,New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines Exam | Contractor License
(2026) Q&A
1. According to the official PSI content outline for the New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines exam,
which subject area has the highest number of test items?
A) Earthwork
B) Surface Repair
C) Project Management
D) Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures
Correct Answer: Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures
Rationale: The PSI content outline specifies that Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures comprises
15 of the 35 total questions, making it the largest subject area. Earthwork has 7 questions,
Surface Repair has 5, and Project Management has 8.
2. Which of the following is the primary scope of work authorized under a New Mexico GF-9
Utility Lines license?
A) Electrical power line installation over 600 volts
B) Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage, natural gas, and
water, including incidental paving and surfacing
C) Installation of all types of piping, including plumbing inside buildings
D) General building construction, including foundations and framing
Correct Answer: Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage,
natural gas, and water, including incidental paving and surfacing
Rationale: The GF-9 classification covers utility lines and systems for sewage, natural gas,
and water. Paving and surfacing are allowed only when incidental to the installation of such
facilities. Electrical lines over 600V fall under GF-8, not GF-9.
,3. A contractor is preparing to excavate for a new gas line installation. According to New
Mexico law, how many full business days before excavation must the contractor contact New
Mexico 811?
A) 1 business day
B) 2 business days
C) 3 business days
D) 4 business days
Correct Answer: 2 business days
Rationale: New Mexico's "Call Before You Dig" program requires notification to 811 at least 2
full business days before excavation begins, excluding weekends and holidays. This allows
utility operators sufficient time to mark their underground facilities.
4. What is the minimum safe distance a worker must maintain from an energized overhead
power line up to 50kV?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Correct Answer: 10 feet
Rationale: Workers must maintain a minimum of 10 feet from energized overhead power
lines up to 50kV, with additional distance required for higher voltages. This is a critical safety
requirement to prevent electrocution.
5. Under the APWA Uniform Color Code, what color markings indicate natural gas or
petroleum gas lines?
, A) Red
B) Blue
C) Yellow
D) Orange
Correct Answer: Yellow
Rationale: The APWA Uniform Color Code specifies that yellow markings indicate natural
gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and other gaseous or flammable materials. Red indicates electric
power lines, blue indicates potable water, and orange indicates communications.
6. Which federal regulation governs natural gas pipeline safety?
A) 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA Construction Standards)
B) 49 CFR Parts 191-199 (Pipeline Safety Regulations)
C) 40 CFR Parts 100-299 (EPA Environmental Regulations)
D) 30 CFR Parts 1-199 (MSHA Mining Regulations)
Correct Answer: 49 CFR Parts 191-199 (Pipeline Safety Regulations)
Rationale: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) governs
natural gas pipeline safety under 49 CFR Parts 191-199. OSHA 29 CFR 1926 covers
construction safety, not pipeline safety specifically.
7. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926, a "competent person" must inspect trenches at which of
the following times?
A) Once per week
B) Only after any rain event
C) At the start of each shift
D) Only if deeper than 5 feet
(2026) Q&A
1. According to the official PSI content outline for the New Mexico GF-9 Utility Lines exam,
which subject area has the highest number of test items?
A) Earthwork
B) Surface Repair
C) Project Management
D) Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures
Correct Answer: Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures
Rationale: The PSI content outline specifies that Pipe/Miscellaneous Structures comprises
15 of the 35 total questions, making it the largest subject area. Earthwork has 7 questions,
Surface Repair has 5, and Project Management has 8.
2. Which of the following is the primary scope of work authorized under a New Mexico GF-9
Utility Lines license?
A) Electrical power line installation over 600 volts
B) Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage, natural gas, and
water, including incidental paving and surfacing
C) Installation of all types of piping, including plumbing inside buildings
D) General building construction, including foundations and framing
Correct Answer: Construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility lines for sewage,
natural gas, and water, including incidental paving and surfacing
Rationale: The GF-9 classification covers utility lines and systems for sewage, natural gas,
and water. Paving and surfacing are allowed only when incidental to the installation of such
facilities. Electrical lines over 600V fall under GF-8, not GF-9.
,3. A contractor is preparing to excavate for a new gas line installation. According to New
Mexico law, how many full business days before excavation must the contractor contact New
Mexico 811?
A) 1 business day
B) 2 business days
C) 3 business days
D) 4 business days
Correct Answer: 2 business days
Rationale: New Mexico's "Call Before You Dig" program requires notification to 811 at least 2
full business days before excavation begins, excluding weekends and holidays. This allows
utility operators sufficient time to mark their underground facilities.
4. What is the minimum safe distance a worker must maintain from an energized overhead
power line up to 50kV?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Correct Answer: 10 feet
Rationale: Workers must maintain a minimum of 10 feet from energized overhead power
lines up to 50kV, with additional distance required for higher voltages. This is a critical safety
requirement to prevent electrocution.
5. Under the APWA Uniform Color Code, what color markings indicate natural gas or
petroleum gas lines?
, A) Red
B) Blue
C) Yellow
D) Orange
Correct Answer: Yellow
Rationale: The APWA Uniform Color Code specifies that yellow markings indicate natural
gas, oil, steam, petroleum, and other gaseous or flammable materials. Red indicates electric
power lines, blue indicates potable water, and orange indicates communications.
6. Which federal regulation governs natural gas pipeline safety?
A) 29 CFR 1926 (OSHA Construction Standards)
B) 49 CFR Parts 191-199 (Pipeline Safety Regulations)
C) 40 CFR Parts 100-299 (EPA Environmental Regulations)
D) 30 CFR Parts 1-199 (MSHA Mining Regulations)
Correct Answer: 49 CFR Parts 191-199 (Pipeline Safety Regulations)
Rationale: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) governs
natural gas pipeline safety under 49 CFR Parts 191-199. OSHA 29 CFR 1926 covers
construction safety, not pipeline safety specifically.
7. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926, a "competent person" must inspect trenches at which of
the following times?
A) Once per week
B) Only after any rain event
C) At the start of each shift
D) Only if deeper than 5 feet
