Nevada Environmental Site Assessor
Certification Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment?
A. To perform soil remediation
B. To identify existing environmental contamination
C. To evaluate potential environmental liabilities
D. To drill monitoring wells
Answer: C
The primary purpose of a Phase I ESA is to identify recognized
environmental conditions and assess potential environmental
liabilities associated with a property without conducting physical
sampling.
2. Which standard is commonly used to guide Phase I ESAs in the United
States?
A. OSHA 1910
B. ASTM E1527
C. EPA 40 CFR 300
D. NFPA 70
Answer: B
ASTM E1527 provides the standard practice for conducting Phase I
Environmental Site Assessments and is widely recognized in the
industry.
,3. A recognized environmental condition (REC) refers to:
A. Clean soil conditions
B. A past release that has been fully remediated
C. The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances
D. A building code violation
Answer: C
A REC indicates the presence or likely presence of hazardous
substances or petroleum products under conditions that may require
investigation.
4. What is the first step in conducting a Phase I ESA?
A. Soil sampling
B. Site reconnaissance
C. Historical records review
D. Groundwater testing
Answer: C
Historical records review helps identify prior uses of the property that
may indicate potential contamination risks.
5. Which document provides information on hazardous waste sites
nationwide?
A. OSHA Log
B. CERCLA database
C. UST registry
D. Building permit records
Answer: B
The CERCLA database lists sites under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
6. Which federal law governs hazardous waste management?
A. Clean Air Act
B. RCRA
C. SDWA
D. TSCA
Answer: B
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates the
generation, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.
, 7. Underground storage tanks are regulated primarily under:
A. RCRA Subtitle I
B. Clean Water Act
C. ESA
D. NEPA
Answer: A
RCRA Subtitle I specifically addresses underground storage tanks
containing petroleum and hazardous substances.
8. What is the purpose of a site reconnaissance?
A. Laboratory analysis
B. Visual inspection of the property
C. Legal title transfer
D. Soil excavation
Answer: B
Site reconnaissance involves visually inspecting the property for signs
of contamination or environmental concerns.
9. Which condition may indicate potential contamination?
A. Fresh landscaping
B. Strong chemical odors
C. New pavement
D. Security fencing
Answer: B
Strong chemical odors can signal the presence of hazardous
substances or spills.
10. Who is responsible for preparing a Phase I ESA report?
A. Property owner
B. Environmental professional
C. Contractor
D. Real estate agent
Answer: B
An environmental professional with appropriate qualifications is
responsible for conducting and documenting the assessment.
11. What does NEPA require?
A. Private soil testing
B. Environmental impact review for federal actions
Certification Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment?
A. To perform soil remediation
B. To identify existing environmental contamination
C. To evaluate potential environmental liabilities
D. To drill monitoring wells
Answer: C
The primary purpose of a Phase I ESA is to identify recognized
environmental conditions and assess potential environmental
liabilities associated with a property without conducting physical
sampling.
2. Which standard is commonly used to guide Phase I ESAs in the United
States?
A. OSHA 1910
B. ASTM E1527
C. EPA 40 CFR 300
D. NFPA 70
Answer: B
ASTM E1527 provides the standard practice for conducting Phase I
Environmental Site Assessments and is widely recognized in the
industry.
,3. A recognized environmental condition (REC) refers to:
A. Clean soil conditions
B. A past release that has been fully remediated
C. The presence or likely presence of hazardous substances
D. A building code violation
Answer: C
A REC indicates the presence or likely presence of hazardous
substances or petroleum products under conditions that may require
investigation.
4. What is the first step in conducting a Phase I ESA?
A. Soil sampling
B. Site reconnaissance
C. Historical records review
D. Groundwater testing
Answer: C
Historical records review helps identify prior uses of the property that
may indicate potential contamination risks.
5. Which document provides information on hazardous waste sites
nationwide?
A. OSHA Log
B. CERCLA database
C. UST registry
D. Building permit records
Answer: B
The CERCLA database lists sites under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
6. Which federal law governs hazardous waste management?
A. Clean Air Act
B. RCRA
C. SDWA
D. TSCA
Answer: B
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulates the
generation, transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste.
, 7. Underground storage tanks are regulated primarily under:
A. RCRA Subtitle I
B. Clean Water Act
C. ESA
D. NEPA
Answer: A
RCRA Subtitle I specifically addresses underground storage tanks
containing petroleum and hazardous substances.
8. What is the purpose of a site reconnaissance?
A. Laboratory analysis
B. Visual inspection of the property
C. Legal title transfer
D. Soil excavation
Answer: B
Site reconnaissance involves visually inspecting the property for signs
of contamination or environmental concerns.
9. Which condition may indicate potential contamination?
A. Fresh landscaping
B. Strong chemical odors
C. New pavement
D. Security fencing
Answer: B
Strong chemical odors can signal the presence of hazardous
substances or spills.
10. Who is responsible for preparing a Phase I ESA report?
A. Property owner
B. Environmental professional
C. Contractor
D. Real estate agent
Answer: B
An environmental professional with appropriate qualifications is
responsible for conducting and documenting the assessment.
11. What does NEPA require?
A. Private soil testing
B. Environmental impact review for federal actions
