Exam Cheat Sheet · Quick Reference
Oklahoma Process Piping Journeyman
Oklahoma · PSI Services Contractor
Verified, not estimated. Every figure below is drawn from the official exam structure we maintain — question counts, passing standard and topic weighting. Practice questions are grounded in the source law with statute citations. We omit any figure we can't verify rather than guess at it.
Total questions
35
Passing score
70%
Exam time
120 min
Administered by
PSI Services Contractor
Format
Reference materials allowed
Oklahoma State Portion 35 questions
General Knowledge and Definitions
6 Q · 17%
Pipe and fitting terminology and definitions (Pipefitters Dictionary)Pipe material types and identification (steel, wrought iron, copper, plastic)Pipe schedule designations and dimensional standardsPipe measurement units and conversion factorsMathematical formulas and trigonometric functions used in pipefittingPiping system identification and color coding standardsProperties and characteristics of pipe materials (weights, melting points)Types and uses of pipe joints and connections
Plan Reading
3 Q · 9%
Reading and interpreting pipe bend calculations from drawings and tablesIdentifying pipe fitting dimensions and laying lengths from plansUnderstanding offset connections and travel/run relationships on piping drawingsReading flange and valve specifications from technical drawingsInterpreting pipe thread and screwed fitting dimensionsUnderstanding pipe support spacing requirements as shown on plansReading mitered joint and branch connection layouts from fabrication drawings
Pipe Materials, Uses, and Properties
5 Q · 14%
Types and classifications of steel and wrought iron pipe by schedule and weightCopper tube types (K, L, M, DWV) and their dimensions and applicationsPlastic pipe materials (PVC, polyethylene, ABS, butyrate) and their properties and pressure limitsMinimum bending radius for standard weight pipeChemical resistance and corrosion properties of pipe materialsPhysical properties and relative costs of thermoplastic pipe materialsIdentification of piping systems by material and color codingThermal expansion characteristics of metal and plastic pipe materials
Piping Installation and Fitting
8 Q · 23%
Pipe bend calculations: setback, arc length, and radius relationshipsOffset bend types and travel/run computations for standard anglesWelded pipe fabrications: mitered turns, branch connections, and wye layoutsButt welding fitting dimensions: elbows, tees, reducers, crosses, and capsScrewed and flanged fitting dimensions and laying lengthsPipe support spacing for metal and plastic piping systemsPipe thread standards, engagement lengths, and threading proceduresSoldering, brazing, and plastic pipe joining methods
Hangers and Supports
5 Q · 14%
Types of pipe hangers and support hardware (U-bolts, clevis, saddle, ring hangers)Spacing of supports for horizontal and sloping runs carrying waterSpacing of supports for horizontal and sloping runs carrying gas or steamEffect of temperature on support spacing intervalsSupport spacing for plastic pipe (PVC, polyethylene, ABS, butyrate)U-bolt dimensions for standard pipe sizesSupport requirements near heavy fittings and valvesContinuous support considerations for special conditions
Valves and Controls
5 Q · 14%
Gate valve types, components, and service characteristicsGlobe valve and angle valve operation and installationCheck valve types (swing and lift) and service applicationsValve laying lengths for butt welding ends by pressure ratingValve laying lengths for flanged connections by pressure ratingValve trouble shooting and maintenance proceduresValve end connection types (butt weld, flanged, screwed)
Safety
3 Q · 9%
Safe handling practices during pipe bending and fabrication operationsProper use and maintenance of pipe threading equipmentHazards associated with welding, brazing, and soldering processesMaterial identification and safe handling of pipe materials including plastic pipeSafe working practices for pipe support and hanger installationRecognition and identification of piping system contents through color coding and labelingValve operation and maintenance safety procedures
Key Distinctions
Globe/Angle Valve Laying LengthvsGate Valve / Swing Check Valve Laying Length
Globe and angle valves with butt welding ends use dimension designation '2 × A', while gate valves and swing check valves with butt welding ends use the single 'Dimension A'.
Chapter 1 (Full Text), Laying Lengths of Steel Globe and Angle Valves With Butt Welding EndsSchedule 40 (Standard Weight) Steel PipevsSchedule 80 (Extra Strong) Steel Pipe
Standard Weight matches Schedule 40 from ⅛–10 inches (then 0.375-inch constant wall to 24 inches), while Extra Strong matches Schedule 80 only from ⅛–8 inches (then 0.500-inch constant wall to 24 inches).
Pipefitters Dictionary, Dimensions of Schedule 40 Steel and Wrought Iron Pipe — NotesType K Copper TubevsType M Copper Tube
Type K has the thickest walls and is recommended for underground lines carrying water, oil, or gas, while Type M has the lightest wall thickness and is intended for soldered-fitting-only applications such as vent pipe and waste lines.
Pipefitters Dictionary, Dimensions of Type L Copper Tube sectionPVC Type IvsABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene)
PVC Type I has the highest tensile strength (7,000 psi) of all thermoplastics with excellent chemical resistance up to 160°F, while ABS is the lightest weight of all rigid thermoplastic pipes but has unsatisfactory or limited ratings for sulfuric acid.
Pipefitters Dictionary, Characteristics of Pipe Plastics and Relative Physical Properties tables45° Offset Travel Multipliervs60° Offset Travel Multiplier
For a 45° offset, Travel = Offset × 1.414, whereas for a 60° offset, Travel = Offset × 2.000 (and Run = Offset × 0.5774).
Pipe Fitters Handbook, 45° Offset Bends section45° Bend Setback Multipliervs150° Bend Setback Multiplier
The setback for a 45° bend uses Radius × 0.414, while the setback for a 150° bend uses Radius × 3.73.
Pipe Fitters Handbook, Setback and Length of 45° Bends sectionProtective Materials Piping Color (Bright Blue)vsFire Protection Materials Piping Color (Red)
Piping carrying protective materials is identified by a bright blue background with white legend letters, while fire protection piping uses a red background with white legend letters.
Pipefitters Dictionary, Identification of Piping Systems — Color Identification of Classifications tableSafe Materials Piping Color (Green)vsDangerous Materials Piping Color (Yellow)
Safe materials piping uses a green background with black legend letters, while dangerous materials piping uses a yellow background with black legend letters.
Pipe Fitters Handbook, Identification of Piping Systems — Color Identification tableLow-Density (Type I) Polyethylene PipevsPVC / ABS Pipe
Low-density polyethylene is available in coils up to 400 feet long (through 3-inch OD) and has a maximum operating temperature of 120°F, while PVC and ABS are supplied in straight lengths only.
Pipe Fitters Handbook, Polyethylene pipe sectionHorizontal Run Support Spacing BasisvsSloping Run Support Spacing Basis
Spacing values for horizontal runs carrying water are based on stress, while spacing values for sloping runs are based on gradient.
Spacing of Pipe Supports for Lines Carrying Water table notesInsulated Plastic Pipe (non-PVC) Support SpacingvsInsulated PVC Pipe Support Spacing
Both require reducing uninsulated spacing by 30%, but this rule is stated separately for non-PVC plastics and PVC pipe in their respective table notes.
Pipe Fitters Handbook, Recommended Support Spacing for Plastic Pipe Other Than PVC sectionThreaded PVC Pipe Pressure RatingvsPlain-End PVC Pipe Pressure Rating
Threaded PVC pipe operating pressure values are approximately 55% of the equivalent plain-end pressure ratings.
Pipe Fitters Handbook, Dimensions and Pressure Limits of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe — noteKey Terms
Bull Head Tee Pipefitters Dictionary, Page 5-87
A tee fitting in which the branch is larger than the run.
O.D. Pipe Pipefitters Dictionary, Page 5-87 (O.D. Pipe entry)
Steel pipe over 14 inches nominal size, where the nominal size designation equals the actual outside diameter rather than the inside diameter.
Setback (Pipe Bending) Pipe Fitters Handbook, Setback and Length of 45° Bends section
The distance from the tangent point to the start of a bend, calculated by multiplying the bending radius by an angle-specific multiplier (e.g., 0.414 for 45°, 3.73 for 150°).
Cosecant Pipefitters Dictionary, Solving Problems by Trigonometry — trigonometric function definitions
A trigonometric function equal to the reciprocal of the sine, calculated as hypotenuse divided by the opposite side in a right triangle.
Tangent (Trigonometry) Pipefitters Dictionary, Solving Problems by Trigonometry section
The ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle, used in pipefitting offset calculations.
Cosine (Trigonometry) Pipefitters Dictionary, Solving Problems by Trigonometry section
The ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle, used in pipefitting layout calculations.
Thermal Expansion of Steel Pipe Pipe Fitters Handbook, Expansion of Pipe per 100 Feet table and example
The elongation of a steel pipe line calculated from an expansion table value difference (inches per 100 ft) multiplied by the number of 100-foot segments; e.g., a 500-ft line heated from 60°F to 400°F expands approximately 13.98 inches.
PVC Type I — Maximum Temperature Pipefitters Dictionary, Characteristics of Pipe Plastics and Relative Physical Properties tables
Polyvinyl chloride Type I pipe has a maximum operating temperature of 160°F and the highest tensile strength (7,000 psi) of all thermoplastic pipe.
PVC Pipe Bending — Minimum Radius Pipe Fitters Handbook, Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe Bending section
PVC pipe bent around a standard bending form grooved to the pipe diameter can achieve a minimum bend radius of five times the pipe diameter without evidence of flattening.
Legend Letter Height — Piping Identification Pipefitters Dictionary, Identification of Piping Systems — Size of Color Bands and Legend Letters table
For pipe with an outside diameter of 2½ to 6 inches, the required minimum legend letter height is 1¼ inches with a 12-inch color band width.
Snaking — Polyethylene Buried Pipe Pipe Fitters Handbook, Polyethylene pipe — buried line installation section
When installing polyethylene pipe in ditches, the pipe must be snaked (not stretched tight) at least one foot per 100 feet to allow for thermal contraction and expansion.
Support Spacing — 2-inch Standard Weight Pipe (Water) Pipe Fitters Handbook, Spacing of Pipe Supports for Lines Carrying Water section
Horizontal runs of 2-inch nominal standard weight pipe carrying water at atmospheric temperature require pipe supports spaced no more than 10 feet apart; heavy fittings such as valves must be located close to supports.
Support Spacing — Exclusions Spacing of Pipe Supports for Lines Carrying Water table notes
Standard water-line support spacing tables do not include allowance for flanges, fittings, or valves, though allowance for insulation is included.
U.S. Gallon — Cubic Inches Pipefitters Dictionary, Conversion Factors table
One U.S. gallon equals 231 cubic inches (the Imperial gallon equals 277.3 cubic inches).
Formulas to Know
45° Offset — Travel
Travel = Offset × 1.41460° Offset — Travel
Travel = Offset × 2.00060° Offset — Run
Run = Offset × 0.5774Pipe Bend Setback (general)
Setback = Bend Radius × angle multiplier [0.414 for 45°; 3.73 for 150°; 2.41 for 135°; 1.732 for 120°]Thermal Expansion of Pipe
Total Expansion (in) = (Table value at T₂ − Table value at T₁) × (Length in ft ÷ 100)PVC Threaded Pressure Rating
Threaded PVC pressure rating = Plain-end pressure rating × 0.55Insulated Plastic Pipe Support Span Adjustment
Insulated span = Uninsulated tabulated span × 0.70 (reduce by 30%)Tangent of Angle (Right Triangle)
tan(B) = Opposite side ÷ Adjacent sideCosine of Angle (Right Triangle)
cos(B) = Adjacent side ÷ HypotenuseCosecant of Angle (Right Triangle)
csc(B) = Hypotenuse ÷ Opposite side = 1 ÷ sin(B)