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Key Facts: AL Pipelines Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

60 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

2.5 hours

Time Allowed

PSI AL GC Bulletin

$96

PSI Exam Fee

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Open book

Exam Format

PSI AL GC Bulletin

Alabama AL Pipelines trade exam via PSI: 60 questions, 70% pass, 2.5 hours, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Pipelines Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AL Pipelines exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary purpose of pipe bedding in buried pipeline construction?
A.To provide continuous, uniform support under the pipe and protect the coating
B.To increase the pipe wall thickness for pressure capacity
C.To eliminate the need for hydrostatic testing
D.To replace the cathodic-protection system
Explanation: Bedding creates a firm, uniform foundation so the pipe is supported along its length and the coating is not damaged by rocks or hard points. Proper bedding and haunch support reduce stress concentrations and long-term settlement problems.
2In open-cut pipeline installation, what is typically placed first after trench excavation and grade check?
A.Final surface pavement
B.Approved bedding material shaped to the design elevation
C.Concrete roadway base course
D.Topsoil and seed
Explanation: After excavation and verification of trench line and grade, approved bedding is placed and shaped so the pipe will rest at the design invert. Backfill, restoration, and paving follow after jointing and inspection steps.
3What does HDD stand for in pipeline installation?
A.High-Density Drainage
B.Horizontal Directional Drilling
C.Hydraulic Drop Design
D.Hardpan Direct Dumping
Explanation: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a trenchless method used to install pipe under roads, rivers, and other obstacles by steering a pilot bore and then pulling the product pipe through the enlarged hole.
4Why is pipe stringing done carefully along the right-of-way before welding and lowering-in?
A.To keep joints in sequence, protect coatings, and minimize unnecessary handling damage
B.To permanently set final grade without surveying
C.To replace the need for weld procedure qualification
D.To allow hydrostatic test water to drain overnight
Explanation: Stringing places pipe joints in the correct order along the ROW with supports that protect coatings and bevels. Good stringing reduces rehandling, coating damage, and mix-ups that cause field delays.
5What is the main purpose of a ditch break or trench break (trench dam) in a pipeline trench on a slope?
A.To stop water from running along the trench and eroding bedding or creating voids under the pipe
B.To increase the MAOP of the pipeline
C.To eliminate the need for coating repairs
D.To serve as a permanent cathodic-protection anode
Explanation: Trench breaks or dams interrupt water flow in the trench on grades so bedding and backfill are not washed out and voids do not form under the pipe. They are an erosion-control and pipe-support measure, not a pressure or CP system component.
6During lowering-in, what is a key reason to use padded cradles or belting under coated pipe?
A.To prevent coating damage and point loading on the pipe wall
B.To heat the pipe for better weld fusion
C.To increase wall thickness at field bends
D.To eliminate the need for holiday testing
Explanation: Padded cradles, rollers, or belting distribute support loads and protect factory and field coating during handling and lowering-in. Damaged coating becomes a corrosion initiation site if not repaired.
7A pipeline trench is 400 feet long, 3 feet wide, and averages 5 feet deep. Ignoring side slopes, what is the approximate excavation volume in cubic yards?
A.111 cubic yards
B.222 cubic yards
C.333 cubic yards
D.600 cubic yards
Explanation: Volume in cubic feet is length × width × depth = 400 × 3 × 5 = 6,000 cubic feet. Convert to cubic yards by dividing by 27: 6,000 ÷ 27 ≈ 222 cubic yards.
8What is the principal advantage of using a boring or jacking method under a paved roadway instead of open cut?
A.It avoids excavating the traveled way and reduces traffic disruption and pavement restoration
B.It always eliminates the need for utility locates
C.It removes the requirement for coating on the product pipe
D.It allows untrained crews to install high-pressure gas lines without procedures
Explanation: Boring or jacking under roads keeps the pavement surface largely intact, limits traffic impacts, and reduces costly surface restoration compared with open-cut trenching across the roadway.
9When placing select backfill around a coated steel pipeline, which practice best protects the coating?
A.Using rock-free, compactible material in the pipe zone and placing it carefully around the haunches
B.Dumping large blasted rock directly on top of the pipe from the bank
C.Leaving voids under the pipe so water can drain freely along the invert
D.Covering the pipe with scrap metal before backfilling
Explanation: The pipe zone should be free of oversized rock and debris. Material is placed and worked under the haunches so the pipe is fully supported without coating puncture. Rock dump and voids create coating damage and stress points.
10What does the term “right-of-way” (ROW) refer to in pipeline construction?
A.The strip of land acquired or authorized for constructing, operating, and maintaining the pipeline
B.Only the interior diameter of the pipe
C.The maximum pressure rating stamped on a fitting
D.The welder’s certification number
Explanation: The right-of-way is the land corridor where the pipeline may be built and later accessed for inspection and maintenance. Contractors work within the authorized ROW limits and restore disturbed areas as required.

About the AL Pipelines Exam

The Alabama Pipelines Contractor Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 60 questions, a 70% (42 of 60 correct) passing standard, and 150 minutes allowed. PSI examination fee is $96 per attempt (bulletin updated 1/23/26). This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid for the trade knowledge on the official content outline; it is not an official PSI form, does not replace the required Business & Law exam for primes, and is not a substitute for board-approved experience or the official open-book examination.

Exam sponsor: PSI Services LLC (for Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

60 questions

Time Limit

150 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam / Certification Fees

$96

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

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.

30%

Pipeline Construction

Pipeline installation methods

20%

Welding and Joining

Pipe welding and joining

20%

Excavation and Safety

Trenching and OSHA safety

15%

Testing and Integrity

Pressure testing and integrity

15%

One Call and Regulations

AL 1Call and pipeline regulations

Preparing for the AL Pipelines Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 60 questions
  • Time limit: 150 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $96 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AL Pipelines: Suggested Study Strategy

1Study only the approved references listed for your classification in the current PSI Alabama General Contractors bulletin
2Practice open-book navigation with permanent tabs and indexes before test day
3Drill OSHA 29 CFR 1926 topics that appear across nearly every trade outline
4Work quantity takeoff and plan-reading problems under timed conditions
5Confirm Board eligibility and classification scope on genconbd.alabama.gov before scheduling with PSI

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the AL Pipelines exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 60 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (42 of 60 correct) within 150 minutes.

How much does the AL Pipelines exam cost?

PSI lists $96 per examination registration for this Alabama general contractor classification exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 1/23/26). License application fees to the Board are separate.

Is the Alabama specialty contractor exam open book?

Yes. PSI administers these classification exams as open book. Only the bulletin-listed approved references are allowed; temporary tabs like Post-it notes are prohibited.

Do I still need the Business and Law exam?

Prime contractor applicants must also pass the Alabama Business & Law examination (50 questions, 70%, 120 minutes). Reciprocity may waive a trade exam in some cases but does not waive Business & Law.