1
NACE CIP Level 1 Exam 2025/2026 –
250 Actual Exam Questions with
Verified Answers | Graded A+ |
Complete & Updated Test Bank
Domain 1: Safety (2.5%)
1. Where should a coating inspector always find instructions regarding appropriate types of
personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. The internet
B. The manufacturer's Product Data Sheet
C. ==Safety Data Sheet (SDS)==
D. The coating specification
Rationale: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides detailed information on hazards,
handling, and required PPE for safe use of materials, making it the primary source for
PPE instructions.
2. What is a primary safety concern when applying sprayed polyurethane coatings?
A. Excessive noise
B. ==Isocyanates==
C. Electrical hazards
D. High humidity
Rationale: Isocyanates in polyurethane coatings are hazardous chemicals that can cause
respiratory and skin irritation, requiring specific PPE and ventilation.
3. Who is generally responsible for overall safety on a typical coating project?
A. The coating inspector
B. The contractor
C. The owner's representative
D. ==A certified safety professional==
Rationale: A certified safety professional is typically responsible for ensuring overall
safety compliance on a project, as they are trained to manage safety protocols.
4. What should an inspector do if they observe a safety issue on a coatings project?
A. Ignore it, as it is not their responsibility
B. ==Report the issue to the appropriate authority==
C. Correct the issue themselves
D. Document it but take no further action
Rationale: The inspector’s role is to observe and report safety issues to the appropriate
authority, not to enforce or correct them directly.
5. When handling coating materials, what document provides critical information on fire
and environmental hazards?
, 2
A. Product Data Sheet (PDS)
B. ==Safety Data Sheet (SDS)==
C. Coating specification
D. Application manual
Rationale: The SDS includes detailed information on fire, environmental, and health
hazards associated with coating materials, ensuring safe handling.
6. What is a common hazard associated with abrasive blasting?
A. ==Dust inhalation==
B. Low visibility
C. High humidity
D. Electrical shock
Rationale: Abrasive blasting generates significant dust, posing a respiratory hazard that
requires proper PPE and ventilation.
7. When working with solvent-based coatings, what is a key safety precaution?
A. Using high-pressure water jets
B. ==Ensuring proper ventilation==
C. Avoiding surface profile testing
D. Increasing application speed
Rationale: Solvent-based coatings release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), requiring
proper ventilation to prevent inhalation hazards.
8. What should an inspector do if a contractor offers a gift during a project?
A. Accept it to maintain good relations
B. ==Decline the gift and report the offer==
C. Accept it if it is of low value
D. Ignore the offer without reporting
Rationale: Accepting gifts can compromise the inspector’s impartiality, violating the
AMPP Coating Inspector Code of Conduct. Declining and reporting ensures ethical
compliance.
9. What is the primary purpose of a pre-job safety conference?
A. To assign project tasks
B. ==To discuss safety protocols and hazards==
C. To review coating specifications
D. To finalize material orders
Rationale: A pre-job safety conference focuses on identifying hazards, discussing PPE,
and ensuring safety compliance before work begins.
10. What type of PPE is most critical when working with high-pressure spray equipment?
A. Hearing protection
B. ==Respiratory protection==
C. Steel-toed boots
D. High-visibility vest
Rationale: High-pressure spray equipment can aerosolize hazardous chemicals, making
respiratory protection critical to prevent inhalation.
Domain 2: Inspection Process (15%)
, 3
11. What is the primary role of a NACE CIP Level 1 inspector?
A. To supervise coating application
B. ==To observe and report conformance to specifications==
C. To modify the coating specification
D. To train applicators
Rationale: The inspector’s primary role is to ensure compliance with the project
specification by observing and reporting, not modifying or supervising.
12. When a conflict arises on a coatings project, what is the inspector’s first course of action?
A. Ignore the conflict
B. ==Actively listen and understand all positions==
C. Enforce their own interpretation
D. Report the conflict to the contractor
Rationale: Actively listening and understanding all perspectives helps resolve conflicts
professionally and maintains project integrity.
13. What should an inspector do if they find discrepancies between the specification and the
Product Data Sheet (PDS)?
A. Follow the PDS
B. Modify the specification
C. ==Seek written clarification from the owner’s representative==
D. Ignore the discrepancy
Rationale: The inspector must seek written clarification from the owner’s representative
to resolve discrepancies, as they cannot modify specifications.
14. What is a key component of a daily inspection report?
A. Cost of materials used
B. ==Description of environmental conditions==
C. Applicator’s personal details
D. Project budget details
Rationale: Daily inspection reports must include environmental conditions, as these
affect coating application and performance.
15. What should an inspector do upon arrival of coating materials at the job site?
A. Apply a test patch
B. ==Document batch numbers and quantities==
C. Conduct a holiday test
D. Store the materials immediately
Rationale: Documenting batch numbers and quantities ensures traceability and
compliance with specifications.
16. What is the inspector’s responsibility regarding coating application?
A. Directing the applicator’s work
B. ==Verifying compliance with specifications==
C. Applying the coating
D. Modifying application methods
Rationale: The inspector verifies that application methods comply with the project
specification, not directing or modifying the process.
17. What is the most important characteristic of a good inspection report?
A. Brevity
B. ==Accuracy==
, 4
C. Complexity
D. Generalization
Rationale: Accuracy is critical in inspection reports to ensure reliable documentation of
compliance or deviations.
18. When should an inspector measure wet film thickness (WFT)?
A. After curing
B. ==During application==
C. Before surface preparation
D. After dry film thickness testing
Rationale: WFT is measured during application to ensure the correct amount of coating
is applied before curing.
19. What should an inspector do if they observe blisters in a freshly applied coating?
A. Ignore them as they will disappear
B. ==Document the issue and notify the contractor and owner==
C. Pop the blisters to inspect the substrate
D. Apply another coat to cover them
Rationale: Documenting and notifying the contractor and owner ensures proper handling
of defects without compromising the inspection process.
20. What is the purpose of a coating inspector’s logbook?
A. To record personal notes
B. ==To document inspection activities and findings==
C. To list applicator qualifications
D. To track project costs
Rationale: The logbook is used to record detailed inspection activities and findings for
project documentation and compliance.
Domain 3: Corrosion (5%)
21. What is the definition of corrosion?
A. The mechanical wear of a metal
B. ==The deterioration of a metal due to reaction with its environment==
C. The physical deformation of a substrate
D. The application of a protective coating
Rationale: Corrosion is the chemical or electrochemical deterioration of a metal due to
environmental reactions.
22. What is passivation?
A. The application of a coating
B. ==The formation of an oxide layer that protects against corrosion==
C. The removal of mill scale
D. The use of cathodic protection
Rationale: Passivation involves the formation of a protective oxide layer on a metal
surface, such as stainless steel, to prevent corrosion.
23. What are the four elements of a corrosion cell?
A. Anode, cathode, insulator, electrolyte
NACE CIP Level 1 Exam 2025/2026 –
250 Actual Exam Questions with
Verified Answers | Graded A+ |
Complete & Updated Test Bank
Domain 1: Safety (2.5%)
1. Where should a coating inspector always find instructions regarding appropriate types of
personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. The internet
B. The manufacturer's Product Data Sheet
C. ==Safety Data Sheet (SDS)==
D. The coating specification
Rationale: The Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides detailed information on hazards,
handling, and required PPE for safe use of materials, making it the primary source for
PPE instructions.
2. What is a primary safety concern when applying sprayed polyurethane coatings?
A. Excessive noise
B. ==Isocyanates==
C. Electrical hazards
D. High humidity
Rationale: Isocyanates in polyurethane coatings are hazardous chemicals that can cause
respiratory and skin irritation, requiring specific PPE and ventilation.
3. Who is generally responsible for overall safety on a typical coating project?
A. The coating inspector
B. The contractor
C. The owner's representative
D. ==A certified safety professional==
Rationale: A certified safety professional is typically responsible for ensuring overall
safety compliance on a project, as they are trained to manage safety protocols.
4. What should an inspector do if they observe a safety issue on a coatings project?
A. Ignore it, as it is not their responsibility
B. ==Report the issue to the appropriate authority==
C. Correct the issue themselves
D. Document it but take no further action
Rationale: The inspector’s role is to observe and report safety issues to the appropriate
authority, not to enforce or correct them directly.
5. When handling coating materials, what document provides critical information on fire
and environmental hazards?
, 2
A. Product Data Sheet (PDS)
B. ==Safety Data Sheet (SDS)==
C. Coating specification
D. Application manual
Rationale: The SDS includes detailed information on fire, environmental, and health
hazards associated with coating materials, ensuring safe handling.
6. What is a common hazard associated with abrasive blasting?
A. ==Dust inhalation==
B. Low visibility
C. High humidity
D. Electrical shock
Rationale: Abrasive blasting generates significant dust, posing a respiratory hazard that
requires proper PPE and ventilation.
7. When working with solvent-based coatings, what is a key safety precaution?
A. Using high-pressure water jets
B. ==Ensuring proper ventilation==
C. Avoiding surface profile testing
D. Increasing application speed
Rationale: Solvent-based coatings release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), requiring
proper ventilation to prevent inhalation hazards.
8. What should an inspector do if a contractor offers a gift during a project?
A. Accept it to maintain good relations
B. ==Decline the gift and report the offer==
C. Accept it if it is of low value
D. Ignore the offer without reporting
Rationale: Accepting gifts can compromise the inspector’s impartiality, violating the
AMPP Coating Inspector Code of Conduct. Declining and reporting ensures ethical
compliance.
9. What is the primary purpose of a pre-job safety conference?
A. To assign project tasks
B. ==To discuss safety protocols and hazards==
C. To review coating specifications
D. To finalize material orders
Rationale: A pre-job safety conference focuses on identifying hazards, discussing PPE,
and ensuring safety compliance before work begins.
10. What type of PPE is most critical when working with high-pressure spray equipment?
A. Hearing protection
B. ==Respiratory protection==
C. Steel-toed boots
D. High-visibility vest
Rationale: High-pressure spray equipment can aerosolize hazardous chemicals, making
respiratory protection critical to prevent inhalation.
Domain 2: Inspection Process (15%)
, 3
11. What is the primary role of a NACE CIP Level 1 inspector?
A. To supervise coating application
B. ==To observe and report conformance to specifications==
C. To modify the coating specification
D. To train applicators
Rationale: The inspector’s primary role is to ensure compliance with the project
specification by observing and reporting, not modifying or supervising.
12. When a conflict arises on a coatings project, what is the inspector’s first course of action?
A. Ignore the conflict
B. ==Actively listen and understand all positions==
C. Enforce their own interpretation
D. Report the conflict to the contractor
Rationale: Actively listening and understanding all perspectives helps resolve conflicts
professionally and maintains project integrity.
13. What should an inspector do if they find discrepancies between the specification and the
Product Data Sheet (PDS)?
A. Follow the PDS
B. Modify the specification
C. ==Seek written clarification from the owner’s representative==
D. Ignore the discrepancy
Rationale: The inspector must seek written clarification from the owner’s representative
to resolve discrepancies, as they cannot modify specifications.
14. What is a key component of a daily inspection report?
A. Cost of materials used
B. ==Description of environmental conditions==
C. Applicator’s personal details
D. Project budget details
Rationale: Daily inspection reports must include environmental conditions, as these
affect coating application and performance.
15. What should an inspector do upon arrival of coating materials at the job site?
A. Apply a test patch
B. ==Document batch numbers and quantities==
C. Conduct a holiday test
D. Store the materials immediately
Rationale: Documenting batch numbers and quantities ensures traceability and
compliance with specifications.
16. What is the inspector’s responsibility regarding coating application?
A. Directing the applicator’s work
B. ==Verifying compliance with specifications==
C. Applying the coating
D. Modifying application methods
Rationale: The inspector verifies that application methods comply with the project
specification, not directing or modifying the process.
17. What is the most important characteristic of a good inspection report?
A. Brevity
B. ==Accuracy==
, 4
C. Complexity
D. Generalization
Rationale: Accuracy is critical in inspection reports to ensure reliable documentation of
compliance or deviations.
18. When should an inspector measure wet film thickness (WFT)?
A. After curing
B. ==During application==
C. Before surface preparation
D. After dry film thickness testing
Rationale: WFT is measured during application to ensure the correct amount of coating
is applied before curing.
19. What should an inspector do if they observe blisters in a freshly applied coating?
A. Ignore them as they will disappear
B. ==Document the issue and notify the contractor and owner==
C. Pop the blisters to inspect the substrate
D. Apply another coat to cover them
Rationale: Documenting and notifying the contractor and owner ensures proper handling
of defects without compromising the inspection process.
20. What is the purpose of a coating inspector’s logbook?
A. To record personal notes
B. ==To document inspection activities and findings==
C. To list applicator qualifications
D. To track project costs
Rationale: The logbook is used to record detailed inspection activities and findings for
project documentation and compliance.
Domain 3: Corrosion (5%)
21. What is the definition of corrosion?
A. The mechanical wear of a metal
B. ==The deterioration of a metal due to reaction with its environment==
C. The physical deformation of a substrate
D. The application of a protective coating
Rationale: Corrosion is the chemical or electrochemical deterioration of a metal due to
environmental reactions.
22. What is passivation?
A. The application of a coating
B. ==The formation of an oxide layer that protects against corrosion==
C. The removal of mill scale
D. The use of cathodic protection
Rationale: Passivation involves the formation of a protective oxide layer on a metal
surface, such as stainless steel, to prevent corrosion.
23. What are the four elements of a corrosion cell?
A. Anode, cathode, insulator, electrolyte
