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Exam Review

Key Facts: NC Land Surveyor Exam

Pass/Fail

Result Reporting (no numeric score)

NCBELS / 21 NCAC 56 .0603(f)

25 Q

Exam Questions

NCBELS

2 hrs

Time Limit

NCBELS

15 PDH

CE Per Cycle

NCBELS

2 yrs

Experience Required (with a surveying B.S.)

G.S. 89C-13

$100

Application Fee

NCBELS

North Carolina requires passing the NCEES FS and PS exams plus a state-specific exam covering North Carolina boundary law and minimum technical standards. The state board (NCBELS) oversees licensing under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C.

Sample NC Land Surveyor Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NC Land Surveyor exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 330+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which board regulates the practice of land surveying in North Carolina?
A.Board of Professional Geologists under North Carolina surveying law
B.North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS)
C.Department of Environmental Quality in NC boundary practice as applied in North Carolina
D.Board of Registration for Land Surveyors under G.S. Chapter 89C
Explanation: The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBELS) regulates the practice of both professional engineering and land surveying in the state. The board is located at 4601 Six Forks Road, Suite 310, Raleigh, NC 27609.
2What is the primary statute governing the practice of engineering and land surveying in North Carolina?
A.G.S. 89A
B.G.S. 89B
C.G.S. 89C
D.G.S. 90
Explanation: General Statute 89C (the Engineering and Land Surveying Act) is the primary statute governing the practice of engineering and land surveying in North Carolina. This statute establishes licensing requirements, practice standards, and disciplinary provisions. Board rules are codified at 21 NCAC 56.
3Under 21 NCAC 56.1600, what section of the administrative code contains the Standards of Practice for Land Surveying in North Carolina?
A.Section .1200
B.Section .1400
C.Section .1600
D.Section .1800
Explanation: Section .1600 of 21 NCAC 56 contains the Standards of Practice for Land Surveying in North Carolina. This section covers general requirements, surveying procedures, classification of boundary surveys, mapping requirements, vertical control surveys, topographic mapping specifications, and GPS surveys.
4How many Professional Development Hours (PDHs) must a North Carolina licensed surveyor obtain annually?
A.8 PDHs
B.12 PDHs
C.15 PDHs
D.24 PDHs
Explanation: North Carolina licensed professional land surveyors must obtain 15 Professional Development Hours (PDH units) during each annual renewal period. At least 1 PDH must be in Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct, and at least 1 PDH must be in Standards of Practice for Land Surveying.
5How many mandatory PDH hours in Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct are required annually for NC surveyors?
A.0 hours
B.1 hour
C.2 hours
D.4 hours
Explanation: Effective for the 2024 license renewal and forward, North Carolina Professional Land Surveyors must complete at least 1 PDH in Ethics or Rules of Professional Conduct each renewal period. This is one of the two mandatory category requirements within the 15-PDH annual total.
6How many mandatory PDH hours in Standards of Practice for Land Surveying are required annually in NC?
A.0 hours
B.1 hour
C.2 hours
D.3 hours
Explanation: North Carolina Professional Land Surveyors must complete at least 1 PDH annually in Standards of Practice for Land Surveying (21 NCAC 56 Section .1600). This requirement ensures surveyors maintain current knowledge of the state's technical standards and their application.
7Under 21 NCAC 56.1603, how many classifications of boundary surveys are established in North Carolina?
A.Two classifications
B.Three classifications
C.Four classifications
D.Five classifications
Explanation: Under 21 NCAC 56.1603, four general classifications of boundary surveys are established based on land value, tax value, or location: Class AA (Local Control Network), Class A (Urban), Class B (Suburban/Rural), and Class C (Rural/Mountain/Swampland). Each has specific accuracy requirements.
8Under 21 NCAC 56.1603, what is the ratio of precision requirement for a Class A (Urban) boundary survey?
A.1:5,000
B.1:10,000
C.1:15,000
D.1:20,000
Explanation: For Class A (Urban) boundary surveys in North Carolina, the ratio of precision shall not exceed an error of closure of one foot per 10,000 feet of perimeter (1:10,000). This applies to lands that normally lie within a town or city.
9What is the ratio of precision requirement for a Class AA (Local Control Network) survey in North Carolina?
A.1:5,000
B.1:10,000
C.1:15,000
D.1:20,000
Explanation: For Class AA (Local Control Network) boundary surveys in North Carolina, the ratio of precision shall not exceed an error of closure of one foot per 20,000 feet of perimeter (1:20,000). This is the highest accuracy classification, used for establishing local horizontal control networks.
10Under 21 NCAC 56.1603, what angular error of closure is allowed for a Class A boundary survey?
A.10 seconds times the square root of the number of angles
B.20 seconds times the square root of the number of angles
C.30 seconds times the square root of the number of angles
D.60 seconds times the square root of the number of angles
Explanation: For Class A boundary surveys in North Carolina, the angular error of closure shall not exceed 20 seconds times the square root of the number of angles turned. For Class AA, the limit is 10 seconds times the square root.

About the NC Land Surveyor Exam

The North Carolina land surveyor state exam covers North Carolina boundary law, minimum technical standards, metes and bounds state with colonial grant system boundary descriptions, state board regulations under NCGS Chapter 89C, and professional surveying ethics and practice standards.

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

Questions

25 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Not published (pass/fail reporting)

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. 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.

24%

Technical Surveying Methods and Practice

Field procedures, measurements, and computations for North Carolina practice

24%

Board Rules

21 NCAC 56 including the .1600 Standards of Practice, seals, and professional conduct

16%

Licensing Related Statutes

G.S. 89C licensure, corporate practice, and disciplinary provisions

20%

Practice Related Statutes and Common Law

G.S. 47-30 plats, boundary law including Cherry v. Slade, riparian rules, and recording statutes

16%

Drainage

Erosion and sediment control, drainage easements, and stormwater fundamentals

Preparing for the NC Land Surveyor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Not published (pass/fail reporting)
  • Exam length: 25 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: Varies Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 330 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NC Land Surveyor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Know the licensing act, G.S. 89C, and the plat mapping requirements of G.S. 47-30
2Study North Carolina minimum technical standards for surveys
3Know the NCBELS licensing requirements and disciplinary procedures
4Understand metes and bounds state with colonial grant system boundary description methods
5Review North Carolina professional practice and ethics standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the North Carolina land surveyor state exam cover?

The two-hour state exam tests North Carolina surveying laws, procedures and practices: technical surveying methods and practice (24%), Board rules (24%), licensing related statutes (16%), practice related statutes and common law (20%) and drainage (16%), drawing on 21 NCAC 56, G.S. 89C and G.S. 47-30.

How many questions are on the North Carolina land surveyor state exam?

The North Carolina state-specific surveying exam has 25 multiple-choice questions in two hours. It is open book and given at the Board office four times a year.

What is the passing score for the North Carolina land surveyor state exam?

NCBELS does not publish a passing percentage. The Board determines the passing grade, and results are reported in writing only as pass or fail.

What are North Carolina's continuing education requirements for land surveyors?

North Carolina requires professional land surveyors to complete 15 professional development hours each year, including mandatory ethics and standards of practice content.