Texas Surveyors Practice Exam 2025 - Free Surveyors Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer, indicating that 19 states do not utilize a rectangular survey system, reflects the distribution of land survey systems implemented across the United States. The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is primarily used in many western and central states to subdivide and describe land. However, several states, particularly those in the eastern region and certain southern states, have historically employed different land surveying methods.

These different systems may include metes and bounds, which relies on natural landmarks and property lines rather than a uniform grid, resulting in more irregularly shaped parcels. The states that do not use the PLSS typically have older land laws based on colonial land grants and other historical factors that predate the establishment of the PLSS.

Understanding the distinction of land surveying systems is crucial for land surveyors, as it affects how property boundaries are established, recorded, and conveyed. Familiarity with these systems is essential for adhering to local regulations and effectively conducting land surveys in various regions of the United States.