Free Excavation Competent Person Practice Test Online

Take a free Excavation Competent Person practice test online: a full 18-question paper with every answer explained, no sign-up, scored by topic. The full 100-question bank and the timed simulator are $14.99 for 30 days.

First published: September 2, 2026Bank updated: September 4, 2026Published by CertQuestUSA · review process

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 written to the regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

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

Take a full practice test free. 18 real questions built to the exam's domain weights, every answer explained, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain score 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

Show answer and reasoning

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

B: No specific degree is required by the definition.
C: Seniority does not, by itself, establish hazard-identification ability or corrective authority.
D: A written test alone does not establish the practical hazard-recognition ability the definition requires.

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

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: A. A competent person

B: Assigning the task to whoever is available, without regard to competency, does not satisfy the requirement.
C: Rental companies supply equipment; they are not the party responsible for the daily inspection.
D: A surveyor is not the role the standard designates for this inspection.

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

Show answer and reasoning

Correct answer: 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: Attendance is not a safety inspection item under this paragraph.
C: General housekeeping of a trailer is unrelated to the excavation inspection.
D: Fuel level is an equipment-maintenance matter, not what this inspection targets.

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

Show answer and reasoning

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

B: Waiting until the project ends defeats the purpose of catching a developing hazard early.
C: A new hire joining the crew is not one of the standard's stated inspection triggers, though it may prompt other actions.
D: A fixed weekly interval ignores fast-changing conditions like a rain event.

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

Show answer and reasoning

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

B: A general impression from an unqualified crew member does not meet the standard's classification requirement.
C: Equipment manufacturers do not perform on-site soil classification.
D: A building inspector's role does not substitute for the competent person's on-site classification duty.

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

Where can I take a free Excavation Competent Person practice test online?

Right here. CertQuestUSA's free Excavation Competent Person practice test online is a full 18-question practice paper built to the real exam's domain weights, with every answer explained, with no sign-up and no credit card, and shows your score by topic at the end. The full 100-question bank, with every answer explained and cited to the regulation it comes from, is $14.99 for a 30-day pass that never renews.

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 Excavation Competent Person practice test?

Yes -- one full 18-question practice paper built to the exam's domain weights, free with no sign-up, with every answer explained and a domain-by-domain score at the end.

Need the certificate itself, not just the practice?

This page is a practice test. Certified Training USA, our sister site, sells the Excavation and Trenching Competent Person Awareness course with a certificate of completion.

See the course