NORTH CAROLINA (NC) “H” GRADING &
EXCAVATING CONTRACTOR EXAM 2026/2027 |
300+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES | INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
NORTH CAROLINA (NC) "H" GRADING & EXCAVATING CONTRACTOR EXAM
2026/2027 | 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALE
This study guide contains 300 practice questions designed to mirror the actual NC "H"
Grading & Excavating Contractor exam — read through each question carefully, attempt
your answer first, then check the CORRECT ANSWER and RATIONALE to reinforce
your understanding.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum slope (angle of repose) required for a Type C soil excavation
without protective systems under OSHA standards?
A. 1/2 : 1 (63 degrees)
B. 3/4 : 1 (53 degrees)
C. 1 : 1 (45 degrees)
D. 1.5 : 1 (34 degrees)
E. 2 : 1 (27 degrees)
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 1.5 : 1 (34 degrees)
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires Type C soil — the least stable soil
classification — to be sloped at a maximum of 1.5H:1V (34 degrees from horizontal)
when no other protective system is used.
QUESTION 2
Under North Carolina law, which agency issues the "H" Grading & Excavating
Contractor license?
,A. NC Department of Transportation
B. NC Department of Labor
C. NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
D. NC Environmental Management Commission
E. NC Department of Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
RATIONALE: The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees specialty
contractor classifications including the "H" license for Grading & Excavating work in the
state of North Carolina.
QUESTION 3
Which soil type is characterized by cohesive material with an unconfined compressive
strength greater than 1.5 tsf?
A. Type C
B. Type B
C. Type A
D. Unstable rock
E. Submerged soil
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Type A
RATIONALE: OSHA classifies Type A soil as cohesive soils with an unconfined
compressive strength of 1.5 tsf or greater. Examples include clay, silty clay, and sandy
clay in undisturbed conditions.
QUESTION 4
A trench is defined by OSHA as an excavation that is:
A. Deeper than 5 feet and wider than it is deep
B. Deeper than 4 feet and narrower than 15 feet at the bottom
C. Deeper than 5 feet regardless of width
,D. Narrower than 15 feet at the bottom and no deeper than 20 feet
E. Any excavation exceeding 10 feet in depth
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Narrower than 15 feet at the bottom and no deeper than
20 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.650 defines a trench as an excavation that is
narrow in relation to its length, made below the surface of the ground, where the depth
is greater than the width but the width does not exceed 15 feet at the bottom.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum distance that excavated soil (spoil) must be kept from the edge of
a trench?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
E. 5 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA requires that all excavated material (spoil) be placed at least 2
feet away from the edge of a trench to prevent it from falling back in and to reduce
surcharge loads on the trench wall.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is NOT a method of protective systems for trenches allowed by
OSHA?
A. Sloping
B. Shoring
C. Benching
D. Dewatering
E. Shielding
, CORRECT ANSWER: D. Dewatering
RATIONALE: OSHA recognizes sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding (trench
boxes) as acceptable protective systems for trenches. Dewatering is a water control
technique, not a protective system for cave-in prevention.
QUESTION 7
At what depth does OSHA require a protective system for trenches in stable rock?
A. 4 feet
B. 5 feet
C. No requirement for stable rock
D. 8 feet
E. 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No requirement for stable rock
RATIONALE: OSHA exempts stable rock from the requirement for protective systems
because stable rock by definition does not cave in. However, a competent person must
verify that the rock is indeed stable before work proceeds.
QUESTION 8
What is the maximum depth for a Type B soil benched excavation on one side?
A. 4 feet
B. 5 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet
E. 20 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: E. 20 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA allows benching in Type B and Type A soils to a maximum depth
of 20 feet. Type C soils cannot be benched at all. Each bench must maintain the correct
horizontal-to-vertical ratio based on soil type.
EXCAVATING CONTRACTOR EXAM 2026/2027 |
300+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES | INSTANT
PDF DOWNLOAD
NORTH CAROLINA (NC) "H" GRADING & EXCAVATING CONTRACTOR EXAM
2026/2027 | 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALE
This study guide contains 300 practice questions designed to mirror the actual NC "H"
Grading & Excavating Contractor exam — read through each question carefully, attempt
your answer first, then check the CORRECT ANSWER and RATIONALE to reinforce
your understanding.
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum slope (angle of repose) required for a Type C soil excavation
without protective systems under OSHA standards?
A. 1/2 : 1 (63 degrees)
B. 3/4 : 1 (53 degrees)
C. 1 : 1 (45 degrees)
D. 1.5 : 1 (34 degrees)
E. 2 : 1 (27 degrees)
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 1.5 : 1 (34 degrees)
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.652 requires Type C soil — the least stable soil
classification — to be sloped at a maximum of 1.5H:1V (34 degrees from horizontal)
when no other protective system is used.
QUESTION 2
Under North Carolina law, which agency issues the "H" Grading & Excavating
Contractor license?
,A. NC Department of Transportation
B. NC Department of Labor
C. NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
D. NC Environmental Management Commission
E. NC Department of Insurance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. NC Licensing Board for General Contractors
RATIONALE: The NC Licensing Board for General Contractors oversees specialty
contractor classifications including the "H" license for Grading & Excavating work in the
state of North Carolina.
QUESTION 3
Which soil type is characterized by cohesive material with an unconfined compressive
strength greater than 1.5 tsf?
A. Type C
B. Type B
C. Type A
D. Unstable rock
E. Submerged soil
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Type A
RATIONALE: OSHA classifies Type A soil as cohesive soils with an unconfined
compressive strength of 1.5 tsf or greater. Examples include clay, silty clay, and sandy
clay in undisturbed conditions.
QUESTION 4
A trench is defined by OSHA as an excavation that is:
A. Deeper than 5 feet and wider than it is deep
B. Deeper than 4 feet and narrower than 15 feet at the bottom
C. Deeper than 5 feet regardless of width
,D. Narrower than 15 feet at the bottom and no deeper than 20 feet
E. Any excavation exceeding 10 feet in depth
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Narrower than 15 feet at the bottom and no deeper than
20 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.650 defines a trench as an excavation that is
narrow in relation to its length, made below the surface of the ground, where the depth
is greater than the width but the width does not exceed 15 feet at the bottom.
QUESTION 5
What is the minimum distance that excavated soil (spoil) must be kept from the edge of
a trench?
A. 1 foot
B. 2 feet
C. 3 feet
D. 4 feet
E. 5 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA requires that all excavated material (spoil) be placed at least 2
feet away from the edge of a trench to prevent it from falling back in and to reduce
surcharge loads on the trench wall.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is NOT a method of protective systems for trenches allowed by
OSHA?
A. Sloping
B. Shoring
C. Benching
D. Dewatering
E. Shielding
, CORRECT ANSWER: D. Dewatering
RATIONALE: OSHA recognizes sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding (trench
boxes) as acceptable protective systems for trenches. Dewatering is a water control
technique, not a protective system for cave-in prevention.
QUESTION 7
At what depth does OSHA require a protective system for trenches in stable rock?
A. 4 feet
B. 5 feet
C. No requirement for stable rock
D. 8 feet
E. 10 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No requirement for stable rock
RATIONALE: OSHA exempts stable rock from the requirement for protective systems
because stable rock by definition does not cave in. However, a competent person must
verify that the rock is indeed stable before work proceeds.
QUESTION 8
What is the maximum depth for a Type B soil benched excavation on one side?
A. 4 feet
B. 5 feet
C. 8 feet
D. 10 feet
E. 20 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: E. 20 feet
RATIONALE: OSHA allows benching in Type B and Type A soils to a maximum depth
of 20 feet. Type C soils cannot be benched at all. Each bench must maintain the correct
horizontal-to-vertical ratio based on soil type.
