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PHMSA CORROSION CONTROL OF PIPELINE SYSTEMS
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PIPELINE
Prepare for the PHMSA Corrosion Control of Pipeline Systems Examination with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your knowledge of pipeline
integrity and regulatory compliance. It features exam-style questions covering
corrosion prevention, cathodic protection, pipeline inspection, integrity management,
maintenance practices, safety regulations, and PHMSA standards. Use it to reinforce
essential concepts, assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day.
An excellent study aid for professionals preparing for the PHMSA Corrosion Control of
Pipeline Systems Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK (49 CFR Parts 192 & 195) (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: Under 49 CFR Part 192, which Subpart prescribes the minimum
requirements for the protection of metallic gas pipelines from corrosion?
A. Subpart E – Construction
B. Subpart G – General Requirements
C. Subpart I – Requirements for Corrosion Control
D. Subpart L – Operations
Correct answer: C. Subpart I – Requirements for Corrosion Control
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart I (Sections 192.451–192.491) sets the
minimum federal safety standards for protecting gas pipelines from external,
internal, and atmospheric corrosion .
Question 2: What is the scope of 49 CFR Part 195, Subpart H?
A. Pipeline design and construction
B. Corrosion control for hazardous liquid pipelines
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C. Operator qualification requirements
D. Emergency response planning
Correct answer: B. Corrosion control for hazardous liquid pipelines
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 195, Subpart H prescribes minimum requirements for
protecting steel pipelines used in hazardous liquid transportation against
corrosion .
Question 3: The PHMSA corrosion control regulations are primarily
performance-based. This means:
A. Specific technologies are mandated for all operators
B. Operators must follow strict step-by-step procedures
C. The regulations require achieving a protective outcome without specifying
the exact means
D. Only manual inspections are permitted
Correct answer: C. The regulations require achieving a protective
outcome without specifying the exact means
Rationale: PHMSA regulations are performance-based, meaning they do not
prescribe a specific means of inspection or technology. Operators must use
methods that accurately monitor cathodic protection levels and provide
information at least equivalent to the regulatory requirements .
Question 4: According to 49 CFR §192.453, who must carry out corrosion
control procedures?
A. Any company employee
B. An outside contractor without specific qualifications
C. A person qualified in pipeline corrosion control methods
D. A licensed professional engineer only
Correct answer: C. A person qualified in pipeline corrosion control
methods
Rationale: Section 192.453 requires that corrosion control procedures be
carried out by, or under the direction of, a person qualified in pipeline
corrosion control methods .
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Question 5: Under §192.455, when must a cathodic protection system be
installed and placed in operation for a new buried pipeline?
A. Before construction begins
B. Within 1 year after completion of construction
C. Within 6 months after installation
D. Within 5 years after installation
Correct answer: B. Within 1 year after completion of construction
Rationale: 49 CFR §192.455(a)(2) requires that a cathodic protection system
be installed and placed in operation within 1 year after completion of
construction for pipelines installed after July 31, 1971 .
Question 6: For pipelines installed before August 1, 1971, what is the
regulatory requirement regarding cathodic protection?
A. No cathodic protection is required
B. Each effectively coated transmission line must be cathodically protected
C. Only bare pipelines require cathodic protection
D. All pipelines must be replaced
Correct answer: B. Each effectively coated transmission line must be
cathodically protected
Rationale: 49 CFR §192.457(a) requires that each buried transmission line
installed before August 1, 1971, that has an effective external coating must be
cathodically protected. A pipeline does not have an effective coating if its
cathodic protection current requirements are substantially the same as bare
pipe .
Question 7: Under 49 CFR §192.455, an operator may be exempted from
cathodic protection requirements for a new pipeline if they can demonstrate:
A. The pipeline is made of stainless steel
B. A corrosive environment does not exist, supported by tests and soil
resistivity measurements
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C. The pipeline is less than 1 mile long
D. The pipeline is above ground
Correct answer: B. A corrosive environment does not exist, supported by
tests and soil resistivity measurements
Rationale: Section 192.455(b) allows exemption from cathodic protection if
the operator can demonstrate by tests, investigation, or experience (including
soil resistivity measurements and tests for corrosion-accelerating bacteria)
that a corrosive environment does not exist .
Question 8: What is the retention period for corrosion control records under
PHMSA regulations?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: PHMSA requires a minimum retention period of 5 years for
corrosion control records to ensure availability for auditing and integrity
management .
Question 9: According to §192.459, what must an operator do when a buried
pipeline is exposed?
A. Immediately backfill the pipe
B. Examine the exposed portion for evidence of external corrosion
C. Replace the entire exposed section
D. Apply a new coating without inspection
Correct answer: B. Examine the exposed portion for evidence of external
corrosion
Rationale: Section 192.459 requires that whenever an operator has
knowledge that any portion of a buried pipeline is exposed, the exposed
portion must be examined for evidence of external corrosion if the pipe is bare
or if the coating is deteriorated .
PHMSA CORROSION CONTROL OF PIPELINE SYSTEMS
EXAMINATION 2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PIPELINE
Prepare for the PHMSA Corrosion Control of Pipeline Systems Examination with this
comprehensive practice resource designed to strengthen your knowledge of pipeline
integrity and regulatory compliance. It features exam-style questions covering
corrosion prevention, cathodic protection, pipeline inspection, integrity management,
maintenance practices, safety regulations, and PHMSA standards. Use it to reinforce
essential concepts, assess your understanding, and build confidence before test day.
An excellent study aid for professionals preparing for the PHMSA Corrosion Control of
Pipeline Systems Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK (49 CFR Parts 192 & 195) (Questions 1–20)
Question 1: Under 49 CFR Part 192, which Subpart prescribes the minimum
requirements for the protection of metallic gas pipelines from corrosion?
A. Subpart E – Construction
B. Subpart G – General Requirements
C. Subpart I – Requirements for Corrosion Control
D. Subpart L – Operations
Correct answer: C. Subpart I – Requirements for Corrosion Control
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 192, Subpart I (Sections 192.451–192.491) sets the
minimum federal safety standards for protecting gas pipelines from external,
internal, and atmospheric corrosion .
Question 2: What is the scope of 49 CFR Part 195, Subpart H?
A. Pipeline design and construction
B. Corrosion control for hazardous liquid pipelines
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C. Operator qualification requirements
D. Emergency response planning
Correct answer: B. Corrosion control for hazardous liquid pipelines
Rationale: 49 CFR Part 195, Subpart H prescribes minimum requirements for
protecting steel pipelines used in hazardous liquid transportation against
corrosion .
Question 3: The PHMSA corrosion control regulations are primarily
performance-based. This means:
A. Specific technologies are mandated for all operators
B. Operators must follow strict step-by-step procedures
C. The regulations require achieving a protective outcome without specifying
the exact means
D. Only manual inspections are permitted
Correct answer: C. The regulations require achieving a protective
outcome without specifying the exact means
Rationale: PHMSA regulations are performance-based, meaning they do not
prescribe a specific means of inspection or technology. Operators must use
methods that accurately monitor cathodic protection levels and provide
information at least equivalent to the regulatory requirements .
Question 4: According to 49 CFR §192.453, who must carry out corrosion
control procedures?
A. Any company employee
B. An outside contractor without specific qualifications
C. A person qualified in pipeline corrosion control methods
D. A licensed professional engineer only
Correct answer: C. A person qualified in pipeline corrosion control
methods
Rationale: Section 192.453 requires that corrosion control procedures be
carried out by, or under the direction of, a person qualified in pipeline
corrosion control methods .
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Question 5: Under §192.455, when must a cathodic protection system be
installed and placed in operation for a new buried pipeline?
A. Before construction begins
B. Within 1 year after completion of construction
C. Within 6 months after installation
D. Within 5 years after installation
Correct answer: B. Within 1 year after completion of construction
Rationale: 49 CFR §192.455(a)(2) requires that a cathodic protection system
be installed and placed in operation within 1 year after completion of
construction for pipelines installed after July 31, 1971 .
Question 6: For pipelines installed before August 1, 1971, what is the
regulatory requirement regarding cathodic protection?
A. No cathodic protection is required
B. Each effectively coated transmission line must be cathodically protected
C. Only bare pipelines require cathodic protection
D. All pipelines must be replaced
Correct answer: B. Each effectively coated transmission line must be
cathodically protected
Rationale: 49 CFR §192.457(a) requires that each buried transmission line
installed before August 1, 1971, that has an effective external coating must be
cathodically protected. A pipeline does not have an effective coating if its
cathodic protection current requirements are substantially the same as bare
pipe .
Question 7: Under 49 CFR §192.455, an operator may be exempted from
cathodic protection requirements for a new pipeline if they can demonstrate:
A. The pipeline is made of stainless steel
B. A corrosive environment does not exist, supported by tests and soil
resistivity measurements
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C. The pipeline is less than 1 mile long
D. The pipeline is above ground
Correct answer: B. A corrosive environment does not exist, supported by
tests and soil resistivity measurements
Rationale: Section 192.455(b) allows exemption from cathodic protection if
the operator can demonstrate by tests, investigation, or experience (including
soil resistivity measurements and tests for corrosion-accelerating bacteria)
that a corrosive environment does not exist .
Question 8: What is the retention period for corrosion control records under
PHMSA regulations?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct answer: C. 5 years
Rationale: PHMSA requires a minimum retention period of 5 years for
corrosion control records to ensure availability for auditing and integrity
management .
Question 9: According to §192.459, what must an operator do when a buried
pipeline is exposed?
A. Immediately backfill the pipe
B. Examine the exposed portion for evidence of external corrosion
C. Replace the entire exposed section
D. Apply a new coating without inspection
Correct answer: B. Examine the exposed portion for evidence of external
corrosion
Rationale: Section 192.459 requires that whenever an operator has
knowledge that any portion of a buried pipeline is exposed, the exposed
portion must be examined for evidence of external corrosion if the pipe is bare
or if the coating is deteriorated .
