SOPEEC Fourth Class Power Engineer Examination Part A (4A) — Information & Free Practice

About SOPEEC Fourth Class Power Engineer Examination Part A (4A)

SOPEEC Fourth Class Power Engineer Examination Part A (4A) · CA

Key exam facts

Provider

The Association of Chief Inspectors (ACI) owns the examination materials. SOPEEC develops standardized content and syllabi and maintains the question banks. Member jurisdictions administer the examination; TSSA is the Ontario authority and Prometric provides its in-person computer-based testing.

Format

Written multiple-choice knowledge examination, administered as the independent Part A (4A) paper. Delivery arrangements vary by jurisdiction; Ontario uses in-person computer-based testing at Prometric centres.

Exam questions

Total questions: 100.

Time limit

3 hours of examination writing time for Part A. Confirm local arrangements with the examining jurisdiction; SOPEEC's web guidance describes this as the duration in most jurisdictions. Ontario's current guide also specifies 3 hours; arrival is 30 minutes earlier.

Passing score

At least 65% of the total marks allotted to the individual examination paper; Part A and Part B must each be passed.

Exam fee

Fees are set by the administering jurisdiction; there is no single Canadian fee asserted here. Ontario (TSSA): CAD 89 per examination, effective May 1, 2026, plus HST where applicable. Each rewrite is billed as a separate examination. Additional on-site invigilation charges apply when that service is requested; other jurisdictions have their own fees.

Topics covered

• Elementary Mechanics and Dynamics

  • Perform basic calculations and define basic terms used in the study of mechanics.
  • Perform calculations using forces and moments, and determine whether or not a system is in equilibrium.
  • Define simple machines and perform calculations relating to mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, and efficiency.
  • Define and identify scalar and vector quantities, and solve simple vector problems graphically.
  • Define speed, velocity, distance, displacement, and acceleration, and solve simple linear problems involving these terms.
  • Define force, work, pressure, power, and, energy and perform calculations involving the relationships between these mechanical terms.
  • Describe friction and solve problems involving friction on a horizontal plane.
  • Explain the following: a. The physical properties of materials and how these properties affect the materials behaviour when external forces are applied b. Stress and the deformation of bodies caused by externally applied forces as well as the internal forces that resist these deformations, including tensile, compressive, and shear stresses plus factor of safety
  • Explain the common examples of power transmission systems, including speed changes, transmitted power, and efficiency.

• Elementary Chemistry and Thermodynamics

  • Explain basic chemistry principles, basic types of matter, and their properties.
  • Explain the principles of thermodynamics, including the laws of thermodynamics.
  • Explain the modes of heat transfer and theory of operation of heat exchangers.
  • Describe the principles of the thermodynamics of steam and the associated terms.

• Jurisdictional Legislation, Codes and Standards for Power Engineers

  • Describe the purpose of Jurisdictional acts and regulations with respect to boilers and pressure vessels and piping for Power Engineers.
  • Describe the purpose of Codes and Standards with respect to boilers and pressure vessels and piping for Power Engineers.

• Power Plant/Heating Plant Safety

  • Describe general plant safety in power, heating, pressure and Industrial plants that employ Power Engineers.
  • Describe the common safety programs that are generally implemented in plants.
  • Describe the procedures for safe storage and handling of dangerous materials.
  • Explain fire safety in a plant.
  • Describe the causes of, the extinguishing methods, and preventive measures for fires.

• Environment

  • Explain how the environment is related to the operating plant.
  • Explain how gas and noise emissions affect plant operation.
  • Explain how liquid and solid emissions affect plant operation.

• Material and Welding

  • Describe the mechanical properties of engineering materials and the ability of alloying elements to change the mechanical properties of materials, and identify nonferrous materials as used in engineering.
  • Describe the welding processes that are relevant to the plant and Power Engineer.
  • Describe the inspection and testing methods of welds and materials used in plants.

• Piping and Valves

  • Describe the basic types of piping, piping connections, supports, and drainage devices used in the industry.
  • Describe the design and uses of the valves designs most commonly used in industry plants and on boilers.

• Electricity

  • Describe the concepts of basic electricity, and perform simple AC & DC calculations using voltage, current, resistance and power.
  • Describe the basic principles of magnetism as it relates to electricity.
  • Describe the designs and uses of electrical metering devices.
  • Describe the operating principles of the various types of AC and DC motors and generators.
  • Describe the operating principles of electrical transformers.
  • Describe an electrical distribution system and safe operation.

• Energy Plant Instrumentation and Controls

  • Describe the overall purpose and function of plant instrumentation and control systems.
  • Describe the construction and operation of common devices used to measure pressure, level, flow, temperature, humidity, and composition.
  • Describe the basic types and functions of transmitters, recorders, controllers, and control actuators.
  • Describe the operation of programming controls for boilers and discuss testing and maintenance procedures for these controls.
  • Describe the design and operation of electronic control systems.
  • Describe the design and operation of electrical control systems.

• Plant Communication

  • Describe how to setup plant and equipment sketches as well as how to complete a plant line tracing diagram.
  • Describe the common types of diagrams used in plants.
  • Describe the different types of and proper use of plant communication systems.

• Boilers

  • Describe the historical development of boilers, boiler design, components and configuration.
  • Describe the design, components, and characteristics of firetube boilers.
  • Describe the design, components, and characteristics of watertube boilers.
  • Explain the general design and application of electric boilers.
  • Describe the special designs of boilers used in heating plants.
  • Describe the differences between ASME Section I and ASME Section IV boilers.

• Boiler Systems

  • Discuss the basic theory of combustion in a boiler, and the equipment used to provide proper combustion conditions.
  • Describe the common fuel systems used in boiler systems.
  • Describe draft and the basic equipment used to supply combustion air to a boiler furnace.
  • Describe the types of feedwater systems used for boilers.
  • Describe the purpose, equipment, and operation of blow down in boiler systems.
  • Describe the purpose, equipment and operation of fireside cleaning in boiler systems.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources and references

• SOPEEC Fourth Class Reference Syllabus

  Printed pp. 3–5, Part A, objectives 1–55

• SOPEEC Fourth Class Reference Syllabus

  Cover, effective date statement

• SOPEEC Fourth Class Reference Syllabus

  Printed p. 1, Examination Instructions

• SOPEEC Fourth Class examination information

  Fourth Class Examinations

• SOPEEC Fourth Class examination information

  Pass mark

• TSSA Register for an Exam

  Scheduling an Exam

• TSSA Operating Engineers Fee Schedule

  p. 1, Examination row, Effective May 1, 2026 column

• TSSA Operating Engineers Fee Schedule

  p. 1, note 8

• TSSA Fees

  Payments

• TSSA Fourth Class Certification and Examination Guide

  p. 7, Examination Information

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.