Mississippi Underground Utilities Contractor - Book & Course Rental Package

Prepare for the Mississippi Underground Utilities contractor licensing examinations with a coordinated package that combines professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed rental books with structured online course access. This package is designed for contractors and qualifying individuals who want an organized study solution for both the Underground Utilities trade examination and the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination.

The Mississippi Underground Utilities classification covers water, sewer, and gas pipeline installation, along with excavation, grading, and paving. The scope also includes directional drilling, auger boring, jacking and boring, trenchless technologies, wet and dry taps, grouting, and slip lining. Candidates should be prepared to review pipeline installation, excavation safety, pipe materials, utility-location requirements, gas systems, welding procedures, and contractor business responsibilities.

This package includes eight rental references covering OSHA construction safety, ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe and box culvert installation, excavation methods, Mississippi excavation regulations, gas transmission and distribution piping, pipe welding, and Mississippi contractor business law.

Every included rental book is professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed. The highlighting draws attention to useful safety requirements, installation practices, excavation procedures, testing methods, pipeline standards, utility-location rules, welding guidance, and contractor business topics. Permanent tabs provide visible navigation points that can help candidates move through a large open-book reference set more efficiently.

This package includes 6 months of course access. The course provides an organized framework for reviewing the technical and business-law subjects connected to the Mississippi contractor licensing process. Candidates can divide the material into manageable study areas, revisit difficult topics, work through practice-oriented review, and strengthen their ability to locate information in the included books.

Total Rental Cost: $845

Refundable Book Deposit: $450

Total Due: $1,295

The $450 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned in similar condition within six months from the date they are received. Books should be returned with their covers, bindings, pages, professional highlighting, and permanent tabs intact. Missing pages, removed tabs, water damage, unauthorized writing, or excessive wear may affect the return condition.

Please allow up to 15 business days for book rental package orders.

Exam Details

The Mississippi Underground Utilities contractor examination is administered by PSI after the Mississippi State Board of Contractors establishes the candidate’s eligibility. Applicants must complete the appropriate contractor license application and receive examination authorization before scheduling a testing appointment.

The Underground Utilities examination contains 50 questions. Candidates receive 2 hours to complete the test and must earn a minimum score of 70 percent to pass.

The examination covers the following technical subject areas:

• Safety - Code of Federal Regulations: OSHA construction requirements, excavation safety, protective systems, personal protective equipment, tools, machinery, material handling, and jobsite hazards.
• General Knowledge: Underground utility construction methods, tools, pipeline materials, terminology, project coordination, and accepted field practices.
• Concrete Pipe Installation: Concrete pipe and box culvert handling, foundations, bedding, placement, joints, alignment, backfilling, compaction, and inspection.
• Ductile Iron Pipe Installation: Unloading, storage, trench preparation, bedding, pipe placement, joints, fittings, restraints, testing, backfill, and recommended installation practices.
• Excavating and Grading: Soil conditions, trenching, slopes, protective systems, excavation equipment, elevations, dewatering, grading, backfill, compaction, and safe work methods.
• Welding: Pipe preparation, alignment, welding positions, electrodes, root passes, filler passes, cover passes, technique, inspection, and safe procedures.
• Underground Utilities - Gas: Gas transmission and distribution piping, materials, joining, construction, welding, testing, inspection, operation, and safety requirements.
• Mississippi One-Call: Excavation notices, utility-location responsibilities, marking, damage prevention, emergency work, operator duties, and excavator responsibilities.

Concrete pipe and ductile iron pipe installation make up a significant portion of the exam. Candidates should understand the complete installation sequence, including unloading, storage, trench preparation, bedding, pipe placement, alignment, joining, testing, backfilling, compaction, and inspection.

Gas piping, excavation, and OSHA safety also require focused preparation. Candidates should be comfortable interpreting technical standards, identifying safe trenching practices, selecting proper procedures, and understanding responsibilities when working near existing underground facilities.

The exam may include questions developed from the listed references as well as questions based on trade knowledge and accepted construction practices. Candidates should understand the procedures and safety principles instead of relying entirely on locating every answer during the test.

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors also assigns the Law and Business Management examination as part of the licensing process. The included NASCLA Mississippi guide supports preparation for business organization, contracts, project management, financial practices, licensing, safety, employment responsibilities, and risk management.

Open Book Test

The Mississippi Underground Utilities contractor examination is an open-book test. Candidates may bring the authorized references into the examination center, subject to PSI’s current rules for approved books and testing-room materials.

Approved references may be highlighted, underlined, and indexed before the examination. Permanent tabs are permitted. Temporary tabs, removable notes, loose papers, and unauthorized attached materials are not allowed. Candidates may not write in the books during the examination session.

The rental books in this package arrive professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed. This preparation organizes a large reference set covering OSHA safety, ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, excavation, Mississippi utility-location rules, gas transmission and distribution piping, pipe welding, and contractor business law.

Open-book testing still requires technical knowledge and time management. With 50 questions and two hours available, candidates have an average of approximately two minutes and twenty-four seconds for each question. Searching randomly through eight books can consume valuable examination time.

Candidates should practice identifying the subject before opening a reference. A trench-safety question may require 29 CFR Part 1926. A question involving bedding, joints, restraints, or testing for ductile iron pipe may lead to the DIPRA guide. Concrete pipe and box culvert questions may require the related installation manual.

Questions involving excavation methods, grading, equipment selection, dewatering, backfill, or compaction may lead to Pipe and Excavation Contracting. Gas pipeline questions may require ASME B31.8. Welding questions may lead to Pipe Welding Procedures, while Mississippi excavation-notification questions may require Chapter 13.

Use the permanent tabs together with each book’s table of contents, index, section headings, illustrations, diagrams, and technical terminology. Repeated navigation practice can help candidates identify the correct book and locate information efficiently.

Licensing Steps

1. Review the Underground Utilities classification. Confirm that it matches the water, sewer, gas pipeline, excavation, grading, paving, boring, trenchless, tapping, grouting, and slip-lining work the business intends to perform.
2. Select the appropriate application. Complete the Mississippi contractor application that applies to the planned work and business structure.
3. Designate the qualifying individual. Identify the person who will complete the examinations assigned to the contractor applicant.
4. Gather supporting documentation. Prepare the business, ownership, qualifying-party, experience, insurance, and other materials requested by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors.
5. Submit the application. Send the completed application and supporting documents to the Board for review.
6. Respond to application requests. Provide missing information, corrections, explanations, or additional documents requested during the review process.
7. Receive examination eligibility. The Board determines which examinations apply and sends the qualifying individual’s eligibility information to PSI.
8. Receive PSI scheduling instructions. Wait for eligibility confirmation before scheduling an examination appointment.
9. Prepare with the course and rental books. Use the 6 months of course access, highlighted references, permanent tabs, and practice-oriented study structure to review the assigned subjects.
10. Take the required examinations. Bring acceptable identification and the authorized references while following PSI’s current testing-center procedures.
11. Complete the remaining licensing requirements. Passing the examinations is one part of the process. The Board must approve the complete application before issuing a contractor license.

State Requirements

The Mississippi State Board of Contractors regulates commercial contractors, residential contractors, roofers, and specialty classifications. Underground Utilities is a tested specialty classification.

The classification covers water, sewer, and gas pipeline installation, along with excavation, grading, and paving. It also includes directional drilling, auger boring, jacking and boring, trenchless technologies, wet and dry taps, grouting, and slip lining.

Applicants must submit the appropriate contractor license application before testing. The Board reviews the requested classification, business information, qualifying-party details, experience, insurance, and supporting documents before establishing examination eligibility.

Each contractor applicant must designate a qualifying individual. The qualifying individual completes the examinations assigned to the company and must maintain the relationship with the licensed business required by the Board.

Documentation may be required to establish ownership, officer status, employment, or another accepted relationship between the qualifying individual and the contractor applicant. The Board determines whether the submitted information satisfies the applicable requirements.

PSI administers the examinations, but the Mississippi State Board of Contractors retains authority over eligibility, classification approval, qualifying-party requirements, examination assignments, and license issuance.

Passing the Underground Utilities examination does not automatically create a contractor license. Applicants must satisfy all applicable business, qualifying-party, experience, insurance, documentation, examination, and Board-review requirements.

After licensing, contractors must operate within the Underground Utilities classification and maintain current business and qualifying-party information. Projects may also require compliance with local permits, utility-owner standards, excavation-notification laws, project specifications, and applicable safety regulations.

Reference Books

• Included Rental Book: NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi, 6th Edition
  This Mississippi-specific contractor guide supports preparation for the Law and Business Management examination. It addresses business organization, licensing, contracts, project management, financial practices, employment responsibilities, risk management, safety, and contractor operations.
• Included Rental Book: Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendments
  This federal construction-safety reference covers excavation, trench protection, personal protective equipment, tools, ladders, equipment, material handling, cranes, rigging, welding, and other jobsite requirements relevant to underground utility work.
• Included Rental Book: DIPRA Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe, 2024
  This guide addresses unloading, storage, trench preparation, bedding, pipe placement, joints, fittings, restraints, testing, backfilling, inspection, and recommended ductile iron pipe installation practices.
• Included Rental Book: Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019
  This installation guide covers concrete pipe and box culvert handling, foundations, bedding, placement, alignment, joints, lift holes, backfilling, compaction, inspection, and field construction procedures.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
  This field-oriented reference covers excavation planning, equipment, trenching, grading, pipe installation, production, estimating, dewatering, backfill, compaction, and practical underground construction methods.
• Included Rental Book: State of Mississippi Regulation of Excavation, Chapter 13 - Regulation of Excavations Near Underground Utility Facilities
  This Mississippi regulation addresses excavation notices, utility-location responsibilities, marking, damage prevention, emergency work, operator duties, excavator responsibilities, and work near underground facilities.
• Included Rental Book: ASME Code for Pressure Piping - B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 2018
  This code addresses materials, design, construction, welding, assembly, inspection, testing, operation, and maintenance requirements for gas transmission and distribution piping systems.
• Included Rental Book: Pipe Welding Procedures, 2003
  This specialized welding reference covers pipe preparation, alignment, joint design, welding positions, electrodes, root passes, filler passes, cover passes, technique, troubleshooting, and procedures used to produce sound pipe welds.

All included rental books are professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed. They must be returned in similar condition within six months from the date received for the $450 deposit to be refunded.

Exam Room Approved Books

The following technical references are included for the Mississippi Underground Utilities trade examination:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA), with Latest Available Amendments
• DIPRA Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe, 2024
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting, Dave Roberts, 2011
• State of Mississippi Regulation of Excavation, Chapter 13
• ASME B31.8 Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 2018
• Pipe Welding Procedures, 2003

The NASCLA Contractor’s Guide to Business, Law and Project Management, Mississippi, 6th Edition is included for the Mississippi Law and Business Management examination.

Candidates should bring only the references authorized for the examination scheduled that day. Books may be inspected before testing begins. Loose papers, removable notes, temporary tabs, and unauthorized inserts are not permitted.

Test Information and Study Materials

Build your preparation around the major Underground Utilities subjects. Give substantial attention to ductile iron pipe and concrete pipe installation, including trench preparation, bedding, placement, joints, alignment, testing, backfill, compaction, and inspection.

Use the DIPRA guide to review unloading, storage, fittings, restraints, joints, testing, and recommended installation procedures. Use the concrete pipe guide to study foundations, box culverts, placement, lift holes, joining, backfill, and field inspection.

Use 29 CFR Part 1926 to review trench hazards, protective systems, access and egress, spoil placement, equipment hazards, personal protective equipment, material handling, and welding safety. Connect the requirements to practical underground utility operations.

Use Pipe and Excavation Contracting for excavation methods, equipment selection, grading, dewatering, production, pipe installation, backfill, and compaction. Use Chapter 13 to review Mississippi excavation-notification and utility-location responsibilities.

Use ASME B31.8 to prepare for gas transmission and distribution piping questions. Use Pipe Welding Procedures to review joint preparation, alignment, positions, root passes, filler passes, cover passes, electrode selection, and common procedural problems.

Complete practice questions under timed conditions. Identify the subject before selecting a book, then use the permanent tabs, index, and section headings to locate the applicable information. Review missed questions to determine whether the difficulty involved technical knowledge, code interpretation, reference selection, or time management.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Mississippi Underground Utilities candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, and reference-navigation training. This package combines the technical and business-law books with six months of online course access.

The professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed rental books reduce the setup work normally required before open-book preparation begins. Candidates can start studying with visible navigation points for OSHA safety, ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, excavation, Mississippi utility-location rules, gas piping, pipe welding, and contractor business law.

The course structure helps divide the material into manageable areas. Candidates can revisit difficult subjects, review practice-oriented questions, strengthen reference-navigation skills, and build a practical examination strategy during the six-month access period.

Trade-focused preparation helps connect the references to real underground utility work. The study process addresses technical procedures, installation requirements, jobsite safety, pipeline materials, excavation responsibilities, utility damage prevention, gas systems, and contractor business knowledge.

Reference-navigation practice is especially valuable for an examination supported by several publications. Candidates can practice recognizing which book applies to a question and using tables of contents, indexes, diagrams, standards sections, and permanent tabs efficiently.

No course or rental package guarantees a passing examination score or contractor license. This Book & Course Rental Package provides structured preparation, professionally organized references, and a six-month study period designed around the Mississippi Underground Utilities licensing process.

FAQ Section

What is included in the Book & Course Rental Package?

The package includes eight professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed rental books plus 6 months of course access for Underground Utilities trade and Mississippi business-law preparation.

What is the total rental cost?

The rental package costs $845. A $450 refundable book deposit brings the total due to $1,295.

How does the refundable deposit work?

The $450 deposit is refundable when the rental books are returned in similar condition within six months from the date they are received.

Are the books highlighted and tabbed?

Yes. Every included rental book is professionally highlighted and permanently tabbed for organized study and efficient open-book navigation.

How long is the course available?

The package includes 6 months of course access.

How long will the book order take?

Please allow up to 15 business days for book rental package orders.

Is the Mississippi Underground Utilities exam open book?

Yes. Candidates may use authorized references during the examination, subject to PSI’s current testing-center rules.

How many questions are on the examination?

The examination contains 50 questions. Candidates receive two hours and must earn a minimum score of 70 percent.

Does the package include Mississippi business and law preparation?

Yes. The NASCLA Mississippi 6th Edition guide is included, and the course supports preparation for the Law and Business Management examination.

Does this package include Application Service?

No. Contractor application service is not listed as part of this Book & Course Rental Package.

Does this package include business formation or EIN filing?

No. Business formation and EIN filing are not included with this package.

Does purchasing the package guarantee a contractor license?

No. Licensing approval is determined by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. Applicants must satisfy all applicable application, examination, documentation, qualification, and licensing requirements.