QEW Practice Test: Are You a Qualified Electrical Worker?
Ten questions a qualified electrical worker should answer without looking anything up: who counts as qualified, when energized work is allowed, how a circuit is proven dead, and how close you can get. Every answer comes with the paragraph it is based on.
Based on: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.137, 1910.333, 1910.399 · NFPA 70E (shock and arc flash boundaries)
Question 1 of 10
Under OSHA, what makes someone a "qualified person" for electrical work?
Question 2 of 10
You are qualified on the 480 V switchgear in your building. Are you automatically qualified on the 13.8 kV gear next door?
Question 3 of 10
Which of these is an acceptable reason to work on a live circuit instead of de-energizing it?
Question 4 of 10
Under OSHA, who may perform the test that verifies a locked-out circuit is actually de-energized?
Question 5 of 10
Your tester reads zero on a 4,160 V circuit. What must happen before you trust that reading?
Question 6 of 10
Per NFPA 70E, what is the restricted approach boundary for exposed 480 V AC parts?
Question 7 of 10
The arc flash boundary is the distance at which incident energy drops to…
Question 8 of 10
What check must rubber insulating gloves get before each day’s use?
Question 9 of 10
An unqualified worker is on a ladder near a 13.8 kV overhead line. How close may the worker and anything they hold get to the line?
Question 10 of 10
Which of these is OSHA’s rule on wearing a metal watch band or ring near exposed energized parts?
Answer key with explanations (spoilers — take the quiz first)
1. Under OSHA, what makes someone a "qualified person" for electrical work?
Answer: Training in, and demonstrated skill and knowledge of, the equipment and its hazards
OSHA defines a qualified person by training plus demonstrated skills and knowledge of the construction and operation of the equipment and the hazards involved. A license or years on the job can support that, but neither is the definition.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.399 — definition of "qualified person"
2. You are qualified on the 480 V switchgear in your building. Are you automatically qualified on the 13.8 kV gear next door?
Answer: No — qualification is tied to specific equipment and the hazards of that equipment
OSHA notes that a worker can be qualified on some equipment in a workplace and unqualified on other equipment. Medium-voltage gear brings different hazards and needs its own training and demonstrated skill.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.399 — Note 1 to the definition of "qualified person"
3. Which of these is an acceptable reason to work on a live circuit instead of de-energizing it?
Answer: Shutting it off would disable life-support equipment or an emergency alarm system
Energized work is allowed only when de-energizing creates additional or increased hazards (OSHA lists life support, emergency alarms, hazardous-location ventilation, lighting) or is infeasible — for example, diagnostic testing that only works with power on. Convenience and schedule are not on the list.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333(a)(1) and Notes 1–2
4. Under OSHA, who may perform the test that verifies a locked-out circuit is actually de-energized?
Answer: A qualified person using test equipment
A qualified person must use test equipment to verify the parts are de-energized — and the test must also look for induced voltage or backfeed from unrelated sources.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(iv)(B)
5. Your tester reads zero on a 4,160 V circuit. What must happen before you trust that reading?
Answer: Check the tester for proper operation immediately before and immediately after the test
Over 600 V nominal, OSHA requires the tester to be checked for proper operation immediately before and after the test. A dead meter reads the same as a dead circuit. NFPA 70E applies the same live-dead-live check at every voltage.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333(b)(2)(iv)(B); NFPA 70E, establishing an electrically safe work condition
6. Per NFPA 70E, what is the restricted approach boundary for exposed 480 V AC parts?
Answer: 1 ft 0 in
For 151–750 V AC the restricted approach boundary is 1 ft 0 in. Crossing it is for qualified persons only, with a plan and shock protection. 3 ft 6 in and 10 ft are the limited approach boundaries (fixed parts / movable conductors).
Source: NFPA 70E Table 130.4(E)(a) — shock protection approach boundaries, AC
7. The arc flash boundary is the distance at which incident energy drops to…
Answer: 1.2 cal/cm²
1.2 cal/cm² (5 J/cm²) is roughly the onset of a second-degree burn on bare skin. Inside that line, arc flash PPE is required.
Source: NFPA 70E Article 100 — definition of "arc flash boundary"
8. What check must rubber insulating gloves get before each day’s use?
Answer: A visual inspection for damage, together with an air test
Inspect for damage before each day’s use and after anything that could have damaged them, and give the gloves an air test with that inspection. The lab retest every 6 months does not replace the daily check. Solvents can degrade the rubber.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.137(c)(2)(ii), (c)(2)(viii) and Table I-6
9. An unqualified worker is on a ladder near a 13.8 kV overhead line. How close may the worker and anything they hold get to the line?
Answer: No closer than 10 ft
For lines 50 kV to ground or less, an unqualified person and the longest conductive object they may contact must stay 10 ft away. Add 4 in for every 10 kV above 50 kV.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333(c)(3)(i)(A)
10. Which of these is OSHA’s rule on wearing a metal watch band or ring near exposed energized parts?
Answer: Not allowed if it might contact energized parts, unless covered or wrapped so it is nonconductive
Watch bands, rings, bracelets, key chains, necklaces and metal headgear may not be worn where they could contact exposed energized parts, unless rendered nonconductive. The same section requires nonconductive side rails on portable ladders used near live parts.
Source: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333(c)(7)–(8)
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This is a practice quiz, not a certification or a qualification. It is scored in your browser, nothing is recorded, and passing it does not satisfy any OSHA training requirement. Answers reflect the cited standards as published; where your employer, site owner or the equipment manufacturer sets a stricter rule, that rule applies.