Page 1 of 111
Certified Power Lineman Journeyman Licensing EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
Certified Power Lineman Journeyman Licensing Exam
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Licensing Requirements: Most jurisdictions require 8,000 hours of documented work
experience in power line construction/maintenance, successful completion of a written
examination, and payment of applicable fees. Up to 1,000 hours can be substituted
through recognized apprenticeship or educational training .
2. OSHA Minimum Approach Distances (MAD): For 15 kV distribution lines, the minimum
approach distance is 2 feet 1 inch. For 7.2 kV, the minimum distance is 3 feet. Rubber
gloves are rated by class and voltage: Class 2 (yellow label) is rated for 17 kV work, Class
3 (green label) for 26.5 kV, and Class 4 (orange label) for 36 kV .
3. Transformer Polarity: Additive polarity is found on transformers 8,660 volts or
below and 200 kVA or below, with X3 located directly below H1. Subtractive
polarity applies above these thresholds, with X1 below H1. Always verify polarity,
impedance, and voltage before paralleling two transformers .
4. Guy Wire & Conductor Tension: Conductors are pulled to 50% of their breaking
strength. Pole steps are spaced 18 inches apart. Guy leads with a 1:1 ratio on a 50-foot
pole require a lead distance of 50 feet. A 3/8-inch steel down guy is typically used .
5. Rigging & Sling Angles: At a 30° lifting angle, the sling experiences the same stress as
the load being lifted. At a 60° angle, the weight stress is reduced to approximately one-
half of the load. The block and tackle advantage is calculated by dividing the weight by
the number of running lines over the moveable sheaves .
6. Safety Factor for Rigging: New chains or ropes require a 2:1 safety factor. Rigging that is
six months or older requires a 4:1 safety factor .
7. Voltage Testing & Grounding: Testing for the absence of voltage must
occur immediately after de-energization and before grounds are applied. Visible open
points must be installed to physically separate the work area from all possible energy
sources .
8. Transformer Connections: A wye-wye connection inherently provides a neutral point
without requiring a separate grounding transformer. In a delta system, the line current is
1.73 times larger than the phase current (IPhase = ILine / 1.73) .
9. Circuit Protection: Reclosers automatically attempt to restore power after temporary
faults. Fuses are typically rated at 200% to 300% of the transformer's full-load
, Page 2 of 111
current (e.g., a 40A fuse for a 13.1A, 66 kV transformer at 300%). Current transformers
(CTs) sense amperage and reduce it to safe levels for metering .
10. Wye-Delta Displacement: There is a 30° or 210° displacement in a Wye-Delta or Delta-
Wye connection. A Wye-Wye or Delta-Delta bank has 0° or 180° displacement. The
neutral on a Wye-Delta bank must be allowed to float .
SECTION 1: LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. According to Alaska regulations, what is the minimum work experience required for a
power lineman journeyman certificate of fitness?
A) 4,000 hours
B) 6,000 hours
C) 8,000 hours
D) 10,000 hours
Answer: C) 8,000 hours
Rationale: Alaska regulations require a minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience subject to
the National Electrical Safety Code. Documentation must be provided on a notarized form or
notarized statements on employer letterhead .
2. How many hours of classroom training can be substituted for work experience
requirements?
A) 250 hours
B) 500 hours
, Page 3 of 111
C) 750 hours
D) 1,000 hours
Answer: D) 1,000 hours
Rationale: Classroom hours earned in a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship
program or accredited educational training program may be substituted for up to 1,000 hours of
work experience .
3. What type of experience may NOT be used to meet work experience requirements?
A) Apprenticeship training
B) Electrician experience
C) Maintenance electrician experience
D) Classroom education
Answer: C) Maintenance electrician experience
Rationale: Experience as a maintenance electrician may not be used to meet the work
experience requirements for a power lineman journeyman certificate .
4. What is the maximum amount of electrician experience that can be substituted toward the
work requirement?
A) 500 hours
B) 1,000 hours
C) 1,500 hours
D) 2,000 hours
, Page 4 of 111
Answer: B) 1,000 hours
Rationale: Experience as an electrician may be substituted for up to 1,000 hours of work
experience. This is in addition to the 1,000-hour classroom substitution allowance .
5. Which party must provide the sworn affidavit for union members seeking certification?
A) The applicant
B) The employer
C) An official of an Alaska-based union
D) The Department of Labor
Answer: C) An official of an Alaska-based union
Rationale: A sworn affidavit from an official of an Alaska-based union, on a form provided by the
department, can demonstrate that the applicant meets work experience requirements .
6. What three things must an applicant verify on a sworn affidavit for work experience?
A) Name, date of birth, and Social Security number
B) Qualifying hours, inclusive dates of work, and type of work performed
C) Employer name, job title, and salary
D) Union membership number, years of service, and apprentice status
Answer: B) Qualifying hours, inclusive dates of work, and type of work performed
Rationale: The affidavit must specify: (i) the number of qualifying hours of experience claimed,
(ii) the inclusive dates during which the hours were worked, and (iii) the type of work performed
and the name of each contractor .
Certified Power Lineman Journeyman Licensing EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST
UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST RELEASED
Certified Power Lineman Journeyman Licensing Exam
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Licensing Requirements: Most jurisdictions require 8,000 hours of documented work
experience in power line construction/maintenance, successful completion of a written
examination, and payment of applicable fees. Up to 1,000 hours can be substituted
through recognized apprenticeship or educational training .
2. OSHA Minimum Approach Distances (MAD): For 15 kV distribution lines, the minimum
approach distance is 2 feet 1 inch. For 7.2 kV, the minimum distance is 3 feet. Rubber
gloves are rated by class and voltage: Class 2 (yellow label) is rated for 17 kV work, Class
3 (green label) for 26.5 kV, and Class 4 (orange label) for 36 kV .
3. Transformer Polarity: Additive polarity is found on transformers 8,660 volts or
below and 200 kVA or below, with X3 located directly below H1. Subtractive
polarity applies above these thresholds, with X1 below H1. Always verify polarity,
impedance, and voltage before paralleling two transformers .
4. Guy Wire & Conductor Tension: Conductors are pulled to 50% of their breaking
strength. Pole steps are spaced 18 inches apart. Guy leads with a 1:1 ratio on a 50-foot
pole require a lead distance of 50 feet. A 3/8-inch steel down guy is typically used .
5. Rigging & Sling Angles: At a 30° lifting angle, the sling experiences the same stress as
the load being lifted. At a 60° angle, the weight stress is reduced to approximately one-
half of the load. The block and tackle advantage is calculated by dividing the weight by
the number of running lines over the moveable sheaves .
6. Safety Factor for Rigging: New chains or ropes require a 2:1 safety factor. Rigging that is
six months or older requires a 4:1 safety factor .
7. Voltage Testing & Grounding: Testing for the absence of voltage must
occur immediately after de-energization and before grounds are applied. Visible open
points must be installed to physically separate the work area from all possible energy
sources .
8. Transformer Connections: A wye-wye connection inherently provides a neutral point
without requiring a separate grounding transformer. In a delta system, the line current is
1.73 times larger than the phase current (IPhase = ILine / 1.73) .
9. Circuit Protection: Reclosers automatically attempt to restore power after temporary
faults. Fuses are typically rated at 200% to 300% of the transformer's full-load
, Page 2 of 111
current (e.g., a 40A fuse for a 13.1A, 66 kV transformer at 300%). Current transformers
(CTs) sense amperage and reduce it to safe levels for metering .
10. Wye-Delta Displacement: There is a 30° or 210° displacement in a Wye-Delta or Delta-
Wye connection. A Wye-Wye or Delta-Delta bank has 0° or 180° displacement. The
neutral on a Wye-Delta bank must be allowed to float .
SECTION 1: LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. According to Alaska regulations, what is the minimum work experience required for a
power lineman journeyman certificate of fitness?
A) 4,000 hours
B) 6,000 hours
C) 8,000 hours
D) 10,000 hours
Answer: C) 8,000 hours
Rationale: Alaska regulations require a minimum of 8,000 hours of work experience subject to
the National Electrical Safety Code. Documentation must be provided on a notarized form or
notarized statements on employer letterhead .
2. How many hours of classroom training can be substituted for work experience
requirements?
A) 250 hours
B) 500 hours
, Page 3 of 111
C) 750 hours
D) 1,000 hours
Answer: D) 1,000 hours
Rationale: Classroom hours earned in a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship
program or accredited educational training program may be substituted for up to 1,000 hours of
work experience .
3. What type of experience may NOT be used to meet work experience requirements?
A) Apprenticeship training
B) Electrician experience
C) Maintenance electrician experience
D) Classroom education
Answer: C) Maintenance electrician experience
Rationale: Experience as a maintenance electrician may not be used to meet the work
experience requirements for a power lineman journeyman certificate .
4. What is the maximum amount of electrician experience that can be substituted toward the
work requirement?
A) 500 hours
B) 1,000 hours
C) 1,500 hours
D) 2,000 hours
, Page 4 of 111
Answer: B) 1,000 hours
Rationale: Experience as an electrician may be substituted for up to 1,000 hours of work
experience. This is in addition to the 1,000-hour classroom substitution allowance .
5. Which party must provide the sworn affidavit for union members seeking certification?
A) The applicant
B) The employer
C) An official of an Alaska-based union
D) The Department of Labor
Answer: C) An official of an Alaska-based union
Rationale: A sworn affidavit from an official of an Alaska-based union, on a form provided by the
department, can demonstrate that the applicant meets work experience requirements .
6. What three things must an applicant verify on a sworn affidavit for work experience?
A) Name, date of birth, and Social Security number
B) Qualifying hours, inclusive dates of work, and type of work performed
C) Employer name, job title, and salary
D) Union membership number, years of service, and apprentice status
Answer: B) Qualifying hours, inclusive dates of work, and type of work performed
Rationale: The affidavit must specify: (i) the number of qualifying hours of experience claimed,
(ii) the inclusive dates during which the hours were worked, and (iii) the type of work performed
and the name of each contractor .
