Maryland Stationary Engineer Grade 1
Exam 2026–2027: 200 Practice Questions
with Answers and Rationales
Prepared for the Maryland Department of
Labor Board of Stationary Engineers
Examination
Exam Date: 2026–2027 Testing Cycle
Based on COMAR 09.12.01, ASME BPVC
Section I & VI, NBIC, NFPA 85
About This Study Guide
This comprehensive practice exam contains 200 questions designed to reflect the
content, difficulty, and format of the actual Maryland Grade 1 Stationary Engineer
licensing examination. The Grade 1 license is the highest level of stationary
engineer certification in Maryland, authorizing operation of equipment with 500 or
more horsepower in any building.
Exam Domains Covered:
1. Licensing, Regulations, and Plant Management
2. Boiler Types, Construction, and Operations
3. Combustion and Fuels
4. Water Treatment and Chemistry
5. Steam Systems and Auxiliaries
6. Instrumentation and Controls
, 7. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
8. Safety Systems and Emergency Response
9. Maintenance and Inspection
10. Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Section 1: Licensing, Regulations, and Plant Management (Questions 1–25)
1. According to the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act (Title 6.5), what
license grade is required to supervise a facility with a single boiler rated at 450
boiler horsepower (BHP)?
A) Grade 1
B) Grade 2
C) Grade 3
D) Grade 4
Answer: B (Grade 2)
Rationale: Under COMAR 09.12.01, a Grade 2 license is required for facilities
where the largest single boiler exceeds 300 BHP but is less than 500 BHP. Grade 1
is required for ≥500 BHP. This is a critical distinction for licensing eligibility and
plant supervision responsibilities.
2. A stationary engineer with a Grade 1 license may perform which of the
following without additional certification?
A) Weld repairs on a pressure vessel
B) Operate a 600 BHP high-pressure boiler
C) Install a new gas regulator
D) Perform major electrical work
Answer: B
Rationale: The Grade 1 license authorizes operation of boilers of any size (500+
HP) in any building. However, welding repairs require ASME or NBIC
,certification, gas fitting requires a plumbing or gasfitter license, and electrical work
requires an electrician's license.
3. Under Maryland law, a stationary engineer's license must be renewed
every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland stationary engineer licenses expire on a biennial (two-year)
basis. Continuing education is typically required for renewal. Licenses expired
more than 24 consecutive months cannot be renewed and require re-examination.
4. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for a low-pressure
heating boiler is:
A) 15 psi steam / 160 psi water
B) 30 psi steam / 200 psi water
C) 100 psi steam / 300 psi water
D) 250 psi steam / 400 psi water
Answer: A
Rationale: ASME Section IV defines low-pressure heating boilers as those
operating at ≤15 psi steam or ≤160 psi water. Maryland law also defines a high-
pressure boiler as one exceeding 15 PSI steam.
5. Which of the following is a specific responsibility of a Grade 1 Stationary
Engineer?
A) Daily cleaning of boiler firesides
B) Supervision of the entire mechanical plant and its personnel
, C) Changing oil filters on auxiliary engines
D) Performing water chemistry tests
Answer: B
Rationale: A Grade 1 engineer, as Chief Engineer, is responsible for overall plant
supervision, personnel management, regulatory compliance, and ensuring safe
operation of all equipment. While Grade 1 engineers may perform other tasks,
supervision is their primary responsibility.
6. The Maryland Department of Labor issues stationary engineer licenses
under which code?
A) NFPA 85
B) COMAR Title 6.5
C) ASME Section IX
D) OSHA 1910.119
Answer: B
Rationale: Stationary engineer licensing in Maryland is governed by COMAR
Title 6.5 (Business Occupations and Professions, Article 6.5). NFPA 85 addresses
boiler combustion safety, ASME IX covers welding qualifications, and OSHA
regulates workplace safety but not licensing.
7. A stationary engineer is responsible for reporting any accident involving a
boiler to the Maryland Department of Labor within:
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 7 days
D) 30 days
Answer: A
Exam 2026–2027: 200 Practice Questions
with Answers and Rationales
Prepared for the Maryland Department of
Labor Board of Stationary Engineers
Examination
Exam Date: 2026–2027 Testing Cycle
Based on COMAR 09.12.01, ASME BPVC
Section I & VI, NBIC, NFPA 85
About This Study Guide
This comprehensive practice exam contains 200 questions designed to reflect the
content, difficulty, and format of the actual Maryland Grade 1 Stationary Engineer
licensing examination. The Grade 1 license is the highest level of stationary
engineer certification in Maryland, authorizing operation of equipment with 500 or
more horsepower in any building.
Exam Domains Covered:
1. Licensing, Regulations, and Plant Management
2. Boiler Types, Construction, and Operations
3. Combustion and Fuels
4. Water Treatment and Chemistry
5. Steam Systems and Auxiliaries
6. Instrumentation and Controls
, 7. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
8. Safety Systems and Emergency Response
9. Maintenance and Inspection
10. Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Section 1: Licensing, Regulations, and Plant Management (Questions 1–25)
1. According to the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act (Title 6.5), what
license grade is required to supervise a facility with a single boiler rated at 450
boiler horsepower (BHP)?
A) Grade 1
B) Grade 2
C) Grade 3
D) Grade 4
Answer: B (Grade 2)
Rationale: Under COMAR 09.12.01, a Grade 2 license is required for facilities
where the largest single boiler exceeds 300 BHP but is less than 500 BHP. Grade 1
is required for ≥500 BHP. This is a critical distinction for licensing eligibility and
plant supervision responsibilities.
2. A stationary engineer with a Grade 1 license may perform which of the
following without additional certification?
A) Weld repairs on a pressure vessel
B) Operate a 600 BHP high-pressure boiler
C) Install a new gas regulator
D) Perform major electrical work
Answer: B
Rationale: The Grade 1 license authorizes operation of boilers of any size (500+
HP) in any building. However, welding repairs require ASME or NBIC
,certification, gas fitting requires a plumbing or gasfitter license, and electrical work
requires an electrician's license.
3. Under Maryland law, a stationary engineer's license must be renewed
every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland stationary engineer licenses expire on a biennial (two-year)
basis. Continuing education is typically required for renewal. Licenses expired
more than 24 consecutive months cannot be renewed and require re-examination.
4. The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for a low-pressure
heating boiler is:
A) 15 psi steam / 160 psi water
B) 30 psi steam / 200 psi water
C) 100 psi steam / 300 psi water
D) 250 psi steam / 400 psi water
Answer: A
Rationale: ASME Section IV defines low-pressure heating boilers as those
operating at ≤15 psi steam or ≤160 psi water. Maryland law also defines a high-
pressure boiler as one exceeding 15 PSI steam.
5. Which of the following is a specific responsibility of a Grade 1 Stationary
Engineer?
A) Daily cleaning of boiler firesides
B) Supervision of the entire mechanical plant and its personnel
, C) Changing oil filters on auxiliary engines
D) Performing water chemistry tests
Answer: B
Rationale: A Grade 1 engineer, as Chief Engineer, is responsible for overall plant
supervision, personnel management, regulatory compliance, and ensuring safe
operation of all equipment. While Grade 1 engineers may perform other tasks,
supervision is their primary responsibility.
6. The Maryland Department of Labor issues stationary engineer licenses
under which code?
A) NFPA 85
B) COMAR Title 6.5
C) ASME Section IX
D) OSHA 1910.119
Answer: B
Rationale: Stationary engineer licensing in Maryland is governed by COMAR
Title 6.5 (Business Occupations and Professions, Article 6.5). NFPA 85 addresses
boiler combustion safety, ASME IX covers welding qualifications, and OSHA
regulates workplace safety but not licensing.
7. A stationary engineer is responsible for reporting any accident involving a
boiler to the Maryland Department of Labor within:
A) 24 hours
B) 48 hours
C) 7 days
D) 30 days
Answer: A
