100+ Free NAEC CAT Practice Questions

Pass your NAEC Certified Accessibility Technician (CAT) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NAEC CAT Exam

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

150

Exam Questions

NAEC

3 hours

Time Limit

NAEC

75%

Passing Score

NAEC

ASME A18.1

Primary Code

ASME

Computer-based

Exam Format

NAEC

The NAEC Certified Accessibility Technician (CAT) is the National Association of Elevator Contractors' credential for technicians who install, maintain, and troubleshoot accessibility and private-residence lifts: vertical platform lifts (VPL), inclined platform lifts (IPL), stairway chairlifts, LULA elevators, and residential elevators. The computer-based exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions delivered over three hours, and candidates must earn a scaled score of 80 or above (about 75% correct) to pass. It is earned through a two-year, five-course apprenticeship-aligned program administered under a CAT-S (CAT Supervisor), and is distinct from the CET (general elevator technician) and QEI (inspector) credentials. Content centers on ASME A18.1 (and ASME A17.1 Section 5.2 for LULA), safety devices, controls and electrical, hydraulics, installation, and maintenance. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.

Sample NAEC CAT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NAEC CAT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which ASME safety standard governs the design, installation, and maintenance of platform lifts and stairway chairlifts that the CAT program covers?

A.ASME A17.1

B.ASME A18.1

C.ASME B30.5

D.ASME A90.1

Explanation: ASME A18.1, the Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts, is the controlling code for vertical platform lifts, inclined platform lifts, and inclined stairway chairlifts. It is the primary study reference for the NAEC CAT certification.

2A LULA (Limited-Use/Limited-Application) elevator is designed, manufactured, and installed in accordance with which code?

A.ASME A18.1 Section 2

B.ASME A17.1 Section 5.2

C.ASME A17.3

D.ICC A117.1

Explanation: A LULA elevator is a power passenger elevator whose use and application is limited by size, capacity, speed, and rise; it is built to ASME A17.1 Section 5.2. Because it is a true elevator, it falls under A17.1 rather than the A18.1 platform-lift standard.

3What is the maximum rated load for a LULA elevator under ASME A17.1?

A.750 lb

B.1,000 lb

C.1,400 lb

D.2,000 lb

Explanation: A LULA elevator is limited to a rated load of 1,400 lb. Together with its limits on speed (30 fpm), rise (25 ft), and platform area (18 sq ft), this capacity restriction is what classifies it as 'limited application' under A17.1 Section 5.2.

4Under ASME A17.1, the maximum rated speed of a LULA elevator is:

A.30 fpm

B.40 fpm

C.100 fpm

D.150 fpm

Explanation: A LULA elevator is limited to a rated speed of 30 ft/min (0.15 m/s). This low speed, combined with the 25 ft rise and 1,400 lb load limits, distinguishes it from a conventional passenger elevator.

5The maximum travel (rise) permitted for a LULA elevator under ASME A17.1 Section 5.2 is:

A.14 ft

B.25 ft

C.50 ft

D.Unlimited

Explanation: A LULA elevator is limited to a maximum rise of 25 ft (7,620 mm). This is one of the four defining 'limited' parameters: size, capacity, speed, and rise.

6What is the maximum inside net platform area allowed for a LULA elevator car?

A.12 sq ft

B.15 sq ft

C.18 sq ft

D.24 sq ft

Explanation: A LULA elevator car is limited to a net inside platform area of 18 sq ft. This same 18 sq ft limit also applies to vertical platform lifts under ASME A18.1, reflecting the intent that these devices carry a single mobility-aid user rather than a crowd.

7A vertical platform lift (VPL) carries a wheelchair user straight up and down between landings. Which device transports a seated user along the pitch of a staircase?

A.Inclined platform lift

B.Stairway chairlift

C.LULA elevator

D.Dumbwaiter

Explanation: A stairway chairlift (inclined stairway chairlift) carries a seated passenger on a chair that runs on a rail following the slope of the stairs. It requires the user to transfer from a wheelchair to the seat, unlike an inclined platform lift, which carries the wheelchair itself.

8An inclined platform lift (IPL) differs from a stairway chairlift primarily because it:

A.Travels vertically rather than along the stairs

B.Carries the user's wheelchair on a folding platform

C.Requires no rail or track

D.Can only be installed outdoors

Explanation: An inclined platform lift carries the user seated in their own wheelchair on a folding platform that travels up the staircase on a rail. This lets a wheelchair user ride without transferring to a seat, which is the key difference from a stairway chairlift.

9ASME A18.1 limits the rated speed of a vertical platform lift to no more than:

A.30 fpm

B.60 fpm

C.100 fpm

D.150 fpm

Explanation: Vertical platform lifts under ASME A18.1 are limited to a rated speed of 30 ft/min (0.15 m/s). The low speed reflects their purpose as accessibility devices for short rises rather than as elevators.

10On a vertical platform lift, the device under the platform that stops downward travel if the platform contacts an obstruction is called the:

A.Underpan (underpanel) obstruction device

B.Slack-chain switch

C.Final terminal limit

D.Pit stop switch

Explanation: ASME A18.1 requires an underpan (underpanel) obstruction sensing device: if the platform underside contacts an obstruction during downward travel, it removes power and stops the platform within a short distance (about 2 in.) to protect anything beneath the platform.

About the NAEC CAT Exam

The Certified Accessibility Technician (CAT) is NAEC's credential for technicians who install and service accessibility and private-residence lifts — vertical and inclined platform lifts, stairway chairlifts, and LULA/residential elevators. The computer-based exam has 150 multiple-choice questions over three hours and requires a scaled score of 80 or above (about 75%) to pass.

Assessment

Computer-based exam of 150 multiple-choice questions over 3 hours, requiring a scaled score of 80 or above (about 75% correct); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

75% (scaled score of 80 or above)

Exam Fee

$250 first-year administration fee for NAEC members ($750 non-members) (National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC))

NAEC CAT Exam Content Outline

22%

Accessibility & Private-Residence Lift Types

VPL, IPL, stairway chairlifts, LULA and residential elevators, their drive types (screw, hydraulic, rack-and-pinion), parameters, and correct application

18%

Codes & Standards (ASME A18.1 / A17.1)

ASME A18.1 for platform lifts and chairlifts, A17.1 Section 5.2 for LULA, ADA requirements, and speed/travel/capacity/platform-area limits

17%

Safety Devices & Requirements

Underpan and sensing-edge devices, door/gate interlocks, slack-chain devices, final limits, roll-stops, emergency stop, and lockout/tagout

17%

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Charging faults, battery aging, platform drift, leveling, noise/shudder, fluid contamination, and interlock/limit diagnostics plus preventive maintenance

14%

Controls & Electrical

Constant-pressure operation, call/send stations, NEC branch circuits and grounding, batteries and series wiring, and emergency lighting and communication

12%

Installation & Hydraulics

Rail anchoring, pits and ramps, enclosures and gates, outdoor installs, acceptance testing, and hydraulic power units, cylinders, and rupture/relief/lowering valves

How to Pass the NAEC CAT Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75% (scaled score of 80 or above)
Assessment: Computer-based exam of 150 multiple-choice questions over 3 hours, requiring a scaled score of 80 or above (about 75% correct); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $250 first-year administration fee for NAEC members ($750 non-members)

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NAEC CAT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the LULA limits from ASME A17.1 Section 5.2: 1,400 lb load, 30 fpm speed, 25 ft rise, and 18 sq ft platform area

2Know that A18.1 caps platform-lift speed at 30 fpm and platform area at 18 sq ft, and that interlocks unlock only within about 2 in. of the landing

3Be able to distinguish VPL vs. IPL vs. stairway chairlift vs. LULA by drive, travel direction, and whether the user stays in the wheelchair

4Understand each safety device — underpan/sensing edge, door/gate interlock, slack-chain device, final limits, roll-stops — and what condition makes it trip

5Practice troubleshooting logic: off-charge beep = charging contacts; platform drift = leaking check valve; weak lifting = pump/fluid; mid-stair stop = safety edge

6Complete all 100 practice questions and review every miss with the AI tutor before sitting the exam

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NAEC CAT exam and how long is it?

For candidates who complete the CAT education program, the computer-based exam has 150 multiple-choice questions delivered over about three hours. You need a scaled score of 80 or above, which corresponds to answering about 75% correctly.

What score do I need to pass the NAEC CAT exam?

You must achieve a scaled score of 80 or above, which means correctly answering about 75% of the questions in the three hours allotted. The exam covers accessibility-lift codes, equipment, safety devices, installation, and maintenance.

What does the Certified Accessibility Technician credential cover?

The CAT covers accessibility and private-residence lifts: vertical platform lifts (VPL), inclined platform lifts (IPL), stairway chairlifts, LULA elevators, and residential elevators. Its primary code reference is ASME A18.1 (plus ASME A17.1 Section 5.2 for LULA elevators).

How is the CAT different from the CET and QEI?

The CAT specializes in accessibility and private-residence lifts, the CET (Certified Elevator Technician) covers general commercial elevators and escalators, and the QEI (Qualified Elevator Inspector) is for inspectors. The CAT program is supervised by a CAT-S (CAT Supervisor).

What does the NAEC CAT certification cost?

A non-refundable first-year administration fee of $250 applies for NAEC members ($750 for non-members). Annual renewal is $115 for members ($210 non-members) and requires approved continuing education; a $100 retest fee applies before a third attempt.

Is this free CAT practice as good as paid prep?

Our 100 practice questions cover the same domains as the CAT exam — lift types, ASME A18.1/A17.1 codes, safety devices, controls, hydraulics, installation, and troubleshooting — with a teaching explanation for every answer plus a free daily AI tutor. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.