NC Land Surveyor study guide
NC Land Surveyor · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) credential in North Carolina is issued by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS), the state body responsible for the administration and regulation of the professions of engineering and surveying. The Board reviews applications, administers examinations, licenses qualified applicants, regulates the professional practice of licensees throughout the state, and investigates alleged violations of the licensure law. The NC Land Surveyor study guide has 5 sections and about 1,311 words.
01Legal Principles and Professional Practice
North Carolina surveyors practice under the state licensing statute and the rules of the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Know the difference between licensure, certification of survey, and business practice requirements; know that a surveyor seals only work they personally prepared or directly supervised.
284 words, about 1 min02Boundary and Cadastral Surveying
A boundary survey is a retracement of existing rights, not a redesign of them. Candidates must understand deed interpretation, calls, ambiguity, possession and occupation lines, unwritten rights, easements, and water boundaries.
273 words, about 1 min03Field Data Acquisition and Measurement
Field work requires understanding total stations, EDM, GNSS, differential leveling, traverse design, and error theory. Distinguish accuracy from precision, random from systematic error, and mistakes from errors.
265 words, about 1 min04Mapping, Geodesy, and Geographic Information Systems
Candidates must understand the ellipsoid, geoid, orthometric height, ellipsoid height, horizontal and vertical datums, map projections, State Plane coordinates, scale factors, and grid-to-ground conversions. Know that State Plane coordinates are zone-specific and datum-specific; never mix NAD27 and NAD83 coordinates without transformation.
236 words, about 1 min05Engineering and Construction Surveying
Construction surveying requires stationing, cut-and-fill, grade, slope, horizontal and vertical curves, earthwork volumes, control, and as-built verification. Know how to convert between percent grade, slope ratio, and vertical change; know the elements of horizontal curves and vertical curves; and know how to set offsets, batter boards, and grade stakes.
253 words, about 1 min