Maryland Grade 2 Stationary Engineer License Exam
(2026 Edition) Questions with Answers & Rationales
Newest | Boiler Operations, Water Treatment &
Safety | MD Stationary Engineering Grade 2 Exam
Prep | ASME Code & Maryland State Regulations. |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD 2026.
Q1. A facility has one boiler rated at 150 HP and another at 200 HP. What is the total
horsepower, and what license grade is required to be the shift engineer?
a) 350 HP, Grade 3
b) 350 HP, Grade 2
c) 500 HP, Grade 1
d) 500 HP, Grade 2
Correct Answer: b) 350 HP, Grade 2
*Explanation: The total connected horsepower is 350 HP (150+200). In Maryland, a
Grade 2 license allows an engineer to oversee a plant with a total capacity of 300 to 499
HP .*
Q2. According to COMAR, what are the monitoring requirements for a computerized
control system on a 350 HP steam boiler?
a) Must monitor and indicate stack temperature.
b) Must monitor, indicate, and record stack temperature, burner status, and pressure.
,c) No recording is required if an operator is present.
d) Only requires monitoring if pressure exceeds 150 PSI.
Correct Answer: b) Must monitor, indicate, and record stack temperature, burner
status, and pressure.
Explanation: Maryland code (COMAR 09.17.02.04) mandates that plants with 300 HP or
more must not only monitor and indicate but also permanently record these critical safety
parameters .
Q3. Which qualification meets the experience requirement to take the Grade 2
examination?
a) 12 months as a Grade 3 engineer
b) 24 months as a Grade 4 engineer and a master HVAC license
c) 36 months as a Grade 3 engineer under a Grade 2 or 1
d) An associate degree in thermodynamics
Correct Answer: c) 36 months as a Grade 3 engineer under a Grade 2 or 1
Explanation: The Maryland Board requires 36 months of documented experience as an
active Grade 3 engineer under the supervision of a licensed Grade 2 or Grade 1 engineer .
Q4. A boiler evaporates 17,250 lbs of water per hour at 212°F. What is its Boiler
Horsepower (BHP)?
a) 250 BHP
b) 350 BHP
c) 500 BHP
d) 750 BHP
Correct Answer: c) 500 BHP
*Explanation: One BHP is defined as the evaporation of 34.5 lbs of water per hour at
212°F. 17,250 lbs / 34.5 = 500 BHP. This calculation determines that the plant requires a
Grade 1 engineer .*
,Q5. Who administers the written examination for the Maryland State Board of Stationary
Engineers?
a) The local Fire Marshal
b) The Department of the Environment
c) PSI Examination Services
d) The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Correct Answer: c) PSI Examination Services
Explanation: The Maryland Department of Labor contracts with PSI Examination Services
to administer the computer-based testing for all stationary engineer license grades .
Q6. What is the maximum civil penalty the Board may impose per violation for allowing
an unlicensed individual to operate a boiler?
a) 1,000b)1,000b)2,500
c) 5,000d)5,000d)10,000
*Correct Answer:
c) 5,000∗∗∗Explanation:UnderMarylandBusinessOccupationsandProfessionsArt
icle§6.5−404,theBoardcanimposeacivilpenaltyofupto5,000∗∗∗Explanation:Und
erMarylandBusinessOccupationsandProfessionsArticle§6.5−404,theBoardcani
mposeacivilpenaltyofupto5,000 for each violation, such as operating a boiler without a
proper license .
Q7. A stationary engineer’s primary responsibility is to:
a) Design new boiler systems.
b) Operate, maintain, and repair building mechanical systems.
c) Clean building interiors.
d) Manage building security.
Correct Answer: b) Operate, maintain, and repair building mechanical systems.
Explanation: Stationary engineers are skilled technicians responsible for the safe and
efficient operation of a facility’s mechanical systems, including boilers, HVAC, and
refrigeration .
, Q8. If you smell natural gas in the boiler room, what is the first thing you should do?
a) Turn on the exhaust fan.
b) Turn off the gas supply at the meter or boiler isolation valve.
c) Call the fire department immediately.
d) Try to locate the leak with a lighter.
Correct Answer: b) Turn off the gas supply at the meter or boiler isolation valve.
Explanation: The immediate priority is to eliminate the source of fuel to prevent a
potential explosion. Electrical devices (like fans) should not be operated as they could
create a spark .
Q9. Which of the following is allowed to be stored in a boiler room?
a) Lawn maintenance equipment
b) Extra air filters for the HVAC system
c) Gasoline containers
d) The boiler room should not be used for storage.
Correct Answer: d) The boiler room should not be used for storage.
Explanation: Boiler rooms are classified as hazardous areas due to fuel and high
temperatures. Storing combustible materials or unrelated equipment is a fire and safety
violation .
Q10. An applicant for a Grade 2 license has a four-year mechanical engineering degree.
How much additional experience is required?
a) 36 months
b) 24 months
c) 12 months
d) 0 months
Correct Answer: d) 0 months
*Explanation: The Maryland regulations specifically grant a full waiver of the experience
requirement for applicants holding a 4-year degree in mechanical engineering from an
accredited university .*
(2026 Edition) Questions with Answers & Rationales
Newest | Boiler Operations, Water Treatment &
Safety | MD Stationary Engineering Grade 2 Exam
Prep | ASME Code & Maryland State Regulations. |
INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD 2026.
Q1. A facility has one boiler rated at 150 HP and another at 200 HP. What is the total
horsepower, and what license grade is required to be the shift engineer?
a) 350 HP, Grade 3
b) 350 HP, Grade 2
c) 500 HP, Grade 1
d) 500 HP, Grade 2
Correct Answer: b) 350 HP, Grade 2
*Explanation: The total connected horsepower is 350 HP (150+200). In Maryland, a
Grade 2 license allows an engineer to oversee a plant with a total capacity of 300 to 499
HP .*
Q2. According to COMAR, what are the monitoring requirements for a computerized
control system on a 350 HP steam boiler?
a) Must monitor and indicate stack temperature.
b) Must monitor, indicate, and record stack temperature, burner status, and pressure.
,c) No recording is required if an operator is present.
d) Only requires monitoring if pressure exceeds 150 PSI.
Correct Answer: b) Must monitor, indicate, and record stack temperature, burner
status, and pressure.
Explanation: Maryland code (COMAR 09.17.02.04) mandates that plants with 300 HP or
more must not only monitor and indicate but also permanently record these critical safety
parameters .
Q3. Which qualification meets the experience requirement to take the Grade 2
examination?
a) 12 months as a Grade 3 engineer
b) 24 months as a Grade 4 engineer and a master HVAC license
c) 36 months as a Grade 3 engineer under a Grade 2 or 1
d) An associate degree in thermodynamics
Correct Answer: c) 36 months as a Grade 3 engineer under a Grade 2 or 1
Explanation: The Maryland Board requires 36 months of documented experience as an
active Grade 3 engineer under the supervision of a licensed Grade 2 or Grade 1 engineer .
Q4. A boiler evaporates 17,250 lbs of water per hour at 212°F. What is its Boiler
Horsepower (BHP)?
a) 250 BHP
b) 350 BHP
c) 500 BHP
d) 750 BHP
Correct Answer: c) 500 BHP
*Explanation: One BHP is defined as the evaporation of 34.5 lbs of water per hour at
212°F. 17,250 lbs / 34.5 = 500 BHP. This calculation determines that the plant requires a
Grade 1 engineer .*
,Q5. Who administers the written examination for the Maryland State Board of Stationary
Engineers?
a) The local Fire Marshal
b) The Department of the Environment
c) PSI Examination Services
d) The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Correct Answer: c) PSI Examination Services
Explanation: The Maryland Department of Labor contracts with PSI Examination Services
to administer the computer-based testing for all stationary engineer license grades .
Q6. What is the maximum civil penalty the Board may impose per violation for allowing
an unlicensed individual to operate a boiler?
a) 1,000b)1,000b)2,500
c) 5,000d)5,000d)10,000
*Correct Answer:
c) 5,000∗∗∗Explanation:UnderMarylandBusinessOccupationsandProfessionsArt
icle§6.5−404,theBoardcanimposeacivilpenaltyofupto5,000∗∗∗Explanation:Und
erMarylandBusinessOccupationsandProfessionsArticle§6.5−404,theBoardcani
mposeacivilpenaltyofupto5,000 for each violation, such as operating a boiler without a
proper license .
Q7. A stationary engineer’s primary responsibility is to:
a) Design new boiler systems.
b) Operate, maintain, and repair building mechanical systems.
c) Clean building interiors.
d) Manage building security.
Correct Answer: b) Operate, maintain, and repair building mechanical systems.
Explanation: Stationary engineers are skilled technicians responsible for the safe and
efficient operation of a facility’s mechanical systems, including boilers, HVAC, and
refrigeration .
, Q8. If you smell natural gas in the boiler room, what is the first thing you should do?
a) Turn on the exhaust fan.
b) Turn off the gas supply at the meter or boiler isolation valve.
c) Call the fire department immediately.
d) Try to locate the leak with a lighter.
Correct Answer: b) Turn off the gas supply at the meter or boiler isolation valve.
Explanation: The immediate priority is to eliminate the source of fuel to prevent a
potential explosion. Electrical devices (like fans) should not be operated as they could
create a spark .
Q9. Which of the following is allowed to be stored in a boiler room?
a) Lawn maintenance equipment
b) Extra air filters for the HVAC system
c) Gasoline containers
d) The boiler room should not be used for storage.
Correct Answer: d) The boiler room should not be used for storage.
Explanation: Boiler rooms are classified as hazardous areas due to fuel and high
temperatures. Storing combustible materials or unrelated equipment is a fire and safety
violation .
Q10. An applicant for a Grade 2 license has a four-year mechanical engineering degree.
How much additional experience is required?
a) 36 months
b) 24 months
c) 12 months
d) 0 months
Correct Answer: d) 0 months
*Explanation: The Maryland regulations specifically grant a full waiver of the experience
requirement for applicants holding a 4-year degree in mechanical engineering from an
accredited university .*
