PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Practice Questions

Prepare for the Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains and Pipes Contractor Examination exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Nevada NSCB Contractor Examinations

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Nevada A General Engineering Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Nevada A-10 Commercial and Residential Pools Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Nevada A-10A Residential Pools Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Nevada A-10B Residential Spas Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Nevada A-10C Repair of Pools and Spas Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

Nevada A-10E Pool Alteration and Repair Contractor Examination

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Exam

50 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

70%

Passing Score

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

2 hours

Time Allowed

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

USD 95

PSI Exam Fee (one portion)

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI Nevada Contractor CIB updated 3/25/2026

Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains and Pipes Contractor Examination is the official NSCB/PSI open book exam: 50 questions, 70% (35 of 50 points), 2 hours, USD 95 (bulletin 291, updated 3/25/2026). Official delivery: English.

Sample NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NV A-15 Sewers and Drains exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Per 29 CFR 1926.651, a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress is required in a trench excavation once the trench reaches what minimum depth?
A.4 feet
B.3 feet
C.5 feet
D.6 feet
Explanation: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2) requires a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress in trench excavations that are 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth. The egress must be placed so that no employee has more than 25 feet of lateral travel to reach it.
2Unless a retaining device is used, excavated spoil and other materials that could roll into a trench must be kept at least how far from the edge of the excavation?
A.12 inches
B.2 feet
C.18 inches
D.4 feet
Explanation: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2) requires excavated materials and other objects that could fall or roll into an excavation to be kept at least 2 feet (0.61 m) from the edge, or held by a retaining device, or both. The 2-foot clearance is measured from the nearest base of the spoil pile to the cut, not from the crown of the pile.
3Under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, which statement best describes a competent person for excavation work?
A.A person who can identify existing and predictable hazards and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures
B.Any journeyman pipe layer with at least four years of Nevada experience
C.Only a registered professional engineer licensed in Nevada
D.The job-site superintendent, regardless of excavation training
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.650 defines a competent person as someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures. Title or years of trade experience alone do not meet the definition.
4Per 29 CFR 1926.652, employees in an excavation generally must be protected by a sloping, shoring, or shielding system once the excavation is how deep, unless it is entirely in stable rock?
A.5 feet
B.4 feet
C.6 feet
D.8 feet
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) requires an adequate protective system for each employee in an excavation except when the excavation is entirely in stable rock, or when it is less than 5 feet deep and a competent person examines the ground and finds no indication of a potential cave-in. Five feet is the default protective-system threshold.
5A cohesive clay has an unconfined compressive strength of 1.8 tsf. The same soil was previously excavated and backfilled. How must it be classified under OSHA Subpart P Appendix A?
A.Stable rock
B.Type B, because previously disturbed soil cannot be Type A
C.Type A
D.Type C, because all backfill is Type C
Explanation: Appendix A allows Type A only for cohesive soils with unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tsf or greater that are not fissured, not subject to vibration, and not previously disturbed. Previously disturbed soils that are not otherwise Type C are classified as Type B, even if the strength would otherwise meet Type A.
6For a simple slope excavation 20 feet or less in Type C soil, what is the maximum allowable slope in OSHA Subpart P Appendix B?
A.3/4 horizontal to 1 vertical (53 degrees)
B.1-1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees)
C.1 horizontal to 1 vertical (45 degrees)
D.2 horizontal to 1 vertical (26 degrees)
Explanation: Appendix B to Subpart P sets the maximum allowable simple slope in Type C soil at 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees) for excavations 20 feet or less in depth. Type C is the least stable OSHA soil class, so it requires the flattest tabulated slope.
7A sewer trench will be 8 feet deep in Type C soil and sloped on both sides at the OSHA Appendix B maximum of 1½:1. How much horizontal setback is required on each side from the bottom of the cut to the top of the slope?
A.4 feet
B.6 feet
C.8 feet
D.12 feet
Explanation: A 1½:1 slope means 1.5 feet of horizontal run for each 1 foot of vertical rise. For an 8-foot-deep cut, each side needs 8 × 1.5 = 12 feet of horizontal setback. That is why Type C sloping often cannot be used on tight urban sewer streets.
8When employees will be exposed, how often must a competent person inspect an excavation, the adjacent areas, and protective systems?
A.Only at the start of the project
B.Weekly, unless a cave-in occurs
C.Daily before work, as needed during the shift, and after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing event
D.Only after a cave-in or injury
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.651(k) requires daily inspections by a competent person prior to the start of work and as needed throughout the shift whenever employee exposure can reasonably be anticipated. Inspections are also required after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence. If a hazardous condition is found, employees must be removed until it is corrected.
9Where an oxygen-deficient or other hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected, the atmosphere in an excavation must be tested before employees enter once the excavation is greater than what depth?
A.4 feet
B.2 feet
C.5 feet
D.10 feet
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.651(g)(1)(i) requires atmospheric testing before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet (1.22 m) deep where oxygen deficiency (less than 19.5 percent oxygen) or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected, such as in landfill areas or near stored hazardous substances. Adequate ventilation or respiratory protection must then keep the atmosphere safe.
10While a backhoe is placing concrete pipe, where may employees stand?
A.Beside the trench but never underneath the load handled by the lifting or digging equipment
B.Directly under the suspended pipe to guide the joint by hand
C.On the spoil pile at the edge so they can see the invert
D.In the trench box only if the operator cannot see them
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.651(e) prohibits any employee from being underneath loads handled by lifting or digging equipment. Employees must stand away from vehicles being loaded or unloaded to avoid falling or spilled material. Guiding a joint is done with tag lines or from a position that is not under the load.

About the NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Exam

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains and Pipes Contractor Examination is the official Nevada State Contractors Board trade or management examination administered by PSI Services LLC. The official exam has 50 scored questions. Passing is 70% (35 of 50 points) in 2 hours. The examination is open book. The only reference PSI allows in the center is the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23. PSI lists USD 95 for one examination portion and USD 140 if taken with CMS; otherwise USD 95 per trade exam (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 3/25/2026). NSCB requires a separate CMS examination for most new applicants, plus a USD 300 application fee and a USD 600 biennial license fee. This English-language MCQ bank is a study aid, not an official PSI form. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, fingerprints, bonding, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open Book computer-based multiple-choice. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23 (allowed in center)

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

70% (35 of 50 points)

Exam Fee

USD 95 (PSI Services LLC (for the Nevada State Contractors Board))

NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Exam Content Outline

18%

Safety — Code of Federal Regulations

OSHA 29 CFR 1926 safety (9 items)

20%

Underground Utilities — Concrete Pipe Installation

Concrete pipe and utility installation (10 items)

20%

Excavating and Grading

Trenching, bedding, and backfill (10 items)

6%

Paving

Restoration paving (3 items)

30%

Septic Tanks/Cesspools

Septic tanks and cesspools (15 items)

6%

Nevada One-Call

Nevada One-Call / 811 (3 items)

How to Pass the NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (35 of 50 points)
  • Assessment: Open Book computer-based multiple-choice. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23 (allowed in center)
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 95

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

NV A-15 Sewers and Drains Study Tips from Top Performers

1Distribute study time to the official bulletin 291 content outline (updated 3/25/2026)
2Use only the PSI-listed references; temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited
3Confirm NSCB experience documentation before scheduling with PSI
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains and Pipes Contractor Examination?

The official PSI examination has 50 scored questions. Passing is 70% (35 of 50 points) within 2 hours (Candidate Information Bulletin 291, updated 3/25/2026).

How much does the NV A-15 Sewers and Drains exam cost?

PSI lists USD 95 for one examination portion. Two portions cost USD 140 only if the second portion is CMS. NSCB charges a separate USD 300 application fee and USD 600 biennial license fee.

Is the NV A-15 Sewers and Drains exam open book?

Yes. PSI bulletin 291 lists this examination as open book. The only reference allowed in the center is the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23. Every other book on the bulletin list is study material and is not allowed.

Do I still need the CMS examination?

CMS is the required Nevada business-and-law examination. Most new applicants must pass CMS and a trade examination for the requested classification. In most cases you will not retake an exam if you have actively served as a qualified employee in the same classification within the last four years.