KY Land Surveyor study guide
KY Land Surveyor · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Kentucky Professional Land Surveyor license is granted by the Kentucky State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, an agency established by an Act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 1938 to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Board carries out that mandate by licensing and regulating individuals and firms deemed qualified to practice, and it is self-supporting - it receives no general fund tax dollars. The KY Land Surveyor study guide has 6 sections and about 1,866 words.
01Legal Principles of Land Surveying
This domain tests how Kentucky law allocates authority over boundary location and how a licensed surveyor’s work is regulated. Expect questions that combine statutory licensure rules with common-law boundary doctrines.
358 words, about 2 min02Boundary Determination and Retracement
This domain tests the surveyor’s ability to reconstruct an existing boundary from evidence rather than to redesign it. Retracement is an evidence-based investigation of the original survey and the deed language.
311 words, about 2 min03Measurement and Geospatial Data Acquisition
This domain tests field procedures and quality control for total stations, GNSS, and differential leveling. The exam expects instrument knowledge tied to acceptable accuracy, not button-pushing.
299 words, about 1 min04Survey Computations and Coordinate Systems
This domain tests the arithmetic and coordinate logic behind boundary and control work. Expect inverse computations, traverse adjustment, and grid-to-ground conversions.
290 words, about 1 min05Mapping, Platting, and Land Development
This domain tests whether a plat is technically complete and legally usable for development review. Kentucky subdivision and zoning authority is largely local, exercised under enabling law such as KRS Chapter 100, so the surveyor must know the local ordinance requirements that apply to the project.
282 words, about 1 min06Professional Practice and Ethics
This domain tests licensure boundaries, responsible charge, and ethical conduct under Kentucky law. The governing framework is KRS Chapter 322 and the regulations in Title 201 KAR Chapter 18, administered by the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.
326 words, about 2 min