What is the NIOSH AGTES exam?
An Authorised Gas Tester and Entry Supervisor (AGTES) is the competent person an employer must appoint for confined space work under DOSH's Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a Confined Space 2010. The gas tester tests and interprets the atmosphere; the entry supervisor checks the permit conditions, authorises entry and stops the work if conditions become unsafe. To be registered with DOSH you must attend the AGTES course and pass the AGTES examination, which is conducted by NIOSH.
The exam and registration
| Examination | Conducted by NIOSH Malaysia after the AGTES course |
|---|---|
| Before the exam | A pass in the Authorised Entrant and Standby Person (AESP) assessment, and attendance at the AGTES course |
| Papers | NIOSH's published format has a theory paper (objective and structured questions) and a practical paper; check the current marking scheme with NIOSH |
| Language | Bahasa Malaysia and English |
| DOSH registration | Malaysian citizen; at least SPM with a credit or grade C in Science and 3 years' confined space experience (or 10 years' experience plus a DOSH assessment) |
| Employer | A registered AGTES must have a permanent employer and may work only for the company named on the registration |
| Renewal | Apply to DOSH at least 3 months before the AESP certificate and AGTES examination qualification expire |
What the exam covers
- Law and roles: OSHA 1994 duties, the ICOP 2010, and the roles of the employer, AGT, ES, authorised entrant and standby person.
- Hazards: oxygen deficiency and enrichment, flammable and toxic gases, engulfment, heat and physical hazards.
- Gas properties: LEL and UEL, vapour density, %LEL and % by volume, IDLH.
- Gas detectors: sensors, bump testing, calibration, zeroing, sampling pumps and sensor poisoning.
- Gas testing: testing order, testing at all levels, interpreting readings and continuous monitoring.
- Permits and isolation: the entry permit, blanking, lockout and tagout, and cancelling the permit.
- Ventilation and PPE: forced ventilation, breathing apparatus, harnesses and intrinsically safe equipment.
- Emergency and rescue: rescue plans, non-entry retrieval, the standby person's duties and first response.
Free official resources, and what we add
DOSH publishes the confined space ICOP and the AGTES registration requirements, and NIOSH publishes the exam format. There is no official question bank. Our questions are original, and every explanation says why the answer is right and where the rule comes from.
How to prepare
- Learn the key limits: oxygen 19.5 to 23.5%, flammables below 10% of the LEL, toxics below their permissible exposure limits.
- Memorise the testing order (oxygen, flammables, toxics) and why it matters for catalytic LEL sensors.
- Know which gases rise and which sink, so you can explain why you test at the top, middle and bottom.
- Practise converting %LEL to % by volume, for example 10% LEL methane = 0.5% by volume.
- Be clear on who does what: the AGT tests, the ES authorises and cancels, the standby never enters.
- Practise one topic at a time here, then sit full timed mocks.
Practice questions with answers
Tap a question to see the correct answer and explanation.
Who must appoint an Authorised Gas Tester and Entry Supervisor (AGTES)?
- The standby person
- The employer
- The authorised entrant
- The local fire brigade
Answer: B, The employer. DOSH states that the employer shall appoint, employ or engage a competent person known as the AGTES. Source: DOSH, Authorised Gas Tester / Entry Supervisor requirements.
Which feature makes a space a confined space?
- Any space where noise levels exceed the action level
- Any work area more than 3 metres above the ground
- Any room without windows that is used as an office
- Restricted access and a possible hazardous atmosphere
Answer: D, Restricted access and a possible hazardous atmosphere. Confined spaces are not designed for continuous occupancy, have restricted access and may contain or develop hazardous atmospheres or engulfment hazards. Source: DOSH, Industry Code of Practice for Safe Working in a Confined Space 2010.
What does LEL (lower explosive limit) mean?
- The safe exposure limit for workers over an 8-hour shift
- The minimum oxygen level needed for safe breathing
- The highest concentration of a gas in air that can ignite
- The lowest concentration of a gas in air that can ignite
Answer: D, The lowest concentration of a gas in air that can ignite. Below the LEL the mixture is too lean to burn; between the LEL and UEL it can ignite. Source: DOSH ICOP 2010 and standard gas detection practice.