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300+ Free PA Land Surveyor Practice Questions

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Which Pennsylvania statute governs the registration of professional land surveyors?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PA Land Surveyor Exam

70%

Passing Score

PELS

100 Q

Exam Questions

PELS

4 hrs

Time Limit

PELS

24 PDH

CE Per Cycle

PELS

4 yrs

Experience Required

PELS

$600

Total Fees

LicenseMap 2026

Pennsylvania requires passing the NCEES FS and PS exams plus a state-specific exam covering Pennsylvania boundary law and minimum technical standards. The state board (PELS) oversees licensing under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 63.

Sample PA Land Surveyor Practice Questions

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

1Which Pennsylvania statute governs the registration of professional land surveyors?
A.63 P.S. Section 151 (Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law)
B.68 Pa.C.S. Chapter 59
C.53 Pa.C.S. Chapter 23
D.35 P.S. Section 780
Explanation: The Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, codified at 63 P.S. Section 151 et seq., is the primary statute governing the registration of professional engineers, land surveyors, and geologists in Pennsylvania. This law establishes qualifications, examination requirements, and practice standards.
2What is the name of the board that regulates land surveyors in Pennsylvania?
A.Pennsylvania Board of Land Commissioners
B.State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists
C.Pennsylvania Department of Surveying
D.Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Commission
Explanation: The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists regulates licensure for professional land surveyors in Pennsylvania. The board operates under the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA).
3Which chapter of the Pennsylvania Code contains the regulations for professional land surveyors?
A.49 Pa. Code Chapter 35
B.49 Pa. Code Chapter 37
C.49 Pa. Code Chapter 39
D.49 Pa. Code Chapter 41
Explanation: 49 Pa. Code Chapter 37 contains the regulations for the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. This chapter includes provisions for licensing, examination requirements, continuing education, and professional standards of practice.
4What examinations must a candidate pass to become a licensed professional land surveyor in Pennsylvania?
A.Only the Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam
B.The FS exam and the Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, plus a Pennsylvania-specific exam
C.Only the PS exam
D.Only the Pennsylvania-specific exam
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires candidates to pass the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) examination to become a Surveyor-in-Training, then pass the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) examination and a Pennsylvania-specific examination on state laws and practices for full licensure as a Professional Land Surveyor.
5Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, what is the first step in the Pennsylvania land surveyor licensing pathway?
A.Passing the PS exam
B.Obtaining certification as a Surveyor-in-Training (SIT)
C.Completing 10 years of experience
D.Filing a land survey with the county
Explanation: The first step is obtaining certification as a Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) by passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying examination. The SIT certificate is a prerequisite for progressing to the Professional Land Surveyor license, which requires additional experience and passing the PS and state-specific exams.
6What is the initial fee for a Surveyor-in-Training certificate in Pennsylvania?
A.$25
B.$50
C.$75
D.$100
Explanation: The initial fee for a Surveyor-in-Training (SIT) certificate in Pennsylvania is $50. There is no renewal fee for the SIT certificate. The SIT certification demonstrates that the candidate has passed the fundamental examination and is gaining qualifying experience.
7Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, what educational qualification allows a candidate to sit for the FS examination in Pennsylvania?
A.Any high school diploma
B.Graduation from an ABET-accredited civil engineering curriculum with at least 10 credit hours in surveying, or a 4-year ABET surveying curriculum
C.Any bachelor's degree regardless of field
D.Completion of an online survey course
Explanation: Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, a candidate may qualify for the FS exam through graduation from an ABET-accredited undergraduate civil engineering curriculum with a minimum of 10 credit hours of instruction in surveying, or graduation from an undergraduate 4-year surveying curriculum accredited by ABET.
8Under Pennsylvania regulations, what experience is required for candidates with an ABET-accredited degree seeking PLS licensure?
A.Two years of experience
B.Four years of progressive experience under a licensed PLS
C.Six years of experience
D.No experience is required
Explanation: Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, candidates with qualifying ABET-accredited degrees must have four years of progressive experience in surveying work acquired under the supervision of a professional land surveyor. The experience must be of a grade and character to qualify the candidate for responsible charge.
9For candidates qualifying through experience alone (no qualifying degree) in Pennsylvania, how many years of progressive experience are required?
A.4 years
B.6 years
C.8 years
D.10 years
Explanation: Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, candidates without a qualifying degree must have six years of progressive experience in surveying, along with knowledge, skill, and education equivalent to that attained through graduation from an approved surveying curriculum. The experience must include at least 25% in field work and 25% in office work.
10Under Pennsylvania regulations for experience-only candidates, what minimum percentage of experience must be in field work?
A.10%
B.25%
C.50%
D.75%
Explanation: Under 49 Pa. Code Section 37.47, for candidates qualifying through experience alone, the experience must reflect diversification of field and office work, with no less than 25% of the experience in either area. This ensures that candidates have balanced practical experience.

About the PA Land Surveyor Exam

The Pennsylvania land surveyor state exam covers Pennsylvania boundary law, minimum technical standards, metes and bounds state with warrant system boundary descriptions, state board regulations under 63 Pa.C.S. Chapter 46, and professional surveying ethics and practice standards.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

Varies (Pennsylvania PELS)

PA Land Surveyor Exam Content Outline

25%

PA Boundary Law

Pennsylvania boundary determination, adverse possession, riparian rights, easements

25%

PA Standards of Practice

Minimum technical standards, plat requirements, monument standards, accuracy

20%

PA Regulations

PELS licensing, continuing education, ethics, disciplinary process

15%

Legal Descriptions

Metes and bounds, legal descriptions, deed interpretation

15%

Professional Practice

Professional liability, sealing/stamping, contracts, expert witness

How to Pass the PA Land Surveyor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours
  • Exam fee: Varies

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PA Land Surveyor Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Pennsylvania boundary law principles under 63 Pa.C.S. Chapter 46
2Study Pennsylvania minimum technical standards for surveys
3Know the PELS licensing requirements and disciplinary procedures
4Understand metes and bounds state with warrant system boundary description methods
5Review Pennsylvania professional practice and ethics standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Pennsylvania land surveyor state exam cover?

The PA state exam covers Pennsylvania boundary law under 63 Pa.C.S. Chapter 46, minimum technical standards, state licensing regulations, and professional practice standards specific to Pennsylvania.

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

The Pennsylvania state-specific land surveyor exam typically contains around 100 multiple-choice questions covering state laws, standards, and boundary principles unique to Pennsylvania.

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

Pennsylvania requires a score of 70% or higher to pass the state-specific professional land surveyor examination.

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

Pennsylvania requires professional land surveyors to complete 24 professional development hours each biennium, including mandatory ethics and standards of practice content.