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Free CLIA Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CLIA practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

While running each station, an auditor finds one zone that contains both spray heads and rotors operating together. Which recommendation BEST addresses the underlying problem?

  1. Separate the spray heads and rotors onto two different zones
  2. Increase the zone run time so the rotors apply enough water
  3. Install pressure regulators on the spray heads to balance the zone
  4. Replace the rotor nozzles with higher-flow nozzles to match the sprays
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Separate the spray heads and rotors onto two different zones

Question 2

During a catch-can test, eight collectors record the following volumes (mL): 75, 85, 90, 100, 105, 110, 115, and 120. What is the low-quarter distribution uniformity (DUlq) of this zone?

  1. 0.63
  2. 0.68
  3. 0.80
  4. 0.75
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - 0.80

Question 3

On a site with heavy clay soil, an auditor observes water running off the surface during a spray-zone test, even though the turf shows signs of drought stress. What is the MOST likely explanation?

  1. The plants cannot absorb water quickly enough to prevent surface pooling
  2. The precipitation rate is too low to meet the plant water requirement
  3. The sprinkler precipitation rate exceeds the soil's infiltration rate
  4. The active root zone is too deep for the soil's available water
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - The sprinkler precipitation rate exceeds the soil's infiltration rate

Question 4

A turf zone has a measured low-quarter distribution uniformity (DUlq) of 0.70. Using the Irrigation Association scheduling (run-time) multiplier, by approximately what factor should the base run time be increased to compensate for non-uniformity?

  1. 1.14
  2. 1.22
  3. 1.43
  4. 0.82
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 1.22

Question 5

A controller adjusts its watering schedule month-to-month using pre-programmed historical evapotranspiration values, with no on-site sensor and no live data subscription. This controller is BEST classified as:

  1. A soil-moisture-based controller
  2. An on-site weather-based controller
  3. A signal- or subscription-based controller
  4. A historical-ET-based controller
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - A historical-ET-based controller

Question 6

A turf area grows in a soil with an available water-holding capacity of 2.0 inches per foot. The active root zone is 9 inches deep, and the manager uses a management allowed depletion (MAD) of 50%. How much water (depth) may be depleted before the next irrigation?

  1. 0.75 inch
  2. 1.5 inches
  3. 0.375 inch
  4. 2.0 inches
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 0.75 inch

Question 7

An auditor arrives on site to perform a catch-can test and measures a steady wind of 8 mph. Following recommended audit procedures, the auditor should:

  1. Proceed, but record the wind speed as a limiting condition
  2. Postpone testing until the wind is 5 mph or less
  3. Proceed, but increase the number of catch devices to offset the wind
  4. Proceed only for rotor zones, since rotors are unaffected by wind
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Postpone testing until the wind is 5 mph or less

Question 8

A spray head discharges 3.5 gpm and is installed in a square pattern with 15-foot spacing between heads in both directions. What is the approximate gross (theoretical) precipitation rate?

  1. 0.93 in/hr
  2. 1.73 in/hr
  3. 3.00 in/hr
  4. 1.50 in/hr
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - 1.50 in/hr

Question 9

During a zone test, several spray heads produce a fine mist that drifts off target, lowering distribution uniformity. Which solution addresses the ROOT cause of the misting?

  1. Add a rain sensor to the controller
  2. Install pressure-regulating spray bodies
  3. Increase the controller run time for the zone
  4. Replace the nozzles with larger-orifice nozzles
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Install pressure-regulating spray bodies

Question 10

Recommended audit procedure for rotors spaced MORE than 40 feet apart is to place catch devices near a head and then at intervals of every:

  1. One-third of the head spacing
  2. One-half of the head spacing
  3. One-fourth of the head spacing
  4. The full distance between adjacent heads
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - One-fourth of the head spacing

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