ILLINOIS SOLID WASTE SITE OPERATOR
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Full Practice Exam with 100+ Questions, ANSWER
& Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (Questions 1-30)
Question 1: What is the primary state agency responsible for enforcing solid waste regulations in
Illinois?
A) Illinois Department of Public Health
B) Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
C) Illinois Department of Natural Resources
D) Illinois Department of Transportation
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is the primary state agency responsible
for enforcing solid waste regulations, issuing permits, and conducting inspections of solid waste
facilities.
Question 2: Which Illinois Administrative Code Part contains the regulations for solid waste disposal
sites?
A) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 800
,B) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 801
C) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 810
D) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 820
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 801 contains the regulations for solid waste disposal sites,
including design, operation, and closure requirements.
Question 3: An amendment to an approved permit issued by the Illinois EPA is considered a "significant
modification" when ______.
A) it results in a loss of efficiency in the facility operation
B) it results in an increase in the costs of disposal
C) the modification results in any parameter in the permit having a value lying outside the expected
operating range of values as specified in the permit
D) all of the above
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Under Part 810 - Section 103 "Definitions," a significant modification occurs when the
modification results in any parameter in the permit having a value lying outside the expected operating
range of values as specified in the permit.
Question 4: "Disposal" has occurred once ______.
,A) solid waste has accumulated
B) solid waste is not contained to prevent entry into the environment
C) solid waste is not confined
D) all of the above occurs
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Part 810 - Section 103 "Definitions," disposal occurs when solid waste has accumulated
and is not contained or confined to prevent entry into the environment.
Question 5: The leachate must be collected and tested at least ______ while the leachate management
system is in operation.
A) weekly
B) monthly
C) once every 6 months
D) annually
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: Under Section 811.206, leachate must be collected and tested at least monthly while the
leachate management system is in operation.
Question 6: All vegetation on the final protective cover must ______.
A) be tolerant of the landfill gas generated
, B) be tolerant of the leachate produced
C) be tolerant of alternate freezing and thawing
D) all of the above
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Section 811.322, vegetation on the final protective cover must be tolerant of landfill
gas, leachate, and alternate freezing and thawing.
Question 7: To be certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, a chief operator must
______; and a landfill operator must ______.
A) pass an exam; pay the fees
B) pass an exam(s); pass an exam(s)
C) pass an exam(s); have prior conduct certification
D) have prior conduct certification; pass the exam(s), and pay the fees
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Title 68, Chapter V, Part 870, a chief operator must have prior conduct certification,
while a landfill operator must pass the exam(s) and pay the fees.
Question 8: The operator must provide financial assurance for closure and post-closure to the Illinois
EPA ______.
A) within 30 days of beginning operation of the landfill
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Full Practice Exam with 100+ Questions, ANSWER
& Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS (Questions 1-30)
Question 1: What is the primary state agency responsible for enforcing solid waste regulations in
Illinois?
A) Illinois Department of Public Health
B) Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
C) Illinois Department of Natural Resources
D) Illinois Department of Transportation
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is the primary state agency responsible
for enforcing solid waste regulations, issuing permits, and conducting inspections of solid waste
facilities.
Question 2: Which Illinois Administrative Code Part contains the regulations for solid waste disposal
sites?
A) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 800
,B) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 801
C) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 810
D) 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 820
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: 35 Illinois Administrative Code Part 801 contains the regulations for solid waste disposal sites,
including design, operation, and closure requirements.
Question 3: An amendment to an approved permit issued by the Illinois EPA is considered a "significant
modification" when ______.
A) it results in a loss of efficiency in the facility operation
B) it results in an increase in the costs of disposal
C) the modification results in any parameter in the permit having a value lying outside the expected
operating range of values as specified in the permit
D) all of the above
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: Under Part 810 - Section 103 "Definitions," a significant modification occurs when the
modification results in any parameter in the permit having a value lying outside the expected operating
range of values as specified in the permit.
Question 4: "Disposal" has occurred once ______.
,A) solid waste has accumulated
B) solid waste is not contained to prevent entry into the environment
C) solid waste is not confined
D) all of the above occurs
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Part 810 - Section 103 "Definitions," disposal occurs when solid waste has accumulated
and is not contained or confined to prevent entry into the environment.
Question 5: The leachate must be collected and tested at least ______ while the leachate management
system is in operation.
A) weekly
B) monthly
C) once every 6 months
D) annually
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: Under Section 811.206, leachate must be collected and tested at least monthly while the
leachate management system is in operation.
Question 6: All vegetation on the final protective cover must ______.
A) be tolerant of the landfill gas generated
, B) be tolerant of the leachate produced
C) be tolerant of alternate freezing and thawing
D) all of the above
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Section 811.322, vegetation on the final protective cover must be tolerant of landfill
gas, leachate, and alternate freezing and thawing.
Question 7: To be certified by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, a chief operator must
______; and a landfill operator must ______.
A) pass an exam; pay the fees
B) pass an exam(s); pass an exam(s)
C) pass an exam(s); have prior conduct certification
D) have prior conduct certification; pass the exam(s), and pay the fees
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Under Title 68, Chapter V, Part 870, a chief operator must have prior conduct certification,
while a landfill operator must pass the exam(s) and pay the fees.
Question 8: The operator must provide financial assurance for closure and post-closure to the Illinois
EPA ______.
A) within 30 days of beginning operation of the landfill
