WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR
PRACTICE EXAM | 2026/2027
Comprehensive Practice Questions & Answer Key | Wisconsin DSPS Reference Topics | Updated
Review Edition
150 Original Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Overview
This 2026/2027 review resource contains 150 original practice questions with answer keys and detailed
rationales covering Wisconsin Utility Contractor licensing topics, excavation safety, utility installation,
underground locating, erosion control, and project management. It is formatted for review, printing, and
editable study use.
Core Content Areas
• Licensing, code administration & business law: 39 questions
• OSHA safety & excavation standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P): 33 questions
• Utility installation methods & materials: 33 questions
• Underground utility location & marking (one-call systems): 20 questions
• Erosion control & environmental compliance: 13 questions
• Contract & project management: 12 questions
Key Features
• Wisconsin-focused licensing review: Includes core references to DSPS, Wis. Stat. ch. 145, and SPS
305.97.
• Excavation safety scenarios: Covers OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P concepts including competent-person
duties, cave-in protection, access, inspection, and soil conditions.
• One-call and utility-marking practice: Reviews Wisconsin Diggers Hotline duties, Wis. Stat. § 182.0175,
and APWA utility color codes.
• Utility-installation concepts: Addresses bedding, compaction, trenchless methods, testing,
commissioning, and closeout documentation.
• Environmental and project controls: Reviews erosion control, stormwater concepts, change
management, records, schedule, and quality processes.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 2
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Part I — Licensing, Code Administration & Business Law
Questions 1–39
Question 1: Which Wisconsin statutory and administrative authorities most directly govern the
Utility Contractor credential?
A) Wis. Stat. ch. 101 and SPS 301
B) Wis. Stat. ch. 145 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305
C) Wis. Stat. ch. 201 and DNR ch. 500
D) Wis. Stat. ch. 401 and COMM 20
Correct Answer: B. Wis. Stat. ch. 145 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305
Rationale: Wisconsin utility-contractor licensing is addressed through the plumbing statutes in ch. 145 and the
licensing rules in ch. SPS 305, including SPS 305.97.
Question 2: What does Wis. Stat. § 145.06 generally require before a person may engage in or
work at plumbing in Wisconsin?
A) A local building permit only
B) A department-issued license unless an exception applies
C) A federal contractor registration only
D) A one-call ticket only
Correct Answer: B. A department-issued license unless an exception applies
Rationale: Section 145.06 establishes the general requirement that persons engaging in plumbing work be
licensed by the Department, subject to applicable statutory exceptions.
Question 3: Wis. Stat. § 145.07(10) describes the utility contractor as a person skilled in
planning, superintending, and practical installation of which work?
A) Only overhead electrical distribution
B) Waste piping to a legal disposal point and water service piping from the street main to the building perimeter
C) Only residential finish carpentry
D) Only private road paving
Correct Answer: B. Waste piping to a legal disposal point and water service piping from the
street main to the building perimeter
Rationale: The statute describes a utility contractor’s relevant skills in relation to sewage, rainwater, other
liquid waste piping, and water service piping extending from the street main to the building perimeter.
Question 4: Under SPS 305.97(1), how may a person obtain a Utility Contractor license?
A) By completing a one-day orientation only
B) By taking and passing the Utility Contractor license examination
C) By holding any out-of-state license for 30 days
D) By purchasing a business permit
Correct Answer: B. By taking and passing the Utility Contractor license examination
Rationale: SPS 305.97(1) states that a person may obtain the license by taking and passing the Utility
Contractor license examination.
Question 5: What must an applicant submit when applying to take the Utility Contractor
examination under SPS 305.97(2)?
A) Only a letter of recommendation
B) An application and the applicable application and examination fees
C) A completed project portfolio only
D) A local excavation permit only
Correct Answer: B. An application and the applicable application and examination fees
Rationale: The rule requires an application in accordance with SPS 305.01 plus the application and
examination fees listed in the applicable fee table.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 3
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Question 6: What is the minimum age to apply for a Wisconsin Utility Contractor license
examination?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B. 18 years old
Rationale: SPS 305.97(3) requires an applicant for the Utility Contractor examination to be at least 18 years
old.
Question 7: After receiving notice of successfully passing the examination, what is the next
licensing step under SPS 305.97(5)?
A) Begin work immediately without further action
B) Submit the license application and required license fee
C) Wait four years to renew
D) Apply for a commercial driver license
Correct Answer: B. Submit the license application and required license fee
Rationale: Passing the exam alone does not complete the credential process. The applicant must submit the
license application and pay the applicable license fee.
Question 8: Which work is expressly included in the Utility Contractor responsibilities described
in SPS 305.97(6)?
A) Private water mains and sanitary or storm building sewers
B) Only interior electrical branch circuits
C) Only building insulation
D) Only landscape irrigation design
Correct Answer: A. Private water mains and sanitary or storm building sewers
Rationale: The rule lists water services, private water mains, sanitary building sewers, storm building sewers,
and private interceptor main sewers among the relevant installations or modifications.
Question 9: The responsibility in SPS 305.97(6) generally extends from which point to which
point?
A) From a customer meter to a public hydrant only
B) From the street main to the immediate inside or proposed inside foundation wall
C) From a private well to the nearest roadway
D) From a roof drain to a catch basin only
Correct Answer: B. From the street main to the immediate inside or proposed inside foundation
wall
Rationale: SPS 305.97(6) specifies this work area for the listed plumbing installations and modifications.
Question 10: When plumbing is installed or modified within the Utility Contractor scope, what
does SPS 305.97(6) require regarding personnel?
A) Any laborer may perform the work without oversight
B) Appropriately licensed or registered persons must be used to install or modify the plumbing
C) Only the owner may perform every task
D) No credentialed personnel are needed after an exam is passed
Correct Answer: B. Appropriately licensed or registered persons must be used to install or
modify the plumbing
Rationale: The license holder must utilize persons with the appropriate license or registration for the plumbing
activity being performed.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 4
PRACTICE EXAM | 2026/2027
Comprehensive Practice Questions & Answer Key | Wisconsin DSPS Reference Topics | Updated
Review Edition
150 Original Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Overview
This 2026/2027 review resource contains 150 original practice questions with answer keys and detailed
rationales covering Wisconsin Utility Contractor licensing topics, excavation safety, utility installation,
underground locating, erosion control, and project management. It is formatted for review, printing, and
editable study use.
Core Content Areas
• Licensing, code administration & business law: 39 questions
• OSHA safety & excavation standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P): 33 questions
• Utility installation methods & materials: 33 questions
• Underground utility location & marking (one-call systems): 20 questions
• Erosion control & environmental compliance: 13 questions
• Contract & project management: 12 questions
Key Features
• Wisconsin-focused licensing review: Includes core references to DSPS, Wis. Stat. ch. 145, and SPS
305.97.
• Excavation safety scenarios: Covers OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P concepts including competent-person
duties, cave-in protection, access, inspection, and soil conditions.
• One-call and utility-marking practice: Reviews Wisconsin Diggers Hotline duties, Wis. Stat. § 182.0175,
and APWA utility color codes.
• Utility-installation concepts: Addresses bedding, compaction, trenchless methods, testing,
commissioning, and closeout documentation.
• Environmental and project controls: Reviews erosion control, stormwater concepts, change
management, records, schedule, and quality processes.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 2
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Part I — Licensing, Code Administration & Business Law
Questions 1–39
Question 1: Which Wisconsin statutory and administrative authorities most directly govern the
Utility Contractor credential?
A) Wis. Stat. ch. 101 and SPS 301
B) Wis. Stat. ch. 145 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305
C) Wis. Stat. ch. 201 and DNR ch. 500
D) Wis. Stat. ch. 401 and COMM 20
Correct Answer: B. Wis. Stat. ch. 145 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. SPS 305
Rationale: Wisconsin utility-contractor licensing is addressed through the plumbing statutes in ch. 145 and the
licensing rules in ch. SPS 305, including SPS 305.97.
Question 2: What does Wis. Stat. § 145.06 generally require before a person may engage in or
work at plumbing in Wisconsin?
A) A local building permit only
B) A department-issued license unless an exception applies
C) A federal contractor registration only
D) A one-call ticket only
Correct Answer: B. A department-issued license unless an exception applies
Rationale: Section 145.06 establishes the general requirement that persons engaging in plumbing work be
licensed by the Department, subject to applicable statutory exceptions.
Question 3: Wis. Stat. § 145.07(10) describes the utility contractor as a person skilled in
planning, superintending, and practical installation of which work?
A) Only overhead electrical distribution
B) Waste piping to a legal disposal point and water service piping from the street main to the building perimeter
C) Only residential finish carpentry
D) Only private road paving
Correct Answer: B. Waste piping to a legal disposal point and water service piping from the
street main to the building perimeter
Rationale: The statute describes a utility contractor’s relevant skills in relation to sewage, rainwater, other
liquid waste piping, and water service piping extending from the street main to the building perimeter.
Question 4: Under SPS 305.97(1), how may a person obtain a Utility Contractor license?
A) By completing a one-day orientation only
B) By taking and passing the Utility Contractor license examination
C) By holding any out-of-state license for 30 days
D) By purchasing a business permit
Correct Answer: B. By taking and passing the Utility Contractor license examination
Rationale: SPS 305.97(1) states that a person may obtain the license by taking and passing the Utility
Contractor license examination.
Question 5: What must an applicant submit when applying to take the Utility Contractor
examination under SPS 305.97(2)?
A) Only a letter of recommendation
B) An application and the applicable application and examination fees
C) A completed project portfolio only
D) A local excavation permit only
Correct Answer: B. An application and the applicable application and examination fees
Rationale: The rule requires an application in accordance with SPS 305.01 plus the application and
examination fees listed in the applicable fee table.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 3
, WISCONSIN UTILITY CONTRACTOR PRACTICE EXAM • 2026/2027
Question 6: What is the minimum age to apply for a Wisconsin Utility Contractor license
examination?
A) 16 years old
B) 18 years old
C) 21 years old
D) 25 years old
Correct Answer: B. 18 years old
Rationale: SPS 305.97(3) requires an applicant for the Utility Contractor examination to be at least 18 years
old.
Question 7: After receiving notice of successfully passing the examination, what is the next
licensing step under SPS 305.97(5)?
A) Begin work immediately without further action
B) Submit the license application and required license fee
C) Wait four years to renew
D) Apply for a commercial driver license
Correct Answer: B. Submit the license application and required license fee
Rationale: Passing the exam alone does not complete the credential process. The applicant must submit the
license application and pay the applicable license fee.
Question 8: Which work is expressly included in the Utility Contractor responsibilities described
in SPS 305.97(6)?
A) Private water mains and sanitary or storm building sewers
B) Only interior electrical branch circuits
C) Only building insulation
D) Only landscape irrigation design
Correct Answer: A. Private water mains and sanitary or storm building sewers
Rationale: The rule lists water services, private water mains, sanitary building sewers, storm building sewers,
and private interceptor main sewers among the relevant installations or modifications.
Question 9: The responsibility in SPS 305.97(6) generally extends from which point to which
point?
A) From a customer meter to a public hydrant only
B) From the street main to the immediate inside or proposed inside foundation wall
C) From a private well to the nearest roadway
D) From a roof drain to a catch basin only
Correct Answer: B. From the street main to the immediate inside or proposed inside foundation
wall
Rationale: SPS 305.97(6) specifies this work area for the listed plumbing installations and modifications.
Question 10: When plumbing is installed or modified within the Utility Contractor scope, what
does SPS 305.97(6) require regarding personnel?
A) Any laborer may perform the work without oversight
B) Appropriately licensed or registered persons must be used to install or modify the plumbing
C) Only the owner may perform every task
D) No credentialed personnel are needed after an exam is passed
Correct Answer: B. Appropriately licensed or registered persons must be used to install or
modify the plumbing
Rationale: The license holder must utilize persons with the appropriate license or registration for the plumbing
activity being performed.
Wisconsin Utility Contractor Practice Exam | 2026/2027 Edition | 150 Practice Questions | Page 4
