LA Land Surveyor study guide
LA Land Surveyor · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The California Land Surveyor Examination leads to licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) in California, a title administered by the state through the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. It is intended for candidates who already hold the requisite education and experience and who need to demonstrate competence before practicing independently and taking legal responsibility for boundary determinations. The LA Land Surveyor study guide has 9 sections and about 2,825 words.
01Boundary Surveying and Retracement
This domain tests retracement of existing boundaries: how a surveyor weighs record calls against physical evidence and legal doctrines. Expect questions on the order of evidence, proportionate measurement, PLSS lost corners, water boundaries, and California's Spanish and Mexican grants.
334 words, about 2 min02Legal Principles and Professional Practice
This domain covers the California Land Surveyors Act (Business and Professions Code section 8700 et seq.), Board rules, records, and the line between surveying and the practice of law. Licensure is through BPELSG; work must be performed under the responsible charge of a licensed land surveyor.
348 words, about 2 min03Geodesy and Coordinate Systems
This domain tests datums, projections, heights, and the grid-to-ground problem. Expect questions on NAD83 realizations, the California Coordinate System, scale and elevation factors, geoid models, and GNSS positioning.
293 words, about 1 min04Measurement and Instrumentation
This domain tests instrument operation, error sources, and adjustment. Expect questions on EDM corrections, curvature and refraction, traverses, least squares, levels, and GNSS measurement.
298 words, about 1 min05Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
This domain tests aerial and satellite imaging, LiDAR, and derived mapping products. Expect questions on photo scale, flying height, relief displacement, orthophotos, ground control, and accuracy standards.
327 words, about 2 min06Cartography and Mapping
This domain tests map design, scale, and map content, including record-of-survey and ALTA/NSPS requirements. Expect questions on representative fractions, contour intervals, north references, and required map elements.
298 words, about 1 min07Subdivision Map Act and Land Development
This domain tests the California Subdivision Map Act (Government Code section 66410 et seq.) and local implementation. Expect questions on tentative, parcel, and final maps, lot line adjustments, certificates of compliance, dedications, and survey map requirements.
352 words, about 2 min08Construction Surveying
This domain tests layout and verification for construction. Expect questions on control, stationing, horizontal and vertical curves, grades, earthwork, tolerances, and as-built surveys.
290 words, about 1 min09Geographic Information Systems
This domain tests GIS data models, spatial reference, accuracy, and cadastral integration. Expect questions on vector and raster data, topology, metadata, positional accuracy standards, and the relationship between GIS parcels and survey records.
285 words, about 1 min