New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines Exam Comprehensive
ACTUAL Exam Complete 200 Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
1. What is the primary scope of work covered by a New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines
Contractor license?
A) Electrical power line installation over 600 volts
B) Installation of underground water, sewer, gas, and communication lines
C) Above-ground telephone and cable TV lines
D) Storm drain and culvert installation for roadways only
Answer: B
Rationale: The GF-9 classification is specifically for "Utility Lines Contractors" who install,
repair, and maintain underground utility systems for water, sewer, gas, fuel, and
communication lines. It does not cover electrical lines over 600V (which is GF-8) or
purely storm water systems .
2. A licensed GF-9 contractor is hired to install a new water main. The project also
requires repaving a driveway that was damaged during construction. Under NMAC
14.6.6, is this paving work permitted under the GF-9 license?
A) Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all types of paving
B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility installation
C) No, the GF-9 contractor must hire a separate, licensed paving contractor for any
paving work
D) No, unless the GF-9 contractor also holds a General Building (GB-98) license
Answer: B
Rationale: The GF-9 license specifically includes "paving and surfacing necessary and
incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities." While it does not
authorize standalone paving projects, it does allow a GF-9 contractor to restore paving
that was cut or removed to complete the utility work .
,3. What is the minimum verified work experience required for a Qualifying Party
(QP) to obtain a GF-9 license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department requires the
Qualifying Party to demonstrate at least two years (4,000 hours) of verified work
experience in the classification for which they are applying .
4. Under New Mexico law, how many working days before excavation must you
notify the New Mexico One Call system (811)?
A) One working day
B) Two working days
C) Three working days
D) Five working days
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Excavation Law requires excavators to notify the One-Call
center at least two working days prior to starting excavation. This timeline excludes
weekends and legal holidays, giving utility operators sufficient time to mark their lines .
5. If a utility operator marks the location of an underground gas line, what is the
width of the "tolerance zone" on either side of that mark where excavation
restrictions apply?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Answer: C
,Rationale: New Mexico law defines the tolerance zone as the width of the marked utility
plus 24 inches on each side. In this zone, excavation must be done with caution, often
requiring hand digging or vacuum excavation to avoid damaging the utility .
6. The "Call Before You Dig" number for New Mexico is:
A) 811
B) 511
C) 911
D) 311
Answer: A
Rationale: The national "Call Before You Dig" number is 811, which connects to the local
One-Call center for utility location services .
7. A permit for utility work in a public right-of-way in New Mexico is typically
issued by:
A) NM Department of Health
B) Local power company
C) New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) or local municipality
D) The contractor's insurer
Answer: C
Rationale: NMDOT or the relevant local municipality issues permits for excavation or
installation in public rights-of-way .
8. According to NMAC 14.6.6, which of the following is NOT within the scope of a
GF-9 license?
A) Installation of water service lines
B) Installation of sewer laterals
C) Installation of gas distribution mains
D) Installation of load pots or overhead cabling for electrical lines
Answer: D
, Rationale: The GF-9 license explicitly excludes "the installation of load pots, overhead
cabling work, or other activities considered under the scope of the ES-7, EL-1 or EE-98
electrical classifications." These require separate electrical licenses .
9. In New Mexico, damage to a utility line without prior notification may result in:
A) No consequence
B) Only a warning
C) Civil penalties and repair costs
D) License suspension only
Answer: C
Rationale: Contractors are liable for damages when failing to notify One Call. Penalties
can include civil penalties and the cost of repairs .
10. What is the acceptable horizontal tolerance for locating existing utilities before
excavation?
A) ±6 inches
B) ±12 inches
C) ±18 inches
D) ±24 inches
Answer: D
Rationale: The tolerance zone is typically ±24 inches horizontally from the indicated
location of the utility. This accounts for potential inaccuracies in detection equipment
and mapping .
11. Which document specifies the standard color codes for utility markings?
A) OSHA 1926
B) American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Code
C) ANSI Z
D) NFPA 70E
Answer: B
ACTUAL Exam Complete 200 Questions & Answers
with Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
1. What is the primary scope of work covered by a New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines
Contractor license?
A) Electrical power line installation over 600 volts
B) Installation of underground water, sewer, gas, and communication lines
C) Above-ground telephone and cable TV lines
D) Storm drain and culvert installation for roadways only
Answer: B
Rationale: The GF-9 classification is specifically for "Utility Lines Contractors" who install,
repair, and maintain underground utility systems for water, sewer, gas, fuel, and
communication lines. It does not cover electrical lines over 600V (which is GF-8) or
purely storm water systems .
2. A licensed GF-9 contractor is hired to install a new water main. The project also
requires repaving a driveway that was damaged during construction. Under NMAC
14.6.6, is this paving work permitted under the GF-9 license?
A) Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all types of paving
B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility installation
C) No, the GF-9 contractor must hire a separate, licensed paving contractor for any
paving work
D) No, unless the GF-9 contractor also holds a General Building (GB-98) license
Answer: B
Rationale: The GF-9 license specifically includes "paving and surfacing necessary and
incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities." While it does not
authorize standalone paving projects, it does allow a GF-9 contractor to restore paving
that was cut or removed to complete the utility work .
,3. What is the minimum verified work experience required for a Qualifying Party
(QP) to obtain a GF-9 license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department requires the
Qualifying Party to demonstrate at least two years (4,000 hours) of verified work
experience in the classification for which they are applying .
4. Under New Mexico law, how many working days before excavation must you
notify the New Mexico One Call system (811)?
A) One working day
B) Two working days
C) Three working days
D) Five working days
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Excavation Law requires excavators to notify the One-Call
center at least two working days prior to starting excavation. This timeline excludes
weekends and legal holidays, giving utility operators sufficient time to mark their lines .
5. If a utility operator marks the location of an underground gas line, what is the
width of the "tolerance zone" on either side of that mark where excavation
restrictions apply?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Answer: C
,Rationale: New Mexico law defines the tolerance zone as the width of the marked utility
plus 24 inches on each side. In this zone, excavation must be done with caution, often
requiring hand digging or vacuum excavation to avoid damaging the utility .
6. The "Call Before You Dig" number for New Mexico is:
A) 811
B) 511
C) 911
D) 311
Answer: A
Rationale: The national "Call Before You Dig" number is 811, which connects to the local
One-Call center for utility location services .
7. A permit for utility work in a public right-of-way in New Mexico is typically
issued by:
A) NM Department of Health
B) Local power company
C) New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) or local municipality
D) The contractor's insurer
Answer: C
Rationale: NMDOT or the relevant local municipality issues permits for excavation or
installation in public rights-of-way .
8. According to NMAC 14.6.6, which of the following is NOT within the scope of a
GF-9 license?
A) Installation of water service lines
B) Installation of sewer laterals
C) Installation of gas distribution mains
D) Installation of load pots or overhead cabling for electrical lines
Answer: D
, Rationale: The GF-9 license explicitly excludes "the installation of load pots, overhead
cabling work, or other activities considered under the scope of the ES-7, EL-1 or EE-98
electrical classifications." These require separate electrical licenses .
9. In New Mexico, damage to a utility line without prior notification may result in:
A) No consequence
B) Only a warning
C) Civil penalties and repair costs
D) License suspension only
Answer: C
Rationale: Contractors are liable for damages when failing to notify One Call. Penalties
can include civil penalties and the cost of repairs .
10. What is the acceptable horizontal tolerance for locating existing utilities before
excavation?
A) ±6 inches
B) ±12 inches
C) ±18 inches
D) ±24 inches
Answer: D
Rationale: The tolerance zone is typically ±24 inches horizontally from the indicated
location of the utility. This accounts for potential inaccuracies in detection equipment
and mapping .
11. Which document specifies the standard color codes for utility markings?
A) OSHA 1926
B) American Public Works Association (APWA) Uniform Color Code
C) ANSI Z
D) NFPA 70E
Answer: B
