Prep for LS Exams -...

27
12/17/17 1 Preparing for and Passing the LS Licensing Exams Joseph Paiva NYSAPLS 59 th Conference Do Your Research What are the requirements for licensure? Do you meet them? Are you on a path to meet them? If not, but you would like to be, then your planning is achieving the requirements, not preparing for the exam 12/17/17 © 2018 J.V.R Paiva 2

Transcript of Prep for LS Exams -...

Page 1: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

1

Preparing for and Passing the LS Licensing Exams

Joseph Paiva

NYSAPLS 59th Conference

Do Your Research

bull  What are the requirements for licensure bull  Do you meet them bull  Are you on a path to meet them bull  If not but you would like to be then your

planning is achieving the requirements not preparing for the exam

121717copy2018JVRPaiva 2

121717

2

Mentors

bull  Find yourself a mentor bull  Even better if you have more than one bull  Not always ldquoolderrdquo and not always a land

surveyor bull  But you do need at least one already licensed

land surveyor in your mentor group

121717copy2018JVRPaiva 3

The Key Groups bull  opnysedgovprofpelssurvlichtm bull  nysaplsorg bull  nceesorg bull  httpswwwyoutubecomuserNCEESMedia

playlists

These hold the ldquokeysrdquo

121717 4copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

3

To The Exams

bull  Basically three 1  Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) 2  Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) 3  New York State-Specific Exam (jurisdictional

exam)

121717 5copy2018JVRPaiva

FS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  6 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided FS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  110 questions

121717 6copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

4

PS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  7 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided PS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  100 questions

121717 7copy2018JVRPaiva

NY State Specific Exam

bull  Pencilpaper ldquofill-in-the-bubblesrdquo bull  4 hours bull  Open book (no loose sheets) bull  Multiple choice bull  50 questions

121717 8copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

5

121717 9copy2018JVRPaiva

NewYorkStateSpecificLandSurveyingExamination

TestBlueprint CategorySurveyAnalysis

DomainsComputationsAnalysisMeasurementLocationMonumentation 8questions 16

CategorySurveyProjectPractices DomainsDocumentationLandInfoSystemsLandPlanningDesignProjMgmt

16questions32

CategorySurveyLegalampEthicalPractices DomainsEthicsProfessionalResponsibilityLegalPrinciplesResearch

26questions 52

If You Thinkhellip

bull  Irsquove been working in this business for 20 years surely theyrsquoll let me take the examhellip

bull  I worked in engineering and construction surveying but very little on property boundary issueshellip

bull  Etchellip First check on the requirements for licensure

121717 10copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 2: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

2

Mentors

bull  Find yourself a mentor bull  Even better if you have more than one bull  Not always ldquoolderrdquo and not always a land

surveyor bull  But you do need at least one already licensed

land surveyor in your mentor group

121717copy2018JVRPaiva 3

The Key Groups bull  opnysedgovprofpelssurvlichtm bull  nysaplsorg bull  nceesorg bull  httpswwwyoutubecomuserNCEESMedia

playlists

These hold the ldquokeysrdquo

121717 4copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

3

To The Exams

bull  Basically three 1  Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) 2  Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) 3  New York State-Specific Exam (jurisdictional

exam)

121717 5copy2018JVRPaiva

FS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  6 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided FS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  110 questions

121717 6copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

4

PS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  7 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided PS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  100 questions

121717 7copy2018JVRPaiva

NY State Specific Exam

bull  Pencilpaper ldquofill-in-the-bubblesrdquo bull  4 hours bull  Open book (no loose sheets) bull  Multiple choice bull  50 questions

121717 8copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

5

121717 9copy2018JVRPaiva

NewYorkStateSpecificLandSurveyingExamination

TestBlueprint CategorySurveyAnalysis

DomainsComputationsAnalysisMeasurementLocationMonumentation 8questions 16

CategorySurveyProjectPractices DomainsDocumentationLandInfoSystemsLandPlanningDesignProjMgmt

16questions32

CategorySurveyLegalampEthicalPractices DomainsEthicsProfessionalResponsibilityLegalPrinciplesResearch

26questions 52

If You Thinkhellip

bull  Irsquove been working in this business for 20 years surely theyrsquoll let me take the examhellip

bull  I worked in engineering and construction surveying but very little on property boundary issueshellip

bull  Etchellip First check on the requirements for licensure

121717 10copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 3: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

3

To The Exams

bull  Basically three 1  Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) 2  Principles and Practice of Surveying (PS) 3  New York State-Specific Exam (jurisdictional

exam)

121717 5copy2018JVRPaiva

FS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  6 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided FS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  110 questions

121717 6copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

4

PS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  7 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided PS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  100 questions

121717 7copy2018JVRPaiva

NY State Specific Exam

bull  Pencilpaper ldquofill-in-the-bubblesrdquo bull  4 hours bull  Open book (no loose sheets) bull  Multiple choice bull  50 questions

121717 8copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

5

121717 9copy2018JVRPaiva

NewYorkStateSpecificLandSurveyingExamination

TestBlueprint CategorySurveyAnalysis

DomainsComputationsAnalysisMeasurementLocationMonumentation 8questions 16

CategorySurveyProjectPractices DomainsDocumentationLandInfoSystemsLandPlanningDesignProjMgmt

16questions32

CategorySurveyLegalampEthicalPractices DomainsEthicsProfessionalResponsibilityLegalPrinciplesResearch

26questions 52

If You Thinkhellip

bull  Irsquove been working in this business for 20 years surely theyrsquoll let me take the examhellip

bull  I worked in engineering and construction surveying but very little on property boundary issueshellip

bull  Etchellip First check on the requirements for licensure

121717 10copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 4: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

4

PS Exam

bull  Computer-based test (CBT) bull  7 hours bull  Closed book except for NCEES-provided PS

Reference Handbook bull  Multiple choice and alternative item types (AITs) bull  100 questions

121717 7copy2018JVRPaiva

NY State Specific Exam

bull  Pencilpaper ldquofill-in-the-bubblesrdquo bull  4 hours bull  Open book (no loose sheets) bull  Multiple choice bull  50 questions

121717 8copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

5

121717 9copy2018JVRPaiva

NewYorkStateSpecificLandSurveyingExamination

TestBlueprint CategorySurveyAnalysis

DomainsComputationsAnalysisMeasurementLocationMonumentation 8questions 16

CategorySurveyProjectPractices DomainsDocumentationLandInfoSystemsLandPlanningDesignProjMgmt

16questions32

CategorySurveyLegalampEthicalPractices DomainsEthicsProfessionalResponsibilityLegalPrinciplesResearch

26questions 52

If You Thinkhellip

bull  Irsquove been working in this business for 20 years surely theyrsquoll let me take the examhellip

bull  I worked in engineering and construction surveying but very little on property boundary issueshellip

bull  Etchellip First check on the requirements for licensure

121717 10copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 5: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

5

121717 9copy2018JVRPaiva

NewYorkStateSpecificLandSurveyingExamination

TestBlueprint CategorySurveyAnalysis

DomainsComputationsAnalysisMeasurementLocationMonumentation 8questions 16

CategorySurveyProjectPractices DomainsDocumentationLandInfoSystemsLandPlanningDesignProjMgmt

16questions32

CategorySurveyLegalampEthicalPractices DomainsEthicsProfessionalResponsibilityLegalPrinciplesResearch

26questions 52

If You Thinkhellip

bull  Irsquove been working in this business for 20 years surely theyrsquoll let me take the examhellip

bull  I worked in engineering and construction surveying but very little on property boundary issueshellip

bull  Etchellip First check on the requirements for licensure

121717 10copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 6: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

6

You Donrsquot Meet the Requirements

bull  Donrsquot ask

121717 11copy2018JVRPaiva

You Have Circumstances That Are Untypical

bull  Talk to a mentor first bull  Figure out how you can go about overcoming

the obstacles bull  That may include more experience in specific

kinds of work andor additional education

121717 12copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 7: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

7

Exam Prep bull  Build (buy borrow beghellip) a library bull  Start reviewing the material bull  Read a general surveying text and something

like Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles cover-to-cover

bull  Subscribe to periodicals and read them bull  Get an approved calculator

121717 13copy2018JVRPaiva

Belong to Your Professional Association

bull  Education bull  Mentoring bull  Networking

121717 14copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 8: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

8

Library

bull  Look at NY Boardrsquos references bull  Include ACSM Definitionshellip book bull  Blackrsquos Law Dictionary

121717 15copy2018JVRPaiva

Plan Years Out

bull  Even if you began today it is highly unlikely if you meet all the education and experience requirements that you will be licensed in a year

bull  Instead submit your applications take the three exams step by step

bull  Budget your time and financial resources

121717 16copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 9: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

9

$ $ $ - It Adds Up

bull  Application fees bull  Exam fees bull  Review license prep courses bull  Books

121717 17copy2018JVRPaiva

Free Time

bull  To do a good job kiss goodbye to many of your leisure activities

bull  Develop a regular schedule for reviewing your study materials

bull  Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717 18copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 10: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

10

Test Prep Books

bull  Start with NCEES bull  Many others (check NYSAPLS bookstore) bull  Many except NCEES exam may not be set up

for exact conditions of the exam bull  As you become familiar with the material time

yourself

121717 19copy2018JVRPaiva

Reference Handbooks

bull  Download these from the NCEES site bull  Review them compare to formulas and

equations you are familiar with to be sure you know what the terms are

bull  Equations not always formatted the way you might know them

121717 20copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 11: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

11

LS Binder

bull  Three (minimum) parts 1  Employers contact information of supervisors

monthly summaries of work done 2  Build your ldquoI donrsquot know anything about this (or

much)rdquo list of topics with as much detail as you can

3  Resource list people organizations etc 121717 21copy2018JVRPaiva

Start Paying Attention

bull  Really pay attention bull  Work processes including client relations bull  Regulations and statutes bull  Work process bull  Analyze ethics of situations bull  Start acting like a professional

121717 22copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 12: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

12

Early Onhellip

bull  Investigate CST program and how it might benefit you

bull  Remedial courses (math writing) at high school or college night classes

bull  Other educational resources including online

121717 23copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Process

bull  Bigger library bull  Seriously consider the NYSAPLS review course bull  Talk to people whorsquove taken the exam

121717 24copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 13: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

13

Taking the Test

bull  Arrive collected well-rested well-fed but not stuffed

bull  For CBT very strict limitations on what you can take to the exam room the rest stays in a locker

bull  Calculators will be inspected bull  NY Specific test allows books but they will be

inspected for loose sheets 121717 25copy2018JVRPaiva

Durable Clear Envelope

bull  Use a large plastic envelope for all your documentation (correspondence permits etc) that will admit you to the test include backup

bull  If you get emails print them for the envelope bull  Photo ID

121717 26copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 14: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

14

Know Your Route

bull  Advisable to get to the exam site on the day of the week you will take it but a week or two ahead and at the time you will travel

bull  Check out parking meals if you donrsquot pack lunch traffic patterns etc

121717 27copy2018JVRPaiva

Taking the Test

bull  Follow instructions exactly bull  Find out how to ask questions and how to

request going to restroom bull  Develop a time budget for each question

121717 28copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 15: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

15

Answer the Easy Ones First

bull  Plan to make at least two passes through the exam

bull  I always recommend one additional pass to guess after narrowing choices (if you run out of time or have no idea about the best choice)

121717 29copy2018JVRPaiva

CBT bull  You will have two screens bull  You can have the reference handbook and on-

screen calculator available to you at the same time as the test pages

bull  You do not have to answer questions in sequence bull  You can mark questions for review to quickly search

for them

121717 30copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 16: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

16

The Responses

bull  Logical distractors (not wrong answers) bull  Select best answer the right one may not be

among your choices

121717 31copy2018JVRPaiva

NY Specific Exam

bull  Given twice per year bull  Similar restrictions on items you can take to

exam room bull  But references permitted

121717 32copy2018JVRPaiva

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 17: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

121717

17

NY Specific Test

bull  Easy to mis-mark the bubbles bull  Build in some time to quality check your

responses bull  Be careful when skipping quesitons

121717 33copy2018JVRPaiva

Good Luck

121717 34copy2018JVRPaiva

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 18: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam

A New York State Laws Rules Regulations and Guidelines

1 NEW YORK STATE Business Corporation Law (BCL) A 1 BCL sect104 ndash Certificates of Incorporation B 15 BCL sect1503 ndash Ownership of PC C 15 BCL sect1512 ndash Name of PC

2 NYS Civil Practice Law amp Rules A 2 CPLR sect212 Statute of Limitations to recover Real Property is 10 years B 2 CPLR sect213 paragraph 2 Statute of Limitations for Breach-of-Contract (incl omissions) is 6 years C 2 CPLR sect214 paragraph 6 Statute of Limitations for Negligence including Malpractice is 3 years D 2 CPLR sect214-c Statute of Limitations is measured from the date of discovery E 2 CPLR sect214-d Allows injured third parties to sue PErsquos and LSrsquos within 3 years of their loss even if 100 years

after PE or LS finished his work See also Senate Bill S4782-2011 F 52 CPLR sect5206 ndash Homestead Exemption ($50000) from judgments G 78 CPLR sect7801 Right to sue government

3 New York State Education Laws (ED) httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8 A Article 130 ndash General Provisions sect6500 - sect6516

1 sect6502 Duration of License 2 sect6504 Regulation of Professions 3 sect6509 Definition of Professional Misconduct 4 sect6511 Penalties for Misconduct 5 sect6512 Unauthorized Practice a crime 6 sect6513 Unauthorized use of Professional title a crime 7 sect6514 Criminal Proceedings 8 sect6515 Injunctions against unlawful practice 9 sect6516 Civil enforcement amp penalties

B Article 145 ndash Engineering amp Surveying sect7200 - sect7212 1 sect7201 Defines Professional Engineering 2 sect7203 Defines Land Surveying 3 sect7205 Provides for State Board 4 sect7206 Requirements for licensure 5 sect7208 Exempt persons 6 sect7210 Requires Certificates of Authorization 7 sect7211 Requires Continuing Education for PErsquos 8 sect7212 Requires Continuing Education for LSrsquos

4 NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) A Article 17 Title 15 Five or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect17-1501 ndash Applies to 5 or more lot subdivisions 2 sect17-1503 ndash Local governments can regulate 3 sect17-1505 ndash Subdivision Plat must be filed

a sect17-1505 (1) Cannot be filed wo Health Dept Approval b sect17-1505 (2) Plan must show sewage systems c sect17-1505 (3) Health Dept must approve installations d sect17-1505 (4) Local Health Dept must follow rules

4 sect17-1511 ndash County Clerk must inspect and not file plat wo Health Department Approval 5 sect17-1513 ndash Remedy for owner of lot in unapproved subdivision

B DEC Reg sect617 SEQRA wwwdecnygov 1 sect6172 Definitions 2 sect6174 Type I Actions 3 sect6175 Type II Actions 4 sect6176 Establishing Lead Agency 5 sect6177 Determining Significance 6 sect6179 Preparing Environmental Impact Statements

5 NYS Estates Powers amp Trust Laws (EPTL) A 2 EPTL sect1-2-6a Definition of Estate B 2 EPTL sect1-29-a Infant or Minor C 2 EPTL sect1-210 ldquoIssuerdquo includes adopted children D 2 EPTL sect1-211 Per Capita

1

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 19: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam E 2 EPTL sect1-214 Per Stirpes F 2 EPTL sect1-215 Definition of Property G 2 EPTL sect6-22 Def of Tenants in Common amp Joint Tenancy H 3 EPTL sect3-51 (a)(1) Definition of Real Property

6 NYS General Obligations Law (GOL) A Article 5 sect324 Contracts that indemnify Professional are void B Article 5 sect331 Restrictive Covenants C Article 5 sect703 Parole Evidence Rule D Article 9 sect105 Surveyor Right-of-Entry

7 NYS Public Health Laws (PHL) A Article 11 title II sect1115-sect1120 ndash Water amp Sewer for 5 or more lot subdivisions (March 2010)

1 sect1115 ndash Subdivision means dividing into 5 or more lots 2 sect1116 ndash Plans must show means of adequate water and approved by local Health Dept 3 sect1117 ndash Duty of County Clerk to File Plans 4 sect1118 ndash City or County can regulate 5 sect1119 ndash Health Dept Filing Fees 6 sect1120 ndash NYS Commissioner of Health can regulate

8 NYS Highway Laws (HWY) A 7 HWY sect140 (8) Town Highways B 8 HWY sect170 County Superintendent to make a Survey for laying out Town Highway C 8 HWY sect171 Town Highway Dedication D 8 HWY sect180 No highways shall be laid out lt 3 rods wide no encroachments allowed E 8 HWY sect189 Highways-by-Use are 10 years 3 rods wide F 8-A HWY sect222 Town Highway specifications G8-A HWY sect224 Town Bridge specifications

9 NYS Real Property Actions amp Proceedings Law (RPAPL) A 5 RPAPL sect501 - sect551 Adverse Possession

1 sect501 Adverse Possession 2 sect511 Written Claim 3 sect512 Elements of Adverse Possession 4 sect521 Adverse Possession wo writing or enclosure 5 sect522 Adverse Possession w Enclosure 6 sect543 De Minimus Encroachments

NYS statutes may be obtained online at httppublicleginfostatenyuslawssrchcgiNVLWO or complete sets from several reputable vendors such as

x Consolidated Law Service x Lawyers Cooperative Publishing x Lexis Nexis x Matthew Bender x McKinneys x West

10 Rules of the Board of Regents

a Part 29 ndash Unprofessional Conduct httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part29htm

11 Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

a Part 59 ndash General Provisions httpwwwopnysedgovtitle8part59htm

b Part 68 Engineering and Land Surveying httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelspart68htm

12 Practice Guidelines

a State Board for Engineering and Land Surveying Practice Guidelines

httpwwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvguidehtm

2

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 20: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam B Miscellaneous

1 Description of Methods Used in Locating Canal Lands Owned by the State of New York Prepared in accordance with

provisions of Chapter 199 Laws of 1910 and Amendatory Laws including Chapter 51 laws of 1917

httpwwwcanalsnygovaboutcompliancecanalstatutespdf

httpwwwarchivesnysedgovaresearchres_topics_trans_canalpdf

2 Guide to Planning and Zoning Laws of New York State (PDF on-line)

httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsGuide_to_planning_and_zoning_lawspdf

C SURVEYING TEXTS MANUALS ETC

1 Subdivision Review in New York State httpwwwdosnygovlgpublicationsSubdivision_Review_in_NYSpdf

(PDF on-line)

2 Control of land subdivision a manual of subdivision regulations for municipal officials subdivision developers and

planning boards (Book 1967)

httpwwwworldcatorgtitlecontrol-of-land-subdivision-a-manual-of-subdivision-regulations-for-municipal-

officials-subdivision-developers-and-planning-boardsoclc454453

3 Brownrsquos Boundary Control and Legal Principles 7th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httpwwwwileycomWileyCDAWileyTitleproductCd-111843143Xhtml

4 Evidence amp Procedures for Boundary Location 6th Edition Brown Robillard amp Wilson

httponlinelibrarywileycombook1010029780470950050

5 Clark on Surveying amp Boundaries 8th Edition Robillard amp Bouman httpwwwamazoncomClark-Surveying-

Boundaries-Walter-Robillarddp1558348166

6 Geodesy for Geomatics and GIS Professionals Elithorp amp Findorff 2003

httpbooksgooglecombooksaboutGeodesy_for_Geomatics_and_GIS_Professionhtmlid=xp3gAAAAMAAJ

ISBN 1593990871

7 GPS for Land Surveyors 3rd Edition Van Sickle httpwwwamazoncomGPS-Land-Surveyors-Third-

Editiondp0849391954

8 Echoes and Images The Encyclopedia of Side-scan and Scanning Sonar Operations Atherton Oysterlnk Pub

Vancouver BC ISBN 978-0-9869034-0-3

9 Elastic LIDAR Theory Practice and Analysis Methods Kovalev amp Eichinger 2004 Wiley amp Sons Pub ISBN 0-471-

20171-5

10 Ethics for the Professional Surveyor Mouland httpwwwamazoncomEthics-Professional-Surveyor-collection-

thoughtsdp0910845573

11 Definitions of Surveying amp Associated Terms ACSM httpwwwamazoncomDefinitions-Surveying-Associated-

American-Congressdp0976599104

3

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 21: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

wwwopnysedgovprofpelslsurvlichtm Suggested Bibliography for NYS Specific LS Exam 12 Elementary Surveying 14th Edition Ghilani amp Wolf httpwwwamazoncomElementary-Surveying-Edition-

Charles-Ghilanidp0133758885ref=dp_ob_title_bk

13 Topographic Laser Ranging and Scanning Principles and Processing Shan amp Toth 2009 CRC Press of Taylor amp

Francis Group ISBN 13978-1-4200-5142-1

14 Elements of Photogrammetry with Application in GIS 4th Edition 2014 Wolf DeWitt amp Wilkinson McGraw-Hill

Professional Pub ISBN 13-9780071761123

15 Writing Legal Descriptions In Conjunction with Survey Boundary Control Wattles 1979 GH Wattles Pub ISBN

0960696288

D Additional Resources may be obtained from the following web sites

1 Law Research Center - wwwcaselawfindlawcom

2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying - wwwnceesorg

3 NCEES PS Reference Handbook - httpscdnnceesorgwp-contentuploads201211PS-Ref-Webv3pdf

4 NCEES FS Reference Handbook - httpnceesorgwp-contentuploads201312fs_references_1013pdf

E Other Helpful Resources

1 Blackrsquos Law Dictionary Garner B9th Standard Edition West Publishing ISBN-13 978-0314199492

2 Boundaries amp Landmarks A Practical Manual Milford

3 Boundaries amp Adjacent Properties Skelton ndash Out-of-print but available at local library

4 Surveying Theory amp Practice 7th Edition (or latest edition) Anderson amp Mikhail

5 Surveying 10th Edition (or latest edition) Moffitt amp Bossler

4

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 22: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

1

FUNDAMENTALS OF SURVEYING (FS)

CBT EXAM SPECIFICATIONS Effective Beginning with the January 2014 Examinations

x The FS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 6 hours to complete the FS exam which contains 110 questions The 6-hour time also includes a tutorial and a break

x The FS exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

Knowledge Number of Questions 1 Mathematics 13ndash20

A Algebra trigonometry and basic geometry B Spherical trigonometry C Linear algebra and matrix theory D Analytic geometry and calculus

2 Basic Sciences 5ndash8 A Geology B Dendrology C Cartography D Environmental sciences

3 Spatial Data Acquisition and Reduction 6ndash9 A Vertical measurement B Distance measurement C Angle measurement D Unit conversions E Redundancy F Knowledge and utilization of instruments and methods G Understanding of historical methods and instruments

4 Survey Computations and Computer Applications 19ndash29 A Coordinate geometry B Traverse closure and adjustment C Area D Volume E Horizontal curves F Vertical curves G Spirals H Spreadsheets

5 Statistics and Adjustments 6ndash9 A Mean median mode B Variance standard deviation C Error analysis D Least squares adjustment E Measurement and positional tolerance F Relative network and positional accuracy

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 23: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

2

6 Geodesy 5ndash8 A Basic theory B Satellite positioning C Gravity D Coordinate systems E Datums F Map projections

7 Boundary and Cadastral Survey Law 13ndash20 A Controlling elements B Gathering and identifying evidence C Records research D Legal descriptions E Case law F Riparian rights G Public land survey system H Metes and bounds I Simultaneously created parcels J Easements and encumbrances

8 Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 4ndash6 A Interpretation and analysis B Project and flight planning C Quality control D Ground control E LiDAR

9 Survey Processes and Methods 11ndash17 A Land developmentmdashprinciples standards and regulations B Boundary location C Mapping cartography and topography D Construction E Riparian surveys F Route surveying G Control surveys

10 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 5ndash8 A Feature collection and integration B Database concepts and design C Accuracy and use D Metadata

11 Graphical Communication and Mapping 6ndash9 A Plans and specifications B Contours and slopes C Scales D Planimetric features and symbols E Land forms F Digital terrain modeling and digital elevation modeling G Survey maps plats drawings and reports

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 24: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

3

12 Professional Communication 4ndash6 A Oral B Written C Alternate forms of communication D Documentation and recordkeeping

13 Business Concepts 3ndash5 A Contracts B Liability and risk management C Financial practices D Leadership and management principles E Personnel management principles F Project planning and design G Ethics H Safety

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 25: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

1

PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF SURVEYING CBT Exam Specifications

Effective beginning October 1 2016

x The exam topics have not changed since April 2013 when originally published The number of

questions and the order in which the topics appear on the exam is effective with computer-based testing (CBT) beginning October 1 2016

x The PS exam is computer-based It is closed book with an electronic reference

x Examinees have 7 hours to complete the exam which contains 100 questions The 7-hour time also includes a tutorial and an optional scheduled break

x The exam uses the US Customary System (USCS) of units

x The exam is developed with questions that will require a variety of approaches and methodologies including design analysis and application

x The knowledge areas specified as examples of kinds of knowledge are not exclusive or exhaustive categories

Number of Questions 1 Legal Principles 22ndash33

A Commoncase law boundary principles B Sequential and simultaneous conveyances C US Public Land Survey System D Controlling elements in legal descriptions E Riparian and littoral rights F Property title issues (eg encumbrances interpretation deficiencies) G Sovereign land rights (eg navigable waters eminent domain) H Prescriptive rightsadverse possession I Easement rights J Parol evidence

2 Professional Survey Practices 22ndash33 A Publicprivate record sources B Project planning (eg photogrammetric geodetic boundary) C Control datums D Encumbrances (eg easements rights of way mineral rights subsurface rights) E Control network accuracy standards F Supervision of and responsibility for field procedures

1 Instrument operations and usage 2 Monumentation (eg identification classification perpetuation) 3 Vegetation identification (eg wetlands bearingcorner trees first line of

vegetation aquatic and upland species) 4 Survey control (eg boundary topographic photogrammetric)

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 26: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

2

5 GPS operations 6 Construction surveying

G Supervision of and responsibility for the application of surveying principles and computations 1 Mapping methods andor projections 2 Graphical terrain representations 3 Geoid ellipsoid and orthometric heights 4 State plane or other coordinate systems 5 GPS data reduction and analysis 6 Control network calculations analysis and adjustments 7 Bearingsazimuths 8 Areavolume calculations 9 Horizontal and vertical alignment calculations 10 Construction surveying calculations (eg plan interpretation) 11 Data preparation for importation into geographical information systems (GIS)

H Grading and site preparation I Survey mapsplats J Survey report K Descriptions

3 Standards and Specifications 10ndash15 A Federal statutes laws rules and regulations B Statelocal statutes laws rules and regulations C Monumentation laws and ordinances D US Public Land Survey System E American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and

Mapping (ALTAACSM) surveys F Geodetic control network accuracy standards G Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) standards (digital mapping) H US National Map Accuracy Standards (analog mapping) I Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

4 BusinessProfessional Practices 17ndash25 A Project planning (eg parameters costs budgeting) B Contracts C Risk management (eg liability safety procedures insurance) D Ethics E Communications (oral written graphical) F Quality assurance procedures G Activities background and skills of related professions (eg engineers lawyers

architects planners)

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys

Page 27: Prep for LS Exams - c.ymcdn.comc.ymcdn.com/.../resmgr/2018_conference/Handouts/Prep_for_LS_Exa… · • Find others working on exam prep and form a study group that meets regularly

3

5 Types of Surveys 14ndash21 A American Land Title AssociationAmerican Congress on Surveying and Mapping

(ALTAACSM) surveys B Control and geodetic surveys C Construction surveys (eg construction calculations and staking) D Hydrographic surveys (eg elevations of submerged surfaces) E Boundary surveys F Route and right-of-way surveys G Topographic surveys (eg scanning photogrammetry LiDAR field) H Condominium surveys I Subdivision surveys J Record drawing (as-built) surveys