Virginia DEQ ESC Inspector Exam – 300 Verified
Questions & Answers | Latest Update 2026 |
100% Pass Guarantee | Exam Prep
Question 1
What is the primary Virginia regulation governing erosion and sediment control?
A) 9VAC25-870
B) 9VAC25-840
C) 9VAC25-850
D) 62.1-44.15
Answer: B - The Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations are codified in the
Virginia Administrative Code as 9VAC25-840.
Question 2
Which federal act provides the foundation for stormwater regulations?
A) Clean Air Act
B) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 402
C) National Environmental Policy Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: B - The Clean Water Act Section 402 provides the foundation for stormwater
regulations, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit program.
Question 3
VESCP stands for:
A) Virginia Environmental Sediment Control Program
B) Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program
,C) Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Control Program
D) Virginia Environmental and Stormwater Control Program
Answer: B - VESCP stands for Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program. It is
administered by counties/cities (must) and towns (may) and must be approved by DEQ .
Question 4
What is the standard minimum disturbed area that triggers the requirement for an
approved ESC plan in most of Virginia?
A) 5,000 square feet
B) 10,000 square feet
C) 1 acre
D) 2,500 square feet
Answer: B - The general threshold for requiring an ESC plan is land disturbance of
10,000 square feet or more. The threshold is lowered in sensitive areas .
Question 5
In the more sensitive "Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas" (CBPA), the threshold for
requiring an ESC plan is lowered to what area?
A) 10,000 square feet
B) 5,000 square feet
C) 2,500 square feet
D) 1,000 square feet
Answer: C - In Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas (CBPA), the threshold for requiring
an ESC plan is 2,500 square feet, significantly lower than the standard 10,000 square
feet .
Question 6
How many years is a Virginia DEQ ESC Inspector certification valid before it must be
renewed?
,A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C - The certificate of competence is valid for three (3) years from the date of
issuance or expiration and must be renewed every three years .
Question 7
How can an individual qualify to take the DEQ inspector exam without completing the
formal training class?
A) By being employed by a VESCP authority
B) By providing documented evidence of 800+ hours of relevant work experience
C) By holding a degree in environmental science
D) By being a licensed professional engineer
Answer: B - An individual can qualify for the DEQ inspector exam without taking the
formal training class if they can provide the department with documented evidence of
800 hours of relevant work experience, with supervisor signature .
Question 8
What is the correct sequence for obtaining ESC Inspector certification?
A) Register for the exam first, then take the training
B) Complete ESC online prerequisite training, then register for the 2-day in-person
course
C) Take the exam, then complete the training
D) Complete 800 hours of work experience only
Answer: B - Individuals must complete ESC online prerequisite training in DEQ's ELMS
prior to registering for the two-day in-person Inspector for ESC certification course .
, Question 9
What is the name of the online system used by DEQ to register for courses and access
training materials?
A) VESCP Online
B) DEQ Direct
C) ELMS (Environmental Learning Management System)
D) Virginia Training Portal
Answer: C - ELMS (Environmental Learning Management System) is the centralized
online portal for all of DEQ's certification training, from prerequisite online courses to
registration for in-person classes .
Question 10
What is the cost of the two-day "Inspector for ESC" certification course offered by DEQ?
A) $100
B) $150
C) $200
D) $250
Answer: C - The cost for the two-day Inspector for ESC certification course is $200 .
Question 11
An individual holding a certification from another state with "comparable" requirements
may be eligible for which type of temporary certification in Virginia?
A) Provisional certification
B) Temporary certification
C) Conditional certification
D) Reciprocal certification
Answer: A - DEQ can issue a provisional certification to individuals with a comparable
certification from another state, allowing them to work while completing Virginia-
specific requirements .
Questions & Answers | Latest Update 2026 |
100% Pass Guarantee | Exam Prep
Question 1
What is the primary Virginia regulation governing erosion and sediment control?
A) 9VAC25-870
B) 9VAC25-840
C) 9VAC25-850
D) 62.1-44.15
Answer: B - The Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations are codified in the
Virginia Administrative Code as 9VAC25-840.
Question 2
Which federal act provides the foundation for stormwater regulations?
A) Clean Air Act
B) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 402
C) National Environmental Policy Act
D) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Answer: B - The Clean Water Act Section 402 provides the foundation for stormwater
regulations, including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
permit program.
Question 3
VESCP stands for:
A) Virginia Environmental Sediment Control Program
B) Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program
,C) Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Control Program
D) Virginia Environmental and Stormwater Control Program
Answer: B - VESCP stands for Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Program. It is
administered by counties/cities (must) and towns (may) and must be approved by DEQ .
Question 4
What is the standard minimum disturbed area that triggers the requirement for an
approved ESC plan in most of Virginia?
A) 5,000 square feet
B) 10,000 square feet
C) 1 acre
D) 2,500 square feet
Answer: B - The general threshold for requiring an ESC plan is land disturbance of
10,000 square feet or more. The threshold is lowered in sensitive areas .
Question 5
In the more sensitive "Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas" (CBPA), the threshold for
requiring an ESC plan is lowered to what area?
A) 10,000 square feet
B) 5,000 square feet
C) 2,500 square feet
D) 1,000 square feet
Answer: C - In Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas (CBPA), the threshold for requiring
an ESC plan is 2,500 square feet, significantly lower than the standard 10,000 square
feet .
Question 6
How many years is a Virginia DEQ ESC Inspector certification valid before it must be
renewed?
,A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer: C - The certificate of competence is valid for three (3) years from the date of
issuance or expiration and must be renewed every three years .
Question 7
How can an individual qualify to take the DEQ inspector exam without completing the
formal training class?
A) By being employed by a VESCP authority
B) By providing documented evidence of 800+ hours of relevant work experience
C) By holding a degree in environmental science
D) By being a licensed professional engineer
Answer: B - An individual can qualify for the DEQ inspector exam without taking the
formal training class if they can provide the department with documented evidence of
800 hours of relevant work experience, with supervisor signature .
Question 8
What is the correct sequence for obtaining ESC Inspector certification?
A) Register for the exam first, then take the training
B) Complete ESC online prerequisite training, then register for the 2-day in-person
course
C) Take the exam, then complete the training
D) Complete 800 hours of work experience only
Answer: B - Individuals must complete ESC online prerequisite training in DEQ's ELMS
prior to registering for the two-day in-person Inspector for ESC certification course .
, Question 9
What is the name of the online system used by DEQ to register for courses and access
training materials?
A) VESCP Online
B) DEQ Direct
C) ELMS (Environmental Learning Management System)
D) Virginia Training Portal
Answer: C - ELMS (Environmental Learning Management System) is the centralized
online portal for all of DEQ's certification training, from prerequisite online courses to
registration for in-person classes .
Question 10
What is the cost of the two-day "Inspector for ESC" certification course offered by DEQ?
A) $100
B) $150
C) $200
D) $250
Answer: C - The cost for the two-day Inspector for ESC certification course is $200 .
Question 11
An individual holding a certification from another state with "comparable" requirements
may be eligible for which type of temporary certification in Virginia?
A) Provisional certification
B) Temporary certification
C) Conditional certification
D) Reciprocal certification
Answer: A - DEQ can issue a provisional certification to individuals with a comparable
certification from another state, allowing them to work while completing Virginia-
specific requirements .
