2025 Edition

Journeyman Plumber Practice Test

This Free Journeyman Plumber Practice Test will give you an idea of the types of questions and sections on your actual exam.

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Administrative Policies and Procedures

1.	Approved plans are required to be kept on a job site and available for inspection on demand by a code officer.
		True
		False
Before a plumbing permit is issued a set of plans and specifications are submitted to the code enforcement office. Once they are approved, a code officer will stamp them as approved and sign them. These become the official plans and specs for a job. This being the case, a copy of the stamped and signed plans and specifications must be kept on the job site at all times for review by a plumbing inspector. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

2.	Who is allowed to apply for a plumbing permit?
		a. Homeowners who will perform their own work on their own homes
		b. Master plumbers
		c. Journeyman plumbers
		d. Both a and b
Journeyman plumbers are not allowed to apply for plumbing permits. All journeyman plumbers are required to work under the indirect supervision of a master plumber. A master plumber can obtain a plumbing permit. Homeowners who will perform their own plumbing work on their own homes are allowed to obtain permits. However, a homeowner is not allowed to obtain a plumbing permit and then allow some other person to do the plumbing work. Property owners are only allowed to be issued plumbing permits when the property where the work will be performed by the owner is the owner's personal residency. In other words, landlords are not allowed to obtain their own plumbing permits. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

3.	Alterations made in an existing plumbing system are required to comply with current code requirements for plumbing systems.
		True
		False
Any plumbing alteration is expected to comply with current code requirements. At no time can an alteration be detrimental to a plumbing system or render the system unsafe. Some plumbers think that existing plumbing systems are exempt from current code requirements. This is true if the system is in safe operating condition. But, the moment an alteration to the system is made the alteration must be within current code requirements. However, the existing plumbing that is not being altered is not required to be upgraded to current code compliance. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

General Regulations

4.	Many local code jurisdictions require a site plan before any work is done on an existing sewer or water service.
		True
		False
It is common for a code enforcement office to want a site plan and specifications on file prior to any work being done on an existing sewer or water service. The site plan should show the location of existing piping and the proposed location for new piping. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

5.	Trusses must not be _______________.
		a. cut
		b. drilled
		c. notched
		d. All of the above
Trusses are engineered. Regardless of whether they are roof trusses or floor trusses, they must not be cut, notched, drilled, spliced or otherwise altered. When truss integrity is disturbed it can lose its structural ability. Normal cutting, notching and drilling procedures associated with solid wood joists and rafters do not apply to trusses. There are, however, some occasions when a truss must be altered to allow for a plumbing installation. When this is the case, an approved engineer must provide written details on how the truss can be altered to allow for a plumbing installation. Only an engineer can do this. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

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6.	Mechanical joints are prohibited from joining materials of different types.
		True
		False
Mechanical joints are approved for joining materials of dissimilar type as well as materials of the same type. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Fixtures

7.	What is the maximum distance an employee of a department store should have to walk to reach a suitable restroom facility?
		a. 100 feet
		b. 250 feet
		c. 375 feet
		d. 500 feet
Employees must not have to walk more than 500 feet to reach suitable restroom facilities. During this walk they are not required to ascend more than one set of steps. Bathrooms under these conditions cannot be installed more than one story above the work area. There are possible exceptions for buildings that house factory workers or industrial workers. The 500 foot rule is the typical standard, but you should check your local code to confirm the local requirements. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

8.	The accessible travel route for people going to use public plumbing facilities must not pass through a kitchen.
		True
		False
Accessible routes for travel to public restroom facilities are not allowed to pass through kitchens, storage rooms, closets or similar spaces. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

9.	What is the maximum distance that a lavatory faucet for accessible use can be placed from the front edge of a lavatory?
		a. 16 inches
		b. 18 inches
		c. 25 inches
		d. 28 inches
Lavatory faucets must be located no farther than 25 inches from the front edge of the lavatory being served by the faucet when the fixture is intended for handicap use. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Indirect and Special Wastes

10.	Which of the following is considered to be the best method for connecting an indirect waste to a sanitary drainage system?
		a. Air gap
		b. Air break
		c. Both a and b are equal
		d. None of the above
An air gap is believed to be superior to an air break for the protection of an indirect wastepipe from back siphonage. Due to the nature of installation there is more risk of a backflow occurring with an air break. Since air breaks have discharge piping entering a receptor it is feasible to have the sanitary drain become clogged and back up, which could result in contaminated waste traveling back to the indirect waste fixture. This is not possible when an air gap is used. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

11.	Which of the following locations is not an acceptable location for an indirect waste receptor?
		a. Closets
		b. Unvented areas
		c. Both of the above
		d. None of the above
Indirect waste receptors are not to be installed in closets or unvented areas. All indirect waste receptors are required to be accessible. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

12.	Clear water waste from a potable source, such as a relief valve on a water heater, must be piped to an indirect waste through an air gap.
		True
		False
Clear water waste from a potable water system is to be piped to an indirect waste and must discharge through an air gap. This is as simple as having the discharge pipe terminate six inches above the strainer of a floor drain. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Vents and Venting

13.	Which of the following types of fixtures can be served by a combination-waste-and-vent system?
		a. Urinals
		b. Toilets
		c. Sinks
		d. Bidets
Combination-waste-and vent (CWV) systems do not require independent vents on all fixtures. Instead of a vertical vent the fixtures approved for a CWV installation are installed with oversized drains. Due to the larger drain diameter the fixture obtains the needed air for drainage in the top section of the oversized piping. Urinals, toilets and bidets are not allowed to be installed on CWV systems. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

14.	Circuit vents can do which of the following?
		a. Tie into stack vents
		b. Tie into vent stacks
		c. Tie into another vent that extends to outside air
		d. All of the above
Circuit vents are used when venting a battery of fixtures. The vents may be tied into other vents that extend to outside air. This includes vent stacks and stack vents. The diameter of a circuit vent must be at least one-half the size of the drain that it is serving. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

15.	Sumps used to hold sewage or house sewage pumps are required to be ________.
		a. Vented
		b. Covered with a gas-tight cover
		c. Placed outside of any habitable structure
		d. Both a and b
Sumps for sewage pumps that remove sanitary waste are required to be vented to outside air. The vent cannot be tied into a general venting system if a pneumatic sewer ejector pump is to be installed. When a typical sewer pump is to be used the vent can tie back into a general venting system. Generally, the minimum diameter of a vent for a sewage sump will be required to be two inches in diameter. In addition to proper venting, sewage sumps must be equipped with gas-tight covers. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Traps and Cleanouts

16.	If three 45-degree bends are used to make an offset, a cleanout is required at the top of the horizontal drain within 24 inches of where it connects with the last 45-degree bend.
		True
		False
Cleanouts are not required when a drain pipe makes a turn of no more than 45 degrees. The fact that three 45-degree fittings are used to make an offset is not reason to require the installation of a cleanout. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

17.	When can a cleanout be used for the installation of a new fixture? In other words, what makes it acceptable to remove a cleanout plug, replace it with a male adapter and then extend piping from that point to a new fixture?
		a. Never
		b. When approved by the master plumber who has been issued a plumbing permit
		c. When another cleanout is provided
		d. When approved by a code enforcement officer and another cleanout is provided to replace the one being used as a connection point of drainage piping for a new fixture.
Fittings housing cleanout plugs are not allowed to be used as a connection point for a drainage pipe that will serve a new fixture, unless the connection is approved by a code officer and a new cleanout is provided to replace the cleanout being changed over to a connection point for drainage piping. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

18.	Which of the following are acceptable types of cleanouts?
		a. The U bend of a P trap
		b. A rubber cap that is installed with a stainless steel clamp
		c. Neither a or b
		d. Both a and b
Several devices can be considered to be acceptable cleanouts. These devices include the following: "U" bends of P traps Water closets Rubber caps that are installed with stainless steel clamps Female adapters fitting with cleanout plugs Test tees are suitable cleanouts. Special cleanouts that allow the cleaning of a drain in both directions, upstream and downstream, are acceptable. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Water Supply and Distribution

19.	Which of the following is the proper term for piping that delivers potable water from a water source to a water-distribution system?
		a. Water main
		b. Water supply
		c. Either a or b
		d. None of the above
The primary piping that delivers potable water to a water-distribution system is called either a water main or a water supply. This is the case whether the water is coming from a water well or a municipal water system. The minimum diameter for a water supply pipe is .75 inch. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

20.	A water service is required to be protected from which of the following?
		a. Tampering
		b. Vandalism
		c. Damage during or related to backfilling of the water service trench
		d. Geothermal shifting due to seismic action
A water service pipe must be protected from freezing by being buried below the local frost line. The pipe is also required to be protected from flooding to prevent floating. When backfilling a ditch that contains a water service the backfill must be clean and free of sharp objects to protect the piping from damage that may be caused under the weight of backfill material and settlement movement. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

21.	Which of the following devices can be used to increase water pressure when the pressure from a water source is not adequate for the needs of a plumbing system?
		a. A pressure increasing valve
		b. A booster pump
		c. Either a or b
		d. None of the above
Booster pumps can be installed to increase water pressure as needed. These pumps are installed as a part of the water distribution system. These pumps are capable of reducing volume to increase pressure without negative effects on the performance of plumbing fixtures. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Sanitary Drainage Systems

22.	Asbestos-cement pipe can only be joined by a sleeve coupling of the same composition as the pipe and sealed with an elastomeric ring.
		True
		False
The only allowable connection between sections of asbestos-cement pipe is one that is made with a sleeve coupling of the same composition as the pipe and sealed with an elastomeric ring. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

23.	Vents for vertical offsets are not required where the stack and its offset are _____ as a building drain.
		a. identified
		b. sized
		c. wet vented
		d. excluded
Vents for vertical offsets are not required where a stack and its offset is sized as a building drain. It is normal for vent pipes to have a diameter that is smaller than the drain that they serve. However, if the vent has the same diameter of the drain it is serving it is exempt from certain vent regulations. In this case, that means that vents with diameters equal to the drains being served are exempt from the venting of vertical offsets. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

24.	Which of the following fittings are approved for changes in piping direction from horizontal to vertical?
		a. Quarter bend
		b. Short-sweep fittings
		c. 90-degree elbows
		d. All of the above
All of the listed fittings are allowed for changes in piping from a horizontal to vertical position. Additionally, any fitting allowed for changes in horizontal to horizontal direction are also approved for use when turning to a vertical position. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Special Piping and Storage Systems

25.	Indirect waste receptors for sterilizers must be trapped and vented.
		True
		False
Indirect waste receptors for sterilizers are not required to be trapped or vented. However, some sterilizers do require vapor vents to comply with manufacturer recommendations. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

26.	Ice makers and ice storage chests installed in healthcare facilities are required to be installed _______.
		a. adjacent to the kitchen area
		b. in locked rooms
		c. in a nurse station or other similarly supervised area
		d. in rooms that are clearly labeled as containing ice in the event that it is need for burn victims
Ice makers and ice storage chests installed in healthcare facilities are to be installed in nurse stations or other areas with similar supervision. The location of ice producing and storage equipment must be protected from contamination. All ice facilities must be safe and hygienic. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

27.	Aspirators are required to discharge their waste through which of the following?
		a. Air gap
		b. Air break
		c. Either a or b
		d. Neither a or b
The plumbing code requires aspirators to discharge their waste through an air gap. A potable water supply for an aspirator is required to be equipped with a vacuum breaker or some other equivalent backflow protection. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Water Heaters

28.	Let's assume that you are responsible for the installation of a water-heating supply system. What type of equipment are you going to install on it?
		a. Ball valves on both the inlet and outlet piping
		b. A ball valve on the inlet piping
		c. An automatic temperature control
		d. None of the above
Automatic temperature controls are required on all water heaters and water heating systems for domestic hot water. This control must be adjustable and allow for the temperature setting to be set to a minimum and a maximum level. Check local code requirements to determine the maximum allowable temperature for hot water being supplied for through domestic water distribution systems. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

29.	Water heaters must be protected from back siphonage with the use of vacuum breakers.
		True
		False
Vacuum breakers are required to be installed on the water supply inlet piping of all water heaters. The normal procedure for this is the installation of a tee fitting in the inlet riser. The center outlet of the tee receives a short section of horizontal pipe that is then turned in a vertical position. Another section of piping, usually about six inches in length, is installed with a female adapter on the end of it. At this point the vacuum breaker can be screwed into the female adapter. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

30.	The end of a discharge pipe connected to a relief valve is required to be threaded on the termination end.
		True
		False
It is against code requirements to use threaded pipe at the terminal end of a discharge pipe for a relief valve. The reason for this is simple. If threads are present, a cap could be installed. If this were to happen the pipe would be unable to discharge. Therefore, the ends of discharge tubing and piping must not be threaded. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Recycling Gray Water

31.	Collection reservoirs for gray-water must be made of approved materials. To comply with this, a gray-water collection reservoir is required to be ___________.
		a. absorbent
		b. corrosion proof
		c. nonabsorbent and durable
		d. Both b and c
Collection reservoirs are required to be durable, nonabsorbent and corrosion resistant--not corrosion proof. The reservoir must be closed with a gas-tight seal. An access opening is required that will allow for routine inspections to be performed. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

32.	Which of the following must be installed on a gray-water distribution system?
		a. A backflow preventer
		b. A full-open valve
		c. A backwater valve
		d. None of the above
A full-open valve is required on the piping that is conveying gray water to a collection reservoir. The valve is to be installed on the downstream side of the last fixture connection to a gray-water discharge pipe. It is also required that the valve be installed prior to the discharge pipe entering a filter installed for a gray-water system that is bound for a collection reservoir. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

33.	What is the maximum amount of time that gray water is allowed to be retained for use to flush a toilet or urinal?
		a. 24 hours
		b. 48 hours
		c. 72 hours
		d. 96 hours
The maximum allowable time for the retention of gray water that will be used to flush toilets or urinals is 72 hours. Holding water for long periods of time can result in the growth of bacteria. This bacteria is not wanted in the plumbing system. For example, green water in a toilet tank is not appealing and could present health hazards. When a gray water recycling system is sized properly the water retained in a collection reservoir would be balanced to the fixtures served and the normal daily use of the fixtures will draw down from the reservoir often enough to avoid prolonged water storage. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Fuel Gas

34.	Which of the following mediums is not allowed for use in testing gas pipe installations?
		a. Air
		b. Oxygen
		c. Nitrogen
		d. Carbon dioxide
Oxygen is not allowed to be used when testing a gas piping system. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

35.	When testing gas piping installed in a single-family home, that has a volume of less than 10 cubic feet, the minimum length of time that the system must be tested is _________________.
		a. 10 minutes
		b. 15 minutes
		c. 30 minutes
		d. 60 minutes
Gas piping that is installed in a single-family home and that has a volume of less than 10 cubic feet requires a test that is sustained for a minimum of 10 minutes. Testing is not allowed to be maintained for more than 24 hours. The most common testing device used is a manometer. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

36.	Flexible gas connectors for all gas appliances, except cooking ranges and clothes dryers, are limited to a maximum length of _______ inches.
		a. 24
		b. 30
		c. 36
		d. 72
Flexible gas connectors are normally limited to a maximum length of 36 inches. When they are used for cooking ranges and clothes dryers they can be up to 72 inches in length. These devices allow a fixture to be moved for disconnection. All flex connections should be as short as is practical. This is due to them being more vulnerable to damage than hard piping. Incorrect answer. Please choose another answer.

Quality starts with who wrote the material.

Our practice exam writer

Dodge Woodson

was a master plumber and gas fitter for over 30 years. He built his own plumbing business and has trained countless plumbers. In addition to being a field plumber and contractor, Woodson served as adjunct faculty at Central Maine Technical College where he taught both plumbing licensing preparation courses and plumbing apprenticeship courses. As R. Dodge Woodson, he is a best-selling author and is the most prolific plumbing author in print with McGraw-Hill. He is often referred to as America’s Plumber.

Charles Redecker

was a master plumber instructor and education director with the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Charles taught plumbing with the NCCER for over 10 years. Prior to working with the NCCER, Charles taught plumbing at the Rankin Technical College. Charles owned and run various plumbing businesses since 1979 in St. Louis, Missouri.

John Richardson

is a master plumber who has been in the plumbing business since 1977. He is a certified continuing education instructor for plumbing in Texas and teaches CPE classes to journeyman and master plumbers to renew their licenses. John holds a B.A. degree in English from Texas A&M University. He owns State-Wyed Plumbing and Septic in Katy, Texas.

Terry Lunt

is a plumbing and master craft instructor with Associated Builders and Contractors in Southern California. He has also been a core curriculum instructor and subject matter expert in plumbing with the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Terry has worked in the plumbing industry for over 30 years.

Joseph Cromwell

is a master plumber in Illinois and Indiana. He was a continuing education instructor and apprentice instructor for over twenty years with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.

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