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100+ Free AL Water Projects Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: AL Water Projects Exam

70%

Passing Score

PSI AL GC Bulletin

50 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI AL GC Bulletin

2 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 Water Projects trade exam via PSI: 50 questions, 70% pass, 2 hours, fee $96. Open-book specialty classification under the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (bulletin 1/23/26).

Sample AL Water Projects Practice Questions

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

1Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, when must a trench generally have a protective system such as sloping, shoring, or a trench box?
A.Only when the trench is deeper than 20 feet
B.Only when groundwater is visible in the invert
C.At 5 feet or deeper unless a competent person finds no indication of a potential cave-in in a shallower excavation
D.Only on nights and weekends
Explanation: OSHA requires a protective system in excavations 5 feet or deeper unless the excavation is less than 5 feet and a competent person finds no indication of a potential cave-in. Deeper than 20 feet is a separate rule that requires a registered professional engineer design.
2A water-main trench will be 6 feet deep. At what depth must a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress be provided?
A.Only if the trench exceeds 10 feet
B.In trenches 4 feet or more in depth
C.Only in trenches that are also classified as permit-required confined spaces
D.Egress is never required if a trench box is used
Explanation: OSHA 1926.651 requires a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress in trench excavations 4 feet or more deep. Workers must be able to exit quickly if the walls start to fail or an emergency develops.
3In a 4-foot-or-deeper water trench, how far may a worker have to travel laterally to reach a ladder or other required egress?
A.No more than 25 feet
B.No more than 50 feet
C.No more than 100 feet
D.Any distance is acceptable if a radio is on site
Explanation: OSHA limits lateral travel to a means of egress to 25 feet in trenches 4 feet or more deep. Place ladders or ramps so no worker is more than 25 feet from an exit along the trench.
4Where must excavated spoil be placed relative to the edge of a water-main trench?
A.Piled against the trench wall to act as a surcharge berm
B.Dumped back into the trench as soon as the pipe is set, even if workers remain inside
C.Centered over the pipe alignment so it can be used as a walkway
D.At least 2 feet from the edge of the excavation, or retained by devices that keep material from falling in
Explanation: OSHA requires spoil, equipment, and other materials to be kept at least 2 feet from the excavation edge, or to be retained by devices that effectively prevent materials from falling or rolling into the excavation. Spoil at the lip adds surcharge and can trigger a cave-in.
5For a simple slope in Type A soil less than 20 feet deep, what maximum slope does OSHA Subpart P Appendix B allow?
A.Vertical (1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical)
B.3/4 horizontal to 1 vertical (53 degrees)
C.1 horizontal to 1 vertical (45 degrees)
D.1 1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees)
Explanation: OSHA Appendix B allows Type A soil to be sloped no steeper than 3/4:1 (53 degrees) for excavations less than 20 feet deep, provided the soil still qualifies as Type A. Type B is 1:1 and Type C is 1 1/2:1.
6A water trench in Type C soil will be 8 feet deep and less than 20 feet. What simple slope must not be exceeded?
A.Vertical cut with no bench
B.3/4 horizontal to 1 vertical
C.1 1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees)
D.1/4 horizontal to 1 vertical
Explanation: Type C soil is the weakest OSHA classification used for sloping. For excavations under 20 feet, the maximum simple slope is 1 1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical, or about 34 degrees. Steeper faces in Type C are not permitted without a designed protective system.
7When must a competent person inspect a water-project excavation?
A.Daily, before each shift, and after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence
B.Only on the first day the trench is opened
C.Only if a cave-in has already occurred
D.Once per month if no one has been injured
Explanation: OSHA requires daily inspections by a competent person, and additional inspections after rainstorms or other events that could increase hazards. The competent person must have authority to remove workers if a hazard is found.
8A cohesive soil tests at 1.6 tons per square foot unconfined compressive strength, but the trench is next to a vibrating compactor and the soil was previously excavated for an old main. How should it be classified for OSHA sloping?
A.Type A, because the strength exceeds 1.5 tsf
B.Stable rock, because it is cohesive
C.Type A if the contractor prefers a steeper slope
D.Not Type A; fissuring, vibration, previous disturbance, or seepage disqualify Type A regardless of strength
Explanation: OSHA Type A requires cohesive soil of at least 1.5 tsf, but Subpart P Appendix A states that no soil is Type A if it is fissured, subject to vibration, previously disturbed, part of a sloped layered system dipping into the excavation at 4H:1V or steeper, or subject to other factors requiring a less stable classification. Soil from which water is freely seeping is separately defined as Type C. This trench is both vibrated and previously disturbed, so it must be treated as a lesser type (typically B or C) and sloped or shored accordingly.
9Before workers enter a water excavation more than 4 feet deep where an oxygen deficiency or hazardous atmosphere could reasonably be expected, what must be done?
A.Issue dust masks and continue
B.Test the atmosphere before employees enter
C.Wait 10 minutes with no testing if the trench is open to the sky
D.Test only if a worker already feels dizzy
Explanation: OSHA 1926.651 requires atmospheric testing before entry into excavations more than 4 feet deep when an oxygen deficiency or other hazardous atmosphere could reasonably be expected. Open-cut work can still trap gases or be oxygen-deficient near landfills, utilities, or contaminated soil.
10OSHA treats an atmosphere as oxygen-deficient when the oxygen concentration is below what level?
A.23.5 percent
B.21.0 percent
C.19.5 percent
D.16.0 percent
Explanation: An oxygen-deficient atmosphere is one with less than 19.5 percent oxygen. Workers must not enter until ventilation or other controls restore a safe atmosphere and testing confirms it.

About the AL Water Projects Exam

The Alabama Water Projects Contractor Examination is a classification trade examination administered by PSI for the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors. The official open-book exam has 50 questions, a 70% (35 of 50 correct) passing standard, and 120 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.

Questions

50 scored questions

Time Limit

120 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$96 (PSI Services LLC (for Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors))

AL Water Projects Exam Content Outline

16%

Concrete

Structural and water-retaining concrete

14%

Concrete Reinforcement

Placing reinforcing bars in tanks and structures

14%

Excavation and Grading

Trenching, bedding, and site grading

14%

Water Regulations and Water Tanks and Piping

ADEM 335-7, AWWA tanks, and water piping

12%

Safety

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 excavation and construction safety

12%

Formwork

ACI formwork for tanks and structures

10%

Shotcrete

ACI Guide to Shotcrete placement

4%

One Call

Alabama 811 / Act 94-487

4%

Erosion and Sedimentation Control

Stormwater and sediment controls

How to Pass the AL Water Projects Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 50 questions
  • Time limit: 120 minutes
  • Exam fee: $96

Keys to Passing

  • 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 Water Projects Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study only the approved references listed for Water Projects Contractor in the current PSI Alabama General Contractors bulletin
2Practice open-book navigation with permanent tabs and indexes before test day
3Drill ADEM Admin. Code 335-7 water-main separation, disinfection, and tank rules plus OSHA 29 CFR 1926 excavation
4Work concrete volume, trench, and tank-capacity 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 Water Projects exam?

The official PSI trade examination has 50 scored questions (plus possible experimental items). Passing is 70% (35 of 50 correct) within 120 minutes.

How much does the AL Water Projects 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.