NH Land Surveyor cheat sheet

Retracement follows the footsteps of the original surveyor: reestablish the original monument positions, not the original measurements, when the two conflict.

Priority of evidence: natural monuments, then artificial monuments, then courses and distances, then area; area is the weakest form of evidence.

Calls for adjoiner in a description are treated as monuments and generally control over distances and bearings.

Proportionate measurement is used only to reestablish a lost corner position between two existing corners of the same original line, never to move an existing monument.

A found monument is presumed to be at the corner it calls for; the burden falls on the party disputing it to prove it is not original.

Possession lines and occupation evidence are used to resolve ambiguity or support a boundary location, but do not override clear original monument evidence.

Single-proportion method: lost corner offset from line = (distance to nearest original corner / total original line length) x current offset of found corners.

Perpetuation of evidence: record found monuments, accessories, bearing trees, and ties before they are disturbed or destroyed.

Bearings are measured from north or south toward east or west; convert to azimuths before computing: NE bearing = azimuth, SE = 180 - bearing, SW = 180 + bearing, NW = 360 - bearing.

Latitude = distance x cos(bearing angle); departure = distance x sin(bearing angle), with signs assigned by quadrant.

For a closed traverse, sum of latitudes = 0 and sum of departures = 0; the linear error of closure = sqrt(sum lat^2 + sum dep^2).

Relative precision = total traverse length / linear error of closure, expressed as 1:N.

Area by coordinate method (shoelace): 2A = sum of (X_i x Y_(i+1) - X_(i+1) x Y_i) around the closed loop; take absolute value and divide by 2.

Area by double meridian distance: double area = sum of each DMD times its latitude; DMD of first course equals its departure, each next DMD = previous DMD + previous departure + current departure.

Horizontal distance from slope distance and vertical angle: H = S x cos(vertical angle); vertical difference = S x sin(vertical angle).

Curve formulas: tangent T = R tan(I/2); length L = R x I(radians); degree of curve (arc definition) D = 5729.578/R.

Inverse between two points: bearing = arctan(departure/latitude) adjusted to quadrant; distance = sqrt(dLat^2 + dDep^2).

Point-on-line (proportioning) formula: X_p = X_1 + (d/D)(X_2 - X_1), Y_p = Y_1 + (d/D)(Y_2 - Y_1), where d is distance from point 1 and D is total line length.

Offset to a line from a point: cross product of the line vector and the point vector, divided by line length, gives perpendicular distance.

Intersection of two lines: solve the two-point form equations simultaneously, or use determinants; check the result lies within both segments.

Coordinate rotation by angle theta: X' = X cos(theta) - Y sin(theta); Y' = X sin(theta) + Y cos(theta).

Grid versus ground: ground distance = grid distance x (R/(R + elevation)) x (1/grid scale factor) for combined factor applications.

State plane coordinates are on a defined projection grid; distances between grid coordinates differ from ground distances by the combined factor.

Check computations by closing the figure: sum of interior angles = (n - 2) x 180 degrees for a closed polygon.

Total station: horizontal angle from two directions is the difference of the circle readings; zenith angle converts to vertical angle by vertical = 90 - zenith.

EDM accuracy is usually stated as +/- (a mm + b ppm x distance); a 3 mm + 3 ppm error at 1 km is about 6 mm.

GNSS RTK horizontal accuracy is typically stated as +/- (8 mm + 1 ppm) and vertical as +/- (15 mm + 1 ppm), dependent on fix quality and satellite geometry.

Dilution of precision (PDOP/HDOP/VDOP) describes satellite geometry; lower values indicate better geometry, and high PDOP degrades RTK positions.

A base station must be set on a known or established point with a fixed antenna height; rover and base must use consistent antenna height measurement methods.

Leveling: difference in elevation = backsight - foresight; the sum of backsights minus sum of foresights equals the elevation difference between the first and last points.

Instrument setup errors: check and adjust the plate bubble and the line of sight (two-peg test) before precise leveling runs.

Traverse blunders are detected by closure checks and angular misclosure against the allowable tolerance; angular misclosure is distributed before latitudes and departures are adjusted.

A deed must identify the grantor, grantee, land, and intent to convey, and be signed by the grantor; in New Hampshire recording gives notice to subsequent purchasers.

Recording statutes: New Hampshire is a notice/race-notice jurisdiction; a later good-faith purchaser who records first may prevail over an unrecorded prior interest.

Adverse possession elements: actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession for the statutory period.

Easement by prescription requires use that is open, notorious, continuous, and adverse for the prescriptive period.

A boundary by acquiescence or practical location arises when adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period and neither objects.

Riparian and littoral rights attach to land bordering water; the state holds title to great ponds and navigable waters in trust for the public.

A quitclaim deed conveys only the grantor's interest, if any, with no warranty; a warranty deed contains covenants of title.

Deeds take effect on delivery and acceptance; recording is not required for validity between the parties but affects priority against third parties.

Express easements are created by written grant or reservation in a deed and must satisfy the statute of frauds.

Easements by implication arise from prior use that was apparent, continuous, and reasonably necessary at the time of severance.

Easements by necessity arise when a parcel is landlocked or lacks access and the necessity existed at the time of severance; they end when necessity ends.

Prescriptive easement elements: open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse use for the statutory period, without permission.

An easement appurtenant benefits a dominant estate and burdens a servient estate; an easement in gross benefits a person or entity, not a parcel.

Easement maintenance obligations generally fall on the easement holder unless the grant provides otherwise; overburdening occurs when use expands beyond the grant.

Adverse possession in New Hampshire generally requires 20 years of continuous possession, plus payment of taxes where required by statute.

Tacking successive adverse possessors is allowed when privity exists between them (e.g., by deed or inheritance).

Metes and bounds descriptions must close, state the basis of bearings, and reference monuments and adjoiners.

A description should commence at a known, recoverable point of beginning; the POB must be tied to a record corner or monument.

Record research order: chain of title, prior deeds, subdivision plats, highway layout records, and survey plans filed with the registry.

A plat must show bearings and distances, monument locations, lot areas, and the basis of bearings when filed for record.

Ambiguity in a description is resolved by the priority of evidence: natural monuments, artificial monuments, courses and distances, then area.

New Hampshire subdivision plats are reviewed and approved by the local planning board before recording; approval may include conditions.

Abutters and the public may have rights in Class VI and discontinued highways; research town records for highway layout and discontinuance.

Deed references to a plan incorporate the plan by reference; the plan then controls over inconsistent deed distances.

New Hampshire land surveyors are licensed by the Board of Licensure for Land Surveyors; licensure requires education, experience, and examination.

Only a licensed land surveyor may prepare and sign boundary surveys and legal descriptions of land for conveyance.

Seal and signature requirements: a licensed surveyor must seal and sign final survey plats and reports; seal use is personal and may not be delegated.

Continuing education is required for license renewal; verify the current cycle and hour requirements with the Board before relying on them.

Surveyors owe duties of competence, honesty, and confidentiality, and must avoid conflicts of interest and misrepresentation of qualifications.

Surveyors should disclose the basis of bearings, the accuracy of the survey, and any uncertainties in boundary location to the client.

Unprofessional conduct includes signing plans not prepared under the surveyor's responsible charge, falsifying records, and practicing outside one's competence.

Statutes of limitation and the surveyor's duty to preserve evidence: retain field notes and records in accordance with Board rules and client agreements.

The standard of care is that of a reasonably prudent surveyor under similar circumstances, not perfection; errors are judged against accepted practice.

Engagement scope should be defined in writing: what is surveyed, what records are researched, and what is excluded.

Surveyors must not practice law; giving legal advice about title or ownership exceeds the surveyor's role.

Conflicts of interest must be disclosed and avoided; compensation contingent on a particular boundary outcome is improper.

Records, field notes, and computations should be retained and made available to the client as required by contract and Board rules.

Professional courtesy: respond to boundary inquiries from adjoining surveyors and share monument evidence accurately.

Advertise only services actually offered and qualifications actually held; misrepresentation of licensure is grounds for discipline.

Report known errors in prior surveys to the client and, where public safety or records are affected, to the appropriate authority.

A metes and bounds description should state the point of beginning, each course with bearing and distance, and the closing call back to the POB.

Descriptions should reference adjoiners and monuments by name and type, and state the basis of bearings when it is not magnetic north.

Record research begins with the current deed and works backward through the chain of title to the original grant.

Check the registry of deeds for prior plans, highway layouts, and easements affecting the parcel.

New Hampshire town records hold highway layouts, discontinuances, and Class VI road designations relevant to access.

A survey plan should show all found monuments, their ties, and any discrepancies between record and measured values.

Area stated in a deed is subordinate to monuments and distances when they conflict; area is used only as a check.

When a description is ambiguous, examine the deed as a whole, the surrounding circumstances, and the original survey evidence.

Search for original monuments before setting any new ones; a found original corner controls over a newly computed position.

Use metal detectors, probe rods, and historical records to locate buried monuments and accessories.

When a corner is lost, reestablish it by proportionate measurement between the nearest original corners on the same line.

Record the basis for any reestablished corner, including the method and the evidence relied upon.

Do not disturb or remove original monuments; if a monument must be moved, document its original position and notify the appropriate parties.

Check for evidence of occupation lines, fences, and improvements that may indicate the original boundary location.

Distinguish between a lost corner and an obliterated corner: an obliterated corner's position can be shown by reliable evidence, while a lost corner requires proportioning.

Document all evidence in field notes and on the plat, including monuments found, their condition, and ties.

Convert bearings to azimuths before computing latitudes and departures; assign signs by quadrant.

Latitude = distance x cos(azimuth); departure = distance x sin(azimuth).

Closure error = sqrt(sum lat^2 + sum dep^2); relative precision = perimeter / closure error.

Adjust latitudes and departures by the compass rule: correction proportional to course length over total perimeter.

Area by coordinates: 2A = sum of (X_i x Y_(i+1) - X_(i+1) x Y_i); take absolute value and halve.

Double meridian distance method: DMD of first course = departure of first course; each subsequent DMD = previous DMD + previous departure + current departure.

Inverse computation: distance = sqrt(dLat^2 + dDep^2); bearing = arctan(departure/latitude) adjusted to quadrant.

Curve formulas: T = R tan(I/2); L = R x I(radians); D = 5729.578/R for arc definition.

Total station horizontal angle = difference between the two circle readings; zenith angle converts to vertical angle by 90 - zenith.

EDM precision stated as +/- (a mm + b ppm); at 1 km a 3 mm + 3 ppm instrument gives about 6 mm error.

GNSS RTK accuracy typically +/- (8 mm + 1 ppm) horizontal and +/- (15 mm + 1 ppm) vertical under good conditions.

PDOP/HDOP/VDOP describe satellite geometry; lower values indicate better geometry for RTK.

Base station must be on a known point with a fixed antenna height; rover and base must use consistent antenna height methods.

Leveling: elevation difference = backsight - foresight; sum of backsights minus sum of foresights = elevation difference between first and last points.

Check and adjust the plate bubble and line of sight (two-peg test) before precise leveling.

Angular misclosure in a traverse is checked against allowable tolerance and distributed before adjusting latitudes and departures.

A deed must identify grantor, grantee, land, and intent to convey, and be signed by the grantor; recording gives notice to subsequent purchasers.

New Hampshire is a notice/race-notice jurisdiction; a later good-faith purchaser who records first may prevail over an unrecorded prior interest.

Adverse possession requires actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession for the statutory period.

Prescriptive easement requires open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse use for the prescriptive period.

Boundary by acquiescence or practical location arises when adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period without objection.

Riparian and littoral rights attach to land bordering water; the state holds title to great ponds and navigable waters in trust for the public.

A quitclaim deed conveys only the grantor's interest, if any, with no warranty; a warranty deed contains covenants of title.

Deeds take effect on delivery and acceptance; recording is not required between the parties but affects priority against third parties.

Express easements are created by written grant or reservation and must satisfy the statute of frauds.

Easements by implication arise from prior use that was apparent, continuous, and reasonably necessary at severance.

Easements by necessity arise when a parcel is landlocked or lacks access and the necessity existed at severance; they end when necessity ends.

Prescriptive easement elements: open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse use for the statutory period, without permission.

An easement appurtenant benefits a dominant estate and burdens a servient estate; an easement in gross benefits a person or entity.

Easement maintenance generally falls on the easement holder unless the grant provides otherwise; overburdening occurs when use expands beyond the grant.

Adverse possession in New Hampshire generally requires 20 years of continuous possession, plus payment of taxes where required by statute.

Tacking successive adverse possessors is allowed when privity exists between them, such as by deed or inheritance.

Metes and bounds descriptions must close, state the basis of bearings, and reference monuments and adjoiners.

A description should commence at a known, recoverable point of beginning tied to a record corner or monument.

Record research order: chain of title, prior deeds, subdivision plats, highway layout records, and survey plans filed with the registry.

A plat must show bearings and distances, monument locations, lot areas, and the basis of bearings when filed for record.

Ambiguity in a description is resolved by priority of evidence: natural monuments, artificial monuments, courses and distances, then area.

New Hampshire subdivision plats are reviewed and approved by the local planning board before recording; approval may include conditions.

Abutters and the public may have rights in Class VI and discontinued highways; research town records for layout and discontinuance.

Deed references to a plan incorporate the plan by reference; the plan then controls over inconsistent deed distances.

New Hampshire land surveyors are licensed by the Board of Licensure for Land Surveyors; licensure requires education, experience, and examination.

Only a licensed land surveyor may prepare and sign boundary surveys and legal descriptions of land for conveyance.

A licensed surveyor must seal and sign final survey plats and reports; seal use is personal and may not be delegated.

Continuing education is required for license renewal; verify the current cycle and hour requirements with the Board before relying on them.

Surveyors owe duties of competence, honesty, and confidentiality, and must avoid conflicts of interest and misrepresentation of qualifications.

Surveyors should disclose the basis of bearings, the accuracy of the survey, and any uncertainties in boundary location to the client.

Unprofessional conduct includes signing plans not prepared under the surveyor's responsible charge, falsifying records, and practicing outside one's competence.

Statutes of limitation and the surveyor's duty to preserve evidence: retain field notes and records in accordance with Board rules and client agreements.

Bearings are measured from north or south toward east or west; convert to azimuths before computing.

Latitude = distance x cos(bearing angle); departure = distance x sin(bearing angle), with signs assigned by quadrant.

For a closed traverse, sum of latitudes = 0 and sum of departures = 0; linear error of closure = sqrt(sum lat^2 + sum dep^2).

Relative precision = total traverse length / linear error of closure, expressed as 1:N.

Area by coordinate method: 2A = sum of (X_i x Y_(i+1) - X_(i+1) x Y_i) around the closed loop.

Area by double meridian distance: double area = sum of each DMD times its latitude.

Horizontal distance from slope distance and vertical angle: H = S x cos(vertical angle); vertical difference = S x sin(vertical angle).

Curve formulas: T = R tan(I/2); L = R x I(radians); D = 5729.578/R.

Retracement follows the footsteps of the original surveyor: reestablish original monument positions, not original measurements, when the two conflict.

Priority of evidence: natural monuments, then artificial monuments, then courses and distances, then area; area is the weakest form of evidence.

Calls for adjoiner in a description are treated as monuments and generally control over distances and bearings.

Proportionate measurement is used only to reestablish a lost corner position between two existing corners of the same original line.

A found monument is presumed to be at the corner it calls for; the burden falls on the party disputing it to prove it is not original.

Possession lines and occupation evidence are used to resolve ambiguity or support a boundary location, but do not override clear original monument evidence.

Single-proportion method: lost corner offset from line = (distance to nearest original corner / total original line length) x current offset of found corners.

Perpetuation of evidence: record found monuments, accessories, bearing trees, and ties before they are disturbed or destroyed.

Total station horizontal angle is the difference of the circle readings; zenith angle converts to vertical angle by vertical = 90 - zenith.

EDM accuracy is usually stated as +/- (a mm + b ppm x distance); a 3 mm + 3 ppm error at 1 km is about 6 mm.

GNSS RTK horizontal accuracy is typically stated as +/- (8 mm + 1 ppm) and vertical as +/- (15 mm + 1 ppm).

Dilution of precision (PDOP/HDOP/VDOP) describes satellite geometry; lower values indicate better geometry.

A base station must be set on a known or established point with a fixed antenna height; rover and base must use consistent antenna height methods.

Leveling: difference in elevation = backsight - foresight; the sum of backsights minus sum of foresights equals the elevation difference between the first and last points.

Instrument setup errors: check and adjust the plate bubble and the line of sight (two-peg test) before precise leveling runs.

Traverse blunders are detected by closure checks and angular misclosure against the allowable tolerance; angular misclosure is distributed before latitudes and departures are adjusted.

A deed must identify the grantor, grantee, land, and intent to convey, and be signed by the grantor; recording gives notice to subsequent purchasers.

Recording statutes: New Hampshire is a notice/race-notice jurisdiction; a later good-faith purchaser who records first may prevail over an unrecorded prior interest.

Adverse possession elements: actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession for the statutory period.

Easement by prescription requires use that is open, notorious, continuous, and adverse for the prescriptive period.

A boundary by acquiescence or practical location arises when adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period and neither objects.

Riparian and littoral rights attach to land bordering water; the state holds title to great ponds and navigable waters in trust for the public.

A quitclaim deed conveys only the grantor's interest, if any, with no warranty; a warranty deed contains covenants of title.

Deeds take effect on delivery and acceptance; recording is not required for validity between the parties but affects priority against third parties.

Express easements are created by written grant or reservation in a deed and must satisfy the statute of frauds.

Easements by implication arise from prior use that was apparent, continuous, and reasonably necessary at the time of severance.

Easements by necessity arise when a parcel is landlocked or lacks access and the necessity existed at the time of severance; they end when necessity ends.

Prescriptive easement elements: open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse use for the statutory period, without permission.

An easement appurtenant benefits a dominant estate and burdens a servient estate; an easement in gross benefits a person or entity, not a parcel.

Easement maintenance obligations generally fall on the easement holder unless the grant provides otherwise; overburdening occurs when use expands beyond the grant.

Adverse possession in New Hampshire generally requires 20 years of continuous possession, plus payment of taxes where required by statute.

Tacking successive adverse possessors is allowed when privity exists between them (e.g., by deed or inheritance).

Metes and bounds descriptions must close, state the basis of bearings, and reference monuments and adjoiners.

A description should commence at a known, recoverable point of beginning; the POB must be tied to a record corner or monument.

Record research order: chain of title, prior deeds, subdivision plats, highway layout records, and survey plans filed with the registry.

A plat must show bearings and distances, monument locations, lot areas, and the basis of bearings when filed for record.

Ambiguity in a description is resolved by the priority of evidence: natural monuments, artificial monuments, courses and distances, then area.

New Hampshire subdivision plats are reviewed and approved by the local planning board before recording; approval may include conditions.

Abutters and the public may have rights in Class VI and discontinued highways; research town records for highway layout and discontinuance.

Deed references to a plan incorporate the plan by reference; the plan then controls over inconsistent deed distances.

New Hampshire land surveyors are licensed by the Board of Licensure for Land Surveyors; licensure requires education, experience, and examination.

Only a licensed land surveyor may prepare and sign boundary surveys and legal descriptions of land for conveyance.

Seal and signature requirements: a licensed surveyor must seal and sign final survey plats and reports; seal use is personal and may not be delegated.

Continuing education is required for license renewal; verify the current cycle and hour requirements with the Board before relying on them.

Surveyors owe duties of competence, honesty, and confidentiality, and must avoid conflicts of interest and misrepresentation of qualifications.

Surveyors should disclose the basis of bearings, the accuracy of the survey, and any uncertainties in boundary location to the client.

Unprofessional conduct includes signing plans not prepared under the surveyor's responsible charge, falsifying records, and practicing outside one's competence.

Statutes of limitation and the surveyor's duty to preserve evidence: retain field notes and records in accordance with Board rules and client agreements.

Inverse between two points: bearing = arctan(departure/latitude) adjusted to quadrant; distance = sqrt(dLat^2 + dDep^2).

Point-on-line (proportioning) formula: X_p = X_1 + (d/D)(X_2 - X_1), Y_p = Y_1 + (d/D)(Y_2 - Y_1), where d is distance from point 1 and D is total line length.

Offset to a line from a point: cross product of the line vector and the point vector, divided by line length, gives perpendicular distance.

Intersection of two lines: solve the two-point form equations simultaneously, or use determinants; check the result lies within both segments.

Coordinate rotation by angle theta: X' = X cos(theta) - Y sin(theta); Y' = X sin(theta) + Y cos(theta).

Grid versus ground: ground distance = grid distance x (R/(R + elevation)) x (1/grid scale factor) for combined factor applications.

State plane coordinates are on a defined projection grid; distances between grid coordinates differ from ground distances by the combined factor.

Check computations by closing the figure: sum of interior angles = (n - 2) x 180 degrees for a closed polygon.

Total station: horizontal angle from two directions is the difference of the circle readings; zenith angle converts to vertical angle by vertical = 90 - zenith.

EDM accuracy is usually stated as +/- (a mm + b ppm x distance); a 3 mm + 3 ppm error at 1 km is about 6 mm.

GNSS RTK horizontal accuracy is typically stated as +/- (8 mm + 1 ppm) and vertical as +/- (15 mm + 1 ppm), dependent on fix quality and satellite geometry.

Dilution of precision (PDOP/HDOP/VDOP) describes satellite geometry; lower values indicate better geometry, and high PDOP degrades RTK positions.

A base station must be set on a known or established point with a fixed antenna height; rover and base must use consistent antenna height measurement methods.

Leveling: difference in elevation = backsight - foresight; the sum of backsights minus sum of foresights equals the elevation difference between the first and last points.

Instrument setup errors: check and adjust the plate bubble and the line of sight (two-peg test) before precise leveling runs.

Traverse blunders are detected by closure checks and angular misclosure against the allowable tolerance; angular misclosure is distributed before latitudes and departures are adjusted.

A deed must identify the grantor, grantee, land, and intent to convey, and be signed by the grantor; in New Hampshire recording gives notice to subsequent purchasers.

Recording statutes: New Hampshire is a notice/race-notice jurisdiction; a later good-faith purchaser who records first may prevail over an unrecorded prior interest.

Adverse possession elements: actual, open and notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession for the statutory period.

Easement by prescription requires use that is open, notorious, continuous, and adverse for the prescriptive period.

A boundary by acquiescence or practical location arises when adjoining owners treat a line as the boundary for a long period and neither objects.

Riparian and littoral rights attach to land bordering water; the state holds title to great ponds and navigable waters in trust for the public.

A quitclaim deed conveys only the grantor's interest, if any, with no warranty; a warranty deed contains covenants of title.

Deeds take effect on delivery and acceptance; recording is not required for validity between the parties but affects priority against third parties.

Express easements are created by written grant or reservation in a deed and must satisfy the statute of frauds.

Easements by implication arise from prior use that was apparent, continuous, and reasonably necessary at the time of severance.

Easements by necessity arise when a parcel is landlocked or lacks access and the necessity existed at the time of severance; they end when necessity ends.

Prescriptive easement elements: open, notorious, continuous, exclusive, and adverse use for the statutory period, without permission.

An easement appurtenant benefits a dominant estate and burdens a servient estate; an easement in gross benefits a person or entity, not a parcel.

Easement maintenance obligations generally fall on the easement holder unless the grant provides otherwise; overburdening occurs when use expands beyond the grant.

Adverse possession in New Hampshire generally requires 20 years of continuous possession, plus payment of taxes where required by statute.

Tacking successive adverse possessors is allowed when privity exists between them (e.g., by deed or inheritance).

Metes and bounds descriptions must close, state the basis of bearings, and reference monuments and adjoiners.

A description should commence at a known, recoverable point of beginning; the POB must be tied to a record corner or monument.

Record research order: chain of title, prior deeds, subdivision plats, highway layout records, and survey plans filed with the registry.

A plat must show bearings and distances, monument locations, lot areas, and the basis of bearings when filed for record.

Ambiguity in a description is resolved by the priority of evidence: natural monuments, artificial monuments, courses and distances, then area.

New Hampshire subdivision plats are reviewed and approved by the local planning board before recording; approval may include conditions.

Abutters and the public may have rights in Class VI and discontinued highways; research town records for highway layout and discontinuance.

Deed references to a plan incorporate the plan by reference; the plan then controls over inconsistent deed distances.

New Hampshire land surveyors are licensed by the Board of Licensure for Land Surveyors; licensure requires education, experience, and examination.

Only a licensed land surveyor may prepare and sign boundary surveys and legal descriptions of land for conveyance.

Seal and signature requirements: a licensed surveyor must seal and sign final survey plats and reports; seal use is personal and may not be delegated.

Continuing education is required for license renewal; verify the current cycle and hour requirements with the Board before relying on them.

Surveyors owe duties of competence, honesty, and confidentiality, and must avoid conflicts of interest and misrepresentation of qualifications.

Surveyors should disclose the basis of bearings, the accuracy of the survey, and any uncertainties in boundary location to the client.

Unprofessional conduct includes signing plans not prepared under the surveyor's responsible charge, falsifying records, and practicing outside one's competence.

Statutes of limitation and the surveyor's duty to preserve evidence: retain field notes and records in accordance with Board rules and client agreements.

Retracement follows the footsteps of the original surveyor: reestablish the original monument positions, not the original measurements, when the two conflict.

Priority of evidence: natural monuments, then artificial monuments, then courses and distances, then area; area is the weakest form of evidence.

Calls for adjoiner in a description are treated as monuments and generally control over distances and bearings.

Proportionate measurement is used only to reestablish a lost corner position between two existing corners of the same original line, never to move an existing monument.

A found monument is presumed to be at the corner it calls for; the burden falls on the party disputing it to prove it is not original.

Possession lines and occupation evidence are used to resolve ambiguity or support a boundary location, but do not override clear original monument evidence.

Single-proportion method: lost corner offset from line = (distance to nearest original corner / total original line length) x current offset of found corners.

Perpetuation of evidence: record found monuments, accessories, bearing trees, and ties before they are disturbed or destroyed.

Bearings are measured from north or south toward east or west; convert to azimuths before computing: NE bearing = azimuth, SE = 180 - bearing, SW = 180 + bearing, NW = 360 - bearing.

Latitude = distance x cos(bearing angle); departure = distance x sin(bearing angle), with signs assigned by quadrant.

For a closed traverse, sum of latitudes = 0 and sum of departures = 0; the linear error of closure = sqrt(sum lat^2 + sum dep^2).

Relative precision = total traverse length / linear error of closure, expressed as 1:N.

Area by coordinate method (shoelace): 2A = sum of (X_i x Y_(i+1) - X_(i+1) x Y_i) around the closed loop; take absolute value and divide by 2.

Area by double meridian distance: double area = sum of each DMD times its latitude; DMD of first course equals its departure, each next DMD = previous DMD + previous departure + current departure.

Horizontal distance from slope distance and vertical angle: H = S x cos(vertical angle); vertical difference = S x sin(vertical angle).

Curve formulas: tangent T = R tan(I/2); length L = R x I(radians); degree of curve (arc definition) D = 5729.578/R.