CERTIFIED FLOODPLAIN MANAGER
(CFM) EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
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1. The primary purpose of floodplain management is to:
A. Eliminate all flooding
B. Reduce flood insurance costs
C. Increase waterfront development
D. Protect life, property, and natural floodplain functions
Answer: D
Rationale: Floodplain management focuses on minimizing flood losses while
preserving the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains.
2. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by:
A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency
C. Environmental Protection Agency
D. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Answer: B
Rationale: FEMA administers the NFIP, including mapping, insurance, and
floodplain management standards.
3. The base flood is defined as a flood that has a:
A. 1% chance of occurring in any given year
B. 10% chance of occurring in any given year
, C. 50-year recurrence interval
D. 500-year recurrence interval
Answer: A
Rationale: The base flood is commonly referred to as the 100-year flood with a
1% annual chance.
4. The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is identified on FIRMs as areas subject
to:
A. Minor flooding only
B. Flooding from the base flood
C. Flooding from dam failure only
D. Coastal erosion only
Answer: B
Rationale: SFHAs are areas inundated by the base (1% annual chance) flood.
5. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are used to:
A. Determine zoning classifications
B. Set insurance premiums and regulatory requirements
C. Identify wetlands
D. Predict future climate conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: FIRMs show flood hazard zones used for insurance rating and
floodplain management.
6. A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is used to:
A. Change community floodplain ordinances
B. Remove a structure from the SFHA based on elevation
C. Increase flood insurance premiums
D. Add new floodways
Answer: B
Rationale: A LOMA removes a property from the SFHA when it is proven to be
above the BFE.
, 7. The floodway is best described as the:
A. Area where development is encouraged
B. Channel and adjacent areas needed to carry the base flood without
increasing flood levels
C. Portion of the floodplain outside the SFHA
D. Area protected by levees
Answer: B
Rationale: Floodways must remain unobstructed to safely convey floodwaters.
8. Development in the regulatory floodway is generally:
A. Prohibited unless no-rise is demonstrated
B. Encouraged
C. Allowed without restriction
D. Exempt from permitting
Answer: A
Rationale: Any encroachment must demonstrate no increase in base flood
elevations.
9. The Base Flood Elevation (BFE) represents the:
A. Average annual flood level
B. Height of the highest recorded flood
C. Water surface elevation of the base flood
D. Depth of flooding above ground
Answer: C
Rationale: BFE is the elevation of floodwaters during the base flood event.
10.Freeboard is defined as:
A. The depth of floodwaters
B. A safety factor added above the BFE
C. The cost of flood insurance
D. The width of the floodway
Answer: B
Rationale: Freeboard provides an extra margin of safety above the BFE.
(CFM) EXAM QUESTION AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary purpose of floodplain management is to:
A. Eliminate all flooding
B. Reduce flood insurance costs
C. Increase waterfront development
D. Protect life, property, and natural floodplain functions
Answer: D
Rationale: Floodplain management focuses on minimizing flood losses while
preserving the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains.
2. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by:
A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency
C. Environmental Protection Agency
D. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Answer: B
Rationale: FEMA administers the NFIP, including mapping, insurance, and
floodplain management standards.
3. The base flood is defined as a flood that has a:
A. 1% chance of occurring in any given year
B. 10% chance of occurring in any given year
, C. 50-year recurrence interval
D. 500-year recurrence interval
Answer: A
Rationale: The base flood is commonly referred to as the 100-year flood with a
1% annual chance.
4. The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is identified on FIRMs as areas subject
to:
A. Minor flooding only
B. Flooding from the base flood
C. Flooding from dam failure only
D. Coastal erosion only
Answer: B
Rationale: SFHAs are areas inundated by the base (1% annual chance) flood.
5. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are used to:
A. Determine zoning classifications
B. Set insurance premiums and regulatory requirements
C. Identify wetlands
D. Predict future climate conditions
Answer: B
Rationale: FIRMs show flood hazard zones used for insurance rating and
floodplain management.
6. A Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) is used to:
A. Change community floodplain ordinances
B. Remove a structure from the SFHA based on elevation
C. Increase flood insurance premiums
D. Add new floodways
Answer: B
Rationale: A LOMA removes a property from the SFHA when it is proven to be
above the BFE.
, 7. The floodway is best described as the:
A. Area where development is encouraged
B. Channel and adjacent areas needed to carry the base flood without
increasing flood levels
C. Portion of the floodplain outside the SFHA
D. Area protected by levees
Answer: B
Rationale: Floodways must remain unobstructed to safely convey floodwaters.
8. Development in the regulatory floodway is generally:
A. Prohibited unless no-rise is demonstrated
B. Encouraged
C. Allowed without restriction
D. Exempt from permitting
Answer: A
Rationale: Any encroachment must demonstrate no increase in base flood
elevations.
9. The Base Flood Elevation (BFE) represents the:
A. Average annual flood level
B. Height of the highest recorded flood
C. Water surface elevation of the base flood
D. Depth of flooding above ground
Answer: C
Rationale: BFE is the elevation of floodwaters during the base flood event.
10.Freeboard is defined as:
A. The depth of floodwaters
B. A safety factor added above the BFE
C. The cost of flood insurance
D. The width of the floodway
Answer: B
Rationale: Freeboard provides an extra margin of safety above the BFE.
