MD Stationary Engineer Grade 1 Exam 2026
Practice Test (200 Questions)
Full Answers & Explanations for Boilers,
HVAC, Pumps & Controls
SECTION 1: REGULATIONS, LICENSING & JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS
Question 1
Under the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, what is the minimum boiler
horsepower (BHP) that mandates a Grade 1 license?
A) 300 BHP
B) 400 BHP
C) 500 BHP
D) 750 BHP
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maryland law clearly delineates license grades based on total boiler
horsepower. A Grade 1 license is required to oversee equipment of 500 or more
horsepower. Grade 2 covers 300–499 HP, Grade 3 covers 100–299 HP, and Grades
4 and 5 cover 30–99 HP.
Question 2
According to Maryland law, what defines a "High Pressure" steam boiler?
A) Operating at or above 100 psi
B) Operating at a pressure exceeding 15 psi
C) Operating at 300 HP or more
D) Any boiler with a water volume exceeding 100 gallons
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland law defines a high-pressure steam boiler as any boiler
operating at a pressure of more than 15 pounds per square inch (psi). Low-pressure
,boilers operate at or below 15 psi. A Grade 1 license is required for any system
above this threshold, specifically those exceeding 500 horsepower.
Question 3
A Grade 1 stationary engineer may oversee equipment with a total horsepower of:
A) 300–499 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 30–99 HP
D) 500 HP or more
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Grade 1 is the highest level of stationary engineer license in Maryland
and authorizes the operation of 500 horsepower or more. Lower grades have
progressively lower horsepower limits.
Question 4
According to Maryland law, which piece of equipment triggers the requirement for
a licensed engineer?
A) Any air compressor regardless of pressure
B) Any equipment generating more than 15 psi and operating at 30 or more HP
C) Any equipment operating at 15 psi or less
D) Boilers used exclusively for residential heating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Maryland Stationary Engineers Act requires a licensed engineer
for equipment generating more than 15 psi and operating at 30 or more
horsepower. Lower-pressure or smaller systems may not require licensing.
Question 5
What is the minimum passing score required for the Maryland Grade 1 stationary
engineer examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
,C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to PSI Examination Services, which administers the test,
candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70% on the examination.
Question 6
How long is a Maryland stationary engineer license valid before renewal is
required?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland stationary engineer licenses are issued for two years and may
be renewed. Licensees may submit the application or renewal form online via the
DLLR (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) website.
Question 7
Who administers the stationary engineer licensing examinations for the State of
Maryland?
A) The Maryland Department of Labor directly
B) The local county fire marshal
C) PSI Examination Services
D) The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PSI Examination Services provides testing for all five grades of
licensing at test centers located in Baltimore, College Park, Hagerstown, Lanham,
and Salisbury. Applicants must first apply to PSI to sit for the examination.
, Question 8
Under the ASME Code, a high-pressure boiler is defined as having a maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP) exceeding:
A) 15 psi
B) 50 psi
C) 100 psi
D) 150 psi
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ASME Code Section I defines high-pressure boilers as those operating
at pressures exceeding 15 psi, while low-pressure boilers operate at or below 15
psi.
Question 9
Which of the following activities is NOT authorized for a Grade 1 stationary
engineer in Maryland?
A) Operating a 600 HP high-pressure steam boiler
B) Supervising Grade 2 and Grade 3 engineers in a large power plant
C) Installing electrical wiring for a new boiler without an electrician's license
D) Overseeing ammonia refrigeration systems in a food processing plant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Grade 1 stationary engineer is responsible for the operation,
supervision, and safety of power plant equipment. However, electrical wiring work
requires a separate state electrical license. The stationary engineer license does not
confer the authority to perform specialized electrical installation.
Question 10
The Maryland Grade 1 stationary engineer examination is:
A) Closed-book with no reference materials allowed
B) Open-book, allowing candidates to bring written reference materials
C) An oral examination only
D) A practical hands-on test only
Practice Test (200 Questions)
Full Answers & Explanations for Boilers,
HVAC, Pumps & Controls
SECTION 1: REGULATIONS, LICENSING & JURISDICTIONAL LIMITS
Question 1
Under the Maryland Stationary Engineers Act, what is the minimum boiler
horsepower (BHP) that mandates a Grade 1 license?
A) 300 BHP
B) 400 BHP
C) 500 BHP
D) 750 BHP
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maryland law clearly delineates license grades based on total boiler
horsepower. A Grade 1 license is required to oversee equipment of 500 or more
horsepower. Grade 2 covers 300–499 HP, Grade 3 covers 100–299 HP, and Grades
4 and 5 cover 30–99 HP.
Question 2
According to Maryland law, what defines a "High Pressure" steam boiler?
A) Operating at or above 100 psi
B) Operating at a pressure exceeding 15 psi
C) Operating at 300 HP or more
D) Any boiler with a water volume exceeding 100 gallons
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland law defines a high-pressure steam boiler as any boiler
operating at a pressure of more than 15 pounds per square inch (psi). Low-pressure
,boilers operate at or below 15 psi. A Grade 1 license is required for any system
above this threshold, specifically those exceeding 500 horsepower.
Question 3
A Grade 1 stationary engineer may oversee equipment with a total horsepower of:
A) 300–499 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 30–99 HP
D) 500 HP or more
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Grade 1 is the highest level of stationary engineer license in Maryland
and authorizes the operation of 500 horsepower or more. Lower grades have
progressively lower horsepower limits.
Question 4
According to Maryland law, which piece of equipment triggers the requirement for
a licensed engineer?
A) Any air compressor regardless of pressure
B) Any equipment generating more than 15 psi and operating at 30 or more HP
C) Any equipment operating at 15 psi or less
D) Boilers used exclusively for residential heating
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Maryland Stationary Engineers Act requires a licensed engineer
for equipment generating more than 15 psi and operating at 30 or more
horsepower. Lower-pressure or smaller systems may not require licensing.
Question 5
What is the minimum passing score required for the Maryland Grade 1 stationary
engineer examination?
A) 60%
B) 65%
,C) 70%
D) 75%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to PSI Examination Services, which administers the test,
candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70% on the examination.
Question 6
How long is a Maryland stationary engineer license valid before renewal is
required?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maryland stationary engineer licenses are issued for two years and may
be renewed. Licensees may submit the application or renewal form online via the
DLLR (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) website.
Question 7
Who administers the stationary engineer licensing examinations for the State of
Maryland?
A) The Maryland Department of Labor directly
B) The local county fire marshal
C) PSI Examination Services
D) The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PSI Examination Services provides testing for all five grades of
licensing at test centers located in Baltimore, College Park, Hagerstown, Lanham,
and Salisbury. Applicants must first apply to PSI to sit for the examination.
, Question 8
Under the ASME Code, a high-pressure boiler is defined as having a maximum
allowable working pressure (MAWP) exceeding:
A) 15 psi
B) 50 psi
C) 100 psi
D) 150 psi
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ASME Code Section I defines high-pressure boilers as those operating
at pressures exceeding 15 psi, while low-pressure boilers operate at or below 15
psi.
Question 9
Which of the following activities is NOT authorized for a Grade 1 stationary
engineer in Maryland?
A) Operating a 600 HP high-pressure steam boiler
B) Supervising Grade 2 and Grade 3 engineers in a large power plant
C) Installing electrical wiring for a new boiler without an electrician's license
D) Overseeing ammonia refrigeration systems in a food processing plant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A Grade 1 stationary engineer is responsible for the operation,
supervision, and safety of power plant equipment. However, electrical wiring work
requires a separate state electrical license. The stationary engineer license does not
confer the authority to perform specialized electrical installation.
Question 10
The Maryland Grade 1 stationary engineer examination is:
A) Closed-book with no reference materials allowed
B) Open-book, allowing candidates to bring written reference materials
C) An oral examination only
D) A practical hands-on test only
