Free District law examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A surveyor whose District license has expired is asked to offer boundary-survey services in Washington, DC. Which authority is required to offer those services?

   1. A. A current professional license issued under District law
   2. B. An active license from any neighboring jurisdiction
   3. C. An NCEES record without a current District license
   4. D. A current District business registration alone

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1519.1 states, "A person must be licensed pursuant to this chapter and the Act to practice or offer to practice engineering or land surveying in the District of Columbia." Therefore a current District professional license is required before the surveyor offers the service.

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1519 — 17 DCMR § 1519.1

2. 2A licensed DC surveyor is offered a technically specialized survey outside the surveyor's education and experience. What must govern acceptance of the assignment?

   1. A. Prior completion of a project involving the same survey type
   2. B. Disclosure of the technical limitation to the client
   3. C. Qualification by education and experience in the specific technical field
   4. D. Assignment of the field measurements to an experienced survey technician

   Answer: C

   Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1517.5(a) says a licensee "Shall undertake to perform engineering and land surveying assignments only when qualified by education and experience in the specific technical field" involved. Client notice or technician experience does not replace the licensee's competence.

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1517 — 17 DCMR § 1517.5(a)

3. 3A surveyor discovers a business interest that could influence professional judgment on a DC project. Who must be informed promptly?

   1. A. The employer or client and any reviewing agency
   2. B. Only the employer's legal counsel
   3. C. Only the Board at the next renewal
   4. D. The project contractor and equipment suppliers

   Answer: A

   Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1517.7(a) requires the licensee to "promptly inform the employer or client and any reviewing agency of any business association, interests, or circumstances that could influence judgment or the quality of services."

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1517 — 17 DCMR § 1517.7(a)

4. 4A DC land surveyor is delivering a final survey report and plat to a public agency. What authentication is required?

   1. A. The firm's printed name only
   2. B. The licensee's seal and signature
   3. C. The project manager's initials
   4. D. The client's written acceptance

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1516.3 requires that "The seal and signature of the licensee shall be placed on all final" land surveys, reports, plats, drawings, plans, and calculations presented to a client or public agency to certify the work.

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1516 — 17 DCMR § 1516.3

5. 5A DC professional land surveyor has placed the license on inactive status but receives a request to stake a property line. What may the surveyor do while inactive?

   1. A. Perform the work if no plat is recorded
   2. B. Offer the work but subcontract all field measurements
   3. C. Decline to practice or offer the service until reactivated
   4. D. Perform only surveys for existing clients

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The controlling rule says a person on inactive status "shall not practice, offer to practice, or attempt to practice as a Professional Engineer or Professional Land Surveyor in the District." The surveyor must remain out of practice until the license is reactivated.

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1517 — 17 DCMR § 1517.1

6. 6Which office is the legal office of record for plats and subdivisions of both private and District-owned property in DC?

   1. A. Recorder of Deeds
   2. B. Office of the Surveyor
   3. C. Office of Zoning Administration
   4. D. Board of Professional Engineering

   Answer: B

   Explanation: D.C. Code § 1-1305 states: "The Office of the Surveyor of the District shall be the legal office of record of the plats and subdivisions of all private property" and all District property.

   Reference: § 1–1305. Surveyor’s office to be legal office of record of plats and subdivisions. | D.C. Law Library — D.C. Code § 1-1305

7. 7Who may prepare a subdivision plat when a proprietor divides a DC square or lot into building lots?

   1. A. The Recorder of Deeds or a title surveyor
   2. B. The Surveyor or a registered land surveyor
   3. C. The Office of Zoning Administration or a registered architect
   4. D. The cadastral assessor or a professional engineer

   Answer: B

   Explanation: D.C. Code § 1-1320 provides that the proprietor "may cause a plat to be made by the Surveyor or a registered land surveyor."

   Reference: Chapter 13. Surveyor. | D.C. Law Library — D.C. Code § 1-1320

8. 8When must the condominium plats of survey described in D.C. Code § 42-1902.14 be recorded?

   1. A. Before any declaration is drafted
   2. B. Promptly upon recordation of the declaration
   3. C. Within 60 days after the first unit sale
   4. D. Only after every contemplated improvement is complete

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 42-1902.14(a) requires that "There shall be recorded promptly upon recordation of the declaration, 1 or more plats of survey" showing the prescribed condominium information.

   Reference: Chapter 19. Condominiums. | D.C. Law Library — D.C. Code § 42-1902.14(a)

9. 9A DC professional land surveyor was disciplined in another jurisdiction. Which condition permits the DC Board also to discipline the surveyor for that event?

   1. A. The other jurisdiction merely opens an investigation
   2. B. The other jurisdiction imposes any monetary fine
   3. C. The surveyor later renews the DC license
   4. D. The underlying action also violates the District licensing act or Board rules

   Answer: D

   Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1517.10 makes the surveyor subject to DC discipline "if the licensee's action constitutes a violation of D.C. Law 12-261 or the rules adopted by the Board." The foreign discipline alone is not the complete DC test.

   Reference: Dcmr 17 1517 — 17 DCMR § 1517.10

10. 10Which DC classification authorizes an individual to practice land surveying independently after satisfying the experience and examination route?

    1. A. Land Surveyor Intern
    2. B. Professional Land Surveyor
    3. C. Professional Engineer Intern
    4. D. Registered Survey Technician

    Answer: B

    Explanation: 17 DCMR § 1512.2 identifies the relevant classification as "Professional Land Surveyor - by experience and examination after having been licensed as a Land Surveyor Intern or by reciprocity or endorsement and examination." Thus the professional classification, not the intern tier, is the independent credential.

    Reference: Dcmr 17 1512 — 17 DCMR § 1512.2