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Key Facts: MD Boiler Operator Exam
5
State stationary-engineer grades
Maryland Board / Title 6.5
60 or 80
Scored-outline questions by grade
PSI bulletin updated 1 September 2024; possible experimental additions separate
70%
Passing: 42/60 or 56/80
PSI bulletin
204
Local practice inventory, not live exam count
OpenExamPrep bank read 31 October 2026
Maryland has five stationary-engineer grades. PSI’s grade-specific scored outlines contain 60 items for Grades 5–4 and 80 for Grades 3–1; all allow 120 minutes and require 70% (42/60 or 56/80). Possible 5–10 additional experimental items are unscored and their answering time is extra. Grade 1 covers regulated units of at least 500 HP under statutory conditions. Fees, qualifying alternatives and equipment-inspection rules are separate; the local practice bank contains 204 questions.
Sample MD Boiler Operator Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the MD Boiler Operator exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 349+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In Maryland, which board oversees stationary engineer licensing for boiler operators?
2What is the primary function of a safety valve on a steam boiler?
3How many grades of stationary engineer license does Maryland issue?
4What does 'MAWP' stand for in boiler operations?
5In Maryland, what does an applicant for any grade of stationary engineer license have to do?
6What is the purpose of a low-water cutoff on a steam boiler?
7What is the correct startup sequence for a cold boiler?
8What causes scale formation in boilers?
9Under Maryland rules, how often must a power boiler receive a certificate inspection?
10What is the ideal pH range for boiler water in a low-pressure steam boiler?
About the MD Boiler Operator Exam
Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers state licensing, with PSI qualification review and computer-based examinations for Grades 1–5. Grades 5 and 4: 60 scored-outline questions, approved open book; Grades 3, 2 and 1: 80, closed book. The PSI bulletin also permits 5–10 additional unscored experimental questions with their answering time excluded from the examination clock. Grade authority follows regulated horsepower and building/attendance conditions; the credential is not an unrestricted engineering licence.
Exam sponsor: Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers (Department of Labor); exams delivered by PSI Services LLC. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Grades 5 and 4: 60 scored-outline questions, approved open book; Grades 3, 2 and 1: 80, closed book. The PSI bulletin also permits 5–10 additional unscored experimental questions with their answering time excluded from the examination clock.
Time Limit
120 minutes for each grade’s scored examination; experimental-item answering time does not count against it.
Passing Score
70%
Exam / Certification Fees
$65 PSI examination per attempt; separate Board application $31.50 and original licence $82 (Grade 1), $63 (Grades 2–3) or $43.50 (Grades 4–5), under the fee schedule effective 1 July 2025.
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Not published. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers (MD Dept. of Labor)
- PSI MD Stationary Engineer Qualification Information Bulletin
- Maryland Statute Title 6.5, Section 6.5-302 (Grade Authority & Attendance)
- COMAR 09.17 — Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers Regulations
- Board fee schedule effective 1 July 2025
- Board qualification requirements
- Current Board licensing FAQ
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
General Knowledge and Problem Solving
Boiler fundamentals, calculations and troubleshooting; 20 items on Grades 5 and 4, 10 on Grade 3, 5 on Grades 2 and 1 (PSI bulletin, updated 9/1/2024)
Basic Electricity
DC and AC circuit basics per the listed Lessons in Electric Circuits chapters; 5 items on every grade
Boiler Types and Equipment
Firetube, watertube and heating boiler construction and fittings; 5 items on Grades 5, 4, 2 and 1, 10 on Grade 3
Burners and Fuel Train
Burner types, fuel trains, combustion controls and flame safeguards; 5 items on Grades 5 and 4, 10 on Grades 3, 2 and 1
Pumps and Valves
Feedwater pumps, safety and stop valves, non-return valves; 5 items on Grades 5 and 4, 10 on Grades 3, 2 and 1
Sequential Operations
Start-up, cutting a boiler in on a live header, shutdown and lay-up sequences; 10 items on Grades 3, 2 and 1 (not tested on Grades 5 and 4)
Inspections and Maintenance
Internal and external inspections, testing of safety devices, maintenance routines; 5 items on Grades 5, 4 and 3, 10 on Grades 2 and 1
Central Station and Chillers
Surface condensers, vacuum, chillers and refrigeration in central plants; 5 items on Grades 3, 2 and 1 (not tested on Grades 5 and 4)
Water Treatment
Feedwater chemistry, scale, corrosion, blowdown and treatment programs; 5 items on Grades 5, 4 and 3, 10 on Grades 2 and 1
Emergency Operations
Low water, tube rupture, flame failure and other emergency responses; 5 items on every grade
Auxiliary Equipment
Deaerators, economizers, feedwater heaters, compressors and plant auxiliaries; 5 items on every grade
Preparing for the MD Boiler Operator Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Assessment: Grades 5 and 4: 60 scored-outline questions, approved open book; Grades 3, 2 and 1: 80, closed book. The PSI bulletin also permits 5–10 additional unscored experimental questions with their answering time excluded from the examination clock.
- Time limit: 120 minutes for each grade’s scored examination; experimental-item answering time does not count against it.
- Exam / certification fees: $65 PSI examination per attempt; separate Board application $31.50 and original licence $82 (Grade 1), $63 (Grades 2–3) or $43.50 (Grades 4–5), under the fee schedule effective 1 July 2025. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 349 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
MD Boiler Operator: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maryland credential does this page cover?
The Maryland Board of Stationary Engineers state licence, Grades 1–5, with examinations delivered by PSI. It is not Minnesota’s special-boiler credential or a separate local Baltimore certificate. Grade 5 covers regulated 30–99 HP units in non-public buildings, Grade 4 the same capacity in any building, Grade 3 100–299 HP, Grade 2 300–499 HP and Grade 1 at least 500 HP, subject to statutory conditions. The largest single regulated unit determines capacity, not the sum of boilers.
How many questions, how long, and what passing mark?
Grades 5 and 4: 60 scored-outline questions, approved open book; Grades 3, 2 and 1: 80, closed book. The PSI bulletin also permits 5–10 additional unscored experimental questions with their answering time excluded from the examination clock. Each scored examination allows 120 minutes and requires 70%: 42 of 60 or 56 of 80. The bulletin is marked updated 1 September 2024, with a separate online-application notice effective 31 March 2025.
Must everyone work through all five grades?
No. Apply for any grade for which you can document a qualifying route under section 6.5-303. Grade 5 requires high-school completion/GED; higher grades have specified experience, educational-credit, degree, professional-engineer or naval alternatives. Experience credits and higher-grade supervision conditions vary. PSI approves qualification documents before scheduling; passing then leads to a separate Board licence application.
What are the fees?
$65 PSI examination per attempt; separate Board application $31.50 and original licence $82 (Grade 1), $63 (Grades 2–3) or $43.50 (Grades 4–5), under the fee schedule effective 1 July 2025. The arithmetic sum of those listed components is $178.50 for Grade 1, $159.50 for Grades 2–3 or $140.00 for Grades 4–5, before optional materials and any other applicable charges. A retake requires another PSI examination fee.
When can I reapply after a failed examination?
The current Board licensing FAQ says wait 30 days after the first failed examination to reapply; subsequent requests follow a 60-day period. Repay the examination fee. The PSI bulletin’s generic 30-day retake sentence does not override this more specific first/subsequent Board instruction; obtain PSI approval for your appointment. A paid PSI registration is valid for 90 days.
Does another state’s licence automatically transfer, and how long does a Maryland licence last?
The Board states there is no ordinary out-of-state reciprocity. A separate Department of Labor recognition process may apply to qualified active-duty servicemembers or spouses relocating on military orders; it is not permanent Maryland licensure. Ordinary licences normally have two-year terms under section 6.5-312, with a statutory staggered-expiry exception. The Board issues electronic licences. More than 24 consecutive months expired prevents ordinary renewal and requires retesting; exactly 24 is not “more than 24.”