Cisec Latest Exam 2025 / Questions And Correct
Answers (Professor Verified) | Already Graded A+ |
Latest Version (Just Released)
CISEC — Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control Exam
Exam Year: 2025
Total Questions: 160 Multiple-Choice (A–D)
Sections: 8
Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions 1–20)
Section 2: SWPPP Documentation, Roles & Inspector Responsibilities (Questions 21–40)
Section 3: Erosion Processes & Principles (Questions 41–60)
Section 4: Erosion Control BMPs (Questions 61–80)
Section 5: Sediment Control BMPs (Questions 81–100)
Section 6: Construction Site Inspection Procedures & Documentation (Questions 101–120)
Section 7: Hydrology, Runoff Calculations & Design Storm Concepts (Questions 121–140)
Section 8: Compliance, Noncompliance & Corrective Action (Questions 141–160)
Answers with rationales are provided beneath each question.
Aligned to the 2025 certification body of knowledge.
Page 1 of 55
,Table of Contents
Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions 1–20)3
Section 2: SWPPP Documentation, Roles & Inspector Responsibilities (Questions 21–40)10
Section 3: Erosion Processes & Principles (Questions 41–60)17
Section 4: Erosion Control BMPs (Questions 61–80)23
Section 5: Sediment Control BMPs (Questions 81–100)29
Section 6: Construction Site Inspection Procedures & Documentation (Questions 101–120)36
Section 7: Hydrology, Runoff Calculations & Design Storm Concepts (Questions 121–140)43
Section 8: Compliance, Noncompliance & Corrective Action (Questions 141–160)49
Page 2 of 55
,Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions
1–20)
Q1: Which federal statute establishes the permit program that regulates stormwater
discharges from construction sites?
A. The Clean Air Act
B. The Safe Drinking Water Act
C. The Clean Water Act, through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
**[CORRECT]**
D. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 402 of the Clean Water Act created the NPDES program, which
regulates point source discharges including construction stormwater. RCRA governs solid
and hazardous waste, the Safe Drinking Water Act governs drinking water, and the Clean
Air Act governs air emissions.
Q2: A developer plans to disturb 0.7 acre as part of a larger common plan of development that
will ultimately disturb 12 acres. Is NPDES construction stormwater coverage required?
A. No, because the project is residential
B. Only if the site discharges to a impaired water
C. No, because the individual project is less than one acre
D. Yes, because the project is part of a larger common plan that will disturb one acre or
more **[CORRECT]**
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The one-acre threshold includes any project that is part of a larger common
plan of development or sale that will disturb one acre or more. The individual parcel size,
land use, and receiving water status do not exempt the project from coverage.
Q3: Which document does an operator submit to request coverage under the Construction
General Permit?
A. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan amendment
B. A Notice of Violation
C. A Notice of Intent **[CORRECT]**
D. A Notice of Termination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Notice of Intent requests permit coverage and identifies the operator, site,
and receiving waters. A Notice of Termination ends coverage, a Notice of Violation is
issued by a regulator, and a SWPPP amendment modifies site plans.
Page 3 of 55
, Q4: Under the 2022 Construction General Permit, how long after submitting a complete Notice
of Intent may discharges begin?
A. After 30 days
B. Immediately upon submission
C. After a 14-day authorization waiting period **[CORRECT]**
D. After 90 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2022 CGP retains a 14-calendar-day waiting period after a complete NOI
before discharge authorization. Immediate, 30-day, and 90-day periods do not match the
permit.
Q5: Which activity is regulated under Section 404 rather than Section 402 of the Clean Water
Act?
A. Stormwater discharge from a construction site
B. Placement of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States **[CORRECT]**
C. Industrial process wastewater discharge
D. Sanitary sewer overflow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 404, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, regulates
dredged or fill material placement. Stormwater and industrial discharges fall under Section
402, and sanitary sewer overflows are separate.
Q6: What is the purpose of state water quality certification under Section 401?
A. To certify that a discharge will comply with state water quality standards
**[CORRECT]**
B. To certify the SWPPP designer's license
C. To issue the Notice of Intent
D. To approve the contractor's bid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Section 401 certification confirms that a federally permitted discharge will meet
applicable state water quality requirements. Bids, designer licences, and NOI issuance are
unrelated.
Page 4 of 55
Answers (Professor Verified) | Already Graded A+ |
Latest Version (Just Released)
CISEC — Certified Inspector of Sediment and Erosion Control Exam
Exam Year: 2025
Total Questions: 160 Multiple-Choice (A–D)
Sections: 8
Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions 1–20)
Section 2: SWPPP Documentation, Roles & Inspector Responsibilities (Questions 21–40)
Section 3: Erosion Processes & Principles (Questions 41–60)
Section 4: Erosion Control BMPs (Questions 61–80)
Section 5: Sediment Control BMPs (Questions 81–100)
Section 6: Construction Site Inspection Procedures & Documentation (Questions 101–120)
Section 7: Hydrology, Runoff Calculations & Design Storm Concepts (Questions 121–140)
Section 8: Compliance, Noncompliance & Corrective Action (Questions 141–160)
Answers with rationales are provided beneath each question.
Aligned to the 2025 certification body of knowledge.
Page 1 of 55
,Table of Contents
Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions 1–20)3
Section 2: SWPPP Documentation, Roles & Inspector Responsibilities (Questions 21–40)10
Section 3: Erosion Processes & Principles (Questions 41–60)17
Section 4: Erosion Control BMPs (Questions 61–80)23
Section 5: Sediment Control BMPs (Questions 81–100)29
Section 6: Construction Site Inspection Procedures & Documentation (Questions 101–120)36
Section 7: Hydrology, Runoff Calculations & Design Storm Concepts (Questions 121–140)43
Section 8: Compliance, Noncompliance & Corrective Action (Questions 141–160)49
Page 2 of 55
,Section 1: Clean Water Act, NPDES & CGP Regulations (Questions
1–20)
Q1: Which federal statute establishes the permit program that regulates stormwater
discharges from construction sites?
A. The Clean Air Act
B. The Safe Drinking Water Act
C. The Clean Water Act, through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
**[CORRECT]**
D. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Section 402 of the Clean Water Act created the NPDES program, which
regulates point source discharges including construction stormwater. RCRA governs solid
and hazardous waste, the Safe Drinking Water Act governs drinking water, and the Clean
Air Act governs air emissions.
Q2: A developer plans to disturb 0.7 acre as part of a larger common plan of development that
will ultimately disturb 12 acres. Is NPDES construction stormwater coverage required?
A. No, because the project is residential
B. Only if the site discharges to a impaired water
C. No, because the individual project is less than one acre
D. Yes, because the project is part of a larger common plan that will disturb one acre or
more **[CORRECT]**
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The one-acre threshold includes any project that is part of a larger common
plan of development or sale that will disturb one acre or more. The individual parcel size,
land use, and receiving water status do not exempt the project from coverage.
Q3: Which document does an operator submit to request coverage under the Construction
General Permit?
A. A Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan amendment
B. A Notice of Violation
C. A Notice of Intent **[CORRECT]**
D. A Notice of Termination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Notice of Intent requests permit coverage and identifies the operator, site,
and receiving waters. A Notice of Termination ends coverage, a Notice of Violation is
issued by a regulator, and a SWPPP amendment modifies site plans.
Page 3 of 55
, Q4: Under the 2022 Construction General Permit, how long after submitting a complete Notice
of Intent may discharges begin?
A. After 30 days
B. Immediately upon submission
C. After a 14-day authorization waiting period **[CORRECT]**
D. After 90 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The 2022 CGP retains a 14-calendar-day waiting period after a complete NOI
before discharge authorization. Immediate, 30-day, and 90-day periods do not match the
permit.
Q5: Which activity is regulated under Section 404 rather than Section 402 of the Clean Water
Act?
A. Stormwater discharge from a construction site
B. Placement of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States **[CORRECT]**
C. Industrial process wastewater discharge
D. Sanitary sewer overflow
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Section 404, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, regulates
dredged or fill material placement. Stormwater and industrial discharges fall under Section
402, and sanitary sewer overflows are separate.
Q6: What is the purpose of state water quality certification under Section 401?
A. To certify that a discharge will comply with state water quality standards
**[CORRECT]**
B. To certify the SWPPP designer's license
C. To issue the Notice of Intent
D. To approve the contractor's bid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Section 401 certification confirms that a federally permitted discharge will meet
applicable state water quality requirements. Bids, designer licences, and NOI issuance are
unrelated.
Page 4 of 55
