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100+ Free TLTA CAEP Practice Questions

Pass your TLTA Certified Abstract Examination Professional exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Texas 'homestead designation' to specific 200 acres (rural) or 10 acres (urban):

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B
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D
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Key Facts: TLTA CAEP Exam

~150 Q

CAEP Exam Questions

TLTA

3 Hours

Exam Time

TLTA

$280

Combined App + Exam Fee

TLTA

10 Years

Texas Judgment Lien Duration

Property Code 52

Severable

Texas Mineral Estate

Texas Common Law

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

TLTA's CAEP designation recognizes mastery of Texas abstract/examination practices. The exam covers Texas chain of title (often back to original Texas patent for mineral interests due to severability), mineral examination (NPRI, royalty, pooling, pugh clauses, dominant estate, accommodation doctrine), Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 16 adverse possession statutes (3-year color of title, 5-year deed+taxes, 10-year peaceable, 25-year), Texas Property Code mechanic's liens (Chapter 53) and judgment liens (Section 52.001 with 10-year duration), federal tax liens, race-notice recording (Section 13.001), and Texas estate procedures (affidavit of heirship Chapter 203, TODD Chapter 114, small estate Chapter 205, muniment of title).

Sample TLTA CAEP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TLTA CAEP exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The primary purpose of a title examination is to:
A.Set the property's market value
B.Determine the present record state of title and identify any defects, liens, or encumbrances
C.Calculate property tax
D.Issue the deed
Explanation: Title examination evaluates the public records to determine current ownership, identify outstanding liens/encumbrances, and assess any defects or clouds that must be addressed. The exam supports the title commitment's exceptions, requirements, and ultimately the policy.
2A 'chain of title' in Texas typically begins with:
A.The current deed
B.The original patent or land grant from the State of Texas, or a defensible 'root of title' acceptable to the underwriter
C.The first mortgage
D.The county tax record
Explanation: The Texas chain of title traces back through recorded conveyances. For surface title, an acceptable 'root of title' (often 30-60 years per underwriter guidelines) may suffice. For mineral interests, the chain typically extends to the original Texas patent because of severance possibilities.
3An 'abstract of title' is:
A.A condensed history of all recorded instruments affecting a specific parcel, organized chronologically with summaries of each conveyance and encumbrance
B.An insurance policy
C.A bank statement
D.A construction permit
Explanation: An abstract of title is a chronological compilation of recorded instruments affecting a specific parcel: deeds, mortgages, releases, liens, judgments, easements, and other documents. Each entry includes parties, dates, recording references, and a brief summary. Abstracts support exam and issuance of title commitments.
4A 'run sheet' is:
A.A standard examination worksheet listing each instrument found in the search and its relevant data
B.A summary brochure
C.A tax form
D.A deed alternative
Explanation: A run sheet is the abstractor's working document — typically listing every recorded instrument found in the search, with date, parties, instrument type, recording reference, and brief description. It feeds the formal abstract or directly supports the title commitment.
5A 'grantor-grantee index' in Texas county records is:
A.A primary search tool listing each instrument by name of conveying party (grantor) and receiving party (grantee), allowing tracking of ownership
B.An alphabetical list of judges
C.A tax index
D.A streets index
Explanation: Texas county clerks maintain grantor-grantee indexes — alphabetical listings of all recorded instruments by grantor (conveyor) and grantee (receiver). Title abstractors use these to trace the chain of title, identifying each conveyance affecting the property.
6In Texas, 'general' and 'special' warranty deeds differ in that:
A.No difference
B.General warranty covers all defects (before and during grantor ownership), special warranty covers only defects arising during grantor's ownership
C.Special is more protective
D.Both have identical warranties
Explanation: A general warranty deed warrants against all title defects whether arising before or during the grantor's ownership. A special warranty deed (sometimes called 'limited warranty') warrants only against defects arising during the grantor's ownership. Special warranty is common in commercial and REO sales.
7A Texas 'quitclaim deed' typically:
A.Conveys whatever interest the grantor has — which may be nothing — without warranties; underwriters may treat quitclaims cautiously due to fraud risk
B.Is the standard residential deed
C.Provides full warranties
D.Cannot be used
Explanation: Texas quitclaim deeds convey whatever interest the grantor possesses (which could be nothing) with no warranties. Underwriters scrutinize quitclaim conveyances because they may signal fraud, undisclosed third-party claims, or 'wild' deeds. Many Texas underwriters prefer 'deed without warranty' instead.
8Texas 'mineral interests' are treated as:
A.Always part of the surface
B.A severable estate that may be separately owned, conveyed, reserved, or leased — making Texas title exam more complex
C.State-owned
D.Personal property
Explanation: Texas treats mineral estate as severable real property. A grantor may convey surface only, reserve minerals, or convey minerals separately. Mineral severances may have occurred at any prior point in the chain. Title exams must trace mineral interests, often back to original patent.
9A 'mineral reservation' in a deed:
A.Has no effect
B.Reserves the mineral estate (or portion of it) to the grantor — severing surface and mineral ownership going forward
C.Conveys minerals to grantee
D.Is illegal
Explanation: A mineral reservation in a deed retains the mineral estate (or specified portions) for the grantor. After the conveyance, the grantor still owns minerals while the grantee owns the surface only. Mineral reservations may be fractional and run with severance issues addressed in title commitments.
10In Texas, surface use by mineral lessee:
A.Is prohibited
B.Is permitted under the dominant estate doctrine, subject to the 'accommodation doctrine' requiring reasonable accommodation of surface owner
C.Requires surface owner approval
D.Has no limits
Explanation: Texas treats the mineral estate as dominant — mineral owner/lessee has implied right of reasonable surface use to develop minerals. The 'accommodation doctrine' (Getty Oil v. Jones) requires mineral lessee to accommodate existing surface uses where reasonable alternatives exist.

About the TLTA CAEP Exam

The Certified Abstract Examination Professional (CAEP) is TLTA's certification for Texas title insurance professionals working in abstracting and title examination. The exam (~150 questions, 3 hours, $280 combined fee, ExamRoom online proctored) covers Texas chain of title, mineral interest examination (a critical Texas-specific area), liens and priority, adverse possession (Texas statutes 3/5/10/25 years), easements, probate/estate procedures, curative actions, race-notice recording, marital property, and Texas-specific deed types.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Set by TLTA

Exam Fee

$280 (combined application + exam) (Texas Land Title Association (TLTA))

TLTA CAEP Exam Content Outline

20%

Chain of Title & Abstracting

Root of title, grantor-grantee indexes, abstracts, run sheets, title plants, gap analysis

15%

Texas Mineral Interests

Severable estate, reservations, dominant/accommodation doctrines, NPRI, royalty, leases, pooling/pugh

12%

Liens & Priority

Ad valorem super-lien (Jan 1 attachment), NFTL, judgment liens (52.001, 10-year duration), mechanic's liens (Chapter 53), lis pendens (12.007), child support liens

10%

Adverse Possession

Texas CPRC Chapter 16: 3-year (color of title), 5-year (deed+taxes), 10-year (peaceable, 160 acres), 25-year statutes

10%

Probate & Estate

Affidavit of heirship (Estates Code Chapter 203), TODD (Chapter 114), small estate (Chapter 205), muniment of title, family settlement

8%

Easements & Restrictions

Necessity, prescriptive (10-year), estoppel; restrictive covenants; HOA enforcement (Chapter 207)

8%

Curative Actions

Corrective deeds (Property Code 5.027), reformation, quiet title, identity affidavits, record reconstruction

7%

Recording & Notice

Race-notice (Property Code 13.001), constructive/inquiry notice, BFP, wild deeds, lis pendens

5%

Marital Property

Community property, separate property, homestead joinder, community survivorship (Chapter 112)

5%

Deeds & Conveyances

General warranty, special warranty, deed without warranty, quitclaim, partition deeds, vendor's liens

How to Pass the TLTA CAEP Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set by TLTA
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $280 (combined application + exam)

Keys to Passing

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

TLTA CAEP Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Texas mineral interest examination — severability, reservations, NPRI vs royalty, dominant estate doctrine, accommodation doctrine, pooling/pugh clauses
2Memorize Texas adverse possession statutes: 3-year (CPRC 16.024 color of title), 5-year (16.025 deed+taxes+cultivation), 10-year (16.026 peaceable), 25-year
3Know Texas Property Code 52.001 judgment liens: created by recording abstract; 10-year duration; renewable
4Understand Texas Section 13.001 race-notice recording: subsequent purchaser must take without notice AND record first to defeat unrecorded prior interest
5Study Texas estate procedures: Affidavit of Heirship (Estates Code Chapter 203), TODD (Chapter 114), small estate affidavit (Chapter 205), muniment of title

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TLTA CAEP designation?

The Certified Abstract Examination Professional (CAEP) is TLTA's certification for Texas title insurance professionals working in the abstract/examination side. Exam is ~150 questions, 3 hours, ExamRoom online proctored, $280 combined application + exam fee. Designees demonstrate mastery of Texas chain of title, mineral examination, curative actions, and Texas Property/Estates Code provisions.

Why are Texas mineral interests so important for CAEP?

Texas treats mineral interests as severable real property — distinct from surface estate. Mineral severances may have occurred at any prior conveyance in the chain, and mineral examination often extends back to the original Texas patent. The dominant estate doctrine gives mineral owners/lessees implied surface use rights (limited by the accommodation doctrine). NPRI (non-participating royalty interest) and royalty interest tracking through the chain require careful fractional math.

What are Texas adverse possession statutes?

Texas CPRC Chapter 16 has multiple adverse possession statutes: Section 16.024 (3 years with color of title); 16.025 (5 years with cultivation/use, taxes paid, and registered deed other than quitclaim); 16.026 (10 years peaceable adverse possession, generally limited to 160 acres); plus 25-year and other periods. Each has specific elements.

What is Texas Property Code Section 52.001?

Section 52.001 governs Texas judgment liens. A judgment lien on real property is created by recording an abstract of judgment in the county where the property is located. The lien lasts 10 years from recording, with renewal by recording additional abstract before expiration. Without recording, only a personal judgment exists.

How is Texas chain of title examined for mineral interests?

Because Texas treats minerals as severable, the mineral examination typically extends back to the original Texas patent from the State. Examiners track each prior conveyance for mineral reservations, NPRI conveyances, royalty conveyances, and mineral leases. Fractional interest calculations must be precise. Title commitments typically address severances on Schedule B as exceptions.