PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor Ultimate Exam Complete Practice Test
Bank – 300 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
Exam Overview ...... 3
Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–35) ...... 4
Section 2: Excavation & Trenching Safety – OSHA 1926 Subpart P (Questions 36–80) ...... 8
Section 3: Soil Classification, Sloping & Shoring (Questions 81–120) ...... 12
Section 4: Rhode Island Dig Safe & Utility Locating (Questions 121–150) ...... 16
Section 5: Pipe Materials & Installation Methods (Questions 151–200) ...... 19
Section 6: Backfilling, Compaction & Testing (Questions 201–235) ...... 23
Section 7: Erosion Control, Traffic Control & Environmental Compliance (Questions 236–265)
...... 26
Section 8: Blueprint Reading, Layout & Math Calculations (Questions 266–290) ...... 29
Section 9: Safety, PPE & Emergency Procedures (Questions 291–300) ...... 31
Answer Key ...... 33
,---
Exam Overview
Examination: PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor Ultimate Exam
Administering Authority: Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
Statutory Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3 – Underground Utility Contractors
Purpose: This examination assesses the knowledge and competency of individuals seeking
licensure as underground utility contractors in Rhode Island. The exam covers installation,
repair, and maintenance of water, sewer, storm drainage, gas, electric, and telecommunications
systems outside of buildings.
Exam Format:
- Question Type: Multiple-choice, open-book
- Content Basis: OSHA 1926 Subpart P, R.I. One Call Law (R.I.G.L. § 39-1.2), RIDEM Water Quality
Regulations, RIDOT Standard Specifications
Licensing Requirements:
- Minimum surety bond: $20,000 for a two-year period
- Liability insurance: $1,000,000 combined single-limit
- License fee: $200 for two years, plus $50 pre-license fee and $10 photo ID fee
- Biennial renewal (every 24 months)
- Passing grade on written examination provided by a third party approved by the board
,Core Domains Covered:
| Domain | Approx. % |
|--------|-----------|
| Licensing & Regulatory Framework | 12% |
| Excavation & Trenching Safety – OSHA 1926 Subpart P | 15% |
| Soil Classification, Sloping & Shoring | 13% |
| Rhode Island Dig Safe & Utility Locating | 10% |
| Pipe Materials & Installation Methods | 17% |
| Backfilling, Compaction & Testing | 12% |
| Erosion Control, Traffic Control & Environmental Compliance | 10% |
| Blueprint Reading, Layout & Math Calculations | 8% |
| Safety, PPE & Emergency Procedures | 3% |
Reference Materials:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P – Excavations
- R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3 – Underground Utility Contractors
- R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2 – Excavation near Underground Utility Facilities
- RIDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction
- RIDEM Water Quality Regulations
---
Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework
Questions 1–35
, ---
Question 1
The primary Rhode Island agency responsible for registering underground utility contractors is:
A) Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)
B) Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
C) Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
D) Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Answer: B) Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
Rationale: The Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) is the regulatory body
charged with registering and licensing underground utility contractors in Rhode Island. The CRLB
is a unit within the State Building Office and oversees contractor registration across multiple
trades.
---
Question 2
Which Rhode Island General Laws chapter governs the licensing of underground utility
contractors?
A) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65
B) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3
C) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2
Bank – 300 Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
Exam Overview ...... 3
Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework (Questions 1–35) ...... 4
Section 2: Excavation & Trenching Safety – OSHA 1926 Subpart P (Questions 36–80) ...... 8
Section 3: Soil Classification, Sloping & Shoring (Questions 81–120) ...... 12
Section 4: Rhode Island Dig Safe & Utility Locating (Questions 121–150) ...... 16
Section 5: Pipe Materials & Installation Methods (Questions 151–200) ...... 19
Section 6: Backfilling, Compaction & Testing (Questions 201–235) ...... 23
Section 7: Erosion Control, Traffic Control & Environmental Compliance (Questions 236–265)
...... 26
Section 8: Blueprint Reading, Layout & Math Calculations (Questions 266–290) ...... 29
Section 9: Safety, PPE & Emergency Procedures (Questions 291–300) ...... 31
Answer Key ...... 33
,---
Exam Overview
Examination: PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor Ultimate Exam
Administering Authority: Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
Statutory Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3 – Underground Utility Contractors
Purpose: This examination assesses the knowledge and competency of individuals seeking
licensure as underground utility contractors in Rhode Island. The exam covers installation,
repair, and maintenance of water, sewer, storm drainage, gas, electric, and telecommunications
systems outside of buildings.
Exam Format:
- Question Type: Multiple-choice, open-book
- Content Basis: OSHA 1926 Subpart P, R.I. One Call Law (R.I.G.L. § 39-1.2), RIDEM Water Quality
Regulations, RIDOT Standard Specifications
Licensing Requirements:
- Minimum surety bond: $20,000 for a two-year period
- Liability insurance: $1,000,000 combined single-limit
- License fee: $200 for two years, plus $50 pre-license fee and $10 photo ID fee
- Biennial renewal (every 24 months)
- Passing grade on written examination provided by a third party approved by the board
,Core Domains Covered:
| Domain | Approx. % |
|--------|-----------|
| Licensing & Regulatory Framework | 12% |
| Excavation & Trenching Safety – OSHA 1926 Subpart P | 15% |
| Soil Classification, Sloping & Shoring | 13% |
| Rhode Island Dig Safe & Utility Locating | 10% |
| Pipe Materials & Installation Methods | 17% |
| Backfilling, Compaction & Testing | 12% |
| Erosion Control, Traffic Control & Environmental Compliance | 10% |
| Blueprint Reading, Layout & Math Calculations | 8% |
| Safety, PPE & Emergency Procedures | 3% |
Reference Materials:
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P – Excavations
- R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3 – Underground Utility Contractors
- R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2 – Excavation near Underground Utility Facilities
- RIDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction
- RIDEM Water Quality Regulations
---
Section 1: Licensing & Regulatory Framework
Questions 1–35
, ---
Question 1
The primary Rhode Island agency responsible for registering underground utility contractors is:
A) Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT)
B) Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
C) Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM)
D) Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Answer: B) Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB)
Rationale: The Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board (CRLB) is the regulatory body
charged with registering and licensing underground utility contractors in Rhode Island. The CRLB
is a unit within the State Building Office and oversees contractor registration across multiple
trades.
---
Question 2
Which Rhode Island General Laws chapter governs the licensing of underground utility
contractors?
A) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65
B) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-65.3
C) R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-1.2
