100+ Free CEA Practice Questions

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The primary objective of an environmental compliance audit is to:

Conduct soil and groundwater sampling to identify contamination

Calculate the financial value of the site's environmental liabilities

Replace the facility's environmental management system

Verify that facility operations comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and permit conditions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CEA Exam

100

Total Exam Questions

NREP CEA program

75%

Passing Score

NREP

2 hours

Exam Time Limit

NREP

$200

Exam Fee

NREP 2026

42%

Exam Weight — Environmental Laws & Regulations

NREP CEA content outline

4 years

Required Direct Environmental Auditing Experience

NREP CEA eligibility requirements

The NREP CEA exam is a 100-question, 2-hour, closed-book online multiple-choice exam with a 75% passing score and a $200 fee. It covers environmental laws and regulations (42%), environmental program management including ISO 14001 (27%), chemistry/toxicology/hydrogeology (21%), environmental technology (4%), and auditor ethics and personal liability (6%). The credential is recognized by the U.S. Air Force and is specifically designed for environmental compliance auditors. Eligibility: bachelor's degree (or 12 years' experience) plus 4 years of direct environmental auditing experience.

Sample CEA Practice Questions

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

1Which federal law establishes national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants and requires major stationary sources to obtain operating permits?

A.Clean Water Act (CWA)

B.Clean Air Act (CAA)

C.Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

D.Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Explanation: The Clean Air Act (CAA) establishes NAAQS for six criteria pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, ozone, NO2, SO2, CO, and lead) and requires major stationary sources to obtain Title V operating permits. Enacted in 1970 and significantly amended in 1990, it is the primary federal statute regulating air emissions.

2Under RCRA, which generator category is subject to a 90-day accumulation time limit and must comply with full LQG standards?

A.Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) generating ≤100 kg/month

B.Small Quantity Generator (SQG) generating 100–1,000 kg/month

C.Large Quantity Generator (LQG) generating ≥1,000 kg/month

D.Conditionally Exempt Generator (CEG) generating ≤10 kg/month

Explanation: Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) generate ≥1,000 kg of hazardous waste per month and are subject to the most stringent RCRA standards, including a 90-day accumulation time limit, full LDR compliance, emergency coordinator requirements, and biennial reporting (40 CFR Part 262).

3The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program is authorized under which statute?

A.Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

B.CERCLA

C.Clean Water Act (CWA), Section 402

D.Clean Air Act, Title V

Explanation: NPDES permits are issued under CWA Section 402, which prohibits the discharge of any pollutant from a point source to waters of the United States without a permit. NPDES permits establish technology-based effluent limits and water-quality-based limits, and require monitoring and reporting.

4During a compliance audit, an auditor identifies a facility storing 1,200 gallons of oil above ground. Which regulation most directly governs spill prevention planning for this storage?

A.RCRA Subtitle C (40 CFR Part 264)

B.SPCC Rule (40 CFR Part 112)

C.NPDES General Permit for Stormwater

D.EPCRA Section 302

Explanation: The Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule at 40 CFR Part 112 under the CWA requires facilities with aboveground oil storage above 1,320 gallons aggregate (or underground storage >42,000 gallons) to develop and implement an SPCC Plan to prevent discharges of oil to navigable waters.

5CERCLA holds parties liable for response costs at contaminated sites using which standard of liability?

A.Negligence-based liability requiring proof of fault

B.Strict, joint and several liability

C.Vicarious liability limited to current site owners

D.Contributory liability apportioned by volume of waste

Explanation: CERCLA (42 U.S.C. § 9607) imposes strict, joint and several liability on potentially responsible parties (PRPs) — current and past owners/operators, arrangers, and transporters — regardless of fault. Any single PRP can be held liable for all response costs if harm is indivisible, though equitable contribution among PRPs is permitted.

6EPCRA Section 313 (Toxic Release Inventory) requires Form R reporting when a facility manufactures or processes a listed toxic chemical in excess of:

A.10,000 lb per year

B.25,000 lb per year

C.500 lb per year

D.1,000 lb per year

Explanation: EPCRA Section 313 TRI reporting (Form R) is triggered when a covered facility in a listed Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code manufactures or processes a listed toxic chemical at ≥25,000 lb per year, or otherwise uses it at ≥10,000 lb per year. Reports are due by July 1 for the preceding calendar year.

7Which RCRA provision requires treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) to hold a permit and establishes performance standards for groundwater monitoring and corrective action?

A.RCRA Subtitle D

B.RCRA Subtitle C (40 CFR Parts 264/265)

C.RCRA Subtitle I

D.RCRA Subtitle G

Explanation: RCRA Subtitle C (implemented in 40 CFR Parts 264 and 265) governs hazardous waste TSDFs. Permitted TSDFs (Part 264) must meet standards for groundwater monitoring, financial assurance, closure, corrective action, and unit-specific requirements for containers, tanks, and impoundments.

8Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) as close as feasible to the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG). The MCLG is based on:

A.Best available treatment technology and cost

B.A level at which no known or anticipated adverse health effects occur with an adequate margin of safety

C.The median contaminant level in public water systems nationally

D.Technologically achievable detection limits using standard laboratory methods

Explanation: Under SDWA Section 1412, MCLGs are non-enforceable health goals set at the level at which no known or anticipated adverse health effects occur with an adequate margin of safety. For known or probable carcinogens, EPA sets the MCLG at zero. The enforceable MCL is then set as close to the MCLG as feasible given technology and cost.

9TSCA Section 5 requires manufacturers to submit a Pre-Manufacture Notice (PMN) to EPA before:

A.Manufacturing or importing a new chemical substance not on the TSCA Inventory

B.Releasing any listed chemical substance to water or air

C.Transporting a hazardous chemical in interstate commerce

D.Disposing of a chemical substance at a licensed TSDF

Explanation: TSCA Section 5 requires a PMN to be submitted to EPA at least 90 days before manufacturing or importing a new chemical substance not listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory. EPA reviews PMNs for risk and may impose controls or prohibit manufacture if unreasonable risk is identified.

10EPCRA Section 302 requires facilities to notify the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) when they store an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) at or above its:

A.Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ)

B.Reportable Quantity (RQ)

C.Threshold Reporting Quantity (TRQ)

D.Maximum Achievable Quantity (MAQ)

Explanation: EPCRA Section 302 requires facilities to notify the LEPC within 60 days when they have any EHS at or above its Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ). EPA lists EHSs and their TPQs in 40 CFR Part 355, Appendices A and B. This notification triggers facility participation in local emergency planning.

About the CEA Exam

The NREP Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA) is a specialty certification for professionals conducting environmental compliance and risk audits of operating facilities, related equipment, and ongoing procedures. Recognized by the U.S. Air Force, it validates expertise in environmental regulations (CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, SDWA, EPCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, OSHA), program management, chemistry and toxicology, environmental technology, and auditor ethics.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$200 (NREP (National Registry of Environmental Professionals))

CEA Exam Content Outline

42%

Environmental Laws and Regulations

Clean Air Act (Title V, NESHAP/MACT, NSPS, PSD/NSR), Clean Water Act (NPDES, SPCC), RCRA Subtitle C (generators, TSDFs, LDR, manifests) and D/I (MSW, USTs), CERCLA, SDWA, EPCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, OSHA HazCom/HAZWOPER/PSM, NEPA

27%

Environmental Program Management

ISO 14001 PDCA cycle and clauses, environmental aspects and impacts, objectives and planning, communication, SDS/GHS HazCom, PPE hazard assessment, pollution prevention hierarchy, compliance management systems, SOPs

21%

Chemistry, Toxicology, and Geology/Hydrogeology

Dose-response, LD50/LC50, NOAEL, bioaccumulation and biomagnification, carcinogen risk assessment, chemical properties (flash point, vapor pressure, pH, reactivity), soil texture and hydraulic conductivity, confined vs. unconfined aquifers, contaminant transport

Environmental Technology

Bioremediation (in-situ/ex-situ), granular activated carbon (GAC), permeable reactive barriers (ZVI), air sparging/SVE, monitored natural attenuation (MNA), solidification/stabilization

Environmental Ethics, Legal Obligations and Personal Liability

ISO 19011 auditing principles (integrity, fair presentation, independence), NREP Code of Ethics, conflicts of interest, audit privilege, personal criminal liability under CAA and CWA, record falsification consequences

How to Pass the CEA Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 75%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: $200

Keys to Passing

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

CEA Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus the majority of your study time on Environmental Laws and Regulations (42%) and Environmental Program Management (27%) — together they account for 69 of 100 exam questions

2Know the five RCRA generator categories and their accumulation time limits: VSQG (≤100 kg/month, no time limit), SQG (100–1,000 kg/month, 180 days), LQG (≥1,000 kg/month, 90 days); satellite accumulation areas allow up to 55 gallons regardless of generator size

3Memorize ISO 14001:2015 clause numbers for the EMS audit section — particularly Clause 5.2 (policy), 6.1 (risks/aspects), 6.2 (objectives), 7.4 (communication), 9.3 (management review), and 10.2 (corrective action)

4Understand the 5-chapter CEA content distribution exactly: Ch.1 Environmental Laws (42%, 42 Qs), Ch.2 Program Management (27%, 27 Qs), Ch.3 Chemistry/Toxicology/Geology (21%, 21 Qs), Ch.4 Technology (4%, 4 Qs), Ch.5 Ethics/Liability (6%, 6 Qs)

5Know ISO 19011:2018 auditing principles for the ethics section: integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence (impartiality), evidence-based approach, and risk-based approach

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NREP CEA exam?

The CEA exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 2 hours. The exam is closed-book and delivered online — NREP sends a link by email after your application is approved.

What score do I need to pass the CEA exam?

You must score at least 75% (75 of 100 questions correct) to pass the NREP CEA exam. This is higher than the 70% passing score required for the NREP REM exam.

What are the eligibility requirements for the CEA?

You need a bachelor's degree in an environmentally-related discipline (or 12 years of work experience in lieu of a degree) PLUS 4 years of experience directly involved with environmental audits of operating facilities and processes. Education cannot substitute for the 4-year auditing experience requirement.

How much does the NREP CEA exam cost?

The CEA exam fee is $200. There is also a non-refundable application fee of $100. If you need to retake the exam, each retake attempt costs $100. The official NREP CEA study guide e-book is available for $150 and sample questions for $60.

What topics are most heavily tested on the CEA exam?

Environmental Laws and Regulations is the largest section at 42% of the exam (42 questions), covering RCRA, CAA, CWA, CERCLA, EPCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, OSHA, and SDWA. Environmental Program Management is next at 27% (27 questions), including ISO 14001, SDS/GHS, and pollution prevention. Chemistry, Toxicology, and Geology/Hydrogeology accounts for 21% (21 questions).

How is the CEA exam delivered?

The CEA exam is delivered online. Once NREP approves your application, you receive an exam link by email. The link is valid for one year, giving you time to prepare. The exam is closed-book and you have a 2-hour time limit.

What is the difference between the CEA and the NREP REM?

The CEA (Certified Environmental Auditor) is a specialty credential specifically for professionals who conduct environmental compliance and risk audits of operating facilities. The REM (Registered Environmental Manager) is a broader mid-career credential for environmental managers responsible for compliance across multiple regulatory programs. CEA requires 4 years of direct auditing experience; REM requires 5 years of broader environmental management experience.

How long does the CEA certification last?

CEA certification requires annual renewal with documented continuing education units (CEUs). Re-examination is not required for renewal. Professionals who have retired with 30+ years in NREP may qualify for CEA-E (Emeritus) status.