Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam –
2026/2027 Edition – 100 Actual Questions
& Verified Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW :
Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam – 2026/2027 covers KRS 236, 815 KAR 15
licensing, permits, inspections, fees, ASME BPVC Sections I, IV, VIII, B31.1 piping,
NBIC repairs, power versus low-pressure heating boilers, safety valves, LWCO,
water columns, combustion controls, flame safeguard, CSD-1, fuel trains,
clearances, piping, blowdown, feedwater, pumps, water treatment, testing, logs,
efficiency, startup, shutdown, lockout/tagout, and safe operation per Kentucky
DHBC requirements ensuring competency, compliance, and public safety
statewide for all commercial, industrial, institutional boiler installations across the
Commonwealth.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
Section 1: Kentucky Laws & Regulations
1. According to KRS 236.010, how is a “Power Boiler” defined in
Kentucky?
A. Any boiler installed in a private residence
B. A boiler operating at 15 psig or less for steam heating
C. A hot water heating boiler not exceeding 160 psig and 250°F
D. A boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure of
more than 15 psig
, Rationale: KRS 236.010(10) defines power boiler as generating
steam/vapor >15 psig. This threshold separates Section I from Section
IV jurisdiction.
2. Per KRS 236.010, a low-pressure heating boiler is defined as:
A. Steam boiler >15 psig to 100 psig
B. Steam boiler ≤15 psig or hot water boiler ≤160 psig and ≤250°F at
the outlet
C. Any boiler with less than 400 sq ft heating surface
D. Hot water boiler operating at 200 psig
Rationale: Kentucky mirrors ASME Section IV. Low-pressure heating =
steam ≤15 psig, water ≤160 psig / 250°F. Above that is power boiler.
3. Which agency administers the Kentucky boiler inspection program and
contractor licensing?
A. Department of Environmental Protection
B. Kentucky Public Service Commission
C. Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction – Division of
Building Code Enforcement, Boiler Section
D. Kentucky Board of Plumbing
Rationale: 815 KAR Chapter 15 assigns administration to DHBC. All
installations, inspections, and contractor licenses flow through the
Boiler Section.
4. Under 815 KAR 15:030, who is permitted to install a power boiler in
Kentucky?
A. Any mechanical contractor without boiler endorsement
, B. Any licensed plumber
C. A Kentucky licensed Boiler Contractor or owner with permit, using
licensed installer
D. Building owner without permit
Rationale: Installation of power/high-pressure boilers requires a
licensed Boiler Contractor. 815 KAR 15:030 requires permit and
licensed entity.
5. What is the primary qualification for a Kentucky Boiler Contractor
license per 815 KAR 15:040?
A. Own a truck and tools
B. Hold a journeyman plumber license only
C. Documented experience in boiler installation/repair, pass
examination, and carry insurance
D. Be a National Board Commissioned Inspector
Rationale: Contractor licensing requires 3+ years experience, passing
the Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam (based on KRS 236, ASME, NBIC),
and liability insurance.
6. Per 815 KAR 15:051, what is the required internal inspection interval
for a high-pressure power boiler in Kentucky?
A. Only at installation
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Annually (internal certificate inspection)
Rationale: Power boilers require annual internal inspection per
Kentucky law. Low-pressure heating boilers are on a longer cycle.
, 7. What is the inspection frequency for low-pressure steam and hot water
heating boilers in Kentucky?
A. Internal monthly
B. External annually and internal biennially (every 2 years) for most;
state may allow external every 2 years with certificate
C. Every 5 years only
D. No inspection required
Rationale: Kentucky adopts NBIC intervals: low-pressure heating
boilers - external inspection every 2 years and internal where
construction permits. High-pressure is more frequent.
8. Per 815 KAR 15:080, the fee structure for boiler inspections is:
A. Free for all boilers
B. Set by regulation based on heating surface and type; internal power
boiler fee higher than external low-pressure
C. $10 flat for any boiler
D. Determined by insurance company only
Rationale: 815 KAR 15:080 establishes fee schedule. Example: power
boiler internal ~$150+ based on sq ft, plus certificate fees. It is not flat.
9. How long is a Kentucky Certificate of Inspection valid?
A. Indefinite until failure
B. 5 years
C. 90 days
D. 12 months from inspection, with 2-month extension allowed not to
exceed 14 months total per statute
2026/2027 Edition – 100 Actual Questions
& Verified Correct Answers
Questions with Step-by-Step Answers | 100% Verified | A+ Graded Review
OVERVIEW :
Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam – 2026/2027 covers KRS 236, 815 KAR 15
licensing, permits, inspections, fees, ASME BPVC Sections I, IV, VIII, B31.1 piping,
NBIC repairs, power versus low-pressure heating boilers, safety valves, LWCO,
water columns, combustion controls, flame safeguard, CSD-1, fuel trains,
clearances, piping, blowdown, feedwater, pumps, water treatment, testing, logs,
efficiency, startup, shutdown, lockout/tagout, and safe operation per Kentucky
DHBC requirements ensuring competency, compliance, and public safety
statewide for all commercial, industrial, institutional boiler installations across the
Commonwealth.
Answers are in bold Green, with rationales after.
Section 1: Kentucky Laws & Regulations
1. According to KRS 236.010, how is a “Power Boiler” defined in
Kentucky?
A. Any boiler installed in a private residence
B. A boiler operating at 15 psig or less for steam heating
C. A hot water heating boiler not exceeding 160 psig and 250°F
D. A boiler in which steam or other vapor is generated at a pressure of
more than 15 psig
, Rationale: KRS 236.010(10) defines power boiler as generating
steam/vapor >15 psig. This threshold separates Section I from Section
IV jurisdiction.
2. Per KRS 236.010, a low-pressure heating boiler is defined as:
A. Steam boiler >15 psig to 100 psig
B. Steam boiler ≤15 psig or hot water boiler ≤160 psig and ≤250°F at
the outlet
C. Any boiler with less than 400 sq ft heating surface
D. Hot water boiler operating at 200 psig
Rationale: Kentucky mirrors ASME Section IV. Low-pressure heating =
steam ≤15 psig, water ≤160 psig / 250°F. Above that is power boiler.
3. Which agency administers the Kentucky boiler inspection program and
contractor licensing?
A. Department of Environmental Protection
B. Kentucky Public Service Commission
C. Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction – Division of
Building Code Enforcement, Boiler Section
D. Kentucky Board of Plumbing
Rationale: 815 KAR Chapter 15 assigns administration to DHBC. All
installations, inspections, and contractor licenses flow through the
Boiler Section.
4. Under 815 KAR 15:030, who is permitted to install a power boiler in
Kentucky?
A. Any mechanical contractor without boiler endorsement
, B. Any licensed plumber
C. A Kentucky licensed Boiler Contractor or owner with permit, using
licensed installer
D. Building owner without permit
Rationale: Installation of power/high-pressure boilers requires a
licensed Boiler Contractor. 815 KAR 15:030 requires permit and
licensed entity.
5. What is the primary qualification for a Kentucky Boiler Contractor
license per 815 KAR 15:040?
A. Own a truck and tools
B. Hold a journeyman plumber license only
C. Documented experience in boiler installation/repair, pass
examination, and carry insurance
D. Be a National Board Commissioned Inspector
Rationale: Contractor licensing requires 3+ years experience, passing
the Kentucky Boiler Contractor Exam (based on KRS 236, ASME, NBIC),
and liability insurance.
6. Per 815 KAR 15:051, what is the required internal inspection interval
for a high-pressure power boiler in Kentucky?
A. Only at installation
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Annually (internal certificate inspection)
Rationale: Power boilers require annual internal inspection per
Kentucky law. Low-pressure heating boilers are on a longer cycle.
, 7. What is the inspection frequency for low-pressure steam and hot water
heating boilers in Kentucky?
A. Internal monthly
B. External annually and internal biennially (every 2 years) for most;
state may allow external every 2 years with certificate
C. Every 5 years only
D. No inspection required
Rationale: Kentucky adopts NBIC intervals: low-pressure heating
boilers - external inspection every 2 years and internal where
construction permits. High-pressure is more frequent.
8. Per 815 KAR 15:080, the fee structure for boiler inspections is:
A. Free for all boilers
B. Set by regulation based on heating surface and type; internal power
boiler fee higher than external low-pressure
C. $10 flat for any boiler
D. Determined by insurance company only
Rationale: 815 KAR 15:080 establishes fee schedule. Example: power
boiler internal ~$150+ based on sq ft, plus certificate fees. It is not flat.
9. How long is a Kentucky Certificate of Inspection valid?
A. Indefinite until failure
B. 5 years
C. 90 days
D. 12 months from inspection, with 2-month extension allowed not to
exceed 14 months total per statute
