[GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
Question 1. Which minimum horizontal positional accuracy is required for a standard boundary
survey in Georgia?
A) 1:5,000
B) 1:10,000
C) 1:20,000
D) 1:50,000
Answer: B
Explanation: Board Rule 180‑7 sets the minimum horizontal accuracy for standard boundary
surveys at 1:10,000.
Question 2. The vertical accuracy requirement for a benchmark used in topographic mapping in
Georgia must be within:
A) ±0.10 m
B) ±0.30 m
C) ±0.50 m
D) ±1.00 m
Answer: B
Explanation: Georgia’s vertical accuracy standard for benchmarks is ±0.30 m to ensure reliable
elevation data.
Question 3. Which material is NOT acceptable for a permanent monument according to
Georgia’s technical standards?
A) Concrete
B) Cast iron
C) Wood post
D) Stone cairn
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
Answer: C
Explanation: Wood is not considered durable for permanent monuments; concrete, cast iron,
and stone are acceptable.
Question 4. When replacing a missing monument, the surveyor must:
A) Install a new monument of any type without documentation.
B) Use the original material regardless of availability.
C) Document the replacement with photographic evidence and a field note.
D) Leave the location unmarked until the owner approves.
Answer: C
Explanation: Proper replacement requires documented evidence, including photos and field
notes, to maintain the chain of custody.
Question 5. Which element is NOT mandatory on a Georgia plat submitted for recording?
A) North arrow
B) Scale bar
C) Soil type legend
D) Closure statement
Answer: C
Explanation: Soil type legends are optional; north arrow, scale, and closure statement are
required by O.C.G.A. 15‑6‑67.
Question 6. The “seniority of rights” principle in Georgia boundary law gives priority to:
A) The most recent recorded deed.
B) The oldest deed or grant.
C) The deed with the largest acreage.
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
D) The deed recorded in the county with the highest tax revenue.
Answer: B
Explanation: Seniority of rights refers to the earliest recorded interest taking precedence over
later interests.
Question 7. In the Georgia Land Lotteries, the typical size of a lot in the 1805 lottery was:
A) 40 acres
B) 100 acres
C) 202 acres
D) 490 acres
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1805 lottery allocated lots of approximately 202 acres.
Question 8. Which of the following is considered a natural monument under Georgia’s hierarchy
of controlling elements?
A) A surveyed iron pipe.
B) A stone cairn placed by a previous owner.
C) A mature oak tree.
D) A concrete monument with a brass plate.
Answer: C
Explanation: Natural monuments are natural features such as trees, rivers, or rock outcrops.
Question 9. The statutory period for adverse possession in Georgia without color of title is:
A) 5 years
B) 7 years
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
C) 10 years
D) 20 years
Answer: D
Explanation: Georgia requires 20 years of continuous possession without color of title to claim
adverse possession.
Question 10. A prescriptive easement in Georgia can be established after:
A) 5 years of use with permission.
B) 7 years of continuous, open, and notorious use.
C) 10 years of intermittent use.
D) 15 years of exclusive use.
Answer: B
Explanation: Georgia law recognizes prescriptive easements after 7 years of continuous, open,
and notorious use.
Question 11. Which water body is subject to riparian rights rather than littoral rights in Georgia?
A) Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
B) A navigable river.
C) A non‑navigable lake.
D) A man‑made reservoir.
Answer: B
Explanation: Riparian rights apply to streams and rivers, while littoral rights apply to lakes and
oceans.
Question 12. The “thread of the stream” doctrine in Georgia grants ownership of:
A) Only the water surface.
Certification Exam Guide
Question 1. Which minimum horizontal positional accuracy is required for a standard boundary
survey in Georgia?
A) 1:5,000
B) 1:10,000
C) 1:20,000
D) 1:50,000
Answer: B
Explanation: Board Rule 180‑7 sets the minimum horizontal accuracy for standard boundary
surveys at 1:10,000.
Question 2. The vertical accuracy requirement for a benchmark used in topographic mapping in
Georgia must be within:
A) ±0.10 m
B) ±0.30 m
C) ±0.50 m
D) ±1.00 m
Answer: B
Explanation: Georgia’s vertical accuracy standard for benchmarks is ±0.30 m to ensure reliable
elevation data.
Question 3. Which material is NOT acceptable for a permanent monument according to
Georgia’s technical standards?
A) Concrete
B) Cast iron
C) Wood post
D) Stone cairn
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
Answer: C
Explanation: Wood is not considered durable for permanent monuments; concrete, cast iron,
and stone are acceptable.
Question 4. When replacing a missing monument, the surveyor must:
A) Install a new monument of any type without documentation.
B) Use the original material regardless of availability.
C) Document the replacement with photographic evidence and a field note.
D) Leave the location unmarked until the owner approves.
Answer: C
Explanation: Proper replacement requires documented evidence, including photos and field
notes, to maintain the chain of custody.
Question 5. Which element is NOT mandatory on a Georgia plat submitted for recording?
A) North arrow
B) Scale bar
C) Soil type legend
D) Closure statement
Answer: C
Explanation: Soil type legends are optional; north arrow, scale, and closure statement are
required by O.C.G.A. 15‑6‑67.
Question 6. The “seniority of rights” principle in Georgia boundary law gives priority to:
A) The most recent recorded deed.
B) The oldest deed or grant.
C) The deed with the largest acreage.
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
D) The deed recorded in the county with the highest tax revenue.
Answer: B
Explanation: Seniority of rights refers to the earliest recorded interest taking precedence over
later interests.
Question 7. In the Georgia Land Lotteries, the typical size of a lot in the 1805 lottery was:
A) 40 acres
B) 100 acres
C) 202 acres
D) 490 acres
Answer: C
Explanation: The 1805 lottery allocated lots of approximately 202 acres.
Question 8. Which of the following is considered a natural monument under Georgia’s hierarchy
of controlling elements?
A) A surveyed iron pipe.
B) A stone cairn placed by a previous owner.
C) A mature oak tree.
D) A concrete monument with a brass plate.
Answer: C
Explanation: Natural monuments are natural features such as trees, rivers, or rock outcrops.
Question 9. The statutory period for adverse possession in Georgia without color of title is:
A) 5 years
B) 7 years
, [GLS] Georgia Land Surveyorination
Certification Exam Guide
C) 10 years
D) 20 years
Answer: D
Explanation: Georgia requires 20 years of continuous possession without color of title to claim
adverse possession.
Question 10. A prescriptive easement in Georgia can be established after:
A) 5 years of use with permission.
B) 7 years of continuous, open, and notorious use.
C) 10 years of intermittent use.
D) 15 years of exclusive use.
Answer: B
Explanation: Georgia law recognizes prescriptive easements after 7 years of continuous, open,
and notorious use.
Question 11. Which water body is subject to riparian rights rather than littoral rights in Georgia?
A) Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
B) A navigable river.
C) A non‑navigable lake.
D) A man‑made reservoir.
Answer: B
Explanation: Riparian rights apply to streams and rivers, while littoral rights apply to lakes and
oceans.
Question 12. The “thread of the stream” doctrine in Georgia grants ownership of:
A) Only the water surface.
