Nevada Sewers, Drains, And Pipes Contractor (A-15) Exam Book Package

Prepare for the Nevada Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor (A-15) examination with an exam book package built around the technical subjects covered by this underground utility contractor classification. The package combines the Nevada environmental fact sheets approved for use during the open-book examination with study references covering construction safety, ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe installation, excavation, paving, and Nevada One Call requirements.

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes examination is an open-book test. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23 are the exam-room-approved materials included in this package. The remaining books are study references and are not allowed into the trade examination room.

The A-15 examination contains 50 questions, allows 2 hours for completion, and requires 35 correct answers to pass. Candidates should be prepared for questions involving construction safety, underground utilities and concrete pipe installation, excavating and grading, paving, septic tanks and cesspools, and Nevada One Call requirements.

The Nevada A-15 classification covers the laying of cast-iron, steel, concrete, vitreous, and nonvitreous pipe for sewers, drains, and irrigation. The scope also includes related excavating, grading, trenching, backfilling, paving, surfacing, and the fabrication and erection of cesspools and septic tanks.

Because the examination covers both pipe installation and the earthwork surrounding underground utility construction, candidates should prepare for more than pipe materials alone. Strong preparation should include trenching, bedding, backfill, compaction, excavation safety, utility-location procedures, pavement restoration, septic systems, and proper installation practices for underground piping.

This Nevada A-15 Exam Book Package brings these areas together so candidates can organize preparation around the major topics represented on the trade examination while practicing with the specific fact sheets allowed into the testing room.

What You Get

• Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23 — exam-room-approved materials supporting preparation for septic tank, cesspool, and wastewater-related topics.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA) — study reference supporting construction safety, trenching, excavation, protective systems, equipment, and jobsite hazards.
• Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe — study reference supporting ductile iron pipe handling, installation, joining, bedding, alignment, and related underground utility practices.
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019 — study reference supporting installation of concrete pipe and box culvert systems, including placement, bedding, backfill, and construction considerations.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting — study reference supporting trenching, excavation, pipe installation, grading, backfilling, and underground construction practices.
• Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook — study reference supporting asphalt paving and pavement restoration concepts relevant to underground utility work.
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law — study material supporting utility locating, marking, excavation notification, and Nevada One Call knowledge.

Exam Details

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor examination contains 50 questions. Candidates are allowed 2 hours to complete the examination and must answer 35 questions correctly to pass.

The examination content is divided into the following subject areas:

• Safety - Code of Federal Regulations: 9 questions
• Underground Utilities - Concrete Pipe Installation: 10 questions
• Excavating and Grading: 10 questions
• Paving: 3 questions
• Septic Tanks/Cesspools: 15 questions
• Nevada One Call: 3 questions

Septic Tanks and Cesspools is the largest individual examination category with 15 questions. Candidates should devote significant preparation time to wastewater disposal concepts, septic system components, placement considerations, and the Nevada environmental information contained in the approved WTS-22 and WTS-23 fact sheets.

Underground Utilities - Concrete Pipe Installation and Excavating and Grading each account for 10 questions. These areas require practical understanding of trench preparation, pipe bedding, installation, backfill, alignment, excavation methods, grade control, and underground utility construction.

Safety accounts for 9 questions and should be treated as a major exam subject. Underground pipe work can involve deep excavations, trench hazards, equipment, lifting, access, traffic exposure, and other construction risks.

Paving and Nevada One Call contain fewer questions, but they remain important. Utility contractors often disturb existing pavement and work around buried facilities, so candidates should understand pavement restoration concepts and utility-location responsibilities.

Open Book Test

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor examination is an open-book test.

The reference material included in this package that is allowed into the trade examination is:

• Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23

The following references are included for study but are not allowed into the trade examination room:

• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
• Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
• Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law

Because most technical references in this package are study-only materials, candidates should build strong retained knowledge before exam day. OSHA requirements, pipe installation methods, trenching procedures, grading concepts, paving knowledge, and Nevada One Call information should be reviewed until common principles can be recalled without relying on the books.

The WTS-22 and WTS-23 fact sheets should be used regularly during preparation so candidates become familiar with their organization and content. Since these materials can be used during the examination, repeated navigation practice can help candidates locate relevant wastewater information more efficiently.

With 50 questions in two hours, candidates have a little more than two minutes per question on average. Efficient use of the approved materials should be combined with strong trade knowledge rather than treating the exam as a lookup exercise.

Licensing Steps

1. Confirm the A-15 classification. Make sure Sewers, Drains, and Pipes matches the type of contracting work the business intends to perform.
2. Identify the qualifying individual. The contractor application must identify the individual responsible for satisfying the applicable qualification requirements.
3. Prepare qualifying experience information. Organize the work-history documentation required for the A-15 classification.
4. Submit the Nevada contractor license application. Complete the applicable application and supporting documentation.
5. Receive examination eligibility. After the applicable qualification and application requirements are addressed, proceed with the required examinations.
6. Prepare for the A-15 trade examination. Study safety, underground utilities, pipe installation, excavation, grading, paving, septic systems, cesspools, and Nevada One Call.
7. Practice using the approved fact sheets. Become familiar with WTS-22 and WTS-23 before taking the open-book trade examination.
8. Prepare for Nevada Business and Law. Complete the applicable contractor business and law preparation required for Nevada licensing.
9. Complete the required examinations. Take the applicable trade and business examinations.
10. Complete remaining licensing requirements. Finish the other applicable requirements associated with Nevada contractor license issuance.

State Requirements

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes classification covers the laying of cast-iron, steel, concrete, vitreous, and nonvitreous pipe for sewers, drains, and irrigation.

The classification also includes related excavating, grading, trenching, backfilling, paving, and surfacing. This means candidates need to understand the complete process surrounding underground pipe installation, not simply how individual pipe sections are joined.

The scope further includes the fabrication and erection of cesspools and septic tanks. This is reflected in the examination outline, where Septic Tanks/Cesspools represents the largest subject area.

Underground utility work requires coordination between pipe installation and earthwork. Proper trench preparation, grade, bedding, alignment, backfill, and compaction can affect the performance and durability of an installed sewer or drain system.

The A-15 trade examination is one component of Nevada contractor licensing. Applicants must also satisfy applicable qualification, application, business and law, financial, and other licensing requirements before a contractor license is issued.

Reference Books

• Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23
  These exam-room-approved fact sheets support preparation involving wastewater treatment and disposal topics relevant to septic tanks, cesspools, and the Nevada A-15 examination.
• Code of Federal Regulations - 29 CFR Part 1926 (OSHA)
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving construction safety, excavation and trenching hazards, protective systems, ladders, equipment, personal protective equipment, material handling, and other jobsite safety topics.
• Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving ductile iron pipe installation, handling, joints, trench conditions, bedding, alignment, backfill, and underground utility construction practices.
• Concrete Pipe and Box Culvert Installation, 2019
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving concrete pipe and box culvert installation, foundation and bedding considerations, placement, joining, backfill, and construction procedures.
• Pipe and Excavation Contracting
  This study-only reference supports trenching, excavation, pipe installation, grading, bedding, backfill, compaction, and practical underground construction knowledge.
• Hot Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook
  This study-only reference supports preparation involving asphalt materials, placement, compaction, paving procedures, and pavement restoration associated with underground utility construction.
• Suggested Marking Guidelines and The Nevada One Call Law
  This study-only material supports preparation involving buried utility identification, excavation notification, marking practices, and Nevada One Call responsibilities.

Exam Room Approved Books

• Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23
  These are the exam-room-approved reference materials included with the Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor Exam Book Package. Candidates should review them repeatedly before the examination so wastewater and septic-system information can be located efficiently.

Test Information and Study Materials

A strong Nevada A-15 preparation plan should begin with Septic Tanks and Cesspools because this is the largest examination category. Review wastewater disposal concepts, system components, site-related considerations, and the information contained in the WTS-22 and WTS-23 fact sheets.

Practice navigating the approved fact sheets under timed conditions. Locate specific subjects, identify related requirements, and become familiar with how the material is organized. Efficient navigation is especially valuable when an exam question requires confirmation from the approved references.

Underground Utilities and Concrete Pipe Installation should include trench preparation, bedding, alignment, grade, pipe placement, joining, backfilling, and conditions that can affect installed pipe. Candidates should understand that the stability and support surrounding the pipe are important parts of a successful installation.

The Installation Guide for Ductile Iron Pipe supports study of another common underground piping material. Review handling, joining, installation procedures, trench conditions, bedding, alignment, and backfill concepts.

Excavating and Grading accounts for 10 questions. Candidates should understand excavation methods, grade control, trench dimensions, soil removal, bedding preparation, backfill, compaction, and practical considerations associated with underground utility work.

Safety accounts for 9 questions and deserves dedicated study time. Underground construction creates serious hazards, particularly when employees work in or near excavations and trenches. Review excavation hazards, access, protective systems, equipment, material handling, personal protective equipment, and general construction safety concepts.

Because OSHA is not allowed into the trade examination room, candidates should move from book-supported study to active recall. Read a safety subject, close the reference, and practice answering questions without immediately looking up the answer.

Paving is a smaller exam category, but underground pipe work can require restoration of streets and other paved surfaces after excavation. Review hot-mix asphalt placement, compaction, pavement preparation, and general restoration concepts.

Nevada One Call should also receive focused preparation. Contractors performing excavation need to understand utility-location and marking concepts associated with working around buried facilities.

The Suggested Marking Guidelines and Nevada One Call material should be studied until candidates can recognize common utility marking and excavation-notification concepts without relying on the reference during the exam.

A useful study method is to divide preparation into six blocks matching the exam outline: Safety, Underground Utilities, Excavating and Grading, Paving, Septic Tanks/Cesspools, and Nevada One Call.

Begin with subject-by-subject study, then transition into mixed practice. Mixed questions help candidates become comfortable moving from excavation safety to concrete pipe installation, septic systems, paving, or utility marking without losing focus.

Calculation and measurement practice can also be useful where underground construction questions involve dimensions, grade, quantities, or practical field relationships. Candidates should be comfortable working through basic trade calculations efficiently.

Time management should be included in every practice session. With 50 questions in two hours, spending too much time on one difficult problem can reduce the time available for questions that can be answered more quickly.

A balanced strategy is to answer familiar trade questions efficiently, use WTS-22 and WTS-23 for targeted confirmation when appropriate, mark difficult questions, and return to them after completing easier items.

For the study-only books, focus on understanding principles rather than memorizing isolated sentences. Pipe installation, trenching, bedding, backfill, safety, paving, and utility-location topics are easier to retain when connected to the complete sequence of underground construction work.

How 1 Exam Prep Helps You Reach Your Goal

1 Exam Prep supports Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor candidates through organized study guidance, trade-focused review, practice-oriented preparation, reference navigation when applicable, and confidence-building study structure.

This exam book package combines the approved Nevada environmental fact sheets with technical study references covering safety, ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe installation, excavation, grading, paving, and Nevada One Call topics.

Organizing study around the official subject areas can help candidates spend preparation time where it matters most. Septic Tanks/Cesspools, Underground Utilities, Excavating and Grading, and Safety make up substantial portions of the examination and should receive consistent review.

Practice-oriented preparation can help identify whether missed questions result from weak pipe-installation knowledge, excavation concepts, safety requirements, septic-system knowledge, paving procedures, or utility-marking responsibilities.

Reference-navigation practice with WTS-22 and WTS-23 can also help candidates become more comfortable using the approved materials during the open-book examination. At the same time, technical study of the books that are not allowed into the exam helps build the retained knowledge needed for those subjects.

The goal is to help candidates approach the Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes examination with stronger underground utility knowledge, better study organization, more efficient use of approved materials, and a consistent preparation routine without guaranteeing a passing score or licensing approval.

How many questions are on the Nevada A-15 exam?

The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor examination contains 50 questions.

How much time is allowed for the A-15 examination?

Candidates are allowed 2 hours to complete the examination.

How many correct answers are required to pass?

Candidates must answer 35 questions correctly to pass the Nevada A-15 examination.

Is the Nevada A-15 exam open book?

Yes. The Nevada A-15 Sewers, Drains, and Pipes Contractor examination is an open-book test.

Which references are allowed into the Nevada A-15 exam?

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection: Bureau of Water Pollution Control, Fact Sheets WTS-22 and WTS-23 are the exam-room-approved materials included in this package.

Is OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 allowed into the exam?

No. OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926 is included as a study reference but is not allowed into the trade examination room.

Are the pipe installation books allowed into the exam?

No. The ductile iron pipe, concrete pipe, and excavation references included in this package are study materials and are not allowed into the trade examination room.

What is the largest A-15 exam subject?

Septic Tanks/Cesspools is the largest subject area with 15 questions.

How many underground utility questions are on the exam?

Underground Utilities - Concrete Pipe Installation accounts for 10 questions.

How many excavation and grading questions are on the exam?

Excavating and Grading accounts for 10 questions.

Does the A-15 exam include construction safety?

Yes. Safety - Code of Federal Regulations accounts for 9 questions.

Does the exam include Nevada One Call?

Yes. Nevada One Call accounts for 3 questions.

Does the Nevada A-15 exam cover paving?

Yes. Paving accounts for 3 questions and relates to surface restoration associated with underground utility work.

What work does the Nevada A-15 classification cover?

The classification covers laying pipe for sewers, drains, and irrigation, along with related excavating, grading, trenching, backfilling, paving, surfacing, and the fabrication and erection of cesspools and septic tanks.

Should I practice using WTS-22 and WTS-23 before the exam?

Yes. Regular practice with the approved fact sheets can help candidates become familiar with their organization and locate wastewater-related information more efficiently during the open-book examination.

Does this package guarantee that I will pass the Nevada A-15 exam?

No. This package provides exam and study references designed to support organized preparation. Examination results depend on each candidate's experience, underground utility knowledge, study, reference-navigation skills, and performance on test day.