NEWEST REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A site has historical use as a dry cleaning facility.
The primary contaminant of concern in soil and
groundwater is most likely:
A) Tetrachloroethylene (PCE, perchloroethylene)
B) Trichloroethylene (TCE)
C) Benzene
D) Lead
Correct answer: A
Rationale: PCE (perchloroethylene) is the most
common dry cleaning solvent. It is a chlorinated
volatile organic compound (VOC) that is denser than
water (DNAPL).
2. During a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
(ESA), the auditor discovers that the property was
previously used as a gasoline service station. Which
of the following is a recognized environmental
condition (REC)?
,A) Historical use of underground storage tanks
(USTs)
B) Potential soil and groundwater contamination from
leaking USTs
C) Presence of fill material from unknown sources
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Gasoline service stations are associated
with USTs, spills, and potential contamination from
benzene, MTBE, lead, etc.
3. A Phase II ESA is being conducted to investigate
potential contamination. Which of the following
sampling methods is appropriate for collecting
groundwater samples?
A) Direct-push technology (DPT) with a discrete
interval sampler
B) Installation of a monitoring well (temporary or
permanent)
C) Bailer or low-flow pump in a monitoring well
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Groundwater sampling can be done via
direct-push (temporary well points) or permanent
,monitoring wells with proper purging and low-flow
sampling.
4. A site investigation reveals soil contamination with
benzene at concentrations above state cleanup
standards. Benzene is a:
A) Volatile organic compound (VOC)
B) Carcinogen (Group A, known human carcinogen)
C) Constituent of gasoline
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Benzene is a VOC, a known human
carcinogen (IARC Group 1), and a component of
gasoline.
5. A consultant is preparing a Remedial Action Plan
(RAP) for a site contaminated with heavy metals.
Which of the following is a feasible remediation
technology for metals in soil?
A) Soil washing (particle size separation)
B) Solidification/stabilization (S/S)
C) Phytoremediation (hyperaccumulator plants)
D) All of the above
, Correct answer: D
Rationale: Metals cannot be destroyed. Remediation
options include excavation, soil washing, S/S, and
phytoremediation.
6. During a subsurface investigation, the driller
encounters a layer of fine-grained clay with low
permeability. This layer will likely act as a(n):
A) Aquifer (water-bearing zone)
B) Aquitard (confining layer)
C) Perched aquifer
D) Vadose zone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Low-permeability clay acts as an aquitard,
slowing or preventing groundwater flow.
7. A site has groundwater contamination with
trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a DNAPL (dense non-
aqueous phase liquid). Where would you expect to
find free-phase TCE?
A) Floating on the water table (LNAPL)
B) Sinking to the bottom of the aquifer
C) Dissolved uniformly in groundwater
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A site has historical use as a dry cleaning facility.
The primary contaminant of concern in soil and
groundwater is most likely:
A) Tetrachloroethylene (PCE, perchloroethylene)
B) Trichloroethylene (TCE)
C) Benzene
D) Lead
Correct answer: A
Rationale: PCE (perchloroethylene) is the most
common dry cleaning solvent. It is a chlorinated
volatile organic compound (VOC) that is denser than
water (DNAPL).
2. During a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
(ESA), the auditor discovers that the property was
previously used as a gasoline service station. Which
of the following is a recognized environmental
condition (REC)?
,A) Historical use of underground storage tanks
(USTs)
B) Potential soil and groundwater contamination from
leaking USTs
C) Presence of fill material from unknown sources
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Gasoline service stations are associated
with USTs, spills, and potential contamination from
benzene, MTBE, lead, etc.
3. A Phase II ESA is being conducted to investigate
potential contamination. Which of the following
sampling methods is appropriate for collecting
groundwater samples?
A) Direct-push technology (DPT) with a discrete
interval sampler
B) Installation of a monitoring well (temporary or
permanent)
C) Bailer or low-flow pump in a monitoring well
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Groundwater sampling can be done via
direct-push (temporary well points) or permanent
,monitoring wells with proper purging and low-flow
sampling.
4. A site investigation reveals soil contamination with
benzene at concentrations above state cleanup
standards. Benzene is a:
A) Volatile organic compound (VOC)
B) Carcinogen (Group A, known human carcinogen)
C) Constituent of gasoline
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Benzene is a VOC, a known human
carcinogen (IARC Group 1), and a component of
gasoline.
5. A consultant is preparing a Remedial Action Plan
(RAP) for a site contaminated with heavy metals.
Which of the following is a feasible remediation
technology for metals in soil?
A) Soil washing (particle size separation)
B) Solidification/stabilization (S/S)
C) Phytoremediation (hyperaccumulator plants)
D) All of the above
, Correct answer: D
Rationale: Metals cannot be destroyed. Remediation
options include excavation, soil washing, S/S, and
phytoremediation.
6. During a subsurface investigation, the driller
encounters a layer of fine-grained clay with low
permeability. This layer will likely act as a(n):
A) Aquifer (water-bearing zone)
B) Aquitard (confining layer)
C) Perched aquifer
D) Vadose zone
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Low-permeability clay acts as an aquitard,
slowing or preventing groundwater flow.
7. A site has groundwater contamination with
trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a DNAPL (dense non-
aqueous phase liquid). Where would you expect to
find free-phase TCE?
A) Floating on the water table (LNAPL)
B) Sinking to the bottom of the aquifer
C) Dissolved uniformly in groundwater
