New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines
Exam – 300-Question Practice &
Study Guide with Explanations
2026
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A licensed GF-9 Utility Lines contractor is hired to install a new water main. The
project also requires repaving a driveway that was damaged during construction.
Under NMAC 14.6.6, is this paving work permitted under the GF-9 license?
A) Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all types of paving
B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility installation
C) No, the GF-9 contractor must hire a separate, licensed paving contractor for any
paving work
D) No, unless the GF-9 contractor also holds a General Building (GB-98) license
Answer: B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility
installation
,Rationale: The GF-9 license specifically includes "paving and surfacing necessary and
incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities." While it does not
authorize standalone paving projects, it does allow a GF-9 contractor to restore paving
that was cut or removed to complete the utility work .
2. What is the minimum verified work experience required for a Qualifying Party
(QP) to obtain a GF-9 license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Answer: B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
Rationale: New Mexico regulations require two years (4,000 hours) of verified work
experience specifically for the GF-9 Utility Lines and Systems classification. This experience
must be documented and notarized as part of the Qualifying Party application process .
3. Which agency regulates safe excavation near underground facilities in New
Mexico?
A) OSHA only
B) Department of Transportation
C) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC)
D) Department of Energy
Answer: C) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC)
,Rationale: The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) enforces regulations
under the Damage Prevention Law. This includes oversight of the One Call system and
enforcement of excavation safety requirements .
4. According to the New Mexico Excavation Law, how many working days before
excavation must you notify the New Mexico One Call system (811)?
A) One working day
B) Two working days
C) Three working days
D) Five working days
Answer: B) Two working days
Rationale: The New Mexico Excavation Law requires excavators to notify the One-Call
center at least two working days prior to starting excavation. This timeline excludes
weekends and legal holidays, giving utility operators sufficient time to mark their lines.
Commencing work before this window expires shifts all liability for damages to the
excavator .
5. If a utility operator marks the location of an underground gas line, what is the
width of the "tolerance zone" on either side of that mark where excavation
restrictions apply?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
, Answer: B) 18 inches
Rationale: The tolerance zone is defined as the width of the underground facility plus 18
inches on either side of the outside edge of the facility as indicated by the locate marks.
Within this zone, mechanical excavation is prohibited and hand digging or vacuum
excavation is required .
6. What restrictions apply within the tolerance zone when excavating?
A) Mechanical excavation is permitted with a spotter
B) Only hand digging or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the facility
C) No excavation of any kind is permitted
D) Mechanical excavation is permitted at reduced speed
Answer: B) Only hand digging or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the
facility
Rationale: Within the 18-inch tolerance zone, the use of mechanical earthmoving
equipment is strictly prohibited. The law requires excavators to expose the facility using
non-destructive means such as hand digging or vacuum excavation .
7. What is the scope of work authorized by the GF-9 Utility Lines license?
A) Only water line installation
B) Only gas line installation
C) Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage, natural gas,
and water
D) General building construction
Exam – 300-Question Practice &
Study Guide with Explanations
2026
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A licensed GF-9 Utility Lines contractor is hired to install a new water main. The
project also requires repaving a driveway that was damaged during construction.
Under NMAC 14.6.6, is this paving work permitted under the GF-9 license?
A) Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all types of paving
B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility installation
C) No, the GF-9 contractor must hire a separate, licensed paving contractor for any
paving work
D) No, unless the GF-9 contractor also holds a General Building (GB-98) license
Answer: B) Yes, because paving is necessary and incidental to the utility
installation
,Rationale: The GF-9 license specifically includes "paving and surfacing necessary and
incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities." While it does not
authorize standalone paving projects, it does allow a GF-9 contractor to restore paving
that was cut or removed to complete the utility work .
2. What is the minimum verified work experience required for a Qualifying Party
(QP) to obtain a GF-9 license in New Mexico?
A) 1 year (2,000 hours)
B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
C) 3 years (6,000 hours)
D) 4 years (8,000 hours)
Answer: B) 2 years (4,000 hours)
Rationale: New Mexico regulations require two years (4,000 hours) of verified work
experience specifically for the GF-9 Utility Lines and Systems classification. This experience
must be documented and notarized as part of the Qualifying Party application process .
3. Which agency regulates safe excavation near underground facilities in New
Mexico?
A) OSHA only
B) Department of Transportation
C) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC)
D) Department of Energy
Answer: C) New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC)
,Rationale: The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) enforces regulations
under the Damage Prevention Law. This includes oversight of the One Call system and
enforcement of excavation safety requirements .
4. According to the New Mexico Excavation Law, how many working days before
excavation must you notify the New Mexico One Call system (811)?
A) One working day
B) Two working days
C) Three working days
D) Five working days
Answer: B) Two working days
Rationale: The New Mexico Excavation Law requires excavators to notify the One-Call
center at least two working days prior to starting excavation. This timeline excludes
weekends and legal holidays, giving utility operators sufficient time to mark their lines.
Commencing work before this window expires shifts all liability for damages to the
excavator .
5. If a utility operator marks the location of an underground gas line, what is the
width of the "tolerance zone" on either side of that mark where excavation
restrictions apply?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
, Answer: B) 18 inches
Rationale: The tolerance zone is defined as the width of the underground facility plus 18
inches on either side of the outside edge of the facility as indicated by the locate marks.
Within this zone, mechanical excavation is prohibited and hand digging or vacuum
excavation is required .
6. What restrictions apply within the tolerance zone when excavating?
A) Mechanical excavation is permitted with a spotter
B) Only hand digging or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the facility
C) No excavation of any kind is permitted
D) Mechanical excavation is permitted at reduced speed
Answer: B) Only hand digging or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the
facility
Rationale: Within the 18-inch tolerance zone, the use of mechanical earthmoving
equipment is strictly prohibited. The law requires excavators to expose the facility using
non-destructive means such as hand digging or vacuum excavation .
7. What is the scope of work authorized by the GF-9 Utility Lines license?
A) Only water line installation
B) Only gas line installation
C) Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage, natural gas,
and water
D) General building construction
