Ground Disturbance Level II exam-day guide
Ground Disturbance Level II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original document (driver's licence, passport, or provincial photo card). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly; do not assume a photocopy or digital copy is allowed.
Confirmation of registration and test location
Print or save the booking confirmation showing date, time, address, and any candidate number. Confirm with the provider whether the test is written, practical/field-based, or a combination, since Ground Disturbance Level II delivery varies by provider.
Personal protective equipment
If any portion of the assessment is practical or held on a site, bring the PPE your provider specifies (hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, hi-vis vest, gloves). Confirm with the provider the exact PPE list and whether it is supplied.
Writing materials
Bring two pens and a pencil plus an eraser in case scratch paper or a field form is used. Confirm with the provider whether materials are supplied and whether scratch paper is permitted.
Acceptable calculator or none
Some Level II questions involve setback, clearance, or depth calculations. Confirm with the provider whether a basic calculator is allowed and whether phones are prohibited as calculators.
Review key content areas
Re-read your notes on locating and marking buried facilities, hand exposure and safe digging practices, ground disturbance permits, crossing agreements, notification timelines, and roles of the locator, ground disturber, and facility owner.
Know your notification and locate-request process
Be able to describe, in order, how a locate request is filed, what information it must contain, how long a locate is valid, and what to do if markings are missing, faded, or wrong. Confirm local specifics with the provider rather than memorizing one jurisdiction's numbers.
Plan travel and arrive early
Check the route and parking the day before and plan to arrive well ahead of the start time. Confirm with the provider how early to arrive and what happens if you are late.
Rest and avoid last-minute cramming
Sleep well the night before and review only summary notes in the final hour. Bring water and a snack if the session is long; confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the testing room.
Leave prohibited items behind or plan storage
Phones, smartwatches, and notes are usually not permitted in the testing area. Confirm with the provider where to store them, since not all sites offer secure storage.
Plan the day
Confirm your booking, the exact location, the start time, and the format of the assessment with the provider. Ask about ID requirements, permitted materials, PPE, and any fee or rescheduling policy. Resolve any uncertainty now rather than on test day.
Do a focused review of the weakest topics: facility locating and marking colours and symbols, tolerance zones, hand-exposure requirements near buried facilities, permit conditions, and emergency response if a line is contacted. Write a one-page summary in your own words.
Practise explaining procedures aloud as if to a crew, since practical or oral components often test whether you can sequence steps correctly. Time yourself so answers are complete but concise.
Lay out ID, confirmation, PPE, pens, and any permitted calculator. Check the weather and road conditions if travel is involved, and confirm your alarm and transport plan.
Do a light review of your one-page summary only. Avoid learning new material, and prioritize sleep over late-night study.
Eat a normal meal, arrive early, and re-check that you have your ID and confirmation. Leave prohibited items in your vehicle or at home if secure storage is not confirmed.
Read each question fully, note key words such as first, before, or minimum, and answer the questions you know first. For scenario questions, state the safe sequence: stop work, protect the area, notify, and follow the permit and facility owner's direction.
If a question is ambiguous, answer with the safest and most conservative action consistent with legislation and the permit. Flag it mentally and return to it if time allows. Ask the invigilator only procedural questions, not content questions.
Note any topics you found difficult while they are fresh, and confirm with the provider how and when results are issued and what the retest policy is.
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID and present it on request; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether the name must match your registration.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator or assessor, including seating, start and stop times, and where personal belongings must be placed.
Do not use phones, smartwatches, notes, or unauthorised aids during the assessment; confirm with the provider what is permitted and where devices must be stored.
Ask the invigilator for clarification on procedure only; do not ask for help interpreting question content or terminology.
Confirm with the provider the policy on breaks, leaving the room, and whether you may leave early; do not assume breaks are allowed during a timed written test.
Confirm with the provider the scoring method, pass mark, and whether sections are weighted, and whether incorrect answers are penalized.
If you must reschedule or arrive late, contact the provider as soon as possible; confirm the rescheduling, lateness, and no-show policies in advance.
Report any safety concern or equipment problem to the assessor immediately during a practical component, and stop any task you believe is unsafe.