New Jersey Asbestos Supervisor
Exam – Practice Questions and
Correct Answers, Verified
Answers, Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A
Questions 1–20: Core knowledge and safety
1. What is asbestos?
A. A synthetic plastic used in insulation B. A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals C. A
type of bacterial growth D. A petroleum-based adhesive
Correct answer: B. A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals
Rationale: Asbestos refers to naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were widely used
in construction because of their heat resistance, durability, and insulating properties.
2. Which disease is strongly associated with asbestos exposure?
A. Mesothelioma B. Type 1 diabetes C. Hepatitis A D. Appendicitis
Correct answer: A. Mesothelioma
,Rationale: Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with asbestos exposure that affects the lining of
the lungs or other body cavities. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer and asbestosis.
3. Why is airborne asbestos particularly dangerous?
A. It causes immediate skin discoloration B. It makes oxygen chemically unstable C.
Microscopic fibers can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system D. It causes immediate
dehydration
Correct answer: C. Microscopic fibers can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system
Rationale: Airborne asbestos fibers can enter the lungs and remain there. Disease may develop
many years after exposure, making prevention and exposure control essential.
4. What is the main responsibility of an asbestos abatement supervisor?
A. Complete all removal work personally B. Oversee safe work practices and compliance with
applicable requirements C. Approve building occupancy without inspection D. Replace the
project owner's legal responsibilities
Correct answer: B. Oversee safe work practices and compliance with applicable requirements
Rationale: The supervisor coordinates workers, containment, protective equipment, work
procedures, and monitoring to ensure that abatement is performed safely and in accordance with
applicable regulations.
5. Which material is considered friable asbestos-containing material?
A. Material that cannot be damaged by hand B. Material that dissolves completely in water C.
Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry D.
Material containing no mineral fibers
,Correct answer: C. Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand
pressure when dry
Rationale: Friability describes a material's physical condition and potential to release fibers.
Non-friable materials may also release fibers if damaged or subjected to certain work activities.
6. What should a supervisor do before work begins on suspected asbestos-containing material?
A. Start removal to determine its composition B. Have the material assessed and tested by
qualified personnel when required C. Assume the material is asbestos-free if it looks intact D.
Ask workers to identify it by smell
Correct answer: B. Have the material assessed and tested by qualified personnel when required
Rationale: Appearance and smell cannot reliably identify asbestos. Appropriate inspection,
sampling, and laboratory analysis help establish the material's status before disturbance.
7. Which organization administers New Jersey's asbestos worker and supervisor permit program
alongside the state's health and labor agencies?
A. New Jersey Department of Health B. Federal Aviation Administration C. National Park
Service D. Federal Communications Commission
Correct answer: A. New Jersey Department of Health
Rationale: The New Jersey Department of Health approves training and the examination process,
while the Department of Labor and Workforce Development issues the applicable work permits
and contractor licenses.
, Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
+1
8. What initial training duration does New Jersey require for an asbestos abatement supervisor?
A. 8 hours B. 16 hours C. 28 hours D. 35 hours
Correct answer: D. 35 hours
Rationale: New Jersey requires a minimum 35-hour initial asbestos contractor/supervisor training
course, including at least 14 hours of hands-on training.
Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
+1
9. What minimum score is required to pass New Jersey's asbestos supervisor examination under
the cited state regulations?
A. 50% B. 60% C. 70% D. 90%
Correct answer: C. 70%
Rationale: New Jersey's administrative rules specify that a supervisor applicant must achieve at
least 70% on the supervisor examination to pass.
NJ.gov
Exam – Practice Questions and
Correct Answers, Verified
Answers, Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A
Questions 1–20: Core knowledge and safety
1. What is asbestos?
A. A synthetic plastic used in insulation B. A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals C. A
type of bacterial growth D. A petroleum-based adhesive
Correct answer: B. A group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals
Rationale: Asbestos refers to naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals that were widely used
in construction because of their heat resistance, durability, and insulating properties.
2. Which disease is strongly associated with asbestos exposure?
A. Mesothelioma B. Type 1 diabetes C. Hepatitis A D. Appendicitis
Correct answer: A. Mesothelioma
,Rationale: Mesothelioma is a cancer associated with asbestos exposure that affects the lining of
the lungs or other body cavities. Asbestos exposure can also cause lung cancer and asbestosis.
3. Why is airborne asbestos particularly dangerous?
A. It causes immediate skin discoloration B. It makes oxygen chemically unstable C.
Microscopic fibers can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system D. It causes immediate
dehydration
Correct answer: C. Microscopic fibers can be inhaled deep into the respiratory system
Rationale: Airborne asbestos fibers can enter the lungs and remain there. Disease may develop
many years after exposure, making prevention and exposure control essential.
4. What is the main responsibility of an asbestos abatement supervisor?
A. Complete all removal work personally B. Oversee safe work practices and compliance with
applicable requirements C. Approve building occupancy without inspection D. Replace the
project owner's legal responsibilities
Correct answer: B. Oversee safe work practices and compliance with applicable requirements
Rationale: The supervisor coordinates workers, containment, protective equipment, work
procedures, and monitoring to ensure that abatement is performed safely and in accordance with
applicable regulations.
5. Which material is considered friable asbestos-containing material?
A. Material that cannot be damaged by hand B. Material that dissolves completely in water C.
Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure when dry D.
Material containing no mineral fibers
,Correct answer: C. Material that can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand
pressure when dry
Rationale: Friability describes a material's physical condition and potential to release fibers.
Non-friable materials may also release fibers if damaged or subjected to certain work activities.
6. What should a supervisor do before work begins on suspected asbestos-containing material?
A. Start removal to determine its composition B. Have the material assessed and tested by
qualified personnel when required C. Assume the material is asbestos-free if it looks intact D.
Ask workers to identify it by smell
Correct answer: B. Have the material assessed and tested by qualified personnel when required
Rationale: Appearance and smell cannot reliably identify asbestos. Appropriate inspection,
sampling, and laboratory analysis help establish the material's status before disturbance.
7. Which organization administers New Jersey's asbestos worker and supervisor permit program
alongside the state's health and labor agencies?
A. New Jersey Department of Health B. Federal Aviation Administration C. National Park
Service D. Federal Communications Commission
Correct answer: A. New Jersey Department of Health
Rationale: The New Jersey Department of Health approves training and the examination process,
while the Department of Labor and Workforce Development issues the applicable work permits
and contractor licenses.
, Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
+1
8. What initial training duration does New Jersey require for an asbestos abatement supervisor?
A. 8 hours B. 16 hours C. 28 hours D. 35 hours
Correct answer: D. 35 hours
Rationale: New Jersey requires a minimum 35-hour initial asbestos contractor/supervisor training
course, including at least 14 hours of hands-on training.
Asbestos Workers and Supervisors
+1
9. What minimum score is required to pass New Jersey's asbestos supervisor examination under
the cited state regulations?
A. 50% B. 60% C. 70% D. 90%
Correct answer: C. 70%
Rationale: New Jersey's administrative rules specify that a supervisor applicant must achieve at
least 70% on the supervisor examination to pass.
NJ.gov
