PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

100+ Free SC Water and Sewer Lines Practice Questions

Prepare for the South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines 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 South Carolina CLB Commercial Contractor Examinations

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

South Carolina Air Conditioning Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Alarm Code of Laws Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Asphalt Paving Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Boiler Installation Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Bridges Contractor Examination

Practice Questions

South Carolina Burglar Alarm Contractor Examination

Practice Questions
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SC Water and Sewer Lines Exam

50 Q

Official Exam Questions

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

70%

Passing Score

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

3 hours

Time Allowed

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

USD 60

PSI Exam Fee

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

Open Book

Book Policy

PSI SC Commercial Contractor CIB updated 5/15/2025

South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines Contractor Examination is the official CLB/PSI open-book exam: 50 questions, 70% (35 of 50), 3 hours, USD 60 (bulletin updated 5/15/2025). Official delivery is English.

Sample SC Water and Sewer Lines Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SC Water and Sewer Lines 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.3 feet
B.5 feet
C.6 feet
D.4 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 located so that no employee has more than 25 feet of lateral travel to reach it.
2Unless a retaining device is used, excavated spoil that could fall or roll into a water-line trench must be kept at least how far from the edge of the excavation?
A.18 inches
B.4 feet
C.12 inches
D.2 feet
Explanation: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.651(j)(2) requires spoil and other materials 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. Measure from the nearest base of the spoil pile to the cut, not from the crown of the pile.
3Under 29 CFR 1926.652, a protective system against cave-ins is required in excavations that are 5 feet or deeper unless which condition is met?
A.A flagger is posted at each end of the trench
B.The excavation is entirely in stable rock, or it is less than 5 feet deep and a competent person finds no indication of a potential cave-in
C.The contractor has a South Carolina commercial contractor license
D.The trench will be open for less than one shift
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.652(a)(1) requires a protective system in excavations unless they are made entirely in stable rock, or they are less than 5 feet (1.52 m) in depth and a competent person’s examination of the ground shows no indication of a potential cave-in. License status and shift length do not waive the rule.
4Under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P, which statement best describes a competent person for excavation work?
A.Any journeyman pipe layer with at least four years of South Carolina experience
B.Only a registered professional engineer licensed in South Carolina
C.The job-site superintendent, regardless of excavation training
D.A person who can identify existing and predictable hazards and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.650 defines a competent person as someone capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in 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.
5For an excavation less than 20 feet deep in Type C soil, what is the maximum allowable slope under OSHA 1926 Subpart P Appendix B?
A.Vertical (90 degrees)
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: Appendix B Table B-1 sets the maximum allowable slope for Type C soil in excavations less than 20 feet deep at 1-1/2 horizontal to 1 vertical (34 degrees measured from the horizontal). That is the same 1.5:1 slope used when an employer elects the simple Type C option in 1926.652(b)(1).
6A 4-foot-deep sewer trench is 80 feet long. How must ladders or other means of egress be spaced under 29 CFR 1926.651(c)(2)?
A.One ladder every 80 feet, measured along the pipe invert
B.Ladders are not required until the trench is 5 feet deep
C.One ladder at the midpoint of the trench is always enough
D.So that no employee has more than 25 feet of lateral travel to a means of egress
Explanation: 1926.651(c)(2) requires a stairway, ladder, ramp, or other safe means of egress in trenches 4 feet or more in depth, located so employees have no more than 25 feet of lateral travel. In an 80-foot trench that typically means multiple egress points, not a single midpoint ladder.
7Sloping or benching for an excavation greater than 20 feet deep must be designed by whom?
A.The project superintendent using Appendix B Table B-1
B.A registered professional engineer
C.The South Carolina 811 locator
D.The competent person on site after a visual soil test
Explanation: OSHA 1926 Subpart P Appendix B states that sloping or benching for excavations greater than 20 feet deep shall be designed by a registered professional engineer. Appendix B Table B-1 applies only to excavations less than 20 feet deep.
8Where oxygen deficiency or a hazardous atmosphere exists or could reasonably be expected, the atmosphere in an excavation shall be tested before employees enter once the excavation is greater than what depth?
A.2 feet
B.5 feet
C.20 feet
D.4 feet
Explanation: 29 CFR 1926.651(g)(1)(i) requires atmospheric testing before employees enter excavations greater than 4 feet (1.22 m) in depth when 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.
9A cohesive clay has an unconfined compressive strength of 1.8 tsf, but the material was previously disturbed when an old sewer was removed. How must a competent person classify that soil under Appendix A?
A.Type B or Type C, because no soil is Type A if it is previously disturbed
B.Type A, because 1.8 tsf exceeds the 1.5 tsf Type A threshold
C.Type C only if water is freely seeping
D.Stable rock, because the strength exceeds 1.5 tsf
Explanation: Appendix A defines Type A as cohesive soil with unconfined compressive strength of 1.5 tsf or greater, but it also states that no soil is Type A if it is fissured, subject to vibration, previously disturbed, part of a sloped layered system, or seeping. Previously disturbed clay must be classified Type B or Type C depending on the remaining Appendix A tests.
10How often must a competent person inspect excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems under 29 CFR 1926.651(k)?
A.Once at the start of the project and again after final backfill
B.Only when a cave-in has already occurred
C.Weekly, unless rain is forecast
D.Daily, and additionally after rainstorms or other hazard-increasing events
Explanation: 1926.651(k)(1) requires daily inspections of excavations, the adjacent areas, and protective systems by a competent person for evidence of a situation that could result in a cave-in, failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions. Inspections are also required after every rainstorm or other hazard-increasing occurrence. If a hazard is found, employees must be removed until precautions are taken.

About the SC Water and Sewer Lines Exam

The South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines Contractor Examination is the official CLB classification examination administered by PSI. The official exam has 50 scored questions. Passing is 70% (35 of 50) in 3 hours. The examination is open book. PSI lists USD 60 (Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025). Candidates must also pass Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractor. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. It does not replace required trade experience, board approval, or the official examination.

Assessment

Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Allowed references include OSHA 29 CFR 1926, DIPRA Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe (2007, revised 2021), ACPA Concrete Pipe & Box Culvert resources, Excavation and Grading Handbook (2006), and the South Carolina 811 Excavator Manual.

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70% (35 of 50)

Exam Fee

USD 60 (PSI Services LLC (for the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board))

SC Water and Sewer Lines Exam Content Outline

12%

Safety

Safety - Code of Federal Regulations (6 items)

14%

General Knowledge

General Knowledge (7 items)

14%

Design Elevations

Miscellaneous Engineering - Design Elevations (7 items)

24%

Concrete Pipe Installation

Underground Utilities - Concrete Pipe Installation (12 items)

28%

Ductile Pipe Installation

Underground Utilities - Ductile Pipe Installation (14 items)

8%

Excavating and Grading

Excavating and Grading (4 items)

How to Pass the SC Water and Sewer Lines Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% (35 of 50)
  • Assessment: Open-book computer-based multiple-choice. Allowed references include OSHA 29 CFR 1926, DIPRA Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe (2007, revised 2021), ACPA Concrete Pipe & Box Culvert resources, Excavation and Grading Handbook (2006), and the South Carolina 811 Excavator Manual.
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: USD 60

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

SC Water and Sewer Lines Study Tips from Top Performers

1Distribute study time to the official PSI content outline (bulletin updated 5/15/2025)
2Use only the PSI-listed references; temporary tabs such as Post-it notes are prohibited
3Pass Business Management and Law for Commercial Contractor in addition to this technical examination
4This bank is an English-language MCQ study aid, not an official PSI form

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the South Carolina Water and Sewer Lines Contractor Examination?

The official PSI examination has 50 scored questions. Passing is 70% (35 of 50) within 3 hours (Commercial Contractor Candidate Information Bulletin updated 5/15/2025).

How much does this PSI examination cost?

PSI lists USD 60 for this examination. The South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board charges a separate USD 350 license application fee for general and mechanical contractor licenses.

Is this examination open book?

Yes. PSI lists the South Carolina commercial contractor examinations as open book. Listed references include the DIPRA Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.

What is the largest topic on the SC Water and Sewer Lines exam?

The official PSI outline assigns 14 of 50 items to Underground Utilities - Ductile Pipe Installation.