NEWEST REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL
PROPERTY ASSESSOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is
being conducted for a property in accordance with
ASTM E1527. What is the primary purpose of a Phase
I ESA?
A) To collect soil and groundwater samples for
laboratory analysis
B) To identify recognized environmental conditions
(RECs) through historical review, site
reconnaissance, and regulatory records
C) To remediate contaminated soil
D) To assess indoor air quality
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of a Phase I ESA (ASTM
E1527) is to identify RECs, not to perform sampling
(Phase II) or remediation (Phase III).
,2. Which of the following is a "recognized
environmental condition" (REC) as defined by ASTM
E1527?
A) The presence of a leaking underground storage
tank (UST) on the property
B) The presence of asbestos-containing materials
(ACM) in good condition
C) The presence of lead-based paint in a residential
property
D) The presence of mold in a basement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A REC is the presence or likely presence
of hazardous substances or petroleum products in,
on, or at a property due to a release. Asbestos, lead
paint, and mold are not RECs under ASTM E1527
(they are business or health and safety issues).
3. A Phase I ESA must be conducted in accordance
with which ASTM standard?
A) ASTM E1527
B) ASTM E1903
C) ASTM E2600
D) ASTM E2247
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: ASTM E1527 is the standard practice for
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. ASTM
E1903 is for Phase II. ASTM E2600 is for vapor
encroachment screening.
4. During a site reconnaissance for a Phase I ESA,
the assessor observes stressed vegetation
(yellowing, stunted growth). This could indicate:
A) Potential contamination in the subsurface (e.g.,
hydrocarbons, metals)
B) Normal seasonal variation
C) Insect infestation
D) Nutrient deficiency only
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Stressed vegetation can be a sign of
subsurface contamination (e.g., petroleum
hydrocarbons, salts, metals).
5. A Phase I ESA must include a review of historical
aerial photographs. What is the purpose of this
review?
A) To identify past land uses (e.g., tanks, drums, pits)
that may have caused contamination
B) To determine property boundaries
, C) To assess building conditions
D) To identify wetlands
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Aerial photographs help identify historical
uses (e.g., storage tanks, waste disposal, industrial
activities) that could indicate potential
contamination.
6. A Phase I ESA includes a review of regulatory
databases (e.g., EPA CERCLIS, NPL, RCRA). What is
the purpose of this review?
A) To identify whether the subject property or nearby
properties have been listed for contamination
B) To determine property taxes
C) To assess building code compliance
D) To identify wetlands
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Regulatory database review identifies
known contaminated sites (NPL, CERCLIS, RCRA
TSD, LUST, etc.) that could affect the subject
property.
7. The "look-back" period for historical records in a
Phase I ESA under ASTM E1527 is:
PROPERTY ASSESSOR CERTIFICATION EXAM
OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS |
COMPLETE EXAM Q&A WITH RATIONALES
1. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is
being conducted for a property in accordance with
ASTM E1527. What is the primary purpose of a Phase
I ESA?
A) To collect soil and groundwater samples for
laboratory analysis
B) To identify recognized environmental conditions
(RECs) through historical review, site
reconnaissance, and regulatory records
C) To remediate contaminated soil
D) To assess indoor air quality
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The purpose of a Phase I ESA (ASTM
E1527) is to identify RECs, not to perform sampling
(Phase II) or remediation (Phase III).
,2. Which of the following is a "recognized
environmental condition" (REC) as defined by ASTM
E1527?
A) The presence of a leaking underground storage
tank (UST) on the property
B) The presence of asbestos-containing materials
(ACM) in good condition
C) The presence of lead-based paint in a residential
property
D) The presence of mold in a basement
Correct answer: A
Rationale: A REC is the presence or likely presence
of hazardous substances or petroleum products in,
on, or at a property due to a release. Asbestos, lead
paint, and mold are not RECs under ASTM E1527
(they are business or health and safety issues).
3. A Phase I ESA must be conducted in accordance
with which ASTM standard?
A) ASTM E1527
B) ASTM E1903
C) ASTM E2600
D) ASTM E2247
Correct answer: A
,Rationale: ASTM E1527 is the standard practice for
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. ASTM
E1903 is for Phase II. ASTM E2600 is for vapor
encroachment screening.
4. During a site reconnaissance for a Phase I ESA,
the assessor observes stressed vegetation
(yellowing, stunted growth). This could indicate:
A) Potential contamination in the subsurface (e.g.,
hydrocarbons, metals)
B) Normal seasonal variation
C) Insect infestation
D) Nutrient deficiency only
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Stressed vegetation can be a sign of
subsurface contamination (e.g., petroleum
hydrocarbons, salts, metals).
5. A Phase I ESA must include a review of historical
aerial photographs. What is the purpose of this
review?
A) To identify past land uses (e.g., tanks, drums, pits)
that may have caused contamination
B) To determine property boundaries
, C) To assess building conditions
D) To identify wetlands
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Aerial photographs help identify historical
uses (e.g., storage tanks, waste disposal, industrial
activities) that could indicate potential
contamination.
6. A Phase I ESA includes a review of regulatory
databases (e.g., EPA CERCLIS, NPL, RCRA). What is
the purpose of this review?
A) To identify whether the subject property or nearby
properties have been listed for contamination
B) To determine property taxes
C) To assess building code compliance
D) To identify wetlands
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Regulatory database review identifies
known contaminated sites (NPL, CERCLIS, RCRA
TSD, LUST, etc.) that could affect the subject
property.
7. The "look-back" period for historical records in a
Phase I ESA under ASTM E1527 is:
