Excavation Competent Person

First published: September 2, 2026Last verified: September 4, 2026Reviewed by the CertQuestUSA team

TL;DR

Excavation Competent Person: a 100-question practice bank for the real OSHA Safety & Health standard, 5 full papers of 18 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

Every question in this bank cites a real source -- primarily 29 CFR (87%) and OSHA Letter of Interpretation (13%) of this exam's citations.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free diagnostic — 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.

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5

full papers, no repeats

18

questions per paper

100

questions in the bank

What this exam covers

Daily Inspection, Soil Classification and Protective Systems (1926.651-652)100%

5 real sample questions

Under Subpart P, what makes someone a "competent person" for excavation work?

A. The ability to identify existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions, combined with authorization to take prompt corrective measures

B. Completion of a four-year engineering degree

C. Being the most senior employee present, regardless of training

D. Passing a written multiple-choice test with no field evaluation

Source: 1926.650(b): Competent person, definition

Who must conduct daily inspections of excavations, adjacent areas, and protective systems?

A. A competent person

B. Any employee assigned that day, regardless of qualification

C. The equipment rental company

D. A licensed surveyor only

Source: 1926.651(k)(1)

What is the daily inspection specifically looking for?

A. Evidence of a situation that could result in a cave-in, indications of failure of protective systems, hazardous atmospheres, or other hazardous conditions

B. Only whether the crew arrived on time

C. Only the cleanliness of the site trailer

D. Only whether equipment has been refueled

Source: 1926.651(k)(1)

Besides before work begins each day, when else must an inspection occur?

A. As needed throughout the shift, and after every rainstorm or other event that could increase hazards

B. Only at the end of the project, before final grading

C. Only when a new employee joins the crew

D. Only once per week regardless of conditions

Source: 1926.651(k)(1)

Who is responsible for classifying soil and rock deposits in an excavation?

A. A competent person, who classifies each deposit as Stable Rock, Type A, Type B, or Type C

B. Any laborer on the crew, based on a general impression of the soil

C. The excavation equipment manufacturer

D. The local building inspector, before any digging can start

Source: Subpart P Appendix A(c)(1)

Real-world data for this exam

Excavations: Specific Requirements2023-01-01–2026-07-303,956 citations Excavations: Requirements for Protective Systems2023-01-01–2026-07-302,813 citations

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA Excavation Competent Person practice test?

100 questions total, split into 5 full papers of 18 each with no repeats across papers.

What topics does the Excavation Competent Person test cover?

1 domains, with the heaviest weight on Daily Inspection, Soil Classification and Protective Systems (1926.651-652) (100%).

Where do CertQuestUSA's Excavation Competent Person questions come from?

Primarily 29 CFR (87%) and OSHA Letter of Interpretation (13%) of this bank's citations -- computed directly from this exam's own question sources, not a generic description.

Is there a free diagnostic for Excavation Competent Person?

Yes -- 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.