AAPL Certification Preparation &
Practical Title Mechanics
Rigorous, practitioner-built coursework mastering title plant architecture, adverse conveyance indexing, Texas GLO Relinquishment Act lands, and OCC statutory forced pooling mechanics.
Certified Mastery Curriculum
Master the Science & Law of Landwork
Engineered by veteran Certified Professional Landmen (CPLs) and energy attorneys to bridge the gap between textbook legal theory and the gritty reality of county deed rooms.
AAPL Professional Ethics & Fiduciary Duties
Unpack the AAPL Code of Ethics, confidential business relationships, managing dual representations, avoiding self-dealing, and proper handling of trade secrets and drilling prospect intelligence.
- Section 1 & 2 Conflict of Interest doctrines
- Personal mineral leasing disclosures
- Disciplinary committee hearing precedent
Title Plant Engineering & Patent Tracing
How to build an infallible chain of title from sovereign grant to date. Master Direct (Grantor) and Reverse (Grantee) tract book indexing, adverse conveyance tracking, and gap discovery.
- Metes & Bounds, PLSS, and Spanish Grant calls
- Reconstructing damaged or missing volume records
- Probate muniments, intestate descent & affidavits
The Duhig Rule & Fractional Overconveyance
Definitive mathematical and legal breakdown of Duhig v. Peavy-Moore and modern progeny. Calculating fractional mineral reserves, warranty breaches, and estoppel by deed.
- Warranty deeds with subject-to clause interactions
- Apportionment of non-participating royalties (NPRIs)
- Multi-tier fractional arithmetic mastery
Texas GLO & Railroad Commission (RRC)
Deep dive into Texas energy regulations: Relinquishment Act of 1919 lands, General Land Office state mineral leasing, RRC Rule 37/38 spacing & density exceptions, Form W-1, and P-4 transfers.
- Public Free School Fund surface owner agency
- RRC Rule 37 setback & Rule 38 acreage requirements
- Pooled unit agreements & Form G-1/W-2 filings
Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) Pooling
The Oklahoma statutory forced pooling regime under 52 O.S. § 87.1. Navigate notice requirements, pooling orders, election periods, risk penalties, and participating working interests.
- 20-day statutory election mechanics
- Fair market bonus & royalty rate adjudication
- Carried interest and non-consent risk penalties
Oil & Gas Lease Anatomy & Special Clauses
Line-by-line deconstruction of standard Form 88 leases and modern institutional addenda. Pugh clauses (horizontal & vertical), continuous development, shut-ins, and post-production deductions.
- Vertical & horizontal depth severance mechanics
- Free-gas, surface damage & water use stipulations
- Heritage Resources & anti-cost royalty drafting
5-Question RL / RPL Practice Examination
Test your command of real-world land law, ethics, and calculations with instant scoring, comprehensive legal rationale, and performance breakdown.
Basin & Jurisdictional Mastery
Oil and gas law is fiercely state-specific. Our modules prepare you for the unique statutes of each key energy jurisdiction.
Railroad Commission & GLO
Texas has no statutory forced pooling for wildcat units (Mineral Interest Pooling Act is rarely invoked). Landmen must secure voluntary leases. Understand the 1919 Relinquishment Act where surface owners act as agents for the Permanent School Fund, and RRC Rule 37 exception hearings.
OCC Statutory Forced Pooling
Oklahoma operates under strong compulsory pooling. Under 52 O.S. § 87.1, an operator holding interest in a drilling and spacing unit can pool all owners. Learn notice requirements, the strict 20-day election window, market value testimony, and carried interest penalties.
OCD Compulsory Pooling & State Land Office
Master New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) compulsory pooling applications under NMSA 1978 § 70-2-17. Address BLM federal lease unitization, New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) communitization agreements, and surface access rules.
Certification & Coursework FAQ
Essential facts about AAPL credentials, exam prerequisites, and enrollment.
The Registered Landman (RL) is the foundational professional credential, verifying baseline competence and commitment to the AAPL Code of Ethics.
The Registered Professional Landman (RPL) requires 4 to 5 years of verified professional petroleum land experience (or 3 years with an accredited Energy Management / PLM university degree) and passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination covering title, ethics, real property law, and contracts.
The Certified Professional Landman (CPL) represents the pinnacle of the profession, requiring 7 to 10 years of senior landwork, peer sponsorship, and passing a comprehensive all-day written examination.
Our curriculum provides over 30 practice scenarios specifically breaking down the Duhig v. Peavy-Moore Lumber Co. rule and its subsequent state interpretations. Students learn how warranty deed covenants prevent a grantor from reserving a mineral interest when doing so would breach their conveyance warranty to the grantee, complete with step-by-step arithmetic worksheets.
Yes. Our modules and workshops provide formal completion certificates and detailed syllabi that students submit to the AAPL for Continuing Professional Development credit hours, including mandatory AAPL Ethics credits.
We provide both: 24/7 on-demand access to video lectures, interactive quizzes, and deed sample downloads, supplemented by bi-weekly live Q&A sessions with senior CPL examiners for deep-dive case studies.
Enroll in the Certification Intensive
Submit your candidate application. Our admissions advisor will review your experience level, recommend the appropriate prep tier (RL, RPL, or CPL), and issue your orientation packet.
Cheyenne, WY 82007