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100+ Free CIAQM Practice Questions

Pass your ACAC Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What is the primary IAQ benefit of a properly installed energy recovery ventilator (ERV)?

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B
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CIAQM Exam

100

Exam Questions

ACAC CIAQM Candidate Handbook

75%

Passing Score

ACAC

3 hrs

Time Limit

ACAC

MERV 13

ASHRAE 62.1-2019 Minimum Filter

ASHRAE 62.1

4 pCi/L

EPA Radon Action Level

EPA

30-60%

Recommended Indoor RH Range

ASHRAE / EPA

The ACAC CIAQM (Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager) is a CESB-accredited professional credential from the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). The 100-question, 3-hour proctored exam covers ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rate procedure, ASHRAE 62.2 residential, ASHRAE 241 infectious aerosols, MERV 13 baseline filtration, HEPA at MPPS, EPA IAQ Tools for Schools, demand-controlled ventilation, humidity (30-60% RH), VOC/formaldehyde guidance, radon (4 pCi/L), and IAQ program coordination across facilities, EHS, HVAC, and occupants. Pass score is 75% and certification lasts 2 years with 40 recertification credits required.

Sample CIAQM Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CIAQM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which ASHRAE standard establishes the minimum ventilation rates required for acceptable indoor air quality in commercial buildings?
A.ASHRAE 55
B.ASHRAE 62.1
C.ASHRAE 90.1
D.ASHRAE 189.1
Explanation: ASHRAE Standard 62.1 (Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality) prescribes minimum outdoor air ventilation rates and other measures intended to provide indoor air quality acceptable to human occupants in commercial and institutional buildings. An IAQ manager must align mechanical design and operations with 62.1 ventilation rate procedures.
2EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools program identifies which of the following as a key element of a successful IAQ management plan?
A.Eliminating all outdoor air to reduce contaminant entry
B.Forming an IAQ team and assigning a coordinator
C.Operating HVAC only during occupied periods to save energy
D.Mandating annual radon mitigation regardless of measured levels
Explanation: EPA's IAQ Tools for Schools framework relies on building an IAQ team led by a designated IAQ coordinator who manages walkthroughs, complaint response, and corrective action tracking. Organizational structure and accountability are foundational to a sustainable IAQ program.
3Which MERV rating is typically the minimum recommended for general commercial filtration to remove fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reasonably well?
A.MERV 6
B.MERV 8
C.MERV 13
D.MERV 16
Explanation: ASHRAE 62.1-2019 raised the minimum filter efficiency to MERV 13 for systems with outdoor air, and ASHRAE guidance for infectious aerosol control during COVID-19 reinforced MERV 13 as the practical floor for capturing PM2.5 and respiratory aerosols. MERV 13 filters capture approximately 85% of 1-3 micron particles.
4ASHRAE Standard 55 addresses which of the following indoor environmental parameters?
A.Minimum outdoor air rates per person
B.Thermal comfort conditions (temperature, humidity, air speed, MRT)
C.Energy efficiency of HVAC equipment
D.Acoustic performance of mechanical systems
Explanation: ASHRAE 55 (Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy) defines the combinations of dry-bulb temperature, mean radiant temperature, humidity, air speed, metabolic rate, and clothing insulation that produce thermal conditions acceptable to a majority of occupants. IAQ managers use 55 alongside 62.1 to address comfort complaints.
5Which gas is most commonly used as a tracer to estimate ventilation rates in occupied buildings?
A.Oxygen
B.Carbon dioxide
C.Methane
D.Sulfur hexafluoride
Explanation: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common surrogate for occupant-generated bioeffluents and outdoor air delivery. CO2 differential between indoor and outdoor concentrations is used in ASHRAE 62.1 demand-controlled ventilation and to evaluate per-person outdoor air rates.
6OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for carbon monoxide as an 8-hour time-weighted average is:
A.9 ppm
B.25 ppm
C.50 ppm
D.200 ppm
Explanation: OSHA's 8-hour TWA PEL for carbon monoxide is 50 ppm (29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1). Note that NIOSH recommends 35 ppm and ACGIH TLV is 25 ppm — these are not regulatory enforceable limits but are often used in IAQ benchmarks.
7A HEPA filter, by definition, must remove at least what percentage of particles at 0.3 microns?
A.85%
B.95%
C.99.97%
D.99.999%
Explanation: True HEPA filters meet the U.S. DOE definition of removing at least 99.97% of particles at the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS), which is approximately 0.3 microns. Filters that capture 99.999% are classified as ULPA, not HEPA.
8Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) primarily uses which input to modulate outdoor air delivery?
A.Static pressure setpoint
B.Return-air temperature
C.Carbon dioxide concentration
D.Outdoor wind speed
Explanation: DCV measures indoor CO2 concentrations as a proxy for occupancy density and adjusts the outdoor air damper position to maintain ventilation per ASHRAE 62.1. CO2 is the primary control input because it correlates with occupant-generated bioeffluents.
9Which of the following is considered a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) of indoor concern under EPA guidance?
A.Carbon monoxide
B.Formaldehyde
C.Nitrogen dioxide
D.Sulfur dioxide
Explanation: Formaldehyde is a low-molecular-weight aldehyde classified as a VOC and is a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 1). Common indoor sources include pressed-wood products, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, and combustion. EPA and CARB regulate formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
10The EPA action level for radon in indoor air, above which mitigation is recommended for homes, is:
A.1 pCi/L
B.2 pCi/L
C.4 pCi/L
D.10 pCi/L
Explanation: The EPA recommends mitigation when long-term indoor radon concentrations exceed 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L). The agency further suggests considering mitigation between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Schools and workplaces follow the same action level for radon management.

About the CIAQM Exam

The CIAQM credential certifies competency in indoor air quality program management, including ASHRAE 62.1/62.2 ventilation compliance, MERV 13+ filtration design, EPA IAQ Tools for Schools program implementation, complaint response, building commissioning, and coordination of IAQ across facilities, EHS, and HVAC operations.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$500 (approx., first term — verify with ACAC) (ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification))

CIAQM Exam Content Outline

~25%

Ventilation Standards & Assessment

ASHRAE 62.1 (commercial), 62.2 (residential), 241 (infectious aerosols), CO2 monitoring, outdoor air measurement, DCV, DOAS/ERV

~20%

Filtration & Air Cleaning

MERV ratings, HEPA 99.97% at MPPS, MERV-A (52.2 Appendix J), activated carbon, UVGI coil irradiation, emerging technology cautions

~20%

IAQ Contaminants & Regulatory Limits

PM2.5, VOCs/formaldehyde, CO/NO2, radon (4 pCi/L), mold; OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL, ACGIH TLV, EPA NAAQS

~15%

IAQ Investigation & Sampling Methods

EPA I-BEAM, Tools for Schools walkthroughs, complaint response, spore trap, TO-15/TO-17, low-cost optical sensors

~20%

IAQ Program Management

Hierarchy of controls, source elimination/substitution, LEED IAQ, commissioning, ASHRAE 180/188, recordkeeping, occupant communication

How to Pass the CIAQM Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam fee: $500 (approx., first term — verify with ACAC)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CIAQM Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize ASHRAE 62.1 office rate (5 cfm/person + 0.06 cfm/sf) and breathing zone outdoor airflow calculation: Voz = Vbz / Ez
2Know the EPA radon action level (4 pCi/L) and the ASHRAE 62.2 residential bath exhaust rates (50 cfm intermittent / 20 cfm continuous)
3Master the regulatory hierarchy: OSHA PEL (enforceable) vs NIOSH REL (recommendation) vs ACGIH TLV (consensus) vs EPA NAAQS (ambient)
4Understand MERV 13 as the baseline filter for general commercial (ASHRAE 62.1-2019), HEPA at 99.97% at 0.3 microns (MPPS), and the meaning of the MERV-A suffix (ASHRAE 52.2 Appendix J)
5Practice EPA hierarchy of controls: source control > ventilation > air cleaning > administrative > PPE
6Know ASHRAE 241 (infectious aerosols, equivalent clean airflow) and ASHRAE 188 (Legionella risk management) at conceptual level

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CIAQM exam?

The CIAQM (Council-certified Indoor Air Quality Manager) is a CESB-accredited credential from the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). It tests competency in managing IAQ programs — ASHRAE 62.1/62.2 ventilation, MERV 13+ filtration, EPA Tools for Schools, complaint response, source control, commissioning, and occupant communication.

How many questions are on the CIAQM exam?

The CIAQM exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and is delivered electronically at Kryterion authorized testing centers. Candidates have 3 hours to complete the closed-book exam.

What is the passing score for the CIAQM exam?

ACAC requires 75% to pass the CIAQM exam. The passing score is set by the CIAQM Certification Board using the modified Angoff method.

What are the prerequisites for the CIAQM credential?

ACAC requires either (1) a two-year post-secondary degree in a relevant field plus one year of documented IAQ field experience, or (2) two years of documented experience in property/risk/asset management or IAQ policy-making with a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must also agree to the ACAC Code of Ethics.

How much does the CIAQM exam cost?

ACAC publishes a general first-term fee structure of approximately $500 for accredited certifications (includes a $100 processing fee). Verify current CIAQM pricing directly at acac.org/fees.

How long is the CIAQM credential valid?

CIAQM certification is current for 2 years from the date of issue. Certificate holders must accumulate 40 recertification credits during the 2-year cycle to maintain the credential.

What topics should I prioritize when studying for the CIAQM exam?

Focus on: (1) ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation rate procedure (Vbz/Voz/Vot, zone air distribution effectiveness); (2) MERV 13 minimum vs HEPA at MPPS; (3) IAQ contaminants and limits (OSHA PEL vs NIOSH REL vs ACGIH TLV vs EPA NAAQS); (4) radon 4 pCi/L action level; (5) EPA IAQ Tools for Schools investigation framework; (6) hierarchy of controls (source > ventilation > air cleaning > administrative > PPE).

How long should I study for the CIAQM exam?

Most candidates prepare for 60-100 hours over 4-8 weeks. ASHRAE 62.1, EPA IAQ Tools for Schools, and contaminant/limits memorization (OSHA PEL, EPA NAAQS, radon 4 pCi/L) deserve the bulk of study time.