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Exam Review

Key Facts: WA Land Surveyor Exam

70%

Passing Score

BRPELS

100 Q

Exam Questions

BRPELS

4 hrs

Time Limit

BRPELS

24 PDH

CE Per Cycle

BRPELS

4 yrs

Experience Required

BRPELS

$600

Total Fees

LicenseMap 2026

Washington requires passing the NCEES FS and PS exams plus a state-specific exam covering Washington boundary law and minimum technical standards. The state board (BRPELS) oversees licensing under Revised Code of Washington Chapter 18.43.

Sample WA Land Surveyor Practice Questions

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

1Which agency oversees the licensing of Professional Land Surveyors in Washington State?
A.Department of Licensing
B.Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS)
C.Department of Natural Resources
D.Secretary of State
Explanation: The Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS) is the governing body responsible for licensing Professional Land Surveyors. BRPELS administers exams, reviews applications, and enforces professional standards under RCW 18.43.
2How many years of professional-level experience under a licensed PLS are required for Washington PLS licensure by exam?
A.4 years
B.6 years
C.8 years
D.10 years
Explanation: Washington requires 8 years of professional-level experience under the direct supervision of a licensed Professional Land Surveyor. Education in an ABET-accredited program may count for up to 4 years of this experience requirement, as specified in WAC 196-16-010.
3What is the passing score for the Washington Land Surveyor Law Review exam?
A.70%
B.75%
C.80%
D.85%
Explanation: The Washington Land Surveyor Law Review requires a passing score of 80%. This is a separate requirement from the NCEES PS exam and tests knowledge of Washington-specific surveying laws, regulations, and minimum standards.
4Which examinations must a candidate pass to become licensed as a PLS in Washington?
A.NCEES FS and PS exams only
B.NCEES FS, PS, and Washington State Land Surveying exam
C.Washington State exam only
D.NCEES PS and a take-home law review only
Explanation: Washington requires three examinations: the NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) exam, the NCEES Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) exam, and the Washington State Land Surveying examination. The state exam is a 4-hour open-book test offered twice per year.
5How often is the Washington State Land Surveying exam offered?
A.Monthly
B.Quarterly
C.Twice per year
D.Once per year
Explanation: The Washington State Land Surveying exam is offered twice per year, typically in March and September, at locations in both Western and Eastern Washington. It is a 4-hour open-book exam separate from the NCEES computer-based PS exam.
6Under WAC 332-130, what is the primary purpose of the Minimum Standards for Land Boundary Surveys?
A.To standardize surveying fees across the state
B.To establish minimum technical criteria for land boundary surveys and geodetic control
C.To regulate the sale of surveying equipment
D.To define property tax assessment methods
Explanation: WAC 332-130 establishes the Minimum Standards for Land Boundary Surveys and Geodetic Control Surveys and Guidelines for the Preparation of Land Descriptions. These standards set the minimum technical requirements surveyors must meet when performing land boundary surveys in Washington.
7According to WAC 332-130-050, which of the following is required on a Washington survey map?
A.The surveyor's photograph
B.Information sufficient for intelligent interpretation
C.A notarized affidavit from the property owner
D.The assessed property value
Explanation: WAC 332-130-050 requires survey maps to contain information sufficient for 'intelligent interpretation,' meaning the map must provide enough information to explain the rationale for boundary locations and allow accurate retracement without oral testimony for clarification.
8What chapter of the RCW governs the Survey Recording Act in Washington?
A.RCW 18.43
B.RCW 58.09
C.RCW 58.17
D.RCW 58.24
Explanation: The Survey Recording Act is established in chapter 58.09 RCW. This act requires the recording of surveys of land and establishes requirements for what must be included in recorded surveys. RCW 18.43 governs engineer and land surveyor registration, while RCW 58.17 covers platting and subdivisions.
9Under RCW 58.09.060, when must a Record of Survey be filed in Washington?
A.Only when subdividing land
B.When a survey discloses evidence of occupation or possession that is in conflict with the record title description
C.Only for commercial property surveys
D.Every five years for all boundary surveys
Explanation: RCW 58.09.060 requires filing a Record of Survey when the survey discloses evidence of occupation or possession in conflict with the record title description, among other triggering conditions. The filing requirement protects public records and future surveyors.
10What is the Washington Plane Coordinate System based on, as defined in RCW 58.20?
A.Universal Transverse Mercator projection
B.Lambert conformal conic projection
C.State-specific azimuthal projection
D.Albers equal-area conic projection
Explanation: The Washington Plane Coordinate System, established by RCW 58.20, is based on the Lambert conformal conic projection. Washington uses two zones (North and South) in the State Plane Coordinate System, both using this projection type.

About the WA Land Surveyor Exam

The Washington land surveyor state exam covers Washington boundary law, minimum technical standards, Willamette meridian PLSS procedures, state board regulations under RCW Chapter 18.43, and professional surveying ethics and practice standards.

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

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

4 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

Varies

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 65%. estimated first-time pass rate This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. 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.

25%

WA Boundary Law

Washington boundary determination, adverse possession, riparian rights, easements

25%

WA Standards of Practice

Minimum technical standards, plat requirements, monument standards, accuracy

20%

WA Regulations

BRPELS licensing, continuing education, ethics, disciplinary process

15%

Legal Descriptions

Metes and bounds, PLSS, legal descriptions, deed interpretation

15%

Professional Practice

Professional liability, sealing/stamping, contracts, expert witness

Preparing for the WA Land Surveyor Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 4 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: Varies 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

WA Land Surveyor: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master Washington boundary law principles under RCW Chapter 18.43
2Study Washington minimum technical standards for surveys
3Know the BRPELS licensing requirements and disciplinary procedures
4Understand PLSS procedures for the Willamette meridian
5Review Washington professional practice and ethics standards

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Washington land surveyor state exam cover?

The WA state exam covers Washington boundary law under RCW Chapter 18.43, minimum technical standards, PLSS procedures, state licensing regulations, and professional practice standards specific to Washington.

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

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

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

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

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

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