TEXAS LAND SURVEYOR LICENSING PRACTICE EXAM — 2026/2027
Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS)
State-Specific Competency Assessment
Total Questions: 50
Testing Time: 3 hours
Passing Score: 75% (38/50 correct)
Format: Multiple-Choice and Scenario-Based Items
Eligibility Requirements:
• NCEES PS Exam Passage
• TBPELS Application + Fees
• Experience Verification (4+ Years)
• Background Check
• State Exam Passage
Instructions: Select the single best answer unless otherwise indicated. For Select All That Apply questions,
choose all correct options. Apply Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, Texas Administrative Code Title 22
Chapter 663, and TBPELS professional practice standards.
Domain 1: Texas Surveying Law & Regulations (Questions 1–6)
1. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, which entity has authority to regulate the
practice of land surveying in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
C. Texas General Land Office
D. Texas Department of Transportation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS) is the regulatory
body established under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001 with authority to regulate the practice of
engineering and land surveying in Texas. The Board sets standards for licensure, enforces rules of practice,
and administers disciplinary proceedings for violations.
2. Per Texas Occupations Code §1001.257, what is the minimum period of supervised
surveying experience required for licensure as a Registered Professional Land Surveyor
(RPLS)?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1001.257 requires a minimum of four years of supervised surveying
experience qualifying under Board rules before an applicant may be eligible for the RPLS license. This
experience must be verified by licensed professionals and meet the Board's standards for scope and content.
3. Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, which of the following actions by a licensed surveyor
constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by TBPELS?
A. Filing a corner record with the county clerk within 90 days of monument establishment
B. Practicing surveying while the licensee's license is expired or revoked
C. Using the Texas Coordinate System of 1983 for a boundary survey
D. Charging a fee that is higher than the fee charged by another surveyor for a similar survey
Correct Answer: B
1
, Rationale: Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, and Texas Occupations Code §1001.402, practicing surveying
with an expired or revoked license constitutes a violation and is grounds for disciplinary action, including
fines, reprimand, or license revocation. Fee differences alone are not disciplinary grounds, and proper
filing or use of coordinate systems are compliant behaviors.
4. Under Texas Occupations Code §1001.402, which of the following is NOT listed as a
sanction the Board may impose for violations?
A. Revocation of license
B. Imposition of an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000 per violation
C. Imprisonment for up to 180 days
D. Reprimand
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1001.402 authorizes the Board to impose sanctions including license
revocation, administrative penalties, and reprimand. Imprisonment is a criminal penalty imposed by
courts, not an administrative sanction available to TBPELS. The Board may refer criminal violations for
prosecution but cannot impose jail time itself.
5. Which of the following accurately describes the composition of TBPELS as established
under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001?
A. Six members, all of whom must be licensed professional engineers
B. Nine members appointed by the governor, including both engineers, land surveyors, and public
members
C. Five members elected by licensed surveyors in the state
D. Eleven members appointed by the Texas Legislature's presiding officers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Texas Occupations Code §1001.051, the Board consists of nine members appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The membership includes professional engineers,
professional land surveyors, and public members, ensuring diverse representation in the regulation of both
professions.
6. (Select All That Apply) Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, which of the following are
required elements of continuing education for RPLS license renewal?
A. A minimum number of Professional Development Hours (PDH) per renewal period
B. At least one hour of ethics education per renewal cycle
C. Completion of a state-administered practical examination every four years
D. Continuing education activities must be relevant to the practice of land surveying
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: TAC Title 22, Chapter 663 requires licensees to complete a minimum number of Professional
Development Hours (PDH) per renewal period, including at least one hour of ethics education, and all
continuing education must be relevant to the practice of land surveying. A state-administered practical
examination is not a continuing education requirement for license renewal.
Domain 2: Boundary Law & Property Rights (Questions 7–13)
7. Under Texas Property Code §16.026 and §16.028, what is the statutory period required for
adverse possession of real property without color of title in Texas?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. 20 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.026 establishes a 10-year adverse possession period
for claims without color of title. With color of title and payment of taxes under §16.025, the period is
reduced to 5 years. The 10-year period is the standard statutory period absent any special circumstances.
8. Which of the following easement types in Texas arises when a landowner conveys a
landlocked parcel without expressly granting access?
A. Express easement
B. Prescriptive easement
C. Easement by necessity
D. Easement by estoppel
2
Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS)
State-Specific Competency Assessment
Total Questions: 50
Testing Time: 3 hours
Passing Score: 75% (38/50 correct)
Format: Multiple-Choice and Scenario-Based Items
Eligibility Requirements:
• NCEES PS Exam Passage
• TBPELS Application + Fees
• Experience Verification (4+ Years)
• Background Check
• State Exam Passage
Instructions: Select the single best answer unless otherwise indicated. For Select All That Apply questions,
choose all correct options. Apply Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, Texas Administrative Code Title 22
Chapter 663, and TBPELS professional practice standards.
Domain 1: Texas Surveying Law & Regulations (Questions 1–6)
1. Under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001, which entity has authority to regulate the
practice of land surveying in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
C. Texas General Land Office
D. Texas Department of Transportation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (TBPELS) is the regulatory
body established under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001 with authority to regulate the practice of
engineering and land surveying in Texas. The Board sets standards for licensure, enforces rules of practice,
and administers disciplinary proceedings for violations.
2. Per Texas Occupations Code §1001.257, what is the minimum period of supervised
surveying experience required for licensure as a Registered Professional Land Surveyor
(RPLS)?
A. 2 years
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1001.257 requires a minimum of four years of supervised surveying
experience qualifying under Board rules before an applicant may be eligible for the RPLS license. This
experience must be verified by licensed professionals and meet the Board's standards for scope and content.
3. Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, which of the following actions by a licensed surveyor
constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by TBPELS?
A. Filing a corner record with the county clerk within 90 days of monument establishment
B. Practicing surveying while the licensee's license is expired or revoked
C. Using the Texas Coordinate System of 1983 for a boundary survey
D. Charging a fee that is higher than the fee charged by another surveyor for a similar survey
Correct Answer: B
1
, Rationale: Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, and Texas Occupations Code §1001.402, practicing surveying
with an expired or revoked license constitutes a violation and is grounds for disciplinary action, including
fines, reprimand, or license revocation. Fee differences alone are not disciplinary grounds, and proper
filing or use of coordinate systems are compliant behaviors.
4. Under Texas Occupations Code §1001.402, which of the following is NOT listed as a
sanction the Board may impose for violations?
A. Revocation of license
B. Imposition of an administrative penalty not to exceed $5,000 per violation
C. Imprisonment for up to 180 days
D. Reprimand
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Occupations Code §1001.402 authorizes the Board to impose sanctions including license
revocation, administrative penalties, and reprimand. Imprisonment is a criminal penalty imposed by
courts, not an administrative sanction available to TBPELS. The Board may refer criminal violations for
prosecution but cannot impose jail time itself.
5. Which of the following accurately describes the composition of TBPELS as established
under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001?
A. Six members, all of whom must be licensed professional engineers
B. Nine members appointed by the governor, including both engineers, land surveyors, and public
members
C. Five members elected by licensed surveyors in the state
D. Eleven members appointed by the Texas Legislature's presiding officers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Texas Occupations Code §1001.051, the Board consists of nine members appointed by the
governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The membership includes professional engineers,
professional land surveyors, and public members, ensuring diverse representation in the regulation of both
professions.
6. (Select All That Apply) Under TAC Title 22, Chapter 663, which of the following are
required elements of continuing education for RPLS license renewal?
A. A minimum number of Professional Development Hours (PDH) per renewal period
B. At least one hour of ethics education per renewal cycle
C. Completion of a state-administered practical examination every four years
D. Continuing education activities must be relevant to the practice of land surveying
Correct Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: TAC Title 22, Chapter 663 requires licensees to complete a minimum number of Professional
Development Hours (PDH) per renewal period, including at least one hour of ethics education, and all
continuing education must be relevant to the practice of land surveying. A state-administered practical
examination is not a continuing education requirement for license renewal.
Domain 2: Boundary Law & Property Rights (Questions 7–13)
7. Under Texas Property Code §16.026 and §16.028, what is the statutory period required for
adverse possession of real property without color of title in Texas?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. 20 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.026 establishes a 10-year adverse possession period
for claims without color of title. With color of title and payment of taxes under §16.025, the period is
reduced to 5 years. The 10-year period is the standard statutory period absent any special circumstances.
8. Which of the following easement types in Texas arises when a landowner conveys a
landlocked parcel without expressly granting access?
A. Express easement
B. Prescriptive easement
C. Easement by necessity
D. Easement by estoppel
2
