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MINNESOTA SPECIAL ENGINEER BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License Practice Exam
250 Questions with Verified Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: BOILER CLASSIFICATION AND LICENSING (Questions 1-30)
1. A person holding a current State of Minnesota Special Engineer License could be
in charge of, or a shift engineer in what size plant(s)?
A. High and Low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or a shift
engineer in a 100 horsepower plant
B. High pressure boilers only up to 100 horsepower
C. Low pressure boilers only up to 50 horsepower
D. Any size plant regardless of horsepower
Answer: A. High and Low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler
horsepower, or a shift engineer in a 100 horsepower plant
Rationale: A Minnesota Special Engineer License authorizes the holder to be in charge
of high and low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or to
serve as a shift engineer in a plant not exceeding 100 boiler horsepower .
2. What is the minimum passing score for the State of Minnesota boiler license
test?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Answer: C. 70%
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Rationale: The State of Minnesota requires a 70% passing score for all boiler engineer
license exams, including the Special Engineer exam .
3. How many boiler engineer grade levels does Minnesota have?
A. Four — Chief, 1st through 3rd Class
B. Five — Chief, 1st through 4th Class
C. Six — Chief, 1st through 5th Class
D. Three — High, Medium, Low
Answer: C. Six — Chief, 1st through 5th Class
Rationale: Minnesota uses a six-grade boiler engineer licensing system: Chief Engineer
(highest), 1st Class, 2nd Class, 3rd Class, 4th Class, and 5th Class Engineer (entry
level). Each grade authorizes operation of boilers up to a specific size and pressure
rating .
4. What is the exam fee for the Minnesota boiler engineer license exam?
A. $25
B. $50
C. $75
D. $100
Answer: B. $50
Rationale: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry charges a $50 exam fee for
all boiler engineer grade levels. The fee must be paid when you submit your exam
application. Retake attempts require payment of the $50 fee again .
5. What is the time limit for all Minnesota boiler engineer exams?
A. 1.5 hours
B. 2 hours
C. 2.5 hours
D. 3 hours
Answer: C. 2.5 hours
Rationale: The time limit for all Minnesota boiler engineer license exams is 2.5 hours .
6. Which Minnesota agency oversees boiler engineer licensing?
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A. Minnesota Department of Health
B. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
C. Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
D. Department of Commerce
Answer: C. Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
Rationale: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) oversees boiler
engineer licensing, boiler registration, and the inspection program. DLI administers the
written exams and issues licenses for all engineer grade levels .
7. Can a Minnesota boiler engineer skip grade levels when advancing their license?
A. No — you must hold each lower grade and meet its experience requirements before
advancing
B. Yes — if you pass the higher-grade exam you automatically receive it
C. Yes — if you have prior military experience
D. No — advancement requires a college degree
Answer: A. No — you must hold each lower grade and meet its experience
requirements before advancing
Rationale: You must hold each lower grade and meet its experience requirements
before advancing. For example, a Chief Class license requires five years of operating
experience, which must include one year as a licensed first class engineer .
8. What documentation does Minnesota require to verify boiler operating
experience for license applications?
A. A self-certified resume listing boiler experience
B. An affidavit of operating experience signed by the supervising licensed engineer
C. Copies of pay stubs from the employer
D. A letter from the boiler insurance company
Answer: B. An affidavit of operating experience signed by the supervising licensed
engineer
Rationale: Minnesota requires an affidavit of operating experience for all boiler engineer
license applications. This affidavit must be signed by the applicant's supervising
licensed boiler engineer and must detail the hours worked, types of boilers operated,
operating pressures, and the capacity in which the applicant served. DLI verifies the
affidavit before authorizing the exam .
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9. For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineer's License only, how
many square feet of boiler surface shall be equivalent to one boiler horsepower?
A. 5 sq. ft.
B. 10 sq. ft.
C. 15 sq. ft.
D. 20 sq. ft.
Answer: B. 10 sq. ft.
Rationale: For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineer's License only, 10
square feet of boiler heating surface is equivalent to one boiler horsepower .
10. The Special Engineer License requires what amount of previous operating
experience?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. No previous experience is necessary
Answer: D. No previous experience is necessary
Rationale: A Special Class license requires only a signed application form. No previous
experience is necessary .
11. A Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or
steam/vapor boiler?
A. Not exceeding 50 horsepower
B. Not exceeding 100 horsepower
C. Not exceeding 200 horsepower
D. In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed
engineer
Answer: D. In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly
licensed engineer
Rationale: A Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice in any plant regardless of size
under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer .
12. Low pressure boilers operate at what pressure?
MINNESOTA SPECIAL ENGINEER BOILER LICENSE PRACTICE
EXAM LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
Minnesota Special Engineer Boiler License Practice Exam
250 Questions with Verified Answers and Rationales
SECTION 1: BOILER CLASSIFICATION AND LICENSING (Questions 1-30)
1. A person holding a current State of Minnesota Special Engineer License could be
in charge of, or a shift engineer in what size plant(s)?
A. High and Low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or a shift
engineer in a 100 horsepower plant
B. High pressure boilers only up to 100 horsepower
C. Low pressure boilers only up to 50 horsepower
D. Any size plant regardless of horsepower
Answer: A. High and Low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler
horsepower, or a shift engineer in a 100 horsepower plant
Rationale: A Minnesota Special Engineer License authorizes the holder to be in charge
of high and low pressure boilers not exceeding a total of 50 boiler horsepower, or to
serve as a shift engineer in a plant not exceeding 100 boiler horsepower .
2. What is the minimum passing score for the State of Minnesota boiler license
test?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 75%
Answer: C. 70%
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Rationale: The State of Minnesota requires a 70% passing score for all boiler engineer
license exams, including the Special Engineer exam .
3. How many boiler engineer grade levels does Minnesota have?
A. Four — Chief, 1st through 3rd Class
B. Five — Chief, 1st through 4th Class
C. Six — Chief, 1st through 5th Class
D. Three — High, Medium, Low
Answer: C. Six — Chief, 1st through 5th Class
Rationale: Minnesota uses a six-grade boiler engineer licensing system: Chief Engineer
(highest), 1st Class, 2nd Class, 3rd Class, 4th Class, and 5th Class Engineer (entry
level). Each grade authorizes operation of boilers up to a specific size and pressure
rating .
4. What is the exam fee for the Minnesota boiler engineer license exam?
A. $25
B. $50
C. $75
D. $100
Answer: B. $50
Rationale: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry charges a $50 exam fee for
all boiler engineer grade levels. The fee must be paid when you submit your exam
application. Retake attempts require payment of the $50 fee again .
5. What is the time limit for all Minnesota boiler engineer exams?
A. 1.5 hours
B. 2 hours
C. 2.5 hours
D. 3 hours
Answer: C. 2.5 hours
Rationale: The time limit for all Minnesota boiler engineer license exams is 2.5 hours .
6. Which Minnesota agency oversees boiler engineer licensing?
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A. Minnesota Department of Health
B. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
C. Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
D. Department of Commerce
Answer: C. Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
Rationale: The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) oversees boiler
engineer licensing, boiler registration, and the inspection program. DLI administers the
written exams and issues licenses for all engineer grade levels .
7. Can a Minnesota boiler engineer skip grade levels when advancing their license?
A. No — you must hold each lower grade and meet its experience requirements before
advancing
B. Yes — if you pass the higher-grade exam you automatically receive it
C. Yes — if you have prior military experience
D. No — advancement requires a college degree
Answer: A. No — you must hold each lower grade and meet its experience
requirements before advancing
Rationale: You must hold each lower grade and meet its experience requirements
before advancing. For example, a Chief Class license requires five years of operating
experience, which must include one year as a licensed first class engineer .
8. What documentation does Minnesota require to verify boiler operating
experience for license applications?
A. A self-certified resume listing boiler experience
B. An affidavit of operating experience signed by the supervising licensed engineer
C. Copies of pay stubs from the employer
D. A letter from the boiler insurance company
Answer: B. An affidavit of operating experience signed by the supervising licensed
engineer
Rationale: Minnesota requires an affidavit of operating experience for all boiler engineer
license applications. This affidavit must be signed by the applicant's supervising
licensed boiler engineer and must detail the hours worked, types of boilers operated,
operating pressures, and the capacity in which the applicant served. DLI verifies the
affidavit before authorizing the exam .
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9. For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineer's License only, how
many square feet of boiler surface shall be equivalent to one boiler horsepower?
A. 5 sq. ft.
B. 10 sq. ft.
C. 15 sq. ft.
D. 20 sq. ft.
Answer: B. 10 sq. ft.
Rationale: For the purpose of rating boiler horsepower for an Engineer's License only, 10
square feet of boiler heating surface is equivalent to one boiler horsepower .
10. The Special Engineer License requires what amount of previous operating
experience?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. No previous experience is necessary
Answer: D. No previous experience is necessary
Rationale: A Special Class license requires only a signed application form. No previous
experience is necessary .
11. A Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice of what size water/liquid or
steam/vapor boiler?
A. Not exceeding 50 horsepower
B. Not exceeding 100 horsepower
C. Not exceeding 200 horsepower
D. In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly licensed
engineer
Answer: D. In any plant regardless of size under the direct supervision of a properly
licensed engineer
Rationale: A Special Engineer may serve as an apprentice in any plant regardless of size
under the direct supervision of a properly licensed engineer .
12. Low pressure boilers operate at what pressure?
