The hook
The field procedures the crew uses, the documentation they produce, and the supervision the licensed surveyor exercises form a triangle that defends every survey. State boards prosecute when this triangle breaks down.
Memorize these
Concepts that show up on the exam
Standard operating procedures
Written firm procedures for common tasks (boundary stake, topo collection, RTK setup). Ensures every crew does it the same way; supports defensible work.
Equipment calibration log
Record of when each instrument was calibrated, by whom, with what result. Required by state boards; available for audit.
Field-to-finish coding
Standard codes attached to survey points so they auto-draw with correct symbology and breaklines. Standardizing the codebook saves office time.
QA / QC checks
Independent verification at multiple project stages: field check shots, office computation re-checks, peer reviews of drafted plats.
Supervisory review
PLS reviews and signs off on field work, comps, and drafting. Not just a stamp at the end — periodic checks during the project.
Don't fall for these
What trips people up
Crew "doing it their own way"
Without SOPs, every project is bespoke. Quality varies, defending work in court becomes case-by-case. Codify procedures.
No periodic check shots
RTK rovers can fix on the wrong integer ambiguity and report bad coords as "fixed." Periodic check shots on a known point catch this immediately.
Test yourself
How well did it stick?
A quick 5-question check on Documentation, Supervision, and Field Procedures. See where you stand and what to review.