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Sample CIH Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CIH exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 140+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An industrial hygienist is evaluating a workplace where a new solvent is being introduced. What is the FIRST step in the exposure assessment process?

A.Collect air samples to quantify the concentration of the solvent.

B.Characterize the workplace to understand processes, tasks, and the workforce.

C.Select personal protective equipment (PPE) for the workers.

D.Review the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the new solvent.

Explanation: The first step in any exposure assessment is to perform a basic characterization of the workplace. This includes understanding the processes and tasks, identifying the workforce, and gathering information about potential hazards and existing controls. This foundational step informs all subsequent assessment activities.

2Which of the following direct-reading instruments is best suited for measuring noise levels to determine an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposure?

A.Sound level meter

B.Octave band analyzer

C.Noise dosimeter

D.Acoustic calibrator

Explanation: A noise dosimeter is a small, body-worn device that measures and stores sound level data over a full work shift. It is the standard instrument for determining a worker's 8-hour TWA noise exposure, as it captures the variability of noise levels as the worker moves and performs different tasks.

3According to the hierarchy of controls, which of the following is the most effective method for controlling workplace hazards?

A.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

B.Administrative Controls

C.Engineering Controls

D.Elimination

Explanation: Elimination, at the top of the hierarchy of controls, involves physically removing the hazard from the workplace. This is the most effective control measure because it removes the source of the risk entirely.

4A key component of a successful risk management program is:

A.Focusing solely on compliance with regulatory standards.

B.Conducting a one-time risk assessment.

C.Involving management and workers in the process.

D.Assigning all responsibility to the safety manager.

Explanation: Effective risk management is a collaborative process that requires the involvement and commitment of both management and workers. Management provides resources and authority, while workers provide valuable input on hazards and the practicality of controls. This shared ownership is crucial for success.

5The primary purpose of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system is to:

A.Provide general comfort and temperature control for the workplace.

B.Capture and remove contaminants at their source before they enter the breathing zone.

C.Dilute contaminants in the general workplace air to acceptable levels.

D.Pressurize the building to prevent the entry of outdoor pollutants.

Explanation: Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems are an engineering control designed to capture airborne contaminants at or near the point of generation, preventing them from escaping into the workplace and being inhaled by workers. An LEV system typically consists of a hood, ducts, an air cleaner, and a fan.

6An industrial hygienist collects a personal air sample for silica. The laboratory reports a result of 40 µg/m³. The OSHA Action Level for respirable crystalline silica is 25 µg/m³ and the PEL is 50 µg/m³, both as 8-hour TWAs. What is the appropriate next step?

A.No action is needed because the result is below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).

B.Implement engineering controls and work practice controls immediately.

C.Re-sample in one year.

D.Begin periodic exposure monitoring and offer medical surveillance to the employee.

Explanation: When an exposure measurement is at or above the Action Level (25 µg/m³) but below the PEL (50 µg/m³), OSHA's respirable crystalline silica standard (29 CFR 1910.1053 / 1926.1153) requires the employer to initiate periodic exposure monitoring at least every 6 months and include the employee in a medical surveillance program. Engineering and work practice controls become mandatory when exposures reach or exceed the PEL.

7What is the primary function of the BGC Code of Ethics for industrial hygienists?

A.To provide a framework for professional conduct and decision-making.

B.To set minimum educational requirements for the profession.

C.To establish legal standards of care.

D.To dictate specific sampling methodologies.

Explanation: The Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) Code of Ethics provides a framework to guide the professional conduct and ethical decision-making of Certified Industrial Hygienists. It outlines their responsibilities to the public, clients and employers, and the profession.

8A worker is exposed to the following noise levels during an 8-hour shift: 90 dBA for 4 hours and 85 dBA for 4 hours. Using the OSHA 5-dB exchange rate, what is the worker's noise dose?

A.75%

B.100%

C.125%

D.150%

Explanation: OSHA noise dose is calculated as D = 100 x (C1/T1 + C2/T2), where C is the exposure duration at a given level and T is the maximum allowed time at that level. Using the OSHA 5-dB exchange rate with a 90 dBA criterion (8 hours allowed): for 90 dBA, T = 8 hours; for 85 dBA, T = 16 hours. D = 100 x (4/8 + 4/16) = 100 x (0.5 + 0.25) = 75%.

9Which type of respirator provides the highest level of protection?

A.Half-mask air-purifying respirator (APR)

B.Full-face air-purifying respirator (APR)

C.Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR)

D.Pressure-demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Explanation: A pressure-demand SCBA provides the highest level of respiratory protection. It is an atmosphere-supplying respirator that maintains a positive pressure in the facepiece at all times, preventing any inward leakage of contaminants. It can be used in oxygen-deficient atmospheres and situations that are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).

10Ergonomic risk factors in the workplace include:

A.High noise levels, chemical exposures, and poor lighting.

B.Repetition, forceful exertions, and awkward postures.

C.Lack of training, poor supervision, and inadequate procedures.

D.Biological hazards, radiation, and thermal stress.

Explanation: The primary ergonomic risk factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are repetition (performing the same motion repeatedly), forceful exertions (lifting, pushing, pulling), and awkward postures (bending, twisting). Other factors include contact stress, static loading, and vibration.

About the CIH Exam

The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential is the global standard for certifying expertise in anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace health hazards. The exam has 180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored plus 30 unscored pilot items) delivered in two 2.5-hour sections with an optional 30-minute break, and is administered by the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC) at Pearson VUE test centers during the April 1-May 31 and October 1-November 30 windows.

Exam sponsor: Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC, formerly ABIH). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

180 questions

Time Limit

5 hours (two 2.5-hour sections)

Passing Score

Pass/fail, criterion-referenced cut score (150 scored items)

Exam / Certification Fees

$370

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice

Anticipation and recognition of chemical, physical, and biological hazards; air sampling methodologies; direct-reading instrumentation; analytical chemistry; biostatistics; and occupational epidemiology.

35%

Control Selection, Recommendation/Implementation, and Validation

Engineering controls, local exhaust ventilation, dilution ventilation, noise controls, thermal stress controls, ionizing/non-ionizing radiation protection, and personal protective equipment.

15%

Risk Management

Occupational health and safety management systems (ISO 45001, ANSI Z10), BGC Code of Ethics, regulatory compliance, ergonomics, and industrial process evaluation.

Preparing for the CIH Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail, criterion-referenced cut score (150 scored items)
Exam length: 180 questions
Time limit: 5 hours (two 2.5-hour sections)
Exam / certification fees: $370 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 140 available questions
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CIH exam?

The CIH exam has 180 multiple-choice questions: 150 scored items and 30 unscored pilot items that are indistinguishable from scored ones. It is delivered in two 2.5-hour sections, for 5 hours of total testing time, with one optional 30-minute break between sections.

What is the passing score for the CIH exam?

BGC reports CIH results as pass or fail only. The cut score is criterion-referenced, set by a panel of Certified Industrial Hygienists using standard-setting procedures under the guidance of Certiverse, and each administration is statistically equated for form difficulty. BGC does not publish a passing percentage, and no minimum score is required in any individual subject area.

How much does the CIH exam cost?

BGC charges a $160 non-refundable application (or reapplication) fee and a $370 examination scheduling fee, so a first attempt costs $530. After certification, the annual maintenance fee is $180.

What are the eligibility requirements for the CIH credential?

You need a bachelor's degree built on at least 60 semester hours of science, mathematics, engineering, or science-based technology coursework (15 of them upper level), 180 academic or 240 continuing education contact hours of industrial hygiene coursework plus 2 hours of ethics training, and 48 months of professional-level IH practice documented by at least two Professional Reference Questionnaires, one of which must come from a CIH.

When can I take the CIH exam?

BGC offers the CIH exam in two windows each year: April 1 through May 31 and October 1 through November 30. Application materials must be postmarked by February 1 for the spring window or August 1 for the fall window. Testing is at Pearson VUE test centers; BGC has suspended remote proctored testing.

What calculator and reference material can I use on the CIH exam?

Personal calculators are not allowed. Pearson VUE provides an on-screen scientific calculator plus the BGC Equation Sheets inside the exam software, and each candidate receives a whiteboard and dry marker instead of paper. Since the Spring 2025 administration all ventilation equations follow ACGIH Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design, 31st Edition (2023).

How long should I study for the CIH exam?

Most candidates plan 150 to 250 hours over three to six months, weighted toward the blueprint: Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice is 50% of the exam, Control Selection, Recommendation/Implementation, and Validation is 35%, and Risk Management is 15%.

How do I maintain the CIH credential after passing?

CIH certification runs on a five-year Certification Maintenance cycle. Diplomates must earn and document 40 CM points, including at least 2 hours of ethics coursework, and pay the annual maintenance fee. Unpaid annual fees for two successive years lead to decertification in the third year.