ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist — Practice Exam
Program management: practice questions
Our ISA Utility Specialist bank has 42 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Why does the FERC report say UVM schedules should be flexible?
- Precipitation, drought and pests change growth and workload unpredictably
- Crews prefer varied work, and regulators require schedules to change each year
- Regulators require random schedules
- Trees grow the same every year
Show the answer
A. Precipitation, drought and pests change growth and workload unpredictably — The intent is to manage vegetation before it threatens reliability.
Question 2
Under FAC-003-5, what must happen when work is blocked (for example by a court order) and encroachment could result?
- The owner takes corrective action to keep vegetation out of the MVCD
- Nothing until the constraint ends, since the owner is not responsible
- The landowner is fined
Show the answer
A. The owner takes corrective action to keep vegetation out of the MVCD — Requirement R5; evidence may include increased monitoring or de-rating the line.
Question 3
Which industry cycle range does the FERC report give?
- From 1 to 10+ years
- Always 3 years exactly, as required by NERC
- 50 to 100 years
- Monthly
Show the answer
A. From 1 to 10+ years — Cycle length depends on many uncontrollable influences.
Question 4
Which resource assessment tools does the Utility Specialist outline name?
- Increment borers and soil probes used on every tree
- GPS/GIS data collection and aerial patrols
- Customer billing records
- Customer billing amounts and payment histories for each circuit
Show the answer
B. GPS/GIS data collection and aerial patrols — The FERC report adds that aerial patrols should be checked by ground patrols where clearance is uncertain.
Question 5
What does the FERC report say about utility quality assurance in UVM?
- QA is unnecessary if contractors are paid by the hour
- Only customers should check work
- QA should be built into work practices, not limited to post-audits
- QA is unnecessary when contractors are paid by the hour
Show the answer
C. QA should be built into work practices, not limited to post-audits — Quality control belongs in field practices with QA oversight.