UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK LICENSING EXAMINER EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2025/2026 Q&A/
INSTANDOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations?
A. To regulate fuel prices.
B. To prevent releases of petroleum and hazardous substances to the environment.
C. To mandate station hours of operation.
D. To enforce vehicle emissions standards.
Correct answer: B. UST regulations are designed to prevent and detect releases of petroleum
and hazardous substances and to protect human health and the environment.
2. Which of the following components is considered part of an underground storage tank
system?
A. Tank, piping, and dispensers.
B. Only the tank.
C. Only aboveground piping.
D. Nearby trees.
Correct answer: A. An UST system includes the tank, connected piping, dispensers, and any
containment or monitoring equipment integral to the system.
3. When is operator training required for UST systems?
A. Never.
B. Only for new installations.
C. As required by federal/state rules, typically for Class A, B, and C operators.
D. Only during spills.
Correct answer: C. Most jurisdictions require designated Class A (overall UST responsibility),
Class B (onsite operational), and Class C (first response) operators to be trained.
4. Which method is commonly used for leak detection in UST piping?
A. Visual inspection only.
B. Interstitial monitoring for double-walled piping and statistical inventory reconciliation for
tanks.
C. Smelling the soil.
D. Listening for leaks.
Correct answer: B. Piping leak detection often uses interstitial monitoring on double-walled
systems; tanks may use statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR) among other methods.
5. What is the normal corrosion protection method for steel USTs?
A. Painting the soil.
,B. Cathodic protection.
C. Using plastic liners aboveground.
D. Heating the tank.
Correct answer: B. Cathodic protection (sacrificial anodes or impressed current) reduces
corrosion risk for steel tanks and piping.
6. How often must release detection be performed for continuously monitored systems?
A. Every 10 years.
B. As required by the specific method — continuous systems monitor constantly and generate
alarms when criteria are exceeded.
C. Once at installation.
D. Only during inspections.
Correct answer: B. Continuous monitoring systems operate all the time and trigger alarms when
detection thresholds are met; response is then required.
7. What does overfill prevention equipment do?
A. Prevents tank theft.
B. Prevents a tank from being filled beyond its safe capacity.
C. Controls vapor pressure.
D. Measures fuel quality.
Correct answer: B. Overfill prevention devices (e.g., overfill alarms, ball float valves) prevent
filling that could cause spills during deliveries.
8. Which is a required financial responsibility demonstration for UST owners/operators?
A. Proof of driver's license.
B. Evidence of insurance, surety bonds, or state financial assurance mechanisms to pay for
cleanup and third-party claims.
C. Employment records.
D. No demonstration is ever required.
Correct answer: B. Owners/operators must demonstrate financial responsibility to ensure funds
are available for corrective action and compensating third parties.
9. What action must be taken immediately if a release is suspected?
A. Continue operations.
B. Immediately stop the release if possible, notify required authorities, and initiate investigation
and corrective actions.
C. Hide evidence.
D. Wait 30 days.
Correct answer: B. Prompt release control, notification, and investigation are required to
minimize environmental harm and comply with regulations.
10. When permanently closing a UST, what is commonly required?
A. Painting the tank.
B. Emptying and cleaning the tank, removing or filling it in place, and conducting a site
assessment for contamination.
C. Selling the property first.
, D. Installing a new roof.
Correct answer: B. Proper closure includes cleaning, removal or burial per rules, and
confirming no release through assessment and soil sampling.
11. What is “secondary containment” for UST systems?
A. A backup fuel delivery system.
B. A containment structure (e.g., double-walled tanks or containment sumps) designed to hold
product if primary containment fails.
C. A second customer waiting area.
D. A type of gasket.
Correct answer: B. Secondary containment prevents product from reaching the environment if
the primary tank or piping fails.
12. Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) is best described as:
A. A weather forecast method.
B. A method that uses inventory, delivery, and dispensing data plus statistical analysis to detect
leaks.
C. A method to reconcile employee schedules.
D. A way to measure tank pressure.
Correct answer: B. SIR uses transaction and measurement data with statistical tools to detect
small leaks over time.
13. What is the minimum record retention period for UST operation and maintenance
records in many jurisdictions?
A. 6 months.
B. 1 year.
C. At least 3 years, and often longer for certain documents (e.g., permanent closure records).
D. No records needed.
Correct answer: C. Regulations commonly require maintaining records for multiple years;
closure documents and release records are retained permanently or per state rules.
14. Which substance is regulated under UST rules?
A. Freshwater.
B. Petroleum and certain hazardous substances stored in tanks below ground.
C. Air.
D. Wood.
Correct answer: B. Federal UST regulations cover petroleum and specified hazardous
substances in USTs.
15. What is a common indicator of a UST leak at a fueling facility?
A. Increase in customers.
B. Unexpected loss in inventory not explained by transactions, soaked soil, or odors.
C. Improved fuel economy of cars.
D. Cleaner concrete.
Correct answer: B. Inventory discrepancies, soil staining, odors, or unusual groundwater
conditions suggest potential releases.
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE 2025/2026 Q&A/
INSTANDOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary purpose of federal underground storage tank (UST) regulations?
A. To regulate fuel prices.
B. To prevent releases of petroleum and hazardous substances to the environment.
C. To mandate station hours of operation.
D. To enforce vehicle emissions standards.
Correct answer: B. UST regulations are designed to prevent and detect releases of petroleum
and hazardous substances and to protect human health and the environment.
2. Which of the following components is considered part of an underground storage tank
system?
A. Tank, piping, and dispensers.
B. Only the tank.
C. Only aboveground piping.
D. Nearby trees.
Correct answer: A. An UST system includes the tank, connected piping, dispensers, and any
containment or monitoring equipment integral to the system.
3. When is operator training required for UST systems?
A. Never.
B. Only for new installations.
C. As required by federal/state rules, typically for Class A, B, and C operators.
D. Only during spills.
Correct answer: C. Most jurisdictions require designated Class A (overall UST responsibility),
Class B (onsite operational), and Class C (first response) operators to be trained.
4. Which method is commonly used for leak detection in UST piping?
A. Visual inspection only.
B. Interstitial monitoring for double-walled piping and statistical inventory reconciliation for
tanks.
C. Smelling the soil.
D. Listening for leaks.
Correct answer: B. Piping leak detection often uses interstitial monitoring on double-walled
systems; tanks may use statistical inventory reconciliation (SIR) among other methods.
5. What is the normal corrosion protection method for steel USTs?
A. Painting the soil.
,B. Cathodic protection.
C. Using plastic liners aboveground.
D. Heating the tank.
Correct answer: B. Cathodic protection (sacrificial anodes or impressed current) reduces
corrosion risk for steel tanks and piping.
6. How often must release detection be performed for continuously monitored systems?
A. Every 10 years.
B. As required by the specific method — continuous systems monitor constantly and generate
alarms when criteria are exceeded.
C. Once at installation.
D. Only during inspections.
Correct answer: B. Continuous monitoring systems operate all the time and trigger alarms when
detection thresholds are met; response is then required.
7. What does overfill prevention equipment do?
A. Prevents tank theft.
B. Prevents a tank from being filled beyond its safe capacity.
C. Controls vapor pressure.
D. Measures fuel quality.
Correct answer: B. Overfill prevention devices (e.g., overfill alarms, ball float valves) prevent
filling that could cause spills during deliveries.
8. Which is a required financial responsibility demonstration for UST owners/operators?
A. Proof of driver's license.
B. Evidence of insurance, surety bonds, or state financial assurance mechanisms to pay for
cleanup and third-party claims.
C. Employment records.
D. No demonstration is ever required.
Correct answer: B. Owners/operators must demonstrate financial responsibility to ensure funds
are available for corrective action and compensating third parties.
9. What action must be taken immediately if a release is suspected?
A. Continue operations.
B. Immediately stop the release if possible, notify required authorities, and initiate investigation
and corrective actions.
C. Hide evidence.
D. Wait 30 days.
Correct answer: B. Prompt release control, notification, and investigation are required to
minimize environmental harm and comply with regulations.
10. When permanently closing a UST, what is commonly required?
A. Painting the tank.
B. Emptying and cleaning the tank, removing or filling it in place, and conducting a site
assessment for contamination.
C. Selling the property first.
, D. Installing a new roof.
Correct answer: B. Proper closure includes cleaning, removal or burial per rules, and
confirming no release through assessment and soil sampling.
11. What is “secondary containment” for UST systems?
A. A backup fuel delivery system.
B. A containment structure (e.g., double-walled tanks or containment sumps) designed to hold
product if primary containment fails.
C. A second customer waiting area.
D. A type of gasket.
Correct answer: B. Secondary containment prevents product from reaching the environment if
the primary tank or piping fails.
12. Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) is best described as:
A. A weather forecast method.
B. A method that uses inventory, delivery, and dispensing data plus statistical analysis to detect
leaks.
C. A method to reconcile employee schedules.
D. A way to measure tank pressure.
Correct answer: B. SIR uses transaction and measurement data with statistical tools to detect
small leaks over time.
13. What is the minimum record retention period for UST operation and maintenance
records in many jurisdictions?
A. 6 months.
B. 1 year.
C. At least 3 years, and often longer for certain documents (e.g., permanent closure records).
D. No records needed.
Correct answer: C. Regulations commonly require maintaining records for multiple years;
closure documents and release records are retained permanently or per state rules.
14. Which substance is regulated under UST rules?
A. Freshwater.
B. Petroleum and certain hazardous substances stored in tanks below ground.
C. Air.
D. Wood.
Correct answer: B. Federal UST regulations cover petroleum and specified hazardous
substances in USTs.
15. What is a common indicator of a UST leak at a fueling facility?
A. Increase in customers.
B. Unexpected loss in inventory not explained by transactions, soaked soil, or odors.
C. Improved fuel economy of cars.
D. Cleaner concrete.
Correct answer: B. Inventory discrepancies, soil staining, odors, or unusual groundwater
conditions suggest potential releases.
