Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
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1. The primary federal agency responsible for the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) is:
A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA administers the NFIP and provides guidance, mapping,
and regulations for floodplain management.
2. A 100-year flood has a probability of occurring in any given year
of:
A. 0.1%
B. 1%
C. 5%
D. 10%
B. 1%
The “100-year flood” is defined as a flood with a 1% chance of
being equaled or exceeded in any year.
,3. Base Flood Elevation (BFE) represents:
A. Maximum flood level recorded in history
B. Elevation of floodwaters during a base flood
C. Average annual flood level
D. Elevation of streambed
B. Elevation of floodwaters during a base flood
BFE is the computed elevation to which floodwater is anticipated
to rise during the base (100-year) flood.
4. Which zone on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) typically
requires mandatory flood insurance?
A. Zone X
B. Zone D
C. Zone AE
D. Zone C
C. Zone AE
Zone AE represents areas subject to the 1% annual chance flood
and usually requires flood insurance.
5. The term “floodway” refers to:
A. The area of the floodplain reserved for development
B. The channel of a river and adjacent land needed to discharge
the base flood without increasing flood heights
C. A recreational area along a river
D. The area of a floodplain with minimal flood risk
B. The channel of a river and adjacent land needed to discharge
the base flood without increasing flood heights
Floodways are protected to prevent obstruction that could
increase flood heights elsewhere.
6. Which of the following is an example of a non-structural flood
mitigation measure?
, A. Levees
B. Floodwalls
C. Floodplain zoning restrictions
D. Detention basins
C. Floodplain zoning restrictions
Non-structural measures focus on planning, regulations, and
land use rather than physical structures.
7. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires
communities to adopt and enforce:
A. National Building Code
B. Local zoning ordinances
C. Floodplain management regulations meeting NFIP criteria
D. Stormwater management permits
C. Floodplain management regulations meeting NFIP criteria
Communities must adopt regulations consistent with NFIP
standards to participate and maintain eligibility for flood
insurance.
8. Levees provide protection primarily by:
A. Reducing rainfall
B. Diverting floodwaters around a community
C. Increasing storage capacity of rivers
D. Pumping groundwater
B. Diverting floodwaters around a community
Levees are embankments designed to prevent floodwater from
inundating adjacent areas.
9. Which of the following maps is used to determine flood risk and
insurance rates?
A. Topographic map
B. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
, C. Land use map
D. Soil survey map
B. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
FIRMs depict flood zones, Base Flood Elevations, and areas
subject to flood insurance requirements.
10. Substantial improvement, under NFIP regulations, refers to:
A. Any minor repair
B. Improvement exceeding 50% of the structure’s market value
C. Only aesthetic upgrades
D. Replacement of doors and windows only
B. Improvement exceeding 50% of the structure’s market value
Structures substantially improved must meet current floodplain
management standards.
11. What is the main purpose of floodplain management?
A. Protect wetlands
B. Reduce flood losses and protect life and property
C. Control rainfall
D. Improve water quality
B. Reduce flood losses and protect life and property
Floodplain management minimizes the impact of flooding on
people, property, and infrastructure.
12. A levee system is considered accredited by FEMA if it:
A. Can withstand any flood
B. Provides 100-year flood protection and is properly maintained
C. Is over 10 feet high
D. Covers all waterways in a community
B. Provides 100-year flood protection and is properly maintained
FEMA accredits levees meeting minimum standards for 1%
annual chance flood protection.
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers, Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. The primary federal agency responsible for the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) is:
A. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
C. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
D. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
B. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA administers the NFIP and provides guidance, mapping,
and regulations for floodplain management.
2. A 100-year flood has a probability of occurring in any given year
of:
A. 0.1%
B. 1%
C. 5%
D. 10%
B. 1%
The “100-year flood” is defined as a flood with a 1% chance of
being equaled or exceeded in any year.
,3. Base Flood Elevation (BFE) represents:
A. Maximum flood level recorded in history
B. Elevation of floodwaters during a base flood
C. Average annual flood level
D. Elevation of streambed
B. Elevation of floodwaters during a base flood
BFE is the computed elevation to which floodwater is anticipated
to rise during the base (100-year) flood.
4. Which zone on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) typically
requires mandatory flood insurance?
A. Zone X
B. Zone D
C. Zone AE
D. Zone C
C. Zone AE
Zone AE represents areas subject to the 1% annual chance flood
and usually requires flood insurance.
5. The term “floodway” refers to:
A. The area of the floodplain reserved for development
B. The channel of a river and adjacent land needed to discharge
the base flood without increasing flood heights
C. A recreational area along a river
D. The area of a floodplain with minimal flood risk
B. The channel of a river and adjacent land needed to discharge
the base flood without increasing flood heights
Floodways are protected to prevent obstruction that could
increase flood heights elsewhere.
6. Which of the following is an example of a non-structural flood
mitigation measure?
, A. Levees
B. Floodwalls
C. Floodplain zoning restrictions
D. Detention basins
C. Floodplain zoning restrictions
Non-structural measures focus on planning, regulations, and
land use rather than physical structures.
7. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires
communities to adopt and enforce:
A. National Building Code
B. Local zoning ordinances
C. Floodplain management regulations meeting NFIP criteria
D. Stormwater management permits
C. Floodplain management regulations meeting NFIP criteria
Communities must adopt regulations consistent with NFIP
standards to participate and maintain eligibility for flood
insurance.
8. Levees provide protection primarily by:
A. Reducing rainfall
B. Diverting floodwaters around a community
C. Increasing storage capacity of rivers
D. Pumping groundwater
B. Diverting floodwaters around a community
Levees are embankments designed to prevent floodwater from
inundating adjacent areas.
9. Which of the following maps is used to determine flood risk and
insurance rates?
A. Topographic map
B. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
, C. Land use map
D. Soil survey map
B. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
FIRMs depict flood zones, Base Flood Elevations, and areas
subject to flood insurance requirements.
10. Substantial improvement, under NFIP regulations, refers to:
A. Any minor repair
B. Improvement exceeding 50% of the structure’s market value
C. Only aesthetic upgrades
D. Replacement of doors and windows only
B. Improvement exceeding 50% of the structure’s market value
Structures substantially improved must meet current floodplain
management standards.
11. What is the main purpose of floodplain management?
A. Protect wetlands
B. Reduce flood losses and protect life and property
C. Control rainfall
D. Improve water quality
B. Reduce flood losses and protect life and property
Floodplain management minimizes the impact of flooding on
people, property, and infrastructure.
12. A levee system is considered accredited by FEMA if it:
A. Can withstand any flood
B. Provides 100-year flood protection and is properly maintained
C. Is over 10 feet high
D. Covers all waterways in a community
B. Provides 100-year flood protection and is properly maintained
FEMA accredits levees meeting minimum standards for 1%
annual chance flood protection.
