or engineering) work by a licensee, meaning the
licensee is professionally and directly accountable for the technical decisions
and work product, not merely a nominal reviewer.
Question 4
Is it lawful for an unlicensed person to practice land surveying in North
Carolina, even if supervised remotely by a licensee in another state?
A. Yes, as long as the supervising person holds any U.S. surveying license
B. No; practicing land surveying in North Carolina generally requires
licensure in North Carolina, or qualifying supervision by an NC-licensed
professional land surveyor in responsible charge
C. Yes, if the unlicensed person has five years of experience
D. Yes, if the client provides written consent
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Chapter 89C requires that the practice of land surveying within
North Carolina be performed by, or under the direct responsible charge of, a
person licensed in North Carolina. Licensure in another state alone does not
authorize practice within NC, nor does client consent override the licensing
requirement.
Question 5
Which of the following activities would generally fall within the statutory
definition of land surveying requiring licensure?
A. Determining and mapping the boundary lines of real property for the
purpose of establishing corners and lines
B. Drawing a floor plan for interior office furniture placement
NC PLS Exam — State Law Portion Prep —Q&A Page 4
