CQM-C Exam: Questions with Correct Answers | Certified
Quality Management in Care (2026/2027 Edition)
SECTION 1: CQM PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSE
Question 1.
What is the fundamental purpose of the Construction Quality Management for
Contractors (CQM-C) certification program?
A. To ensure contractors replace government Quality Assurance personnel on federal
construction projects.
B. To establish a partnership between the Contractor and the Government to achieve a
quality product executed safely, on time, and within budget.
C. To transfer all construction inspection responsibilities from the government to the
contractor.
D. To eliminate the need for government contract administration on federal projects.
Correct Answer: B. To establish a partnership between the Contractor and the
Government to achieve a quality product executed safely, on time, and within budget.
Rationale: The core principle of CQM-C is that quality management succeeds through a
partnership between the Contractor and the Government, with a mutual goal of
delivering a quality product safely, on time, and within budget. Option A is incorrect
because QC personnel do not replace QA personnel; they complement them. Option C is
incorrect because the government retains QA oversight and inspection authority. Option
D is incorrect because government contract administration remains essential
throughout the project.
Question 2.
In the CQM-C framework, which statement best describes the relationship between
Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA)?
A. QC and QA are interchangeable functions performed by the same personnel to
reduce project costs.
B. QC is performed by the Government to verify contractor work, while QA is performed
by the Contractor to inspect its own work.
,C. QC is the Contractor's responsibility for daily control of the work, while QA is the
Government's responsibility to ensure the Contractor's QC program is working
effectively.
D. QC is limited to materials testing, while QA encompasses all construction
inspections.
Correct Answer: C. QC is the Contractor's responsibility for daily control of the work,
while QA is the Government's responsibility to ensure the Contractor's QC program is
working effectively.
Rationale: USACE and NAVFAC standards clearly delineate that the Contractor is
responsible for daily QC of the work, and the Government, through QA, ensures that the
Contractor's QC program is effective. Option A is incorrect because QC and QA are
distinct functions with different responsibilities. Option B reverses the roles. Option D is
incorrect because QC encompasses far more than materials testing, including
inspections, documentation, and the Three-Phase Control System.
Question 3.
Which document establishes the minimum requirements for a Contractor's Quality
Control Plan on a USACE construction project?
A. EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual.
B. ER 415-1-11, Quality Management.
C. UFC 1-200-01, General Building Requirements.
D. OSHA 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction.
Correct Answer: B. ER 415-1-11, Quality Management.
Rationale: ER 415-1-11 establishes the USACE quality management policy and
requirements, including the Contractor's Quality Control Plan. Option A governs safety
requirements, not QC plan content. Option C is a UFC document for general building
requirements, not specific to USACE QC. Option D is OSHA safety regulation, unrelated
to QC plan requirements.
Question 4.
The CQM-C course emphasizes that quality in federal construction is best achieved
when:
, A. The Government assumes direct control over all construction operations.
B. The Contractor and Government operate independently with minimal communication.
C. The Contractor and Government work as partners with mutual trust, dedication to
common goals, and open communication.
D. The Contractor focuses solely on schedule and cost, while the Government manages
all quality aspects.
Correct Answer: C. The Contractor and Government work as partners with mutual trust,
dedication to common goals, and open communication.
Rationale: Partnering is a cornerstone of CQM-C, emphasizing trust, understanding,
dedication to common goals, and communication between contractor and government
personnel. Option A contradicts the contractor's responsibility for QC. Option B
contradicts the partnership principle. Option D incorrectly separates quality from
contractor responsibility.
Question 5.
What is the minimum passing score for the CQM-C closed-book certification
examination?
A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: B. 70%
Rationale: The CQM-C certification examination requires a passing score of 70% or
higher. Options A, C, and D do not reflect the current USACE/AGC CQM-C examination
standard.
Question 6.
Under USACE quality management policy, who is ultimately responsible for the quality
of the completed construction work?
A. The Government Resident Engineer.
B. The Contractor.
C. The Government Quality Assurance Representative.
D. The Third-Party Testing Laboratory.
Quality Management in Care (2026/2027 Edition)
SECTION 1: CQM PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSE
Question 1.
What is the fundamental purpose of the Construction Quality Management for
Contractors (CQM-C) certification program?
A. To ensure contractors replace government Quality Assurance personnel on federal
construction projects.
B. To establish a partnership between the Contractor and the Government to achieve a
quality product executed safely, on time, and within budget.
C. To transfer all construction inspection responsibilities from the government to the
contractor.
D. To eliminate the need for government contract administration on federal projects.
Correct Answer: B. To establish a partnership between the Contractor and the
Government to achieve a quality product executed safely, on time, and within budget.
Rationale: The core principle of CQM-C is that quality management succeeds through a
partnership between the Contractor and the Government, with a mutual goal of
delivering a quality product safely, on time, and within budget. Option A is incorrect
because QC personnel do not replace QA personnel; they complement them. Option C is
incorrect because the government retains QA oversight and inspection authority. Option
D is incorrect because government contract administration remains essential
throughout the project.
Question 2.
In the CQM-C framework, which statement best describes the relationship between
Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA)?
A. QC and QA are interchangeable functions performed by the same personnel to
reduce project costs.
B. QC is performed by the Government to verify contractor work, while QA is performed
by the Contractor to inspect its own work.
,C. QC is the Contractor's responsibility for daily control of the work, while QA is the
Government's responsibility to ensure the Contractor's QC program is working
effectively.
D. QC is limited to materials testing, while QA encompasses all construction
inspections.
Correct Answer: C. QC is the Contractor's responsibility for daily control of the work,
while QA is the Government's responsibility to ensure the Contractor's QC program is
working effectively.
Rationale: USACE and NAVFAC standards clearly delineate that the Contractor is
responsible for daily QC of the work, and the Government, through QA, ensures that the
Contractor's QC program is effective. Option A is incorrect because QC and QA are
distinct functions with different responsibilities. Option B reverses the roles. Option D is
incorrect because QC encompasses far more than materials testing, including
inspections, documentation, and the Three-Phase Control System.
Question 3.
Which document establishes the minimum requirements for a Contractor's Quality
Control Plan on a USACE construction project?
A. EM 385-1-1, Safety and Health Requirements Manual.
B. ER 415-1-11, Quality Management.
C. UFC 1-200-01, General Building Requirements.
D. OSHA 1926, Safety and Health Regulations for Construction.
Correct Answer: B. ER 415-1-11, Quality Management.
Rationale: ER 415-1-11 establishes the USACE quality management policy and
requirements, including the Contractor's Quality Control Plan. Option A governs safety
requirements, not QC plan content. Option C is a UFC document for general building
requirements, not specific to USACE QC. Option D is OSHA safety regulation, unrelated
to QC plan requirements.
Question 4.
The CQM-C course emphasizes that quality in federal construction is best achieved
when:
, A. The Government assumes direct control over all construction operations.
B. The Contractor and Government operate independently with minimal communication.
C. The Contractor and Government work as partners with mutual trust, dedication to
common goals, and open communication.
D. The Contractor focuses solely on schedule and cost, while the Government manages
all quality aspects.
Correct Answer: C. The Contractor and Government work as partners with mutual trust,
dedication to common goals, and open communication.
Rationale: Partnering is a cornerstone of CQM-C, emphasizing trust, understanding,
dedication to common goals, and communication between contractor and government
personnel. Option A contradicts the contractor's responsibility for QC. Option B
contradicts the partnership principle. Option D incorrectly separates quality from
contractor responsibility.
Question 5.
What is the minimum passing score for the CQM-C closed-book certification
examination?
A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 75%
Correct Answer: B. 70%
Rationale: The CQM-C certification examination requires a passing score of 70% or
higher. Options A, C, and D do not reflect the current USACE/AGC CQM-C examination
standard.
Question 6.
Under USACE quality management policy, who is ultimately responsible for the quality
of the completed construction work?
A. The Government Resident Engineer.
B. The Contractor.
C. The Government Quality Assurance Representative.
D. The Third-Party Testing Laboratory.
