VA DEQ SWM Inspector Exam V2 2026/2027 | Complete
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1 — CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & INSPECTOR ROLE
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Virginia DEQ SWM Inspector
certification?
A. To authorize structural engineering design
B. To qualify individuals to conduct regulatory stormwater inspections
C. To approve wastewater treatment facilities
D. To issue building permits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SWM Inspector certification is designed for individuals
conducting regulatory inspections for the stormwater component of a
VESMP authority or an entity operating under standards and
specifications. It is not an engineering-design or building-permit
credential.
Question 2
Before registering for the Inspector for SWM course, an individual
should complete which prerequisite?
A. Only the SWM online prerequisite
B. Only the ESC Inspector course
,C. Inspector for ESC and the SWM online prerequisite
D. Plan Reviewer for SWM
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ states that individuals should complete Inspector for
ESC and must complete the SWM online prerequisite before registering
for Inspector for SWM.
Question 3
How long is the standard Inspector for SWM course?
A. One hour
B. One day
C. Two days
D. Five days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ identifies Inspector for SWM as a two-day course.
Question 4
Which topic is specifically included in the Inspector for SWM course?
A. Criminal procedure
B. Basic stormwater principles
C. Electrical code enforcement
D. Building structural analysis
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: DEQ lists basic stormwater principles among the course
topics, along with stormwater law and regulations, CGP requirements,
and BMPs.
Question 5
Which course material is specifically required for SWM Inspector class
attendance?
A. Chapter 7 — Construction BMPs only
B. Inspector for SWM Participant Guide
C. Plan Reviewer Class Exercises
D. Program Administrator PowerPoint only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DEQ lists the Inspector for SWM Participant Guide and
Chapter 8—Post-Construction BMPs as required class materials.
Question 6
Which document is specifically identified as an additional SWM
Inspector study material?
A. SWM Law & Regulations
B. Electrical Code Handbook
C. Wastewater Operator Manual
D. Virginia Building Code
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: DEQ identifies SWM Law & Regulations as an additional
study resource for SWM Inspector candidates.
Question 7
Which listed SWM Inspector study materials are specifically marked as
not allowed into exams?
A. Inspector for SWM Participant Guide
B. Chapter 8
C. SWM Inspector PowerPoint PDFs, SWPPP Activity Booklet and SWPPP
Site Map
D. SWM Law & Regulations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ marks those supplemental materials with an asterisk
and states that starred materials are not allowed into certification
exams.
Question 8
Which organization administers the Virginia SWM certification
program?
A. EPA Region 4
B. Virginia DEQ
C. Virginia Department of Transportation
D. Local building departments only
Correct Answer: B
Practice Questions, Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1 — CERTIFICATION, TRAINING & INSPECTOR ROLE
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Virginia DEQ SWM Inspector
certification?
A. To authorize structural engineering design
B. To qualify individuals to conduct regulatory stormwater inspections
C. To approve wastewater treatment facilities
D. To issue building permits
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The SWM Inspector certification is designed for individuals
conducting regulatory inspections for the stormwater component of a
VESMP authority or an entity operating under standards and
specifications. It is not an engineering-design or building-permit
credential.
Question 2
Before registering for the Inspector for SWM course, an individual
should complete which prerequisite?
A. Only the SWM online prerequisite
B. Only the ESC Inspector course
,C. Inspector for ESC and the SWM online prerequisite
D. Plan Reviewer for SWM
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ states that individuals should complete Inspector for
ESC and must complete the SWM online prerequisite before registering
for Inspector for SWM.
Question 3
How long is the standard Inspector for SWM course?
A. One hour
B. One day
C. Two days
D. Five days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ identifies Inspector for SWM as a two-day course.
Question 4
Which topic is specifically included in the Inspector for SWM course?
A. Criminal procedure
B. Basic stormwater principles
C. Electrical code enforcement
D. Building structural analysis
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: DEQ lists basic stormwater principles among the course
topics, along with stormwater law and regulations, CGP requirements,
and BMPs.
Question 5
Which course material is specifically required for SWM Inspector class
attendance?
A. Chapter 7 — Construction BMPs only
B. Inspector for SWM Participant Guide
C. Plan Reviewer Class Exercises
D. Program Administrator PowerPoint only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DEQ lists the Inspector for SWM Participant Guide and
Chapter 8—Post-Construction BMPs as required class materials.
Question 6
Which document is specifically identified as an additional SWM
Inspector study material?
A. SWM Law & Regulations
B. Electrical Code Handbook
C. Wastewater Operator Manual
D. Virginia Building Code
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: DEQ identifies SWM Law & Regulations as an additional
study resource for SWM Inspector candidates.
Question 7
Which listed SWM Inspector study materials are specifically marked as
not allowed into exams?
A. Inspector for SWM Participant Guide
B. Chapter 8
C. SWM Inspector PowerPoint PDFs, SWPPP Activity Booklet and SWPPP
Site Map
D. SWM Law & Regulations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DEQ marks those supplemental materials with an asterisk
and states that starred materials are not allowed into certification
exams.
Question 8
Which organization administers the Virginia SWM certification
program?
A. EPA Region 4
B. Virginia DEQ
C. Virginia Department of Transportation
D. Local building departments only
Correct Answer: B
