CSLB Class A — General Engineering (Trade Exam) — All Questions
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300 questions
An operator marks a gas line with two marks showing the pipe's outside edges. How far does the tolerance zone extend?
- a.24 inches from the midpoint
- b.12 inches from each mark
- c.36 inches from each mark
- d.24 inches from each mark✓
When the marks show the width of the installation, the tolerance zone is 24 inches from each outside marking.Gov. Code 4216
An excavator gouges a sewer force main during trenching. When must the regional notification center be told?
- a.Only if it leaks
- b.Within 10 working days
- c.Within 48 hours✓
- d.At the end of the project
Damage to any subsurface installation is reported to the operator immediately and to the regional notification center within 48 hours.Gov. Code 4216.4
A new water main will run parallel to a line carrying disinfected tertiary recycled water. What minimum horizontal separation applies?
- a.10 feet
- b.4 feet✓
- c.2 feet
- d.25 feet
New water mains are at least 4 feet horizontally from, and one foot above, parallel lines carrying disinfected tertiary recycled water or storm drainage.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22, 64572
How far must a new water main be from the nearest edge of a septic leach field?
- a.10 horizontal feet
- b.25 horizontal feet✓
- c.100 horizontal feet
- d.4 horizontal feet
New water mains may not be within 25 horizontal feet of a cesspool, septic tank, leach field or seepage pit.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22, 64572
How far in advance is the engineer notified of a pressure test on Caltrans work?
- a.7 days
- b.48 hours✓
- c.2 hours
- d.10 days
Caltrans requires notifying the engineer at least 48 hours before performing a pressure test.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 20-2.01A(4)(b)
How soon after mixing must slurry cement backfill be placed?
- a.Within 24 hours
- b.Within 8 hours
- c.Within 4 hours
- d.Within 1 hour✓
Slurry cement backfill is placed within 1 hour of mixing; nothing is placed on top for at least 4 hours.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 19-3.03F
What must be done at the end of each day with the ends of installed corrugated PVC pipe that were not backfilled?
- a.Cover them each day✓
- b.Cut them back 2 feet
- c.Leave them open to drain
- d.Fill them with sand
Caltrans requires covering the ends of installed corrugated PVC pipe that were not backfilled at the end of each day.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 64-2.03
Falsework 10 feet high with 12-foot spans and no traffic through it. Who may sign the falsework plan?
- a.Only the building official
- b.No signature is required
- c.Only a registered civil engineer
- d.An engineer or qualified representative✓
Installations below the engineer thresholds may be signed by a California civil engineer, a manufacturer's authorized representative, or a qualified licensed contractor's representative.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
Butt-spliced wood shores are scabbed. How far past the joint must the scabs extend?
- a.At least 4 feet
- b.At least 6 inches
- c.At least 1 foot
- d.At least 2 feet✓
Scabs on butt-spliced wood shores extend at least two feet beyond the joint.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
When is the first set of perimeter guardrails installed during formwork erection?
- a.Only for decks over 36 feet high
- b.After all formwork is complete
- c.Immediately after supporting members are in place✓
- d.After the concrete is placed
The first set of protective guardrails goes in at the perimeter immediately after the supporting members are in place.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1717
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What does Caltrans prohibit for holding forms in position?
- a.Form fasteners
- b.Twisted wire ties✓
- c.Wales
- d.Form oil
Form fasteners prevent spreading; twisted wire ties are not used to hold forms in position.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03C
What minimum size of chamfer strip does Caltrans require at sharp edges of exposed concrete?
- a.1/4 by 1/4 inch
- b.1/2 by 1/2 inch
- c.3/4 by 3/4 inch✓
- d.2 by 2 inches
Forms for exposed surfaces have triangular fillets at least 3/4 by 3/4 inch.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03C
What is done to forms and subgrade immediately before concrete is placed?
- a.Heat them
- b.Cover them with plastic
- c.Moisten them with water✓
- d.Dust them with cement
Caltrans requires thoroughly moistening forms and subgrade immediately before placing concrete.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D
A seal course is placed with a tremie. How thick must the seal course be at minimum?
- a.1 foot
- b.4 feet
- c.6 inches
- d.2 feet✓
The seal course must be at least 2 feet thick and thick enough to seal the cofferdam.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 51-1.03D
What is the nominal slump range for cast-in-place concrete piles in the Caltrans table?
- a.5 to 7 inches✓
- b.0 to 1 inch
- c.1 to 3 inches
- d.6 to 8 inches
The Caltrans table lists a nominal slump of 5 to 7 inches for CIP concrete piles.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 90-1.02G
During water curing, how close must the curing media stay to the concrete surface?
- a.Within 1 foot
- b.Within 3 inches✓
- c.Touching only at the edges
- d.Within 12 inches
Curing media are kept within 3 inches of the concrete at all points along the surface being cured.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 90-1.03B
What protects the head of a driven pile from the hammer?
- a.A steel shim plate only
- b.Wet sand on the pile head
- c.Nothing is required
- d.A cushion driving block✓
Caltrans requires protecting pile heads from direct impact with a cushion driving block.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-2.01C
What equipment must be on standby during a CIDH pile pour under slurry?
- a.A spare tremie hopper only
- b.Standby concrete and slurry pumps✓
- c.A backup vibrator
- d.A second concrete supplier only
A fully operational standby concrete pump and slurry pump must be on site during concrete placement.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 49-3
Which work is most clearly within the Class A definition?
- a.A single-family house framing job
- b.Interior office painting
- c.A sewage treatment plant pipeline✓
- d.Kitchen cabinet installation
General engineering covers fixed works such as sewers and sewage disposal plants and pipelines.B&P Code 7056
What must be submitted before pumping equipment is installed on Caltrans work?
- a.Nothing until testing
- b.Shop drawings with anchorage details✓
- c.A photograph of the pump
- d.Only the final invoice
Shop drawings cover system layout, piping connections, appurtenances and mounting and anchorage details.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 74-1
A conveyor at a treatment plant is being cleaned. Besides stopping it, what does the lockout rule require on its controls?
- a.Nothing more
- b.A second operator on the controls
- c.A written permit from Cal/OSHA
- d.Accident prevention signs or tags✓
Machinery is stopped and de-energized or blocked, and accident prevention signs or tags are placed on the controls.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 3314
In demolition, what is prohibited for workers moving around the structure?
- a.Using planked walkways
- b.Using ladders
- c.Walking on exposed joists✓
- d.Using designated stairways
Walking across exposed floor joists, steel beams or girders is prohibited.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1735
A wall of a building being demolished will be used to hold back piled debris. What is required first?
- a.Removing its windows
- b.Nothing, since it is a wall
- c.Confirming its capacity✓
- d.Painting it for visibility
Walls used as retaining walls for debris may be used only if determined capable of safely supporting the imposed load.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1735
What is done with material displaced during demolition that is not needed for reconstruction?
- a.Stacked against exterior walls
- b.Transported immediately to the ground✓
- c.Stored on upper floors
- d.Left in place until the end
Displaced material is transported immediately to the ground, and material stored on the structure may not exceed its safe capacity.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1735
What must the owner or operator do before a demolition begins, under the asbestos NESHAP?
- a.Nothing if the building is small
- b.Notify the local newspaper
- c.Remove all windows
- d.Thoroughly inspect for asbestos✓
Before demolition or renovation, the affected facility is thoroughly inspected for asbestos, including nonfriable material.40 CFR 61.145
A project generates 450 tons of nonhazardous C&D debris. What minimum tonnage must be recycled or salvaged?
- a.About 225 tons
- b.About 293 tons✓
- c.About 158 tons
- d.450 tons
CALGreen requires at least 65%: 450 × 0.65 = 292.5 tons.CalRecycle / CALGreen
Where is warning tape placed in a Caltrans electrical conduit trench?
- a.6 inches below grade✓
- b.At the trench bottom
- c.On the finished surface
- d.Directly on the conduit
Warning tape goes in the trench 6 inches below finished grade so it is found before the conduit.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 87-1.03
What is the "grading plane"?
- a.Surface under the lowest layer✓
- b.The finished pavement surface
- c.The bottom of the deepest utility
- d.The top of the aggregate base
Caltrans defines the grading plane as the basement material surface on which the lowest layer of subbase, base or pavement is placed.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) definitions
Which maximum aggregate sizes does Caltrans aggregate base use?
- a.6 inches
- b.1-1/2 inch or 3/4 inch✓
- c.1/4 inch only
- d.3 inches or 2 inches
Caltrans uses either a 1-1/2-inch or 3/4-inch maximum aggregate gradation unless otherwise specified.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 26-1.02
Aggregate base shown 0.90 foot thick is placed in two equal layers. How thick is each compacted layer?
- a.0.30 foot
- b.0.60 foot
- c.0.90 foot
- d.0.45 foot✓
More than 0.50 foot is placed in at least two approximately equal layers, none over 0.50 foot: 0.90 ÷ 2 = 0.45 foot.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 26-1.03
Geosynthetic material under aggregate base is damaged. How is it repaired?
- a.Leave it and add more base
- b.A new piece with 6 inches of overlap
- c.Tape over the tear
- d.A patch with 3 feet of overlap✓
Damaged geosynthetic is repaired by placing a new piece over the damaged area with at least 3 feet of overlap.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 26-1.03
How soon after the initial application of lime must all mixing be completed?
- a.Within 7 days✓
- b.Within 30 days
- c.Within 36 hours
- d.Within 24 hours
All mixing of lime-stabilized soil is completed within 7 days of the initial application of lime; the 36 hours is the minimum mellowing period.Caltrans Standard Specifications (2025) 24-2.03
What must every employer have under the Construction Safety Orders?
- a.A Cal/OSHA inspector on site
- b.An injury and illness program✓
- c.A union safety committee
- d.A full-time safety engineer
Every employer must establish, implement and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1509
Who may operate equipment and machinery on a construction site?
- a.Anyone the owner approves
- b.Any licensed driver
- c.Only qualified persons✓
- d.Any employee over 18
The employer may permit only qualified persons to operate equipment and machinery.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1510
On a site with several employers, who must ensure first-aid availability for each employer's workers?
- a.The local fire department
- b.Each employer✓
- c.Only the property owner
- d.Only the general contractor
Each employer is responsible for emergency medical services for its employees, though employers may agree to share a program.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1512
A personal fall arrest system must limit the worker's deceleration distance to what?
- a.10 feet
- b.1 foot
- c.3.5 feet✓
- d.6 feet
The system must stop the worker within a maximum deceleration distance of 3.5 feet; free fall is limited to 6 feet.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1670
Where is a guardrail's midrail placed?
- a.Halfway down to the floor✓
- b.One foot below the top rail
- c.At the floor level
- d.At the top rail's height
A midrail is halfway between the top rail and the floor, platform, runway or ramp.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1620
Which overhead line clearance table governs boom-type equipment?
- a.The local utility's handbook only
- b.Neither; booms have no limit
- c.Table 2✓
- d.Table 1
Boom-type lifting or hoisting equipment and material storage use the Table 2 clearances; Table 1 gives general clearances.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 2946
What minimum clearance does Table 2 of section 2946 require for a boom near a 69 kV line?
- a.10 feet
- b.6 feet
- c.13 feet
- d.11 feet✓
Table 2 requires 11 feet for over 50,000 to 75,000 volts; 10 feet is the 600 to 50,000-volt row and 13 feet the next row up.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 2946
A haulage vehicle's backup alarm must be audible from how far?
- a.500 feet
- b.50 feet
- c.200 feet✓
- d.100 feet
The warning sound must normally be audible from 200 feet and sound immediately on backing.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1592
An operator must step off a moving dozer to talk to a laborer. What does Cal/OSHA say?
- a.Allowed at walking speed
- b.Not while it is moving✓
- c.Allowed with a spotter
- d.Allowed on level ground only
The operator of any vehicle may not leave the controls while it is moving under its own engine power.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1592
What is the merging taper for a 10-foot lane closure at 30 mph?
- a.150 feet✓
- b.50 feet
- c.90 feet
- d.300 feet
At 40 mph or less, L = W × S² ÷ 60 = 10 × 900 ÷ 60 = 150 feet.CA MUTCD 2026, Ch. 6B
What is the merging taper for an 11-foot lane closure at 55 mph?
- a.505 feet
- b.275 feet
- c.605 feet✓
- d.555 feet
At 45 mph or more, L = W × S = 11 × 55 = 605 feet.CA MUTCD 2026, Ch. 6B
On a rural highway, how far ahead should the first warning sign typically be, in feet?
- a.Exactly 100 feet
- b.8 to 12 times the speed limit✓
- c.2 to 4 times the speed limit
- d.Half a mile in every case
Rural highways call for the first warning sign at 8 to 12 times the speed limit in feet; urban streets use 4 to 8 times.CA MUTCD 2026, Ch. 6B
At night, what must be true of a STOP/SLOW paddle?
- a.It is held below waist level
- b.It is replaced by a red flag
- c.It is used without a staff
- d.It is retroreflectorized✓
When used at night the STOP/SLOW paddle is retroreflectorized, and flagger stations are illuminated.CA MUTCD 2026, Ch. 6D
A worker takes a preventative cool-down rest in the shade. What must the employer do?
- a.Order the worker back within 5 minutes
- b.Send the worker home
- c.Monitor the worker for heat symptoms✓
- d.Dock the rest from pay
A worker on a cool-down rest is monitored and asked about symptoms, encouraged to stay in the shade, and not ordered back until symptoms abate.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 3395
When is protective footwear required?
- a.Where objects can fall or crush✓
- b.Only when it rains
- c.Only for equipment operators
- d.Only on sites over 5 acres
Foot protection is required where employees are exposed to falling objects, crushing or penetrating actions, electrical hazards or hot, corrosive or poisonous substances.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 3385
Below what exposure level does the construction silica standard not apply, if exposure will stay there under any foreseeable conditions?
- a.10 micrograms per cubic meter
- b.100 micrograms per cubic meter
- c.50 micrograms per cubic meter
- d.25 micrograms per cubic meter✓
The standard applies unless exposure will remain below 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour average under any foreseeable conditions; the PEL is 50.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1532.3
Which atmosphere is hazardous under the construction confined-space definitions?
- a.Oxygen at 21 percent
- b.Oxygen at 20 percent
- c.Oxygen at 20.9 percent
- d.Oxygen at 24 percent✓
Oxygen below 19.5 percent or above 23.5 percent is a hazardous atmosphere; 24 percent is oxygen-enriched.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 1951
A new employee asks where the product information for a curing compound is. What must be readily accessible on each shift?
- a.The purchase order
- b.The safety data sheet✓
- c.The concrete mix design
- d.The supplier's catalog
Safety data sheets must be readily accessible during each work shift to employees in their work areas.Cal. Code Regs. tit. 8, 5194