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Question 1

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Under the Clean Air Act, which of the following is NOT one of the six NAAQS criteria pollutants?

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10)

Ozone (O3)

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: REM Exam

100

Total Exam Questions

NREP REM program

70%

Passing Score

NREP

3 hours

Exam Duration

NREP

$350

Exam Fee

NREP 2026

SOC 19-2041

BLS Occupation (Environmental Scientists & Specialists)

US BLS OEWS

SOC 11-9121

BLS Occupation (Natural Sciences Managers)

US BLS OEWS

The NREP REM exam is a 100-question, 3-hour, closed-book online proctored multiple-choice exam with a 70% passing score and a $350 fee. It covers the major US environmental statutes (CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, EPCRA, TSCA, NEPA, SDWA) and environmental management systems (ISO 14001). The credential maps to BLS SOC 11-9121 Natural Sciences Managers and 19-2041 Environmental Scientists & Specialists, typical roles for environmental compliance managers and EHS directors. Eligibility: bachelor's degree in an environmental discipline plus 5 years of environmental work experience.

Sample REM Practice Questions

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

1Under the Clean Air Act, which of the following is NOT one of the six NAAQS criteria pollutants?

A.Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

B.Carbon dioxide (CO2)

C.Particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10)

D.Ozone (O3)

Explanation: The six NAAQS criteria pollutants are PM (PM2.5 and PM10), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and lead (Pb). Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas regulated under separate CAA authority (endangerment finding, GHG reporting, PSD) but is NOT one of the six criteria pollutants with health-based ambient standards.

2Which Clean Air Act program requires major sources of air pollutants to obtain a federally enforceable operating permit that consolidates all applicable requirements?

A.Title I New Source Review

B.Title IV Acid Rain Program

C.Title V Operating Permits

D.Title VI Stratospheric Ozone

Explanation: CAA Title V (40 CFR Parts 70 and 71) requires major stationary sources to obtain an operating permit that consolidates all applicable CAA requirements (NSPS, NESHAP, SIP, PSD, etc.) into one federally enforceable document. Title V permits are typically issued for 5-year terms and require annual compliance certifications.

3NESHAP standards under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act regulate:

A.Criteria pollutants from mobile sources

B.Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from stationary sources

C.Greenhouse gas emissions from power plants

D.Ozone depleting substances

Explanation: NESHAP (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants) under CAA Section 112 regulates 188+ listed hazardous air pollutants from stationary sources. Major-source NESHAPs require MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology), while area sources use GACT (Generally Available Control Technology).

4A new major stationary source is proposed in an attainment area for NOx. Which CAA permitting program applies?

A.Nonattainment New Source Review (NNSR) with LAER

B.Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) with BACT

C.Title V operating permit only

D.No permit is required in attainment areas

Explanation: PSD applies to new major sources or major modifications in areas that attain the NAAQS for that pollutant. PSD requires BACT (Best Available Control Technology), air quality impact analysis, and increment consumption analysis. NNSR with LAER (Lowest Achievable Emission Rate) and offsets applies only in nonattainment areas.

5New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) under CAA Section 111 apply to:

A.Only existing sources constructed before 1970

B.New, modified, or reconstructed sources in specific industrial categories

C.Only mobile sources such as cars and trucks

D.Indoor air quality in federal buildings

Explanation: NSPS (40 CFR Part 60) applies to new, modified, or reconstructed stationary sources in EPA-listed source categories (e.g., electric utility steam generators, petroleum refineries, portland cement plants). Standards reflect best demonstrated technology and typically include emission limits, monitoring, and reporting.

6Which document describes how a state will achieve and maintain the NAAQS within its borders?

A.State Implementation Plan (SIP)

B.Federal Implementation Plan (FIP)

C.Regional Haze Plan

D.Title V Permit Program

Explanation: The State Implementation Plan (SIP) is a state-specific plan approved by EPA under CAA Section 110 that describes emission limits, control measures, monitoring, and enforcement programs to attain and maintain each NAAQS. If a state fails to submit an approvable SIP, EPA may impose a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP).

7The primary NAAQS are established to protect:

A.Economic interests of regulated industries

B.Public health with an adequate margin of safety, including sensitive populations

C.Property, materials, and visibility only

D.Agricultural crops from pollutant damage

Explanation: Primary NAAQS are health-based standards set at levels that protect public health with an adequate margin of safety, including sensitive populations such as children, the elderly, and asthmatics. Secondary NAAQS protect public welfare (crops, visibility, materials, animals, ecosystems).

8A facility in an attainment area emits 95 tons per year of NOx. To trigger PSD as a major source in most source categories, what is the emissions threshold?

A.10 tons/year

B.25 tons/year

C.100 tons/year for listed source categories, 250 tons/year otherwise

D.1,000 tons/year

Explanation: Under PSD, a major stationary source is one that emits (or has PTE of) 100 tons/year of any regulated NSR pollutant if the source is in one of 28 listed source categories, or 250 tons/year for all other source categories. Major modifications also trigger PSD when emissions increases exceed significance thresholds.

9Under CAA Section 112(r), which facilities must develop a Risk Management Plan (RMP)?

A.All facilities with any hazardous chemical on site

B.Facilities with more than 500 pounds of any OSHA-listed chemical

C.Facilities with regulated substances above specified threshold quantities

D.Only Title V major sources

Explanation: CAA 112(r) requires facilities that handle more than threshold quantities of EPA-listed regulated substances (77 toxic and 63 flammable substances with TQs) to prepare and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP). The RMP includes a hazard assessment (worst-case and alternative release scenarios), prevention program, and emergency response program.

10The Clean Water Act's primary mechanism for controlling point-source pollutant discharges to waters of the United States is:

A.The Safe Drinking Water Act MCL program

B.The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

C.The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program

D.The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) program

Explanation: The NPDES permit program (CWA Section 402) regulates point-source discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States. Permits include technology-based effluent limits and, where necessary, water-quality-based limits, along with monitoring, reporting, and best-management-practice requirements.

About the REM Exam

The NREP Registered Environmental Manager (REM) is a mid-career credential for environmental professionals responsible for compliance with federal and state environmental regulations. The exam validates command of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA, EPCRA, TSCA, NEPA, UST rules, and environmental management systems in an industrial or consulting setting.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$350 (NREP (National Registry of Environmental Professionals))

REM Exam Content Outline

13%

Air Quality & Clean Air Act

Title V operating permits, NSPS, NESHAP/MACT, NAAQS criteria pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, Pb), PSD/NSR, State Implementation Plans

10%

Water Quality & Clean Water Act

NPDES individual and general permits, stormwater MS4 program, SPCC (40 CFR 112), UIC injection wells, SDWA primary and secondary MCLs

15%

RCRA Hazardous Waste (Subtitle C)

Waste characterization, generator categories, manifests, LDR, TSDF requirements, corrective action, universal waste, satellite accumulation

15%

CERCLA / Superfund

NPL listing, National Contingency Plan, PRP joint and several liability, RI/FS, ROD, brownfields redevelopment, innocent landowner defense

Solid Waste & Underground Storage Tanks

RCRA Subtitle D MSW landfills, UST rules (40 CFR 280/281), release detection, corrective action, financial responsibility

10%

EPCRA & Chemical Reporting

Tier I/II inventory, TRI Form R, Section 304 emergency release notification, Section 313 toxic releases, RMP (CAA 112r)

TSCA Chemical Management

PMN process for new chemicals, TSCA Inventory, Section 5 significant new use, Section 8 reporting, PBT and PFAS rules

NEPA & Environmental Review

NEPA process, categorical exclusions, Environmental Assessment vs Environmental Impact Statement, FONSI, Record of Decision

Environmental Management Systems

ISO 14001 Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, EMS audits, aspects and impacts, management review, continuous improvement

Health & Safety Interface

OSHA HazCom, HAZWOPER training levels, PPE selection, industrial hygiene basics, environmental-safety coordination

Recordkeeping, Inspections & Enforcement

Record retention requirements, EPA and state inspections, Class I/II/Field penalties, audit policy (self-disclosure)

How to Pass the REM Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $350

Keys to Passing

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

REM Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the six NAAQS criteria pollutants and their averaging periods: PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, and Pb — questions on primary vs secondary standards are common

2Master RCRA generator categories: VSQG (≤100 kg/mo), SQG (100-1,000 kg/mo, 180-day accumulation), and LQG (≥1,000 kg/mo, 90-day accumulation)

3Know the CERCLA response sequence: PA/SI → HRS scoring → NPL listing → RI/FS → ROD → RD/RA → O&M, and the difference between removal and remedial actions

4Study EPCRA reporting thresholds: Tier II is triggered at 10,000 lb for most chemicals and 500 lb (or TPQ) for EHSs; TRI Form R applies at 25,000 lb manufactured/processed or 10,000 lb otherwise used

5Understand the NEPA decision tree — Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment (ending in FONSI or EIS), and full Environmental Impact Statement ending in a Record of Decision

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the NREP REM exam?

The REM exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions. All questions are scored and must be completed in a single 3-hour session. The exam is closed-book and delivered online with live proctoring.

What score do I need to pass the REM exam?

You must score at least 70% (70 of 100 questions correct) to pass the NREP REM exam. There is no scaled scoring — the passing threshold is a straight percentage.

What are the eligibility requirements for REM?

NREP requires a bachelor's degree in an environmentally-related discipline (physical, biological, or health sciences, engineering, or environmental majors) plus 5 years of directly related environmental engineering, health, science, or management work experience. Three years of acceptable work experience may substitute for each year of an academic degree program.

How is the REM exam delivered?

The REM exam is administered online through NREP's proctored platform. Candidates test from home or workplace on a computer with working audio, video, and stable internet. An NREP proctor monitors the session in real time.

How much does the REM exam cost?

The total REM fee is approximately $350, which includes the application and exam. Workshop packages (exam-plus-training) are available separately at higher cost. Annual recertification requires continuing education units (CEUs) and a renewal fee.

What regulations are most heavily tested on the REM exam?

RCRA and CERCLA are the most heavily weighted content areas (roughly 15% each), followed by the Clean Air Act (13%) and Clean Water Act (10%). Candidates should also master EPCRA reporting (Tier II, TRI Form R), UST rules (40 CFR 280), TSCA, NEPA, and ISO 14001.

How does REM compare to other environmental certifications?

REM is NREP's mid-career environmental manager credential — broader than the hazmat-focused CHMM and less senior than NREP's Registered Environmental Professional (REP). Professionals often hold REM alongside CEM (energy management) or CHMM for hazmat specialization.

How long does the REM certification last?

REM certification requires annual renewal with documented continuing education units (CEUs). Re-examination is not used for renewal — CEUs are the standard maintenance pathway. Lapsed certifications may require reapplication.