Maryland Excavation Contractor License
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
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1. Which document is typically required before a Maryland excavation
contractor can begin work within a public right-of-way?
A. Property deed only
B. Excavation and traffic control permit
C. Federal tax exemption certificate
D. Residential occupancy permit
B. Excavation and traffic control permit
Rationale: Maryland excavation projects affecting public roads or rights-of-
way generally require excavation and traffic control permits to ensure
public safety, utility protection, and compliance with local transportation
regulations.
2. An excavation contractor must contact a utility notification center
before digging primarily to:
A. Estimate payroll expenses
B. Obtain excavation insurance
,C. Prevent underground utility damage
D. Register heavy equipment
C. Prevent underground utility damage
Rationale: Utility notification systems help identify underground facilities
such as gas, electric, water, and communication lines, reducing the risk of
injuries, service interruptions, and costly damages.
3. Which soil type is considered the least stable in trenching operations?
A. Stable rock
B. Type A soil
C. Type B soil
D. Type C soil
D. Type C soil
Rationale: Type C soil is the least stable classification because it contains
loose granular material or water-saturated soil, increasing the likelihood of
trench collapse.
4. What is the primary purpose of trench protective systems?
A. Increase excavation speed
B. Improve equipment fuel efficiency
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
D. Reduce surveying costs
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
Rationale: Protective systems such as shoring, shielding, and sloping are
designed to prevent trench collapses and safeguard workers inside
excavations.
5. According to excavation safety standards, a competent person is
responsible for:
,A. Issuing contractor tax refunds
B. Inspecting excavations for hazards
C. Operating all heavy equipment
D. Approving zoning variances
B. Inspecting excavations for hazards
Rationale: A competent person must identify existing and predictable
hazards, conduct inspections, and ensure corrective actions are taken to
maintain safe excavation conditions.
6. What is the minimum protective measure required when employees
work in trenches deeper than 5 feet unless stable rock is present?
A. Protective trench system
B. Asphalt paving
C. Stormwater pond
D. Welding certification
A. Protective trench system
Rationale: Excavations deeper than 5 feet generally require protective
systems such as sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding unless the trench is
entirely in stable rock.
7. Bench systems in trenching are designed to:
A. Increase drainage capacity
B. Provide soil stability through stepped excavation walls
C. Reduce utility permit fees
D. Support overhead cranes
B. Provide soil stability through stepped excavation walls
Rationale: Benching creates horizontal steps in trench walls to reduce soil
pressure and decrease the risk of collapse.
, 8. Which equipment is commonly used to compact soil in excavation
backfill operations?
A. Air compressor
B. Plate compactor
C. Concrete mixer
D. Pipe threader
B. Plate compactor
Rationale: Plate compactors apply repeated force to soil surfaces,
increasing density and reducing future settlement in backfilled areas.
9. A spoil pile should generally be kept at least how far from the edge of a
trench?
A. 6 inches
B. 1 foot
C. 2 feet
D. 10 feet
C. 2 feet
Rationale: Keeping spoil piles at least 2 feet from trench edges reduces
surcharge loads that could contribute to cave-ins and falling material
hazards.
10. What is the primary function of trench shielding?
A. Reduce excavation permit costs
B. Improve underground drainage
C. Protect workers if a cave-in occurs
D. Replace utility locating services
C. Protect workers if a cave-in occurs
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. Which document is typically required before a Maryland excavation
contractor can begin work within a public right-of-way?
A. Property deed only
B. Excavation and traffic control permit
C. Federal tax exemption certificate
D. Residential occupancy permit
B. Excavation and traffic control permit
Rationale: Maryland excavation projects affecting public roads or rights-of-
way generally require excavation and traffic control permits to ensure
public safety, utility protection, and compliance with local transportation
regulations.
2. An excavation contractor must contact a utility notification center
before digging primarily to:
A. Estimate payroll expenses
B. Obtain excavation insurance
,C. Prevent underground utility damage
D. Register heavy equipment
C. Prevent underground utility damage
Rationale: Utility notification systems help identify underground facilities
such as gas, electric, water, and communication lines, reducing the risk of
injuries, service interruptions, and costly damages.
3. Which soil type is considered the least stable in trenching operations?
A. Stable rock
B. Type A soil
C. Type B soil
D. Type C soil
D. Type C soil
Rationale: Type C soil is the least stable classification because it contains
loose granular material or water-saturated soil, increasing the likelihood of
trench collapse.
4. What is the primary purpose of trench protective systems?
A. Increase excavation speed
B. Improve equipment fuel efficiency
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
D. Reduce surveying costs
C. Protect workers from cave-ins
Rationale: Protective systems such as shoring, shielding, and sloping are
designed to prevent trench collapses and safeguard workers inside
excavations.
5. According to excavation safety standards, a competent person is
responsible for:
,A. Issuing contractor tax refunds
B. Inspecting excavations for hazards
C. Operating all heavy equipment
D. Approving zoning variances
B. Inspecting excavations for hazards
Rationale: A competent person must identify existing and predictable
hazards, conduct inspections, and ensure corrective actions are taken to
maintain safe excavation conditions.
6. What is the minimum protective measure required when employees
work in trenches deeper than 5 feet unless stable rock is present?
A. Protective trench system
B. Asphalt paving
C. Stormwater pond
D. Welding certification
A. Protective trench system
Rationale: Excavations deeper than 5 feet generally require protective
systems such as sloping, benching, shoring, or shielding unless the trench is
entirely in stable rock.
7. Bench systems in trenching are designed to:
A. Increase drainage capacity
B. Provide soil stability through stepped excavation walls
C. Reduce utility permit fees
D. Support overhead cranes
B. Provide soil stability through stepped excavation walls
Rationale: Benching creates horizontal steps in trench walls to reduce soil
pressure and decrease the risk of collapse.
, 8. Which equipment is commonly used to compact soil in excavation
backfill operations?
A. Air compressor
B. Plate compactor
C. Concrete mixer
D. Pipe threader
B. Plate compactor
Rationale: Plate compactors apply repeated force to soil surfaces,
increasing density and reducing future settlement in backfilled areas.
9. A spoil pile should generally be kept at least how far from the edge of a
trench?
A. 6 inches
B. 1 foot
C. 2 feet
D. 10 feet
C. 2 feet
Rationale: Keeping spoil piles at least 2 feet from trench edges reduces
surcharge loads that could contribute to cave-ins and falling material
hazards.
10. What is the primary function of trench shielding?
A. Reduce excavation permit costs
B. Improve underground drainage
C. Protect workers if a cave-in occurs
D. Replace utility locating services
C. Protect workers if a cave-in occurs
