High-Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer License
For general exam information see the submenu above.
The content outline for the New York City High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer Written Examination is provided below. The examination is closed book and contains 110 multiple-choice questions. The outline lists all topics covered in the examination and the number of questions asked about each topic.
Scope of Written Examination
The examination assesses a candidate’s knowledge of and experience in applying the relevant portions of the NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations, as well as trade specific industry knowledge. This knowledge includes, but is not limited to, the inspection and testing, operation and maintenance, repair and alteration, and the administration aspects of high pressure boiler systems in New York City.
Scope of Written Examination
The examination assesses a candidate’s knowledge of and experience in applying the relevant portions of the NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations, as well as trade specific industry knowledge. This knowledge includes, but is not limited to, the inspection and testing, operation and maintenance, repair and alteration, and the administration aspects of high pressure boiler systems in New York City.
High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer Written Examination
| Number of Questions | Minimum Passing Score |
Time Allowed |
| 110 | 77 (70%) | 4 hours |
| Subject Area | # Items | References |
| Administration | 22 | |
| General Regulations | 3 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, RCNY 20, RCNY 22, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Logbook | 11 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, RCNY 20, RCNY 22, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Tubes | 8 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, RCNY 20, RCNY 22, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Inspection and Testing | 33 | |
| Gauges | 4 | NYC MC Ch. 10, RCNY 20 |
| High-Pressure Steam Piping Systems | 4 | NYC MC Ch. 12, RCNY 20, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Inspection | 5 | NYC MC Ch. 10, RCNY 20, RCNY 22, NYS DOL Part 14, 1 RCNY 103-05 |
| Installation | 1 | NYC MC Ch. 10, RCNY 20, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Subject Area | # Items | References |
| Maximum Allowable Pressure | 1 | NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Miniature Boilers | 1 | NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Operating Adjustments and Instructions | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 10, RCNY 20 |
| Pressure Tanks | 2 | RCNY 22 |
| Tests | 4 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, RCNY 20, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Tubes | 7 | NYC MC Ch. 12, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Valves | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Operation and Maintenance | 33 | |
| Hot Water Boiler Expansion Tank | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Low Water Cutoff | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 10 |
| Maximum Allowable Pressure | 5 | NYC MC Ch. 12, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Miniature Boilers | 1 | NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Removal of Waste | 4 | NYC MC Ch. 12, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Tubes | 8 | NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Valves | 6 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Water | 5 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Repairs and Alterations | 22 | |
| Joints and Connections | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12 |
| Materials | 2 | NYC MC Ch. 12 |
| Maximum Allowable Pressure | 8 | NYS DOL Part 14, RCNY 20 |
| Piping Installations | 3 | NYC MC Ch. 10, NYC MC Ch. 12, NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Pressure Tanks | 3 | RCNY 22 |
| Tubes | 4 | NYS DOL Part 14 |
| Note: NYC BC = NYC Construction Codes: Building Code. NYC MC = NYC Construction Codes: Mechanical Code. NYC DOL = New York State Department of Labor. RCNY = Rules of the City of New York. | ||
The examination is divided into fifteen exercises. The outline below lists all topics covered in the examination. To receive an overall score of pass for the High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer practical examination, you must score 70% or higher and pass the critical exercise(s).
Scope of Practical Examination
The examination assesses a candidate’s skill in applying the relevant portions of the NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations, as well as trade-specific industry knowledge.
High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer Practical Examination
| Number of Exercises | Minimum Passing Score | Time Allowed |
| 15 | 70% | 90 Minutes |
| Exercise Number | Topic |
| Exercise 1 | Steam Turbine Feed Water Pump |
| Exercise 2 | Feedwater Pumps |
| Exercise 3 | Deaerator Make Up Water Tank |
| Exercise 4 | Identification of Boiler Components |
| Exercise 5 | Draft and Air Supply |
| Exercise 6 | Evaporation Test/Accumulation Test
or Slow Drain/Accumulation Test |
| Exercise 7 | Hydrostatic Test |
| Exercise 8 | Ignition Sequence |
| Exercise 9 | How to put a Boiler Online |
| Exercise 10 | Blowdown Procedure |
| Exercise 11 | Vacuum Condensate System |
| Exercise 12 | Chemicals |
| Exercise 13 | Deaerator |
| Exercise 14 | Air Compressor Operation |
| Exercise 15 | Fire Pump Operation |
Reference List
The reference list provided below includes suggested materials that could assist you in preparing for the examination. The examination questions reference NYC Codes, Rules and Regulations. Please note that the references below may cite portions of other codes, rules, or regulations. You may be tested on information in these additional sources that are applicable to your trade. The knowledge that will be tested in the examinations will be taken from these materials in addition to applied field knowledge of the High Pressure Boiler Operating Engineer trade.
This is not an open book examination; candidates are not allowed to bring reference materials into the testing site.
- 2014 NYC Administrative Code, Title 28, Chapter 1: Administration; Chapter 4: Licensing and Registration of Businesses, Trades and Occupations Engaged in Building Work, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- 2014 NYC Construction Codes: Mechanical Code, Chapter 10: Boilers, Water Heaters, and Pressure Vessels; Chapter 12: Hydronic Piping, New York City Store, Order Department, One Centre Street, Room 2223, New York City, NY 10007, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- New York State Department of Labor, Code Rules – Part 14: Construction, Installation, Inspection and Maintenance of High Pressure Boilers, NYS Department of Labor, Building 12, W.A. Harriman Campus, Albany, NY 12240, https://www.labor.ny.gov/home/.
- Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, §20: Piping Systems, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, §22: Pressure Tanks, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- Rules of the City of New York, Title 1, §103-05 High-pressure Boiler Inspection and Filing Requirements, Penalties and Waivers, https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/codes/codes.page.
- Woodruff, E. B., Lammers, H. B., & Lammers, T. F. (2017). Steam Plant Operation (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Steingress, F. M., Frost, H. J., & Walker, D. R. (2018). High Pressure Boilers (6th ed.) American Technical Publishers.