KENTUCKY SURVEYOR LICENSING EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Legal Principles and Boundary Law
Professional Survey Practices and Field Procedures
Standards and Specifications
Business and Professional Practices
Types of Surveys and Areas of Practice
Survey Computations and Coordinate Geometry
Geodesy and Coordinate Systems
Mathematics Applied to Surveying
Mapping and Graphic Communication
Ethics and Professional Standards
Introduction
,This practice examination is designed to prepare candidates for the Professional Land Surveyor licensing
examination required in Kentucky. The exam assesses comprehensive knowledge of boundary law, legal
principles, professional survey practices, field procedures, survey computations, geodesy, and business
practices essential for competent surveying practice. The multiple-choice format includes scenario-based
questions that emphasize real-world application and professional decision-making. Candidates will encounter
questions requiring critical thinking about boundary determinations, field measurement corrections, coordinate
transformations, legal description analysis, and ethical professional conduct. Success on this examination
demonstrates readiness to practice independently as a Professional Land Surveyor with the technical
competence and legal knowledge required to protect public interests in land ownership and spatial data.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A surveyor discovers that two adjacent deeds describe the same parcel with conflicting boundary lines. The first
deed (1950) uses metes and bounds with a stated distance of 500 feet, while the second deed (1975) references
the Public Land Survey System with a section line measurement. Which principle determines which description
controls?
A. The later deed controls because it represents the most recent agreement
B. The deed with the more specific measurement controls
C. The earlier deed controls as the senior right
D. The deed referencing the PLSS controls because it is more authoritative
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: The principle of senior rights establishes that the earlier deed controls over later conflicting
descriptions. When two conveyances conflict, the senior (earlier) conveyance has priority because the senior
holder acquired rights first, and the junior conveyancer could only convey what remained after the senior
conveyance.
Question 2
When performing differential leveling, a surveyor observes that the level bubble is 2 divisions off-center. If the
telescope is 100 feet from the target reading, what is the approximate error introduced?
A. 0.01 feet
B. 0.02 feet
C. 0.05 feet
D. 0.10 feet
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A level bubble off-center by 2 divisions typically introduces an error of approximately 0.02
feet at 100 feet distance. This follows the standard rule that each division of bubble error introduces roughly
0.01 feet error per 100 feet of sight distance, making proper leveling critical for accurate elevation
measurements.
, Question 3
A boundary survey reveals that a property line runs along the bank of a navigable river. The river has gradually
migrated 50 feet westward over 30 years due to natural erosion. What is the legal status of the property
boundary?
A. The boundary moves with the river (ambulatory boundary)
B. The boundary remains at the original location
C. The boundary moves halfway to the new river position
D. The boundary is determined by the current river position only
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: For navigable waters, the boundary is typically ambulatory and moves with the gradual,
natural migration of the watercourse (process of accretion or erosion). This is the principle of riparian rights
where the boundary follows the gradually changing shoreline, unlike avulsion where sudden changes do not
move the boundary.
Question 4
In coordinate geometry, what is the bearing corresponding to an azimuth of 225°?
A. S 45° W
B. S 45° E
C. N 45° W
D. N 45° E
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Legal Principles and Boundary Law
Professional Survey Practices and Field Procedures
Standards and Specifications
Business and Professional Practices
Types of Surveys and Areas of Practice
Survey Computations and Coordinate Geometry
Geodesy and Coordinate Systems
Mathematics Applied to Surveying
Mapping and Graphic Communication
Ethics and Professional Standards
Introduction
,This practice examination is designed to prepare candidates for the Professional Land Surveyor licensing
examination required in Kentucky. The exam assesses comprehensive knowledge of boundary law, legal
principles, professional survey practices, field procedures, survey computations, geodesy, and business
practices essential for competent surveying practice. The multiple-choice format includes scenario-based
questions that emphasize real-world application and professional decision-making. Candidates will encounter
questions requiring critical thinking about boundary determinations, field measurement corrections, coordinate
transformations, legal description analysis, and ethical professional conduct. Success on this examination
demonstrates readiness to practice independently as a Professional Land Surveyor with the technical
competence and legal knowledge required to protect public interests in land ownership and spatial data.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A surveyor discovers that two adjacent deeds describe the same parcel with conflicting boundary lines. The first
deed (1950) uses metes and bounds with a stated distance of 500 feet, while the second deed (1975) references
the Public Land Survey System with a section line measurement. Which principle determines which description
controls?
A. The later deed controls because it represents the most recent agreement
B. The deed with the more specific measurement controls
C. The earlier deed controls as the senior right
D. The deed referencing the PLSS controls because it is more authoritative
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: The principle of senior rights establishes that the earlier deed controls over later conflicting
descriptions. When two conveyances conflict, the senior (earlier) conveyance has priority because the senior
holder acquired rights first, and the junior conveyancer could only convey what remained after the senior
conveyance.
Question 2
When performing differential leveling, a surveyor observes that the level bubble is 2 divisions off-center. If the
telescope is 100 feet from the target reading, what is the approximate error introduced?
A. 0.01 feet
B. 0.02 feet
C. 0.05 feet
D. 0.10 feet
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A level bubble off-center by 2 divisions typically introduces an error of approximately 0.02
feet at 100 feet distance. This follows the standard rule that each division of bubble error introduces roughly
0.01 feet error per 100 feet of sight distance, making proper leveling critical for accurate elevation
measurements.
, Question 3
A boundary survey reveals that a property line runs along the bank of a navigable river. The river has gradually
migrated 50 feet westward over 30 years due to natural erosion. What is the legal status of the property
boundary?
A. The boundary moves with the river (ambulatory boundary)
B. The boundary remains at the original location
C. The boundary moves halfway to the new river position
D. The boundary is determined by the current river position only
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: For navigable waters, the boundary is typically ambulatory and moves with the gradual,
natural migration of the watercourse (process of accretion or erosion). This is the principle of riparian rights
where the boundary follows the gradually changing shoreline, unlike avulsion where sudden changes do not
move the boundary.
Question 4
In coordinate geometry, what is the bearing corresponding to an azimuth of 225°?
A. S 45° W
B. S 45° E
C. N 45° W
D. N 45° E
