Free Rhode Island Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Rhode Island Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Before beginning fieldwork for a Rhode Island comprehensive boundary survey, which property description must the PLS review first as part of the required research?

   1. A. The legal description of the property being surveyed
   2. B. The municipal description of the nearest public way
   3. C. The construction description of the newest improvement
   4. D. The tax description of the nearest nonabutting parcel

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 1.9.2(A)(3)(a)(1) directs the PLS to "Review legal description(s) of the property to be surveyed." That description is a required starting record for the subject boundary.

   Reference: Ri Surveyor Regulation — § 1.9.2(A)(3)(a)(1)

2. 2A client needs a survey showing whether proposed improvements conform to municipal dimensional requirements, with only pertinent boundary portions depicted. Which Rhode Island survey type fits?

   1. A. Dimensional Conformance Survey
   2. B. Building Location Survey
   3. C. Feature Location Survey
   4. D. Perimeter Survey

   Answer: A

   Explanation: A "Dimensional Conformance Survey" enables a determination of conformity with municipal dimensional requirements and limits depiction to pertinent boundary portions.

   Reference: Ri Surveyor Regulation — § 1.9.2(B)(2)(b)

3. 3A Rhode Island client needs only the horizontal and vertical relationship between existing and proposed improvements. Which limited-content boundary survey is designed for that need?

   1. A. Building Location Survey
   2. B. Feature Location Survey
   3. C. Easement Survey
   4. D. Boundary Stake-Out Survey

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule defines a "Feature Location Survey" as depicting or noting the horizontal and/or vertical position between existing and proposed improvements.

   Reference: Ri Surveyor Regulation — § 1.9.2(B)(2)(c)

4. 4A planning board has approved the final plat for a major Rhode Island subdivision. Who signs it to attest to that approval?

   1. A. The municipal tax assessor or finance director
   2. B. The city solicitor or zoning inspector
   3. C. The planning-board chairperson or secretary
   4. D. The applicant’s PLS or title examiner

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 45-23-64(a) states that major land-development and subdivision plans are signed by "the planning board chairperson or the secretary of the planning board" to attest to approval.

   Reference: Title 45 Towns and Cities — § 45-23-64(a)

5. 5A Rhode Island PLS will hand-deliver statutory notice before entering another parcel for a survey. How far in advance must qualifying hand notice be delivered?

   1. A. 24 hours
   2. B. 48 hours
   3. C. 7 days
   4. D. 72 hours

   Answer: D

   Explanation: R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-21(e)(1) provides that hand-delivered written notice meets the requirement when delivered at least 72 hours before entry.

   Reference: TITLE 5 — § 5-8.1-21(e)(1)

6. 6A Rhode Island PLS is researching a comprehensive boundary survey. What adjoining-title research is expressly required?

   1. A. Review the legal description of the subject property
   2. B. Review legal descriptions of abutting properties
   3. C. Search for unrecorded survey information
   4. D. Review applicable state and municipal ordinances

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The required preliminary analysis includes: "Review legal descriptions of abutting properties." Each other choice is a genuine but distinct research task under the same boundary-survey standard.

   Reference: Ri Surveyor Regulation — § 1.9.2(A)(3)(a)(2)

7. 7Rhode Island local regulations are being drafted for subdivision review. How must they express physical-design requirements?

   1. A. Through reasonable, objective standards and criteria
   2. B. Through unwritten practices applied case by case
   3. C. Through advisory standards selected after final approval
   4. D. Through deed restrictions supplied by each applicant

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 45-23-44(a) requires local regulations to specify all physical-design requirements "through reasonable, objective standards and criteria."

   Reference: Title 45 Towns and Cities — § 45-23-44(a)

8. 8The requested Rhode Island service is to mark or monument a parcel’s boundary corners or lines. What survey type should the PLS identify?

   1. A. Perimeter Survey
   2. B. Easement Survey
   3. C. Boundary Stake-Out Survey
   4. D. Dimensional Conformance Survey

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 1.9.2(B)(2)(e) states: "Boundary Stake-Out Survey. A survey that marks or monuments a parcel's boundary corners or lines."

   Reference: Ri Surveyor Regulation — § 1.9.2(B)(2)(e)

9. 9Who advises a Rhode Island applicant which subdivision or land-development approval category is required?

   1. A. The state building official
   2. B. The municipal tax assessor
   3. C. The administrative officer
   4. D. The recorder of deeds

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 45-23-36(b) states: "the administrative officer shall advise the applicant as to which category of approval is required for a project." Thus the administrative officer performs this function.

   Reference: Title 45 Towns and Cities — § 45-23-36(b)

10. 10If a Rhode Island PLS uses first-class mail for right-of-entry notice, when must it be postmarked?

    1. A. At least 7 days before entry
    2. B. At least 72 hours before entry
    3. C. At least 10 days before entry
    4. D. At least 14 days before entry

    Answer: A

    Explanation: R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-8.1-21(e)(2) makes first-class mailed notice sufficient when postmarked at least seven days before entry.

    Reference: TITLE 5 — § 5-8.1-21(e)(2)