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VA DEQ ESC INSPECTOR EXAM 2026/2027
Complete Certification Exam | Actual Questions
& Verified Answers | Virginia Erosion &
Sediment Control Inspector Test Prep
Section 1: Erosion & Sediment Control Principles
Q1: The primary goal of erosion control is to:
A. Treat polluted water after it leaves a site.
B. Prevent soil particles from detaching and moving.
C. Remove sediment from stormwater runoff.
D. Document violations for enforcement.
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Erosion control targets the source by keeping soil in place, which is more
cost-effective than downstream treatment.
Q2: Which factor has the GREATEST influence on soil erosion rates on a construction site?
A. Soil color
B. Rainfall intensity and duration
C. Time of day
D. Contractor experience
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Rainfall energy and volume directly drive detachment and transport of soil
particles.
Q3: The RUSLE2 equation component that accounts for slope steepness is:
A. P factor
B. LS factor
C. C factor
D. K factor
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The LS (Length-Slope) factor quantifies the effect of topography on erosion
rates.
,2
Q4: A site has 2.5 acres of disturbed area with a runoff coefficient (C) of 0.65 and 1.8 inches of
rainfall; the calculated runoff volume in cubic feet is closest to:
A. 8,450 ft³
B. 12,700 ft³
C. 15,900 ft³
D. 21,200 ft³
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: Q = C × P × A = 0.65 × 1.8/12 ft × 2.5 ac × 43,560 ft²/ac ≈ 15,900 ft³.
Q5: Which soil texture is MOST susceptible to erosion?
A. Clay
B. Silty loam
C. Sand
D. Gravel
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Silty loam has low organic matter and weak aggregate stability, making it
easily detached.
Q6: The maximum allowable slope length without additional controls on a 3:1 gradient in
Virginia is:
A. 50 ft
B. 75 ft
C. 100 ft
D. 150 ft
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: VESCP standards limit uninterrupted flow length to 100 ft on 3:1 slopes to
prevent rilling.
Q7: Temporary seeding is required within how many days of final grading if dormant season is
approaching?
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 14 days
D. 21 days
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Virginia regulations mandate temporary stabilization within 7 days to prevent
winter erosion.
Q8: Which practice is considered a SOURCE control for erosion?
A. Sediment trap
, 3
B. Synthetic blanket
C. Check dam
D. Stilling basin
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Erosion-control blankets protect soil from raindrop impact, reducing
detachment at the source.
Q9: The term “disturbed area” under VESCP specifically excludes:
A. Stockpile footprints
B. Temporary access roads
C. Undisturbed buffer zones designated on the plan
D. Utility trenching
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: Protected buffer zones left in natural condition are not counted as disturbed.
Q10: A contractor installs a silt fence along a 2% contour; the maximum allowable post spacing
is:
A. 6 ft
B. 10 ft
C. 14 ft
D. 18 ft
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Virginia ESC standards limit post spacing to 10 ft for fences on mild slopes
to maintain tension.
Section 2: Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations (VSMP & VESCP)
Q11: The VSMP authority for linear utility projects >5,000 ft is the:
A. Virginia Department of Transportation
B. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. Local Soil & Water Conservation District
D. Regional planning district
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: DEQ retains approval authority for long linear projects crossing multiple
localities.
Q12: A VSMP construction general permit for a 15-acre project must be obtained BEFORE:
A. Grading permits
B. Building permit issuance
C. Erosion & Sediment Control plan approval
D. Pre-application meeting
VA DEQ ESC INSPECTOR EXAM 2026/2027
Complete Certification Exam | Actual Questions
& Verified Answers | Virginia Erosion &
Sediment Control Inspector Test Prep
Section 1: Erosion & Sediment Control Principles
Q1: The primary goal of erosion control is to:
A. Treat polluted water after it leaves a site.
B. Prevent soil particles from detaching and moving.
C. Remove sediment from stormwater runoff.
D. Document violations for enforcement.
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Erosion control targets the source by keeping soil in place, which is more
cost-effective than downstream treatment.
Q2: Which factor has the GREATEST influence on soil erosion rates on a construction site?
A. Soil color
B. Rainfall intensity and duration
C. Time of day
D. Contractor experience
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Rainfall energy and volume directly drive detachment and transport of soil
particles.
Q3: The RUSLE2 equation component that accounts for slope steepness is:
A. P factor
B. LS factor
C. C factor
D. K factor
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The LS (Length-Slope) factor quantifies the effect of topography on erosion
rates.
,2
Q4: A site has 2.5 acres of disturbed area with a runoff coefficient (C) of 0.65 and 1.8 inches of
rainfall; the calculated runoff volume in cubic feet is closest to:
A. 8,450 ft³
B. 12,700 ft³
C. 15,900 ft³
D. 21,200 ft³
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: Q = C × P × A = 0.65 × 1.8/12 ft × 2.5 ac × 43,560 ft²/ac ≈ 15,900 ft³.
Q5: Which soil texture is MOST susceptible to erosion?
A. Clay
B. Silty loam
C. Sand
D. Gravel
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Silty loam has low organic matter and weak aggregate stability, making it
easily detached.
Q6: The maximum allowable slope length without additional controls on a 3:1 gradient in
Virginia is:
A. 50 ft
B. 75 ft
C. 100 ft
D. 150 ft
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: VESCP standards limit uninterrupted flow length to 100 ft on 3:1 slopes to
prevent rilling.
Q7: Temporary seeding is required within how many days of final grading if dormant season is
approaching?
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
C. 14 days
D. 21 days
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Virginia regulations mandate temporary stabilization within 7 days to prevent
winter erosion.
Q8: Which practice is considered a SOURCE control for erosion?
A. Sediment trap
, 3
B. Synthetic blanket
C. Check dam
D. Stilling basin
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Erosion-control blankets protect soil from raindrop impact, reducing
detachment at the source.
Q9: The term “disturbed area” under VESCP specifically excludes:
A. Stockpile footprints
B. Temporary access roads
C. Undisturbed buffer zones designated on the plan
D. Utility trenching
**Answer: C
Verified Rationale: Protected buffer zones left in natural condition are not counted as disturbed.
Q10: A contractor installs a silt fence along a 2% contour; the maximum allowable post spacing
is:
A. 6 ft
B. 10 ft
C. 14 ft
D. 18 ft
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Virginia ESC standards limit post spacing to 10 ft for fences on mild slopes
to maintain tension.
Section 2: Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations (VSMP & VESCP)
Q11: The VSMP authority for linear utility projects >5,000 ft is the:
A. Virginia Department of Transportation
B. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
C. Local Soil & Water Conservation District
D. Regional planning district
**Answer: B
Verified Rationale: DEQ retains approval authority for long linear projects crossing multiple
localities.
Q12: A VSMP construction general permit for a 15-acre project must be obtained BEFORE:
A. Grading permits
B. Building permit issuance
C. Erosion & Sediment Control plan approval
D. Pre-application meeting
