Certification Practice Exam Questions And

Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following is the primary goal of environmental management

systems (EMS)?

• To eliminate all environmental impacts
• To ensure compliance with safety regulations only
• To provide a framework for continuous environmental improvement
• To increase production efficiency

Rationale: EMS, such as ISO 14001, aims to establish a structured approach

for ongoing improvement in environmental performance.

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in what year?

A. 1968

B. 1970 1 / 4

C. 1972

D. 1975

Rationale: The EPA was created in 1970 by executive order under President

Nixon to consolidate federal environmental responsibilities.

• Which act primarily regulates the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters?
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Water Act
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
• Safe Drinking Water Act

Rationale: The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs the regulation of pollutants

and protection of surface water quality.

• The term “sustainable development” was popularized by which report?
• Stockholm Declaration
• Montreal Protocol
• Brundtland Report
• Rio Declaration

Rationale: The 1987 Brundtland Report defined sustainable development

as meeting present needs without compromising future generations.

• / 4

• Which of the following gases is not a greenhouse gas?
• Methane (CH₄)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Nitrogen (N₂)
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O)

Rationale: Nitrogen gas (N₂) is inert and does not contribute to the

greenhouse effect.

6. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) focuses mainly on:

• Air pollution control
• Solid and hazardous waste management
• Water resource conservation
• Noise pollution control

Rationale: RCRA provides the framework for the management of solid and

hazardous waste from generation to disposal.

• The Superfund program was created by which legislation?
• Clean Air Act
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability

Act (CERCLA)

C. RCRA

D. NEPA 3 / 4

Rationale: CERCLA, enacted in 1980, established the Superfund to clean up

abandoned hazardous waste sites.

• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires which major

document before federal projects?

• Pollution Control Plan
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Risk Assessment Form
• Waste Audit Report

Rationale: NEPA mandates an EIS to evaluate potential environmental

effects of major federal actions.

• Which of the following best describes “cradle-to-grave” management?
• Tracking emissions at industrial sites
• Monitoring water quality from rivers to oceans
• Managing hazardous waste from generation to disposal
• Regulating pesticide applications

Rationale: Under RCRA, cradle-to-grave refers to the complete

management of hazardous waste throughout its life cycle.

10. The Kyoto Protocol primarily targets:

• Water pollution reduction
• / 4