NM GF-9 Utility Lines
Exam Prep – Verified
Practice Questions with
Rationales Covering
Utility Line Construction
and Maintenance
Executive Overview of the NM GF-9 Classification and
Examination
The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) establishes rigorous standards for the
licensing of contractors to ensure the safety and welfare of the public. Within this regulatory
framework, the GF-9 Utility Lines and Systems classification is a critical licensure category. It
authorizes contractors to engage in the construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility
lines and systems specifically designed for the transmission of sewage, natural gas, and water.
This scope is comprehensive, extending beyond the mere laying of pipe to include all necessary
excavation, grading, trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, compacting, paving, and surfacing
incidental to the utility installation. Furthermore, the GF-9 license encompasses the installation
of tanks, treatment plants, and direct burial telephone or data cable vaults, making it a versatile
and essential credential for modern infrastructure development.
Candidates preparing for the GF-9 examination must demonstrate a nuanced understanding of
engineering principles, material science, and federal safety regulations. The examination is
administered by PSI and tests the candidate’s ability to navigate complex scenarios involving
soil mechanics, hydrostatic pressure, asphalt compaction, and high-voltage electrical
clearances. The examination content is derived from a specific set of references, including the
AWWA M23 PVC Pipe Design and Installation manual, the Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook,
the Guide for the Installation of Ductile Iron Pipe, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 safety standards.
This comprehensive research report serves as an exhaustive mock examination and study
guide. It presents 65 high-quality practice questions designed to mirror the difficulty and content
distribution of the actual licensure exam. Each question is followed by a detailed rationale that
synthesizes regulatory text, engineering theory, and practical field application. This approach
ensures that the candidate understands not only the correct answer but also the underlying logic
,required to apply these principles in the field, where the margin for error is often nonexistent.
Section 1: Administration, Licensing, and New
Mexico Statutes
This section addresses the administrative and legal framework governing utility contracting in
New Mexico. Candidates must understand the boundaries of their license, the requirements for
maintaining it, and the state-specific laws regarding excavation notification (NM One Call). The
GF-9 license requires two years of verified experience, distinguishing it from the four-year
requirement for general building (GB-98) or fixed works (GF-98) classifications.
Question 1: Allowable Scope of Work for GF-9
Question: A licensed GF-9 Utility Lines contractor is approached by a client to pave a large
commercial parking lot as a standalone project, unrelated to any utility line installation. Under
the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA) and NMAC 14.6.6, is this work
permitted under the GF-9 classification?
A. Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all scopes authorized by GA-1 and GA-2. B. Yes,
provided the contractor hires a GA-98 subcontractor. C. No, the GF-9 license allows paving only
when it is necessary and incidental to the installation of utility lines. D. No, unless the contractor
also holds a GB-98 General Building license.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is C.
Regulatory Analysis: The New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) defines the scope of the
GF-9 classification with precision. Specifically, the license authorizes the construction,
installation, alteration, or repair of utility systems (sewage, gas, water) and includes "paving and
surfacing necessary and incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities". While
the license covers the technical skills required to pave (patching trenches, restoring road cuts),
it does not grant the broad authority to act as a paving contractor for unrelated projects.
Standalone paving falls under the GA-1 (Streets, Roads, and Highways) or GA-98 (Asphalt,
Bitumen, and Concrete Construction) classifications.
Licensing Implications: Performing work outside the scope of a license constitutes unlicensed
contracting, which carries severe penalties in New Mexico, including the inability to file
mechanic's liens and potential criminal charges. A GF-9 contractor who wishes to bid on
standalone paving projects must obtain the appropriate GA classification or partner with a
validly licensed prime contractor.
Question 2: Experience Requirements for Licensure
Question: An applicant is preparing to submit their application for a GF-9 Qualifying Party
Certificate. According to New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)
requirements, what is the minimum verified work experience required to qualify for the GF-9
classification?
A. One year (2,000 hours). B. Two years (4,000 hours). C. Three years (6,000 hours). D. Four
years (8,000 hours).
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Experience Criteria: New Mexico categorizes contractor licenses based on the complexity and
risk associated with the work. While general classifications like GB-98 (General Building) and
, GF-98 (Fixed Works Utilities) require four years (8,000 hours) of experience due to their broad
scopes, the specific specialty classifications within the GF series, including GF-9, require two
years (4,000 hours) of verified experience.
Application Process: This experience must be documented in a notarized Work Experience
Affidavit submitted with the application. The experience must demonstrate competence in the
specific activities covered by the GF-9 scope, such as trenching, pipe laying, and utility system
installation. It is critical for applicants to accurately document their specific role in these projects
to avoid rejection by the Construction Industries Division (CID).
Question 3: New Mexico One Call (811) Notification
Question: Under the New Mexico Excavation Law, an excavator planning to trench for a new
sewer line must notify the One-Call notification system (NM811). What is the minimum waiting
period required after the call is made before excavation can commence?
A. 24 hours. B. Two working days. C. 48 hours including weekends. D. Five working days.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Statutory Requirement: The New Mexico Excavation Law (NMSA 62-14-1 et seq.) mandates a
"positive response" system. Excavators must notify the One-Call center at least two working
days prior to the start of excavation. This timeline explicitly excludes weekends and legal
holidays. For instance, a call placed on a Friday would not allow work to begin until the following
Wednesday morning (assuming Monday and Tuesday are working days).
Risk Management: This waiting period is non-negotiable. It provides utility operators sufficient
time to dispatch locators to the site. Commencing work before the two-working-day window
expires shifts all liability for damages to the excavator, regardless of whether the utility line was
accurately mapped. In the event of a strike on a gas line, this can lead to catastrophic financial
and legal consequences, including civil penalties enforced by the Public Regulation
Commission.
Question 4: The "Tolerance Zone" for Mechanical Excavation
Question: Once underground facilities have been marked by utility operators, New Mexico law
establishes a "tolerance zone" around the marks. What is the width of this zone, and what
restrictions apply within it?
A. 12 inches; mechanical excavation is permitted with a spotter. B. 18 inches; only hand digging
or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the facility. C. 24 inches; mechanical excavation is
prohibited entirely. D. 36 inches; no excavation of any kind is permitted.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Definition of Tolerance Zone: New Mexico statute defines the tolerance zone as the width of
the underground facility plus 18 inches on either side of the outside edge of the facility, as
indicated by the locate marks.
Operational Restrictions: Within this 18-inch buffer, the use of mechanical earthmoving
equipment (backhoes, excavators, augers) is strictly limited. The law requires the excavator to
expose the facility using non-destructive means, such as hand digging or vacuum excavation
("soft digging"), to visually verify the precise location and depth of the line before any
mechanical equipment crosses that plane.
Field Application: Utility locate marks are approximate, relying on electromagnetic induction
which can be distorted by soil conductivity or nearby metallic objects. The 18-inch tolerance
zone accounts for this potential error. Excavators who blindly dig within this zone using a bucket
Exam Prep – Verified
Practice Questions with
Rationales Covering
Utility Line Construction
and Maintenance
Executive Overview of the NM GF-9 Classification and
Examination
The New Mexico Construction Industries Division (CID) establishes rigorous standards for the
licensing of contractors to ensure the safety and welfare of the public. Within this regulatory
framework, the GF-9 Utility Lines and Systems classification is a critical licensure category. It
authorizes contractors to engage in the construction, installation, alteration, and repair of utility
lines and systems specifically designed for the transmission of sewage, natural gas, and water.
This scope is comprehensive, extending beyond the mere laying of pipe to include all necessary
excavation, grading, trenching, boring, shoring, backfilling, compacting, paving, and surfacing
incidental to the utility installation. Furthermore, the GF-9 license encompasses the installation
of tanks, treatment plants, and direct burial telephone or data cable vaults, making it a versatile
and essential credential for modern infrastructure development.
Candidates preparing for the GF-9 examination must demonstrate a nuanced understanding of
engineering principles, material science, and federal safety regulations. The examination is
administered by PSI and tests the candidate’s ability to navigate complex scenarios involving
soil mechanics, hydrostatic pressure, asphalt compaction, and high-voltage electrical
clearances. The examination content is derived from a specific set of references, including the
AWWA M23 PVC Pipe Design and Installation manual, the Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook,
the Guide for the Installation of Ductile Iron Pipe, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 safety standards.
This comprehensive research report serves as an exhaustive mock examination and study
guide. It presents 65 high-quality practice questions designed to mirror the difficulty and content
distribution of the actual licensure exam. Each question is followed by a detailed rationale that
synthesizes regulatory text, engineering theory, and practical field application. This approach
ensures that the candidate understands not only the correct answer but also the underlying logic
,required to apply these principles in the field, where the margin for error is often nonexistent.
Section 1: Administration, Licensing, and New
Mexico Statutes
This section addresses the administrative and legal framework governing utility contracting in
New Mexico. Candidates must understand the boundaries of their license, the requirements for
maintaining it, and the state-specific laws regarding excavation notification (NM One Call). The
GF-9 license requires two years of verified experience, distinguishing it from the four-year
requirement for general building (GB-98) or fixed works (GF-98) classifications.
Question 1: Allowable Scope of Work for GF-9
Question: A licensed GF-9 Utility Lines contractor is approached by a client to pave a large
commercial parking lot as a standalone project, unrelated to any utility line installation. Under
the New Mexico Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA) and NMAC 14.6.6, is this work
permitted under the GF-9 classification?
A. Yes, because the GF-9 license includes all scopes authorized by GA-1 and GA-2. B. Yes,
provided the contractor hires a GA-98 subcontractor. C. No, the GF-9 license allows paving only
when it is necessary and incidental to the installation of utility lines. D. No, unless the contractor
also holds a GB-98 General Building license.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is C.
Regulatory Analysis: The New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) defines the scope of the
GF-9 classification with precision. Specifically, the license authorizes the construction,
installation, alteration, or repair of utility systems (sewage, gas, water) and includes "paving and
surfacing necessary and incidental to the completion of the installation of such facilities". While
the license covers the technical skills required to pave (patching trenches, restoring road cuts),
it does not grant the broad authority to act as a paving contractor for unrelated projects.
Standalone paving falls under the GA-1 (Streets, Roads, and Highways) or GA-98 (Asphalt,
Bitumen, and Concrete Construction) classifications.
Licensing Implications: Performing work outside the scope of a license constitutes unlicensed
contracting, which carries severe penalties in New Mexico, including the inability to file
mechanic's liens and potential criminal charges. A GF-9 contractor who wishes to bid on
standalone paving projects must obtain the appropriate GA classification or partner with a
validly licensed prime contractor.
Question 2: Experience Requirements for Licensure
Question: An applicant is preparing to submit their application for a GF-9 Qualifying Party
Certificate. According to New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD)
requirements, what is the minimum verified work experience required to qualify for the GF-9
classification?
A. One year (2,000 hours). B. Two years (4,000 hours). C. Three years (6,000 hours). D. Four
years (8,000 hours).
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Experience Criteria: New Mexico categorizes contractor licenses based on the complexity and
risk associated with the work. While general classifications like GB-98 (General Building) and
, GF-98 (Fixed Works Utilities) require four years (8,000 hours) of experience due to their broad
scopes, the specific specialty classifications within the GF series, including GF-9, require two
years (4,000 hours) of verified experience.
Application Process: This experience must be documented in a notarized Work Experience
Affidavit submitted with the application. The experience must demonstrate competence in the
specific activities covered by the GF-9 scope, such as trenching, pipe laying, and utility system
installation. It is critical for applicants to accurately document their specific role in these projects
to avoid rejection by the Construction Industries Division (CID).
Question 3: New Mexico One Call (811) Notification
Question: Under the New Mexico Excavation Law, an excavator planning to trench for a new
sewer line must notify the One-Call notification system (NM811). What is the minimum waiting
period required after the call is made before excavation can commence?
A. 24 hours. B. Two working days. C. 48 hours including weekends. D. Five working days.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Statutory Requirement: The New Mexico Excavation Law (NMSA 62-14-1 et seq.) mandates a
"positive response" system. Excavators must notify the One-Call center at least two working
days prior to the start of excavation. This timeline explicitly excludes weekends and legal
holidays. For instance, a call placed on a Friday would not allow work to begin until the following
Wednesday morning (assuming Monday and Tuesday are working days).
Risk Management: This waiting period is non-negotiable. It provides utility operators sufficient
time to dispatch locators to the site. Commencing work before the two-working-day window
expires shifts all liability for damages to the excavator, regardless of whether the utility line was
accurately mapped. In the event of a strike on a gas line, this can lead to catastrophic financial
and legal consequences, including civil penalties enforced by the Public Regulation
Commission.
Question 4: The "Tolerance Zone" for Mechanical Excavation
Question: Once underground facilities have been marked by utility operators, New Mexico law
establishes a "tolerance zone" around the marks. What is the width of this zone, and what
restrictions apply within it?
A. 12 inches; mechanical excavation is permitted with a spotter. B. 18 inches; only hand digging
or vacuum excavation is permitted to expose the facility. C. 24 inches; mechanical excavation is
prohibited entirely. D. 36 inches; no excavation of any kind is permitted.
Detailed Rationale: The correct answer is B.
Definition of Tolerance Zone: New Mexico statute defines the tolerance zone as the width of
the underground facility plus 18 inches on either side of the outside edge of the facility, as
indicated by the locate marks.
Operational Restrictions: Within this 18-inch buffer, the use of mechanical earthmoving
equipment (backhoes, excavators, augers) is strictly limited. The law requires the excavator to
expose the facility using non-destructive means, such as hand digging or vacuum excavation
("soft digging"), to visually verify the precise location and depth of the line before any
mechanical equipment crosses that plane.
Field Application: Utility locate marks are approximate, relying on electromagnetic induction
which can be distorted by soil conductivity or nearby metallic objects. The 18-inch tolerance
zone accounts for this potential error. Excavators who blindly dig within this zone using a bucket
