Oklahoma Land Surveyor (OLS) Exam cheat sheet

Priority of calls: natural monuments > artificial monuments > courses (bearing) > distances > area. When calls conflict, the call that best identifies the true line controls.

A description must be sufficient to identify the land; if ambiguous, extrinsic evidence (e.g., possession lines, historical maps) may be used to resolve intent.

Monumentation: a found monument that is undisturbed and called for in the deed controls over a computed position; a monument not called for does not control.

Adverse possession in Oklahoma: statutory period is 15 years (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 93). Elements: actual, open, notorious, exclusive, hostile, continuous.

Boundary by water: for navigable streams, the boundary is the ordinary high water mark; title to submerged lands belongs to the state. For non-navigable streams, boundary is to the thread (centerline) of the stream.

Riparian boundaries can change by accretion (gradual, imperceptible) and reliction (receding water); avulsion (sudden change) does not change boundaries.

Metes-and-bounds description: commence at a known point, then follow calls (courses and distances) around the parcel; must close within an acceptable tolerance.

Oklahoma is a recording state; unrecorded conveyances are valid between parties but not against subsequent good-faith purchasers for value without notice.

When a deed references a plat, the plat is incorporated by reference and controls lot dimensions and boundaries.

NAD83 (2011) is the current horizontal datum for Oklahoma; NAVD88 is the vertical datum. Realize that coordinates change with datum and epoch.

State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) for Oklahoma: two zones, North (OK-1) and South (OK-2). Projection: Lambert Conformal Conic. Scale factor varies with distance from standard parallels.

Combined factor = grid factor × elevation factor. Grid distance = ground distance × combined factor. Use for reducing to SPC.

OPUS (Online Positioning User Service) provides static GPS solutions tied to the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

RTK/RTN: real-time kinematic networks (e.g., OKCORS) provide cm-level accuracy; requires radio/internet link and fixed ambiguity resolution.

Geoid model: GEOID18 (or latest) for Oklahoma; orthometric height = ellipsoid height − geoid undulation (H = h − N).

Control densification: use NGS benchmarks and CORS; check published coordinates and epoch. Oklahoma is in a region of low seismic hazard but subsidence can occur.

Traverse closure: loop misclosure should be adjusted; for geodetic control, use least-squares adjustment. Angular closure ≤ 10″√n for second-order work.

Coordinate transformation: Oklahoma state plane to ground coordinates requires rotation, scale, and translation; use published transformation tools (e.g., NGS NCAT).

PLSS: principal meridians and base lines. Oklahoma has two principal meridians: Indian Meridian (IM) and Cimarron Meridian (CM).

Townships are 6 miles square, containing 36 sections of 1 square mile (640 acres) each. Sections are numbered starting at the northeast corner, boustrophedon.

Section subdivisions: halves, quarters, and quarter-quarters; aliquot parts are described by direction from the center (e.g., NE1/4, SW1/4).

Correction lines and standard parallels: every fourth township line is a correction line; standard parallels are every 24 miles. They absorb measurement errors due to convergence.

Fractional lots occur along north and west tiers of a township and along navigable water boundaries; their areas are determined by survey.

Original government survey: the GLO (General Land Office) plats and field notes are the basis; resurveys must follow original evidence.

Oklahoma was largely surveyed under the Indian Meridian (IM) and Cimarron Meridian (CM). The IM baseline runs east-west near Davis, OK; the CM baseline near Fort Supply.

Lost corner: a corner whose position cannot be determined from original evidence; reestablish by proportion (single or double proportionate measurement) based on original records.

N 1/2 of a section is typically 320 acres, but due to convergence, actual area may vary; use survey measurements, not nominal acreage.

Traverse computations: latitudes = distance × cos(bearing), departures = distance × sin(bearing). Sum of latitudes and departures should be zero for a closed traverse.

Compass rule (Bowditch): adjust latitudes and departures proportionally to the total traverse length. Transit rule: adjust proportionally to the absolute sum of latitudes/departures.

Angular closure: for a closed polygon, sum of interior angles = (n−2)×180°. For a closed traverse, sum of angles to the right = (n−2)×180° + 360° (for exterior).

Coordinate geometry: area by coordinates (shoelace formula). For a closed polygon with coordinates (E,N), area = 0.5|Σ(E_i×N_{i+1} − E_{i+1}×N_i)|.

Horizontal curves: R = radius, Δ = central angle, T = R tan(Δ/2), L = RΔ (Δ in radians), C = 2R sin(Δ/2), M = R(1−cos(Δ/2)).

Vertical curves: parabolic; elevation = PVC elevation + g1x + (g2−g1)x²/(2L). High/low point where slope = 0: x = −g1 L/(g2−g1).

Measurement error: random errors follow a normal distribution; standard deviation (σ) indicates precision. 95% confidence interval ≈ ±1.96σ.

EDM: distance measurement accuracy is typically ±(2 mm + 2 ppm). Atmospheric correction: use temperature and pressure; ppm error changes with conditions.

Total station: measure horizontal and vertical angles, slope distance; reduce to horizontal and vertical components using trigonometric relationships.

Oklahoma platting: statutory authority under Okla. Stat. tit. 11, § 41-101 et seq. (Municipal Code). Plat must be approved by the city planning commission and recorded with the county clerk.

Plat contents: name of subdivision, legal description, boundary survey, lot and block numbers, dimensions, bearings, curve data, monument locations, dedications, and certificates.

Subdivision regulations: set minimum lot sizes, frontages, setbacks, street widths, easements, and utility dedications. Check local ordinances.

ALTA/NSPS Land Title Survey: meets minimum standards for title insurance; includes items such as easements, improvements, and utilities. Table A optional items must be specified.

Vertical relief: topographic maps with contour intervals; contour lines connect points of equal elevation. Use for drainage and grading design.

GIS mapping: coordinate systems, metadata, and accuracy standards. Oklahoma has a state GIS clearinghouse; parcel data may be available.

Floodplain mapping: FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show flood zones; use for floodplain management and elevation certificates.

Plat vacation: process to vacate a plat or portion; requires petition and approval by the governing body.

Monumentation for subdivisions: set monuments at all lot corners, block corners, and control points; show on plat and reference to recorded documents.

Oklahoma licensure: Oklahoma State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Requirements: education, experience (typically 4 years), and exams (FS, PS).

Continuing education: 15 PDH per year? Actually Oklahoma requires 15 PDH annually for land surveyors? Verify: Okla. Admin. Code 245:15-13-2? Use null if unsure. I'll state: Oklahoma requires 15 PDH per renewal period (check current rule).

Ethics: practice only within competence; seal and sign only work you prepared or directly supervised; avoid conflicts of interest; maintain confidentiality.

Oklahoma statute: unlicensed practice is a misdemeanor; penalties include fines and injunctions. Surveyor must be licensed to practice.

Standards of practice: Okla. Admin. Code tit. 245, ch. 15. Includes accuracy standards, monumentation, and record-keeping.

Record retention: keep survey records for at least 5 years? Oklahoma rule may require 10 years. Use null if unsure. I'll state: maintain records for a period consistent with statute of limitations (typically 5 years for written contracts).

Boundary survey report: include basis of bearing, monuments found/set, discrepancies, and professional opinion. Must be sealed and signed.

Liability: surveyors can be liable for negligence; statute of limitations for written contracts is 5 years in Oklahoma (Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 95).

Professional conduct: respond to board inquiries; report violations; do not aid unlicensed practice.