Plumbing Practice Test

This free plumbing practice test will give you an idea of the types of questions in actual plumbing license exams. Plumbing exams vary by state but
most all states have adopted either the UPC or the IPC plumbing codes - for which the practice test below is relevant. Typical exam sections include:
fixtures, sanitary drainage systems, administrative policies, venting, indirect and special wastes, etc.

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Congratulations, You Finished. Scroll down to see answers, your score and more.

1. A lavatory needs at least what flow rate?

a. .5 gpm
b. 1 gpm
c. 2 gpm
d. 10 gpm
e. None of the above
2. What is the minimum drain size for a toilet?
a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches
e. None of the above

3. A lavatory drain tailpiece has what diameter?

a. 1 1/8 inch
b. 1 1/4 inch
c. 1 3/4 inch
d. 2 1/4 inches

4. A ________________is used to stop gases from getting into a building.

a. Ball Valve
b. Gaskett
c. P-Trap
d. Quick Tee Adapter
e. None of the above

5. What type of piping sends water through a hot water heater?

a. Supply
b. Water Transfer
c. Diverter
 d. Manometer
e. None of the above

6. A _______ size drain is needed for a shower stall.

a. 1 1/2 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches
e. None of the above

7. What size drain is required for a one piece tub/shower?

a. 1 inch
b. 1 1/4 inch
c. 1 1/2 inch
d. 2 inches
e. None of the above

8. A __________________ is used to prevent bends or folds when working

with soft copper piping.
a. chrome support
b. mounting partition
c. bending spring
d. bulkhead fitting
e. None of the above

9. A ________________ is used to connect copper with galvanized pipe.

a. push fit connector
b. dialectric union
c. coupling
d. nipple
e. None of the above

10. The minimum trap size of a bidet is _______________.

a. 1 1/4 inch
b. 1 1/2 inch
c. 1 3/4 inch
d. 2 inches
e. None of the above

11. A kitchen sink needs what size P-trap?

 a. 1 1/2 inch
b. 1 3/4 inch
c. 2 inches
d. 2 1/4 inches
e. None of the above

12. A _______________ is used to connect a P-trap to a drain.

a. compression
b. trap adapter
c. coupling
d. valve
e. None of the above

13. The maximum spacing of a horizontal hanger for ½ inch CPVC piping is
________________.
a. 1 foot
b. 2 feet
c. 3 feet
d. 4 feet
e. None of the above

14. A ______________ size drain is needed for a clothes washer.

a. 1 inch
b. 1 1/2 inch
c. 2 inches
d. 2 1/2 inches
e. None of the above

15. A four bedroom house should have a septic tank that holds how many
gallons?
a. 300
b. 750
c. 900
d. 1200
e. None of the above

16. Water enters a residence at what pressure?

 a. 30 - 40 psi
b. 50 - 60 psi
c. 70 - 80 psi
d. 85 - 90 psi
e. None of the above

17. An "A Valve" is a manual ____________________.

a. cold water valve
b. hot water valve
c. air valve
d. septic valve
e. gas valve

18. An air lock is caused by _____________________.

a. an air bubble
b. grease build-up
c. damaged pipe
d. low water pressure
e. None of the above

19. A ___________________ is a sacrificial rod installed in a water heater to

protect the tank from corrosion.
a. dip tube
b. alpha rod
c. anode rod
d. insulation tube
e. None of the above

20. Barlow's Formula is expressed as _________________________.

a. P = D x t
b. P =3t ÷ D
c. P = 5St x D
d. P = 2St ÷ D
e. None of the above

21. Which of the following results with friction loss?

a. Loss of seal
b. Loss of pressure
c. Loss of suction
d. Loss of ventilation
 e. None of the above

22. Hard water is ______________________.

a. frozen water
b. processed water with no dissolved minerals
c. natural water with dissolved minerals
d. natural water with no dissolved minerals
e. None of the above

23. The most common minerals in hard water are Calcium and Magnesium.
True
False

24. Soft water has _______________________.

a. less than 1 gpg
b. 1 - 3.5 gpg
c. 3.5 - 7 gpg
d. 7 - 10 gpg
e. over 10 gpg

25. Vibrating pipes are most likely caused by ____________________.

a. foundation settling
b. high water pressure
c. low water pressure
d. a small leak drawing air into the pipes
e. loose fittings

26. What type of fittiings should be used on an island vent and what order
should be used to make a return bend under the drain board?
a. A 45 degree, 90 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree bend
b. Four 45 degree bends
c. Two 90 degree bends
d. A 45 degree, 90 degree and 45 degree bend

27. A project uses 360 feet of 3 1/2 inch pipe. A 3 1/2 inch pipe has 9 times
the capacity of a 1 1/2 inch pipe. How many feet of 1 1/2 inch pipe are
needed in an equivalent project?
a. 60 feet
b. 1550 feet
c. 2840 feet
 d. 3240 feet

28. All of the following are used to join a fixture to copper piping EXCEPT:
a. A solder joint
b. A ground joint
c. A flare joint
d. A compression joint

29. You are inspecting a pressurized washing system rated for 160 psig
working pressure. What test pressure should be used?
a. 150 psig
b. 155 psig
c. 160 psig
d. 185 psig

30. What is the minimum trap size for a service sink?

a. 1/2
b. 1 1/2
c. 2
d. 2 1/2
Congratulations You Finished. Your Score: 8 out of 30 = 27%
Thank you for taking the free test, Your score is below. Check out our 320 Question Journeyman Plumber Practice Exam and our 325 Question Master
Plumber Practice Exam, both created by R. Dodge Woodson, Master Plumber, Plumbing Author and Educator.

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1. A lavatory needs at least what flow rate?
a. .5 gpm
b. 1 gpm
c. 2 gpm
d. 10 gpm
e. None of the above
2. What is the minimum drain size for a toilet?
 a. 1 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches
e. None of the above

3. A lavatory drain tailpiece has what diameter?

a. 1 1/8 inch
b. 1 1/4 inch
c. 1 3/4 inch
d. 2 1/4 inches

4. A ________________is used to stop gases from getting into a building.

a. Ball Valve
b. Gaskett
c. P-Trap
d. Quick Tee Adapter
e. None of the above

5. What type of piping sends water through a hot water heater?

a. Supply
b. Water Transfer
c. Diverter
d. Manometer
e. None of the above

6. A _______ size drain is needed for a shower stall.

a. 1 1/2 inch
b. 2 inches
c. 3 inches
d. 4 inches
e. None of the above

7. What size drain is required for a one piece tub/shower?

a. 1 inch
b. 1 1/4 inch
c. 1 1/2 inch
d. 2 inches
e. None of the above

8. A __________________ is used to prevent bends or folds when working with soft

 a. chrome support
b. mounting partition
c. bending spring
d. bulkhead fitting
e. None of the above

9. A ________________ is used to connect copper with galvanized pipe.

a. push fit connector
b. dialectric union
c. coupling
d. nipple
e. None of the above

10. The minimum trap size of a bidet is _______________.

a. 1 1/4 inch
b. 1 1/2 inch
c. 1 3/4 inch
d. 2 inches
e. None of the above

11. A kitchen sink needs what size P-trap?

a. 1 1/2 inch
b. 1 3/4 inch
c. 2 inches
d. 2 1/4 inches
e. None of the above

12. A _______________ is used to connect a P-trap to a drain.

a. compression
b. trap adapter
c. coupling
d. valve
e. None of the above

13. The maximum spacing of a horizontal hanger for ½ inch CPVC piping is
________________.
a. 1 foot
b. 2 feet
c. 3 feet
d. 4 feet
 e. None of the above

14. A ______________ size drain is needed for a clothes washer.

a. 1 inch
b. 1 1/2 inch
c. 2 inches
d. 2 1/2 inches
e. None of the above

15. A four bedroom house should have a septic tank that holds how many gallons?
a. 300
b. 750
c. 900
d. 1200
e. None of the above

16. Water enters a residence at what pressure?

a. 30 - 40 psi
b. 50 - 60 psi
c. 70 - 80 psi
d. 85 - 90 psi
e. None of the above

17. An "A Valve" is a manual ____________________.

a. cold water valve
b. hot water valve
c. air valve
d. septic valve
e. gas valve

18. An air lock is caused by _____________________.

a. an air bubble
b. grease build-up
c. damaged pipe
d. low water pressure
e. None of the above

19. A ___________________ is a sacrificial rod installed in a water heater to protect

the tank from corrosion.
a. dip tube
 b. alpha rod
c. anode rod
d. insulation tube
e. None of the above

20. Barlow's Formula is expressed as _________________________.

a. P = D x t
b. P =3t ÷ D
c. P = 5St x D
d. P = 2St ÷ D
e. None of the above

21. Which of the following results with friction loss?

a. Loss of seal
b. Loss of pressure
c. Loss of suction
d. Loss of ventilation
e. None of the above

22. Hard water is ______________________.

a. frozen water
b. processed water with no dissolved minerals
c. natural water with dissolved minerals
d. natural water with no dissolved minerals
e. None of the above

23. The most common minerals in hard water are Calcium and Magnesium.
True
False

24. Soft water has _______________________.

a. less than 1 gpg
b. 1 - 3.5 gpg
c. 3.5 - 7 gpg
d. 7 - 10 gpg
e. over 10 gpg

25. Vibrating pipes are most likely caused by ____________________.

a. foundation settling
b. high water pressure
 c. low water pressure
d. a small leak drawing air into the pipes
e. loose fittings

26. What type of fittiings should be used on an island vent and what order should be
used to make a return bend under the drain board?
a. A 45 degree, 90 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree bend
b. Four 45 degree bends
c. Two 90 degree bends
d. A 45 degree, 90 degree and 45 degree bend

27. A project uses 360 feet of 3 1/2 inch pipe. A 3 1/2 inch pipe has 9 times the
capacity of a 1 1/2 inch pipe. How many feet of 1 1/2 inch pipe are needed in an
equivalent project?
a. 60 feet
b. 1550 feet
c. 2840 feet
d. 3240 feet

28. All of the following are used to join a fixture to copper piping EXCEPT:
a. A solder joint
b. A ground joint
c. A flare joint
d. A compression joint

29. You are inspecting a pressurized washing system rated for 160 psig working
pressure. What test pressure should be used?
a. 150 psig
b. 155 psig
c. 160 psig
d. 185 psig

30. What is the minimum trap size for a service sink?

a. 1/2
b. 1 1/2
c. 2
d. 2 1/2
1. A lavatory needs at least what flow rate?

a. .5 gpm

b. 1 gpm

c. 2 gpm

d. 10 gpm

e. None of the above

2. What is the minimum drain size for a toilet?

a. 1 inch

b. 2 inches

c. 3 inches

d. 4 inches

e. None of the above

3. A lavatory drain tailpiece has what diameter?

a. 1 1/8 inch

b. 1 1/4 inch
 c. 1 3/4 inch

d. 2 1/4 inches

4. A ________________is used to stop gases from getting into a building.

a. Ball Valve

b. Gaskett

c. P-Trap

d. Quick Tee Adapter

e. None of the above

5. What type of piping sends water through a hot water heater?

a. Supply

b. Water Transfer

c. Diverter

d. Manometer

e. None of the above

6. A _______ size drain is
needed for a shower stall.

a. 1 1/2 inch

b. 2 inches

c. 3 inches

d. 4 inches

e. None of the above

7. What size drain is

required for a one piece
tub/shower?

a. 1 inch

b. 1 1/4 inch

c. 1 1/2 inch

d. 2 inches

e. None of the above

8. A __________________ is used to prevent bends or folds when working with soft

copper piping.
 a. chrome support

b. mounting partition

c. bending spring

d. bulkhead fitting

e. None of the above

9. A ________________ is used to connect copper with galvanized pipe.

a. push fit connector

b. dialectric union

c. coupling

d. nipple

e. None of the above

10. The minimum trap size of a bidet is _______________.

a. 1 1/4 inch

b. 1 1/2 inch

c. 1 3/4 inch
 d. 2 inches

e. None of the above

11. A kitchen sink needs what size P-trap?

a. 1 1/2 inch

b. 1 3/4 inch

c. 2 inches

d. 2 1/4 inches

e. None of the above

12. A _______________ is used to connect a P-trap to a drain.

a. compression

b. trap adapter

c. coupling

d. valve

e. None of the above

13. The maximum spacing of a horizontal hanger for ½ inch CPVC piping is
 ________________.

a. 1 foot

b. 2 feet

c. 3 feet

d. 4 feet

e. None of the above

14. A ______________ size drain is needed for a clothes washer.

a. 1 inch

b. 1 1/2 inch

c. 2 inches

d. 2 1/2 inches

e. None of the above

15. A four bedroom house should have a septic tank that holds how many gallons?

a. 300

b. 750
 c. 900

d. 1200

e. None of the above

16. Water enters a residence at what pressure?

a. 30 - 40 psi

b. 50 - 60 psi

c. 70 - 80 psi

d. 85 - 90 psi

e. None of the above

17. An "A Valve" is a manual ____________________.

a. cold water valve

b. hot water valve

c. air valve

d. septic valve

e. gas valve

18. An air lock is caused by _____________________.

 a. an air bubble

b. grease build-up

c. damaged pipe

d. low water pressure

e. None of the above

19. A ___________________ is a sacrificial rod installed in a water heater to protect

the tank from corrosion.

a. dip tube

b. alpha rod

c. anode rod

d. insulation tube

e. None of the above

20. Barlow's Formula is expressed as _________________________.

a. P = D x t

b. P =3t ÷ D

c. P = 5St x D
 d. P = 2St ÷ D

e. None of the above

21. Which of the following results with friction loss?

a. Loss of seal

b. Loss of pressure

c. Loss of suction

d. Loss of ventilation

e. None of the above

22. Hard water is ______________________.

a. frozen water

b. processed water with no dissolved minerals

c. natural water with dissolved minerals

d. natural water with no dissolved minerals

e. None of the above

23. The most common minerals in hard water are Calcium and Magnesium.
 True

False

24. Soft water has _______________________.

a. less than 1 gpg

b. 1 - 3.5 gpg

c. 3.5 - 7 gpg

d. 7 - 10 gpg

e. over 10 gpg

25. Vibrating pipes are most likely caused by ____________________.

a. foundation settling

b. high water pressure

c. low water pressure

d. a small leak drawing air into the pipes

e. loose fittings

26. What type of fittiings should be used on an island vent and what order should be
 used to make a return bend under the drain board?

a. A 45 degree, 90 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree bend

b. Four 45 degree bends

c. Two 90 degree bends

d. A 45 degree, 90 degree and 45 degree bend

27. A project uses 360 feet of 3 1/2 inch pipe. A 3 1/2 inch pipe has 9 times the
capacity of a 1 1/2 inch pipe. How many feet of 1 1/2 inch pipe are needed in an
equivalent project?

a. 60 feet

b. 1550 feet

c. 2840 feet

d. 3240 feet

28. All of the following are used to join a fixture to copper piping EXCEPT:

a. A solder joint

b. A ground joint

c. A flare joint
 d. A compression joint

29. You are inspecting a pressurized washing system rated for 160 psig working
pressure. What test pressure should be used?

a. 150 psig

b. 155 psig

c. 160 psig

d. 185 psig

30. What is the minimum trap size for a service sink?

a. 1/2

b. 1 1/2

c. 2

d. 2 1/2