Virginia Landfill Operator
License Exam
Questions and Answers with Rationales| Latest Update
Covers: Regulatory Framework & Permitting | Siting & Design | Leachate Management |
Landfill Gas Management | Cover Requirements | Daily Operations |
Environmental Monitoring | Closure & Post-Closure Care | Financial Assurance |
Waste Acceptance & Special Wastes | Stormwater & Erosion Control | Safety
Exam based on Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81), federal RCRA
Subtitle D criteria (40 CFR Part 258), and standard landfill operating practice.
,Q1. Which federal regulation establishes the minimum design and
operating criteria for municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLFs) in the
United States?
A. RCRA Subtitle C
B. RCRA Subtitle D
C. CERCLA
D. The Clean Water Act
Answer: B. RCRA Subtitle D
Rationale: RCRA Subtitle D (40 CFR Part 258) sets the federal minimum
criteria for municipal solid waste landfills, including siting, design, operating,
monitoring, closure, and post-closure requirements. Subtitle C governs
hazardous waste, not solid waste.
Q2. In Virginia, the regulations governing the design, construction, and
operation of solid waste facilities are found in which regulatory citation?
A. 9VAC20-81
B. 9VAC25-31
C. 9VAC5-40
D. 9VAC20-60
Answer: A. 9VAC20-81
Rationale: 9VAC20-81, the Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulations,
establishes the state requirements for permitting, design, operation, closure,
and post-closure care of solid waste management facilities, including
landfills.
Q3. Which state agency is responsible for issuing solid waste permits
and enforcing solid waste regulations in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. Virginia Department of Transportation
D. U.S. EPA Region 3
,Answer: B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
administers the permitting program for solid waste management facilities and
enforces compliance with the Solid Waste Management Regulations.
Q4. A full solid waste permit from DEQ is required prior to which of the
following activities?
A. Only closure of a landfill
B. Construction, operation, or modification of a solid waste disposal facility
C. Only post-closure monitoring
D. Recycling of scrap metal only
Answer: B. Construction, operation, or modification of a solid waste
disposal facility
Rationale: Virginia's Solid Waste Management Regulations require a permit
before a facility is constructed, operated, or modified, unless the activity is
specifically excluded or exempted under the regulations.
Q5. How can an individual qualify to sit for a DEQ certification exam
without completing the required training course?
A. By paying a higher exam fee
B. By documenting at least 800 hours of relevant job experience on a
Work Experience Form
C. By having a college degree in any field
D. There is no alternative to the training course
Answer: B. By documenting at least 800 hours of relevant job
experience on a Work Experience Form
Rationale: DEQ allows candidates to qualify for certification exams either by
completing the required training or by submitting a completed Work
Experience Form documenting a minimum of 800 hours of relevant job
experience, certified by their employer.
Q6. What happens if a landfill operator's certification expires and the
operator cannot document 800 hours of relevant work experience?
A. The certification automatically renews
B. The operator must retake the required course(s) before retesting
, C. The operator may continue working without consequence
D. The operator is permanently barred from certification
Answer: B. The operator must retake the required course(s) before
retesting
Rationale: If a certification lapses and the individual cannot demonstrate 800
hours of qualifying experience, DEQ requires the applicant to repeat the
required training course(s) before they are eligible to sit for the exam again.
Q7. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a landfill's
Part A permit application in Virginia?
A. It finalizes the closure certification
B. It is reviewed by DEQ for administrative completeness, technical
adequacy, and regulatory compliance prior to further permit development
C. It is only required for construction/demolition debris landfills
D. It replaces the need for an operations manual
Answer: B. It is reviewed by DEQ for administrative completeness,
technical adequacy, and regulatory compliance prior to further permit
development
Rationale: The Part A application is an initial submission that DEQ reviews
for administrative completeness, technical adequacy, and regulatory
compliance before the applicant proceeds further in the permitting process.
Q8. Which type of landfill is specifically designed and permitted to
accept only construction, demolition, and debris (CDD) waste?
A. Sanitary landfill
B. Industrial waste landfill
C. CDD landfill
D. Regulated medical waste facility
Answer: C. CDD landfill
Rationale: A CDD landfill is a distinct facility type permitted under Virginia's
Solid Waste Management Regulations to accept only construction,
demolition, and debris waste, which has different design and operating
criteria than a municipal solid waste landfill.
License Exam
Questions and Answers with Rationales| Latest Update
Covers: Regulatory Framework & Permitting | Siting & Design | Leachate Management |
Landfill Gas Management | Cover Requirements | Daily Operations |
Environmental Monitoring | Closure & Post-Closure Care | Financial Assurance |
Waste Acceptance & Special Wastes | Stormwater & Erosion Control | Safety
Exam based on Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81), federal RCRA
Subtitle D criteria (40 CFR Part 258), and standard landfill operating practice.
,Q1. Which federal regulation establishes the minimum design and
operating criteria for municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLFs) in the
United States?
A. RCRA Subtitle C
B. RCRA Subtitle D
C. CERCLA
D. The Clean Water Act
Answer: B. RCRA Subtitle D
Rationale: RCRA Subtitle D (40 CFR Part 258) sets the federal minimum
criteria for municipal solid waste landfills, including siting, design, operating,
monitoring, closure, and post-closure requirements. Subtitle C governs
hazardous waste, not solid waste.
Q2. In Virginia, the regulations governing the design, construction, and
operation of solid waste facilities are found in which regulatory citation?
A. 9VAC20-81
B. 9VAC25-31
C. 9VAC5-40
D. 9VAC20-60
Answer: A. 9VAC20-81
Rationale: 9VAC20-81, the Virginia Solid Waste Management Regulations,
establishes the state requirements for permitting, design, operation, closure,
and post-closure care of solid waste management facilities, including
landfills.
Q3. Which state agency is responsible for issuing solid waste permits
and enforcing solid waste regulations in Virginia?
A. Virginia Department of Health
B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. Virginia Department of Transportation
D. U.S. EPA Region 3
,Answer: B. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Rationale: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
administers the permitting program for solid waste management facilities and
enforces compliance with the Solid Waste Management Regulations.
Q4. A full solid waste permit from DEQ is required prior to which of the
following activities?
A. Only closure of a landfill
B. Construction, operation, or modification of a solid waste disposal facility
C. Only post-closure monitoring
D. Recycling of scrap metal only
Answer: B. Construction, operation, or modification of a solid waste
disposal facility
Rationale: Virginia's Solid Waste Management Regulations require a permit
before a facility is constructed, operated, or modified, unless the activity is
specifically excluded or exempted under the regulations.
Q5. How can an individual qualify to sit for a DEQ certification exam
without completing the required training course?
A. By paying a higher exam fee
B. By documenting at least 800 hours of relevant job experience on a
Work Experience Form
C. By having a college degree in any field
D. There is no alternative to the training course
Answer: B. By documenting at least 800 hours of relevant job
experience on a Work Experience Form
Rationale: DEQ allows candidates to qualify for certification exams either by
completing the required training or by submitting a completed Work
Experience Form documenting a minimum of 800 hours of relevant job
experience, certified by their employer.
Q6. What happens if a landfill operator's certification expires and the
operator cannot document 800 hours of relevant work experience?
A. The certification automatically renews
B. The operator must retake the required course(s) before retesting
, C. The operator may continue working without consequence
D. The operator is permanently barred from certification
Answer: B. The operator must retake the required course(s) before
retesting
Rationale: If a certification lapses and the individual cannot demonstrate 800
hours of qualifying experience, DEQ requires the applicant to repeat the
required training course(s) before they are eligible to sit for the exam again.
Q7. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a landfill's
Part A permit application in Virginia?
A. It finalizes the closure certification
B. It is reviewed by DEQ for administrative completeness, technical
adequacy, and regulatory compliance prior to further permit development
C. It is only required for construction/demolition debris landfills
D. It replaces the need for an operations manual
Answer: B. It is reviewed by DEQ for administrative completeness,
technical adequacy, and regulatory compliance prior to further permit
development
Rationale: The Part A application is an initial submission that DEQ reviews
for administrative completeness, technical adequacy, and regulatory
compliance before the applicant proceeds further in the permitting process.
Q8. Which type of landfill is specifically designed and permitted to
accept only construction, demolition, and debris (CDD) waste?
A. Sanitary landfill
B. Industrial waste landfill
C. CDD landfill
D. Regulated medical waste facility
Answer: C. CDD landfill
Rationale: A CDD landfill is a distinct facility type permitted under Virginia's
Solid Waste Management Regulations to accept only construction,
demolition, and debris waste, which has different design and operating
criteria than a municipal solid waste landfill.
