Tennessee State Specific Exam

I sat for the TN exam 12 years ago.?ÿ Back then, you had to sketch a complete subdivision plat to the Minimum Standards, write 2 descriptions from data provided, size culverts & ditches, and answer numerous multiple choice questions.?ÿ The questions & tasks weren't hard, but the time management was murder.

I took the Tennessee state specific in 2015. It was still pencil and paper at that time. I seem to remember some hydrology/drainage questions on the exam. I also remember having to draw a subdivision plat including all the required notes.

It was just 20 questions of varying point values, if my memory serves me, it was not easy to finish in 2 hours and feel 100% confident on the way out the door. Then a 4 to 6 week wait for a verdict.

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Do you get a score instantly now that it is computer based?

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Best of luck to you.

Wow, sounds like I need to revisit drainage and be solid on TN subdivision standards.?ÿ?ÿ

I've never taken a computer based test.?ÿ I have no idea if it just spits out the results or if they sit on them for a bit.?ÿ

Thank you?ÿ

@murphy?ÿ I doubt if you'll have to draft/hand sketch a subdivision now but would study the requirements.?ÿ It's been a few years since I had the need to use the State SD regulations so I might be a little off here, but in Shelby County, any land division under 5 acres or leaving the parent tract remnant area under 5 acres, was required to go through the subdivision process and approval by the planning commission. If over 5 acres, a simple survey and new description was sufficient.

TAPS used to sponsor a day long course covering drainage, the State Plane Coordinate System, and the Minimum Standards. Also, know the time frame for adverse possession claims to ripen and the statute of repose for professional services.

@murphy?ÿ

When I took the Georgia state specific Hydrology Exam and Law Exam both gave you a score when you finished.

Was great to walk out knowing that you passed!

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Good luck.

@murphy How was the exam being computer based? Did it focus on TN specific rules/laws and TB boundary law?

Im going to have to pick your brain soon, I am all signed up too and havent seen anything about study material

At least we take it at a testing center, so we dont have to travel to fail 😀

@ghgrounds?ÿ

I had to postpone it until May 17th.?ÿ I'll let you know.?ÿ?ÿ

I wish I had more information regarding contracts in TN.

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@murphy?ÿ

As long as the contract has both parties involved, the scope of services, deliverables, time frame of services, the amount payable for services rendered, and both parties' signatures, you'll be fine.

How did the Tennessee test turn out?

Just curious. Hope you passed with flying colors.

I passed with an 87% score.?ÿ If PSI testing facilities hadn't instantly provided the score I would have guessed that I was within one question of the 70% pass or fail threshold.

I pulled everything I could find from TN-state statutes, everything from the Department of Commerce and Insurance, basic drainage and the Planning Commission Handbook. I also contacted TAPS and purchased the TN Land Surveyor Handbook for a very reasonable $10.?ÿ The latter has a wealth of information including an old practice exam.?ÿ ?ÿ?ÿ

I need to learn more about TN Environment and Conservation and it's relationship to land surveying.?ÿ

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@murphy congratulations. I am scheduled to take it July 27th.?ÿ

Congratulations.

Nuthing maikes a persom more stupider than looking at a test kwestion dat appiers to bee two simpul.?ÿ Sudenly, da brane freeezes up.

@murphy?ÿ

Way to go. Must have felt good walking out the door.

WTG, ?ÿI heard it could be a tough exam. ?ÿ

@murphy Congratulations!!!!

Now, please help us help the next generation that will ask the same questions you asked.?ÿ Critique our advice to you and let us know how/if it helped your preparation for the test. Which areas of the advice was obsolete and should no longer be a major point of interest, if any.

I would say that anyone taking the exam should study the materials I mentioned as well as general zoning, USACE, and TNEC.

I'm impressed with TN's laws and rules compared to Maine and North Carolina.?ÿ NC's PLS certs are a convulted nightmare.?ÿ In an attempt to be extremely specific, NC has missed the forest for the trees.?ÿ TN is the opposite and has some basic, easy to find guidance on deed descriptions, ties to existing mons, right of entry and data to be included on plats.?ÿ?ÿ

Even if you don't need or want to get an additional license, it helps to dig into the rules of nearby states to compare and contrast and build tolerance towards other views of the most important aspects of surveying.

I feel like I should get a pass on my NC PDHs this year.

@murphy Congratulations.

I am registered in Wa state but new to TN and am currently working on putting together the paperwork to sit for my license here. I found TAPS to be a bit lacking on training advice/materials. In Wa State, the association has lots of resources to help someone study for the exam. Hopefully though by reading thru this information it will get me prepared for the exam.

@dan-spaulding Thanks for the comment on TAPS being lacking on the advice/materials. I will see what we can do on that front.

This is the first year that we have not held the exam review course in several years. The attendance dropped considerably the past few years, and COVID really hit hard last year.

I have been licensed in TN since 2001, taking the exam in the fall of 2000. It has changed a lot since then. Based on what I have heard, I would study the TN Boundary Law, contracts, TN Technical Standards for Surveys, and general surveying practices.

TAPS does have a reference book available for case law related to TN boundary laws/cases. Lori with the TAPS office should be able to help with that. The technical standards are available for download from the TN Board of Examiners website.

I do not know what the general areas that are currently covered on the computer based exams.

Best of luck!