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Key Facts: AL Land Surveyor Exam

60 Q

Exam Questions

BELS ALSS blueprint

2 hrs

Time Limit

BELS

$100

ALSS Exam Fee

BELS Administrative Code

15 PDH

CE Per Annual Renewal

BELS

4–6 yrs

Experience Required

Code of Alabama 34-11-4

Alabama requires the NCEES FS and PS exams plus the state ALSS exam on Alabama land surveying standards, history and law. BELS licenses land surveyors under Code of Alabama Title 34, Chapter 11.

Sample AL Land Surveyor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AL Land Surveyor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 300+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which state agency regulates professional land surveyors in Alabama?
A.Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
B.Alabama Department of Commerce
C.Alabama Real Estate Commission
D.Alabama Board of Professional Geologists
Explanation: The Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BELS) regulates the practice of land surveying in Alabama under Code of Alabama Title 34, Chapter 11. The board handles licensing, examinations, and disciplinary actions for professional surveyors in the state.
2What three examinations must an applicant pass to become a licensed Professional Land Surveyor in Alabama?
A.FS, PS, and ALSS
B.FS, PE, and ALSS
C.FE, PS, and ALSS
D.FS, PS, and FE
Explanation: Alabama requires candidates to pass the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS), the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS), and the Alabama Land Surveying Standards, History, and Law (ALSS) examination. The ALSS is the state-specific exam that tests knowledge of Alabama's surveying laws and standards of practice.
3Under the Alabama Standards of Practice effective January 1, 2025, what is the minimum length requirement for a typical boundary monument?
A.12 inches
B.18 inches
C.24 inches
D.36 inches
Explanation: According to Rule 1.03 of the Alabama Standards of Practice for Surveying (effective January 1, 2025), a typical boundary monument or witness monument shall have a minimal length of 18 inches. The monument must also be composed of durable material and have a minimum diameter of 1/2 inch.
4What is the minimum diameter required for a boundary monument set under Alabama's Standards of Practice?
A.1/4 inch
B.3/8 inch
C.1/2 inch
D.3/4 inch
Explanation: The Alabama Standards of Practice specify that a typical boundary monument shall have a minimum diameter of 1/2 inch, with number 4 rebar being acceptable. The monument must also be identified with a durable marker or cap bearing the Alabama License Number of the land surveyor or the company Certificate of Authorization Number.
5What must be placed on a boundary monument cap in Alabama to identify the surveyor?
A.The surveyor's Social Security number
B.The surveyor's Alabama License Number or company Certificate of Authorization Number
C.The surveyor's firm name only
D.The date of the survey only
Explanation: Under Alabama Standards of Practice, each monument set must be identified with a durable marker or cap bearing the Alabama License Number of the land surveyor or the company Certificate of Authorization Number. This ensures traceability and accountability for all monuments placed during a survey.
6Under Alabama Code Section 34-11-1, which activity is specifically excluded from the practice of engineering?
A.Designing structural components
B.Performing environmental assessments
C.Surveying of real property for the establishment of property lines or land boundaries
D.Designing electrical systems
Explanation: Alabama Code Section 34-11-1 specifically states that all engineering surveys shall exclude the surveying of real property for the establishment of any property line or land boundaries, setting of corners or monuments. This establishes a clear boundary between engineering and land surveying practice.
7What certification statement must appear on each Alabama map of survey according to the Standards of Practice?
A.'This survey was performed by a licensed surveyor'
B.'I hereby certify that all parts of this map of survey have been completed in accordance with the current requirements of the Standards of Practice for Surveying in the State of Alabama'
C.'This map meets ALTA/NSPS standards'
D.'Surveyed in accordance with federal guidelines'
Explanation: The Alabama Standards of Practice require a specific certification statement on each map of survey: 'I hereby certify (or state) that all parts of this map of survey have been completed in accordance with the current requirements of the Standards of Practice for Surveying in the State of Alabama to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.' This must be followed by the surveyor's signature, license number, and date.
8What is the minimum size for any map of survey in Alabama?
A.5 x 7 inches
B.8-1/2 x 11 inches
C.11 x 17 inches
D.18 x 24 inches
Explanation: Under the Alabama Standards of Practice, no map of survey shall have dimensions of less than 8-1/2 x 11 inches. Maps must be legibly drawn and capable of being plotted or reproduced at the stated scale.
9What note is required on an Alabama map of survey when a property boundary survey was NOT performed?
A.'PRELIMINARY SURVEY ONLY'
B.'NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION'
C.'THIS IS NOT A PROPERTY BOUNDARY SURVEY'
D.'UNOFFICIAL MAP - DO NOT RECORD'
Explanation: Alabama Standards of Practice require that any map of survey showing property lines where a property boundary survey was not performed must include the note: 'THIS IS NOT A PROPERTY BOUNDARY SURVEY.' This protects the public from relying on non-boundary survey data for boundary-related decisions.
10Under what title and chapter of the Code of Alabama is the practice of land surveying regulated?
A.Title 34, Chapter 11
B.Title 34, Chapter 27
C.Title 40, Chapter 11
D.Title 34, Chapter 14
Explanation: The practice of land surveying in Alabama is regulated under Title 34, Chapter 11 of the Code of Alabama. This chapter covers professional engineers and land surveyors, establishing the Board of Licensure, licensing requirements, examinations, and professional conduct standards.

About the AL Land Surveyor Exam

The Alabama Land Surveying Standards, History and Law (ALSS) exam is a 60-question, 2-hour closed-book state exam taken after the NCEES FS and PS exams. It covers standards of practice, boundary control, survey systems, statutes and regulations, conveyances and title, Alabama case law and water boundaries.

Exam sponsor: Alabama BELS. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

60 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Set by the board

Exam / Certification Fees

$100

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

13 of 60 questions

Standards of Professional Practice

ASPLS Standards of Practice (SOP), Alabama licensure law and administrative code, and the administrative code of ethics

11 of 60 questions

Boundary Control & Legal Principles

Research and reconnaissance; monuments, corners and order of calls; acquiescence, practical location, estoppel, repose and parol agreement; junior/senior rights; adverse possession and prescription

9 of 60 questions

Survey Systems

Surveying history in Alabama (pure history, re-establishing corners and miscellaneous), subdivisions, metes and bounds, and the State Plane Coordinate System

8 of 60 questions

Statutes & Regulations

On-site sewage disposal, platting, FEMA flood insurance, cemeteries, right-of-entry and eminent domain, and statutes of limitations

8 of 60 questions

Conveyances & Title

Deeds, descriptions and rules of construction; easements and rights-of-way; recording statutes; rules of evidence

6 of 60 questions

Case Law

Alabama decisions on standard of care, the PLSS, evidence, monuments, adverse possession, prescriptive and other easements, water boundaries and recording statutes

5 of 60 questions

Water Boundaries

Definitions and terms, riparian rights and navigability

Preparing for the AL Land Surveyor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set by the board
  • Exam length: 60 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $100 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 300 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AL Land Surveyor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Alabama boundary principles: monuments and order of calls, acquiescence, junior/senior rights, and adverse possession
2Study the ASPLS Standards of Practice for Surveying in the State of Alabama (effective January 1, 2025)
3Know the BELS licensing requirements and disciplinary procedures
4Understand PLSS procedures for the Huntsville and St. Stephens meridians
5Review Alabama professional practice and ethics standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Alabama land surveyor state exam cover?

The ALSS exam covers seven blueprint areas: standards of professional practice, boundary control and legal principles, survey systems including Alabama survey history, statutes and regulations, conveyances and title, Alabama case law, and water boundaries.

How many questions are on the Alabama land surveyor state exam?

The ALSS exam blueprint has 60 questions: 13 on standards of practice, 11 on boundary control, 9 on survey systems, 8 on statutes and regulations, 8 on conveyances and title, 6 on case law and 5 on water boundaries. Candidates have 2 hours.

What is the passing score for the Alabama land surveyor state exam?

Alabama law lets the board set the passing grade for its state-specific exams, and BELS does not publish a percentage. A failed candidate pays the fee again and must wait 72 hours before retesting.

What are Alabama's continuing education requirements for land surveyors?

Alabama land surveyors need 15 PDH per annual renewal or 30 per biennial renewal, including 4 PDH on the Standards of Practice every two years and 1 PDH on ethics every year. Up to 15 PDH may carry over.