OFTEC Practice Test

OFTEC Exam at a Glance

What changed for OFTEC in 2026

• Oct 27, 2026: Delivery changed to In person at 100+ OFTEC approved centres (UK & Ireland) (previously In person at 100+ OFTEC approved training centres (UK & Ireland)).^[5]
• Oct 27, 2026: Renewal changed to Re-sitting assessment or completing a shortened update course (up to 6 months in advance) (previously Re-sit assessment (assessment-only or shortened update course); can sit up to 6 months early).^[4]

What the OFTEC is and how it works

According to OFTEC, “Assessment is via multiple choice theory papers, practically assessed worksheets (PAWS), and practical hands-on assessment.”^[1]

OFTEC is the Oil Firing Technical Association. Its qualifications show that a technician is competent to work on oil-fired heating. Training and assessment are delivered in person at 100+ OFTEC approved centres throughout the UK and Ireland, so you book through a centre rather than sitting a test online.

Using the pressure jet servicing and commissioning course (OFT10-101) as an example, assessment is made up of multiple choice theory papers, practically assessed worksheets (PAWS) and a practical hands-on assessment. Theory is only part of it, so practise the hands-on routines as well as the questions here.

Eligibility depends on the course. For OFT10-101, applicants need a nationally recognised qualification in a trade associated with oil work, or written evidence of on-the-job oil installation or maintenance experience. Check the entry rules for the specific course you want.

If you do not satisfy every performance and knowledge criterion, a partial re-assessment may be allowed, covering only the elements or tasks that were not met. Qualifications are valid for 5 years. After that you provide further evidence of competence by re-sitting an assessment, or you may be able to take a shortened update course, booked up to 6 months in advance.

Registration fees depend on your business and technician details, and OFTEC publishes a price calculator. Pass marks and exact fees can change, so confirm them with OFTEC or your approved centre before you book.

Worked examples: how to reason through OFTEC questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: What does a lockout condition on an oil burner indicate?

1. The burner has failed to establish a flame and has shut down for safety
2. The thermostat has reached its set temperature
3. The fuel tank is full
4. The flue temperature is too high

Answer: A. The burner has failed to establish a flame and has shut down for safety

Explanation:

The correct answer is that the burner has failed to establish a flame and has shut down for safety. The control box looks for a flame within a set time after ignition. If it does not see one, it stops the oil supply so unburnt fuel does not build up, and it needs a manual reset.

A thermostat reaching its set temperature makes the burner switch off in the normal way. That is not a lockout and needs no reset. A full fuel tank has no link to the burner control. A high flue temperature points to a different fault and is not what a lockout signals.

Rule to remember: a lockout means no flame was detected, so find out why before pressing reset again. Check the fuel supply, ignition and flame sensing rather than resetting repeatedly.

Example 2

Question: What should a technician check regarding the boiler's expansion vessel during a service?

1. The pre-charge pressure and whether the diaphragm is intact by checking the Schrader valve
2. Only that it is still physically attached to the boiler
3. Expansion vessels never need checking
4. Only the colour of the vessel

Answer: A. The pre-charge pressure and whether the diaphragm is intact by checking the Schrader valve

Explanation:

The correct answer is to check the pre-charge pressure and whether the diaphragm is intact, using the Schrader valve. The vessel absorbs the expansion of heated water, and it can only do that if the air side holds the right pressure. Water coming out of the Schrader valve shows the diaphragm has failed, and the vessel then needs replacing.

Checking only that it is attached tells you nothing about its working condition. Saying expansion vessels never need checking is wrong, because the charge can fall over time. Looking at the colour says nothing about the pressure or the diaphragm.

Rule to remember: a service covers function as well as appearance, so measure the pressure and test the part rather than judging it by sight.

Example 3

Question: What is the responsibility of the OFTEC technician under the Duty of Care for waste?

1. To ensure any waste produced during work is properly stored, transported, and disposed of legally
2. There is no duty of care for heating technicians
3. Only to collect waste from the customer
4. To produce as much waste as possible for recycling

Answer: A. To ensure any waste produced during work is properly stored, transported, and disposed of legally

Explanation:

The correct answer is that the technician must ensure any waste produced during work is properly stored, transported and disposed of legally. Duty of Care applies to anyone who produces, handles or disposes of waste, and service work creates waste such as old parts, soot, waste oil and packaging.

Saying there is no duty of care for heating technicians is wrong, because the duty comes from producing waste, not from the trade. Collecting waste from the customer only covers a small part of the responsibility and ignores storage and disposal. Producing as much waste as possible is not a duty at all, and the aim is to manage waste correctly.

Rule to remember: if you create waste on a job, you are responsible for it until it has been passed on legally.

How to use these practice tests

Start with the official OFTEC course page for your qualification so you know the assessment parts and the entry rules. Then work through our practice sets by topic rather than at random, so gaps show up clearly.

1. Take OFTEC Commissioning and Servicing and OFTEC Combustion Efficiency Testing first, since they sit closest to the practical work.
2. Move to Oil Burner Types and Operation and Flue Systems for Oil.
3. Cover the supply side with Oil Pipework and Supply Systems and Oil Storage Tank Regulations.
4. Finish the topics with Environmental Regulations Oil.

For every question you miss, read the explanation, then look up the same point in your course notes or the regulations. Keep a short list of repeated mistakes and revisit it. Near test day, try the free OFTEC practice test and the OFTEC exam questions as mixed sets. Spend the remaining time on hands-on routines and worksheets, because questions alone do not cover them.

Sources & last verified

1. OFTEC — number of questions, validity, eligibility (official source). “Assessment is via multiple choice theory papers, practically assessed worksheets (PAWS), and practical hands-on assessment.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
2. OFTEC — exam fee (official source). “The prices shown are for a new business with one technician, paying in full by credit or debit card for the first year of registration.…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
3. bpec.org.uk — retake policy (official source). “In the event that an individual does not satisfy the full range of performance and knowledge criteria required by an Assessment, a partial re-assessment may…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
4. OFTEC — renewal (official source). “Qualifications are valid for five years, after which time you will need to provide further evidence of technical competence by re-sitting another assessment. You may…” Verified Oct 27, 2026.
5. OFTEC — delivery (official source). “OFTEC training is available at 100+ OFTEC approved centres throughout the UK and Ireland.” Verified Oct 27, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.