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PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor
Ultimate Exam Actual exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor
Ultimate Exam, followed by 200 randomized, scenario-based MCQs directly aligned with the exam. No
subtopics or domain headings are used—just questions, answers, and concise rationales. Questions are
based on Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) standards, Rhode Island General Laws
(Title 5, Chapter 65.1 – Contractors’ Registration and Licensing), OSHA excavation safety (Subpart P),
utility locating (One Call law), trenching, shoring, pipe installation (water, sewer, gas, storm drain),
backfill and compaction, erosion and sediment control (RI Stormwater Manual), traffic control (MUTCD),
and business practices.
1. A Rhode Island underground utility contractor is excavating a trench 6 feet deep. According to OSHA
Subpart P, a protective system (shoring, sloping, or shielding) is required at depths greater than:
A) 3 feet
B) 4 feet
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C) 5 feet
D) 6 feet
Answer: C – OSHA requires a protective system in trenches 5 feet deep or greater.
2. A contractor is about to dig for a new sewer line. Rhode Island law requires the contractor to contact
the One Call system (Dig Safe) at least how many business days before excavation?
A) 1 business day
B) 2 business days
C) 3 business days
D) 5 business days
Answer: C – RI General Laws require 3 full business days (72 hours) notice to Dig Safe.
3. A trench is 8 feet deep in Type B soil. The competent person determines that sloping is required. The
maximum allowable slope for Type B soil is:
A) 1:1 (45 degrees)
B) 1:1.5 (34 degrees)
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C) 1:2 (27 degrees)
D) 1:0.5 (63 degrees)
Answer: B – OSHA Table V-1: Type B soil slope = 1:1.5 (horizontal:vertical).
4. A contractor installs a water main under a roadway. The minimum depth of cover (from top of pipe to
finished grade) in Rhode Island is typically:
A) 3 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 5 feet
D) 6 feet
Answer: C – RIDOT standard requires 5 feet minimum cover for water mains under roadways.
5. An underground utility contractor fails to call Dig Safe before digging and strikes a gas line. The
penalty under Rhode Island law can include:
A) Fine only
B) Fine and liability for repair costs
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C) License suspension
D) All of the above
Answer: D – Failure to call can result in fines, liability, and disciplinary action.
6. A trench is excavated in Type C soil (most unstable). The competent person determines that shoring is
required. The maximum allowable unsupported vertical side for Type C soil is:
A) 0 feet (must be shored from the top)
B) 2 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet
Answer: A – Type C soil has no allowable unsupported vertical side; shoring or sloping required
immediately.
7. A contractor is installing a new sewer line using a trench box. The trench box must extend at least
how many inches above the excavation bottom?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor
Ultimate Exam Actual exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Below is a summarized exam coverage for the PrepIQ Rhode Island Underground Utility Contractor
Ultimate Exam, followed by 200 randomized, scenario-based MCQs directly aligned with the exam. No
subtopics or domain headings are used—just questions, answers, and concise rationales. Questions are
based on Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) standards, Rhode Island General Laws
(Title 5, Chapter 65.1 – Contractors’ Registration and Licensing), OSHA excavation safety (Subpart P),
utility locating (One Call law), trenching, shoring, pipe installation (water, sewer, gas, storm drain),
backfill and compaction, erosion and sediment control (RI Stormwater Manual), traffic control (MUTCD),
and business practices.
1. A Rhode Island underground utility contractor is excavating a trench 6 feet deep. According to OSHA
Subpart P, a protective system (shoring, sloping, or shielding) is required at depths greater than:
A) 3 feet
B) 4 feet
, Page 2 of 99
C) 5 feet
D) 6 feet
Answer: C – OSHA requires a protective system in trenches 5 feet deep or greater.
2. A contractor is about to dig for a new sewer line. Rhode Island law requires the contractor to contact
the One Call system (Dig Safe) at least how many business days before excavation?
A) 1 business day
B) 2 business days
C) 3 business days
D) 5 business days
Answer: C – RI General Laws require 3 full business days (72 hours) notice to Dig Safe.
3. A trench is 8 feet deep in Type B soil. The competent person determines that sloping is required. The
maximum allowable slope for Type B soil is:
A) 1:1 (45 degrees)
B) 1:1.5 (34 degrees)
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C) 1:2 (27 degrees)
D) 1:0.5 (63 degrees)
Answer: B – OSHA Table V-1: Type B soil slope = 1:1.5 (horizontal:vertical).
4. A contractor installs a water main under a roadway. The minimum depth of cover (from top of pipe to
finished grade) in Rhode Island is typically:
A) 3 feet
B) 4 feet
C) 5 feet
D) 6 feet
Answer: C – RIDOT standard requires 5 feet minimum cover for water mains under roadways.
5. An underground utility contractor fails to call Dig Safe before digging and strikes a gas line. The
penalty under Rhode Island law can include:
A) Fine only
B) Fine and liability for repair costs
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C) License suspension
D) All of the above
Answer: D – Failure to call can result in fines, liability, and disciplinary action.
6. A trench is excavated in Type C soil (most unstable). The competent person determines that shoring is
required. The maximum allowable unsupported vertical side for Type C soil is:
A) 0 feet (must be shored from the top)
B) 2 feet
C) 4 feet
D) 5 feet
Answer: A – Type C soil has no allowable unsupported vertical side; shoring or sloping required
immediately.
7. A contractor is installing a new sewer line using a trench box. The trench box must extend at least
how many inches above the excavation bottom?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
