Maryland Boiler Installer License Exam Practice 2026–2027
250 Challenging Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Maryland Licensing Law & Regulations (Questions 1–45)
1. Which Maryland board oversees stationary engineer licensing for boiler installers?
A) Maryland Department of Public Safety
B) Board of Stationary Engineers under the Department of Labor
C) Maryland Department of the Environment
D) Maryland Building Codes Administration
Answer B: — Board of Stationary Engineers under the Department of Labor
Rationale: The Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers, operating under the Department of Labor, oversees
the licensing of boiler installers and stationary engineers in the state. The Board establishes examination
standards, experience requirements, and licensing grades. The Board is created in Title 6.5 of the Business
Occupations and Professions Article. ---
2. How many grades of stationary engineer licenses does Maryland issue?
A) Five grades (1st through 5th Class)
B) Four grades (1st through 4th Class)
C) Three grades (1st through 3rd Class)
D) Two grades (engineer and apprentice)
Answer A: — Five grades (1st through 5th Class)
,Rationale: Maryland issues five grades of stationary engineer licenses, from 1st Class (highest) through 5th
Class (entry-level). The 1st Class license authorizes operation of boilers of unlimited size. Each grade has
specific experience requirements and examination standards. ---
3. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
B) 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
C) 100–299 HP in any building
D) 300–499 HP in any building
Answer A: — 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
Rationale: A Grade 5 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can be operated
at 30 to 99 horsepower and is located in a building not open for public use. This is the entry-level license
grade in Maryland. ---
4. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 4 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
B) 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
C) 100–299 HP in any building
D) 300–499 HP in any building
Answer B: — 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
Rationale: A Grade 4 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
30 to 99 horsepower in a building open for public use. This differs from Grade 5, which is limited to buildings
not open for public use. ---
5. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 3 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer B: — 100–299 HP
Rationale: A Grade 3 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
100 to 299 horsepower in any building. ---
,6. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 2 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer C: — 300–499 HP
Rationale: A Grade 2 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
300 to 499 horsepower in any building. ---
7. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 1 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer D: — 500 or more HP
Rationale: A Grade 1 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
500 or more horsepower in any building. This is the highest grade of stationary engineer license in
Maryland. ---
8. What is the minimum qualification for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license?
A) Six months as an active MD Grade 4
B) High school diploma or GED
C) Three credit hours in boiler operations
D) One year of documented experience
Answer B: — High school diploma or GED
Rationale: The minimum qualification for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license is a high school diploma or
GED. No prior boiler experience is required for this entry-level grade. ---
9. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 4 stationary engineer license?
A) Six months as an active MD Grade 5 OR three credit hours/CEUs in boiler operations or safety
B) One year as an active MD Grade 5
C) Two years of documented experience
, D) Four-year mechanical engineering degree
Answer A: — Six months as an active MD Grade 5 OR three credit hours/CEUs in boiler operations or
safety
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 4 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: six
months as an active MD Grade 5, OR three credit hours or CEUs in boiler operations or safety. The applicant
must also pass the examination with a score of at least 70%. ---
10. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 3 stationary engineer license?
A) One year as an active MD Grade 4
B) Two years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5
C) Three years of documented experience
D) Four-year mechanical engineering degree
Answer B: — Two years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 3 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: two
years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5; one year experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5 plus six credit
hours or CEUs in boiler operations or safety; a valid marine engineer's certificate or chief petty officer's
certificate from the U.S. Navy; or equivalent experience approved by the Board. ---
11. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 2 stationary engineer license?
A) One year as an active MD Grade 3
B) Thirty-six months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3
C) Five years of documented experience
D) Ten years of documented experience
Answer B: — Thirty-six months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 2 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: 36
months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3 engineer under the direction and control of a
licensed MD Grade 2 or Grade 1; a four-year mechanical engineering degree from an accredited university;
licensure as a Professional Engineer with six months of documented experience; a valid marine engineer's
certificate or chief petty officer's certificate from the U.S. Navy; or equivalent experience approved by the
Board. ---
12. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 1 stationary engineer license?
A) Three years as an active MD Grade 2
250 Challenging Questions with Answers & Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Maryland Licensing Law & Regulations (Questions 1–45)
1. Which Maryland board oversees stationary engineer licensing for boiler installers?
A) Maryland Department of Public Safety
B) Board of Stationary Engineers under the Department of Labor
C) Maryland Department of the Environment
D) Maryland Building Codes Administration
Answer B: — Board of Stationary Engineers under the Department of Labor
Rationale: The Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers, operating under the Department of Labor, oversees
the licensing of boiler installers and stationary engineers in the state. The Board establishes examination
standards, experience requirements, and licensing grades. The Board is created in Title 6.5 of the Business
Occupations and Professions Article. ---
2. How many grades of stationary engineer licenses does Maryland issue?
A) Five grades (1st through 5th Class)
B) Four grades (1st through 4th Class)
C) Three grades (1st through 3rd Class)
D) Two grades (engineer and apprentice)
Answer A: — Five grades (1st through 5th Class)
,Rationale: Maryland issues five grades of stationary engineer licenses, from 1st Class (highest) through 5th
Class (entry-level). The 1st Class license authorizes operation of boilers of unlimited size. Each grade has
specific experience requirements and examination standards. ---
3. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
B) 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
C) 100–299 HP in any building
D) 300–499 HP in any building
Answer A: — 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
Rationale: A Grade 5 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can be operated
at 30 to 99 horsepower and is located in a building not open for public use. This is the entry-level license
grade in Maryland. ---
4. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 4 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP in a building not open for public use
B) 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
C) 100–299 HP in any building
D) 300–499 HP in any building
Answer B: — 30–99 HP in any building regardless of use
Rationale: A Grade 4 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
30 to 99 horsepower in a building open for public use. This differs from Grade 5, which is limited to buildings
not open for public use. ---
5. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 3 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer B: — 100–299 HP
Rationale: A Grade 3 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
100 to 299 horsepower in any building. ---
,6. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 2 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer C: — 300–499 HP
Rationale: A Grade 2 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
300 to 499 horsepower in any building. ---
7. What is the horsepower range for a Grade 1 stationary engineer license?
A) 30–99 HP
B) 100–299 HP
C) 300–499 HP
D) 500 or more HP
Answer D: — 500 or more HP
Rationale: A Grade 1 stationary engineer licensee may oversee the operation of a boiler that can operate at
500 or more horsepower in any building. This is the highest grade of stationary engineer license in
Maryland. ---
8. What is the minimum qualification for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license?
A) Six months as an active MD Grade 4
B) High school diploma or GED
C) Three credit hours in boiler operations
D) One year of documented experience
Answer B: — High school diploma or GED
Rationale: The minimum qualification for a Grade 5 stationary engineer license is a high school diploma or
GED. No prior boiler experience is required for this entry-level grade. ---
9. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 4 stationary engineer license?
A) Six months as an active MD Grade 5 OR three credit hours/CEUs in boiler operations or safety
B) One year as an active MD Grade 5
C) Two years of documented experience
, D) Four-year mechanical engineering degree
Answer A: — Six months as an active MD Grade 5 OR three credit hours/CEUs in boiler operations or
safety
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 4 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: six
months as an active MD Grade 5, OR three credit hours or CEUs in boiler operations or safety. The applicant
must also pass the examination with a score of at least 70%. ---
10. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 3 stationary engineer license?
A) One year as an active MD Grade 4
B) Two years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5
C) Three years of documented experience
D) Four-year mechanical engineering degree
Answer B: — Two years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 3 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: two
years' experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5; one year experience as active MD Grade 4 or 5 plus six credit
hours or CEUs in boiler operations or safety; a valid marine engineer's certificate or chief petty officer's
certificate from the U.S. Navy; or equivalent experience approved by the Board. ---
11. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 2 stationary engineer license?
A) One year as an active MD Grade 3
B) Thirty-six months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3
C) Five years of documented experience
D) Ten years of documented experience
Answer B: — Thirty-six months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3
Rationale: To qualify for a Grade 2 license, an applicant must possess at least ONE of the following: 36
months of documented experience as an active MD Grade 3 engineer under the direction and control of a
licensed MD Grade 2 or Grade 1; a four-year mechanical engineering degree from an accredited university;
licensure as a Professional Engineer with six months of documented experience; a valid marine engineer's
certificate or chief petty officer's certificate from the U.S. Navy; or equivalent experience approved by the
Board. ---
12. What is the minimum experience requirement for a Grade 1 stationary engineer license?
A) Three years as an active MD Grade 2
