WASHINGTON STATE LAND
SURVEYOR LAW and ETHICS EXAM
2026 150 PRACTICE QUESTIONS ON
RCW/WAC, BOUNDARY LAW &
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
1. A Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in Washington
State discovers that a previous survey they signed and
sealed contained a significant error in the calculation
of area that has not yet been relied upon by a third
party. According to WAC 332-130, what is the
surveyor’s primary ethical obligation?
A. Wait for a client to complain before taking any action to
avoid liability. B. Immediately notify the client, correct the
error, and issue a corrected survey document if the original has
been distributed. C. Destroy all copies of the incorrect survey to
prevent confusion. D. Notify the Department of Licensing only
if the error results in a monetary loss greater than $1,000.
Correct Answer: B. Immediately notify the client,
correct the error, and issue a corrected survey
document if the original has been distributed.
Rationale: Under WAC 332-130 (Standards of Professional
Conduct), a licensee must act with integrity and competence. If
an error is discovered, the surveyor has an ethical duty to
inform the client and correct the record. Destroying records is
illegal, and waiting for a complaint violates the duty of care.
2. Which Washington State agency is primarily
responsible for enforcing the laws and rules governing
,the practice of land surveying, including investigating
complaints against licensees?
A. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) B. The Washington State Department of Licensing
(DOL) and the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
and Land Surveyors C. The County Auditor’s Office D. The
Washington State Association of Land Surveyors (WSALS)
Correct Answer: B. The Washington State
Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors Rationale: The DOL issues licenses and handles
administrative enforcement, while the Board of Registration
for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors adopts rules
(WAC) and provides disciplinary recommendations. WSALS is
a professional society, not a regulatory body.
3. Under RCW 58.09, the "Record of Survey" must be
filed with the county auditor within how many days
after the survey is completed, unless an extension is
granted?
A. 30 days B. 60 days C. 90 days D. 180 days
Correct Answer: C. 90 days Rationale: RCW
58.09.040 requires that a Record of Survey be filed with the
county auditor within 90 days after the survey is completed.
This ensures that public records are updated promptly to
reflect current boundary determinations.
4. A land surveyor is hired to perform a boundary
survey for a residential lot. During the research phase,
the surveyor finds a conflicting deed description but
chooses to ignore it because the physical fences match
,the client’s understanding of the boundary. Is this
practice compliant with Washington standards?
A. Yes, because physical occupation (fences) always trumps
written deeds in Washington. B. No, the surveyor must
investigate and resolve conflicts between written evidence and
physical evidence before establishing boundaries. C. Yes, as
long as the client signs a waiver accepting the risk. D. No, but
only if the conflict involves a government entity.
Correct Answer: B. No, the surveyor must
investigate and resolve conflicts between written
evidence and physical evidence before establishing
boundaries. Rationale: Washington boundary law follows
the hierarchy of evidence. A surveyor cannot simply ignore
conflicting written evidence. They must analyze all available
evidence (deeds, prior surveys, monuments, occupation) to
determine the most probable location of the boundary line
according to legal principles.
5. What is the minimum continuing education
requirement for a Professional Land Surveyor in
Washington State to renew their license every two
years?
A. 15 hours B. 30 hours C. 45 hours D. 60 hours
Correct Answer: B. 30 hours Rationale: WAC 332-
120 requires licensees to complete 30 hours of approved
continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
This ensures surveyors stay current with changes in law,
technology, and standards.
6. Which of the following actions constitutes
"unprofessional conduct" under RCW 18.210?
, A. Charging a fee that is higher than the local average. B.
Signing and sealing a survey prepared by an unlicensed
individual without direct supervision and review. C. Refusing to
take a job due to a scheduling conflict. D. Using GPS equipment
instead of traditional total stations.
Correct Answer: B. Signing and sealing a survey
prepared by an unlicensed individual without direct
supervision and review. Rationale: A PLS may only sign
and seal work they have personally performed or directly
supervised and reviewed. Signing work done by others
without proper oversight is a serious violation of RCW 18.210
and WAC 332-130, constituting unprofessional conduct.
7. In Washington State, who holds the ultimate
responsibility for the accuracy and compliance of a
land survey submitted to a county auditor?
A. The county auditor B. The licensed Professional Land
Surveyor who signs and seals the document C. The client who
ordered the survey D. The drafting technician who created the
map
Correct Answer: B. The licensed Professional Land
Surveyor who signs and seals the document
Rationale: The seal and signature of the PLS certify that the
survey was performed under their direct supervision and
meets all applicable laws and standards. The PLS bears the
professional and legal liability for the work.
8. When a boundary dispute arises between two
neighbors, and both have valid deeds, which principle
of boundary law is generally applied first to resolve the
conflict in Washington?
SURVEYOR LAW and ETHICS EXAM
2026 150 PRACTICE QUESTIONS ON
RCW/WAC, BOUNDARY LAW &
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
1. A Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in Washington
State discovers that a previous survey they signed and
sealed contained a significant error in the calculation
of area that has not yet been relied upon by a third
party. According to WAC 332-130, what is the
surveyor’s primary ethical obligation?
A. Wait for a client to complain before taking any action to
avoid liability. B. Immediately notify the client, correct the
error, and issue a corrected survey document if the original has
been distributed. C. Destroy all copies of the incorrect survey to
prevent confusion. D. Notify the Department of Licensing only
if the error results in a monetary loss greater than $1,000.
Correct Answer: B. Immediately notify the client,
correct the error, and issue a corrected survey
document if the original has been distributed.
Rationale: Under WAC 332-130 (Standards of Professional
Conduct), a licensee must act with integrity and competence. If
an error is discovered, the surveyor has an ethical duty to
inform the client and correct the record. Destroying records is
illegal, and waiting for a complaint violates the duty of care.
2. Which Washington State agency is primarily
responsible for enforcing the laws and rules governing
,the practice of land surveying, including investigating
complaints against licensees?
A. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) B. The Washington State Department of Licensing
(DOL) and the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers
and Land Surveyors C. The County Auditor’s Office D. The
Washington State Association of Land Surveyors (WSALS)
Correct Answer: B. The Washington State
Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Board of
Registration for Professional Engineers and Land
Surveyors Rationale: The DOL issues licenses and handles
administrative enforcement, while the Board of Registration
for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors adopts rules
(WAC) and provides disciplinary recommendations. WSALS is
a professional society, not a regulatory body.
3. Under RCW 58.09, the "Record of Survey" must be
filed with the county auditor within how many days
after the survey is completed, unless an extension is
granted?
A. 30 days B. 60 days C. 90 days D. 180 days
Correct Answer: C. 90 days Rationale: RCW
58.09.040 requires that a Record of Survey be filed with the
county auditor within 90 days after the survey is completed.
This ensures that public records are updated promptly to
reflect current boundary determinations.
4. A land surveyor is hired to perform a boundary
survey for a residential lot. During the research phase,
the surveyor finds a conflicting deed description but
chooses to ignore it because the physical fences match
,the client’s understanding of the boundary. Is this
practice compliant with Washington standards?
A. Yes, because physical occupation (fences) always trumps
written deeds in Washington. B. No, the surveyor must
investigate and resolve conflicts between written evidence and
physical evidence before establishing boundaries. C. Yes, as
long as the client signs a waiver accepting the risk. D. No, but
only if the conflict involves a government entity.
Correct Answer: B. No, the surveyor must
investigate and resolve conflicts between written
evidence and physical evidence before establishing
boundaries. Rationale: Washington boundary law follows
the hierarchy of evidence. A surveyor cannot simply ignore
conflicting written evidence. They must analyze all available
evidence (deeds, prior surveys, monuments, occupation) to
determine the most probable location of the boundary line
according to legal principles.
5. What is the minimum continuing education
requirement for a Professional Land Surveyor in
Washington State to renew their license every two
years?
A. 15 hours B. 30 hours C. 45 hours D. 60 hours
Correct Answer: B. 30 hours Rationale: WAC 332-
120 requires licensees to complete 30 hours of approved
continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
This ensures surveyors stay current with changes in law,
technology, and standards.
6. Which of the following actions constitutes
"unprofessional conduct" under RCW 18.210?
, A. Charging a fee that is higher than the local average. B.
Signing and sealing a survey prepared by an unlicensed
individual without direct supervision and review. C. Refusing to
take a job due to a scheduling conflict. D. Using GPS equipment
instead of traditional total stations.
Correct Answer: B. Signing and sealing a survey
prepared by an unlicensed individual without direct
supervision and review. Rationale: A PLS may only sign
and seal work they have personally performed or directly
supervised and reviewed. Signing work done by others
without proper oversight is a serious violation of RCW 18.210
and WAC 332-130, constituting unprofessional conduct.
7. In Washington State, who holds the ultimate
responsibility for the accuracy and compliance of a
land survey submitted to a county auditor?
A. The county auditor B. The licensed Professional Land
Surveyor who signs and seals the document C. The client who
ordered the survey D. The drafting technician who created the
map
Correct Answer: B. The licensed Professional Land
Surveyor who signs and seals the document
Rationale: The seal and signature of the PLS certify that the
survey was performed under their direct supervision and
meets all applicable laws and standards. The PLS bears the
professional and legal liability for the work.
8. When a boundary dispute arises between two
neighbors, and both have valid deeds, which principle
of boundary law is generally applied first to resolve the
conflict in Washington?
