ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM — 2026/2027
ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
2026/2027 Examination — 100 Questions
EPA/State-Approved Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Certification Examination
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. A passing score of 70% (70/100) is required.
Total testing time: approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Domain Questions Points
I 1–10 10
II 11–20 10
III 21–30 10
IV 31–40 10
V 41–50 10
VI 51–60 10
VII 61–70 10
VIII 71–80 10
IX 81–90 10
X 91–100 10
TOTAL 100 100
Section I: Regulatory Frameworks
Questions 1–10 | EPA AHERA 40 CFR Part 763, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 & 1910.1001, NESHAP 40 CFR
Part 61 Subpart M
1. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, what is the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos
as an 8-hour time-weighted average?
A. 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
B. 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
C. 1.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
D. 2.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Correct Answer: A. 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 establishes the PEL for asbestos at 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA, with an
excursion limit (EL) of 1.0 f/cc averaged over a 30-minute sampling period.
2. Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which school buildings are
required to be inspected for asbestos-containing materials (ACM)?
A. Only schools built before 1960
B. All K-12 school buildings regardless of construction date
C. Only schools with confirmed asbestos damage
D. Only public schools, not private institutions
Correct Answer: B. All K-12 school buildings regardless of construction date
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, ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM — 2026/2027
Rationale: AHERA (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E) requires all K-12 schools, both public and private, to be
inspected for ACM regardless of when they were built, and to develop management plans for any ACM
found.
3. The NESHAP regulation (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) requires notification to the
appropriate authority before renovation or demolition activities involving a threshold
amount of regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM). What is the notification period?
A. At least 3 working days prior to the start of the activity
B. At least 10 working days prior to the start of the activity
C. At least 30 calendar days prior to the start of the activity
D. At least 48 hours prior to the start of the activity
Correct Answer: B. At least 10 working days prior to the start of the activity
Rationale: NESHAP 40 CFR Part 61.150 requires at least 10 working days of written notification to the
delegated authority before demolition or renovation of facilities that contain a threshold amount of RACM.
4. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, at what airborne concentration of asbestos must the
employer implement a regulated area?
A. At or above 0.05 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
B. At or above 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
C. At or above 0.25 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
D. At or above the PEL on any single day
Correct Answer: B. At or above 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101(b)(1) requires the employer to establish a regulated area wherever the
airborne concentration of asbestos exceeds or may reasonably be expected to exceed the PEL of 0.1 f/cc as
an 8-hour TWA.
5. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Asbestos School Hazard
Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) of 1990?
A. To ban all asbestos use in commercial buildings
B. To extend AHERA requirements to public and commercial buildings
C. To require asbestos removal from all schools by 1995
D. To establish medical surveillance for all asbestos workers
Correct Answer: B. To extend AHERA requirements to public and commercial buildings
Rationale: ASHARA expanded the accreditation and training requirements originally established under
AHERA to cover asbestos abatement work in public and commercial buildings, not just schools.
6. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, which of the following is classified as an asbestos-
containing material (ACM)?
A. Any material containing 0.5% or more asbestos by weight
B. Any material containing 1.0% or more asbestos by weight
C. Any material containing any detectable amount of asbestos
D. Only materials that are friable and contain asbestos
Correct Answer: B. Any material containing 1.0% or more asbestos by weight
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101(b)(1) defines ACM as any material containing more than 1% asbestos
as determined by polarized light microscopy (PLM). EPA uses the same threshold under NESHAP.
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, ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM — 2026/2027
7. Under AHERA, how often must local education agencies (LEAs) conduct re-inspections of
asbestos-containing materials in school buildings?
A. Every year
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 10 years
Correct Answer: B. Every 3 years
Rationale: AHERA requires LEAs to conduct re-inspections of known or assumed ACM at least once every
3 years to assess the condition of the materials and update the asbestos management plan.
8. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, which of the following work classifications requires
the highest level of respiratory protection?
A. Class I asbestos work
B. Class II asbestos work
C. Class III asbestos work
D. Class IV asbestos work
Correct Answer: A. Class I asbestos work
Rationale: Class I asbestos work involves the removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing
ACM, which presents the highest potential for fiber exposure and requires the most stringent controls
including full containment and highest respiratory protection.
9. Under NESHAP, what is the minimum threshold of regulated asbestos-containing material
(RACM) that triggers notification requirements before demolition?
A. Any amount of ACM
B. At least 35 linear feet or 80 square feet of RACM
C. At least 160 square feet of RACM
D. At least 260 linear feet of RACM on pipes
Correct Answer: B. At least 35 linear feet or 80 square feet of RACM
Rationale: NESHAP 40 CFR 61.145 defines the threshold for RACM as 160 square feet on surfaces, 260
linear feet on pipes, or 35 cubic feet on facility components, at which point notification is required prior to
demolition.
10. Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing OSHA asbestos standards on
construction sites?
A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
D. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Correct Answer: B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Rationale: OSHA is the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards, including
asbestos standards under 29 CFR 1926.1101 (construction) and 29 CFR 1910.1001 (general industry). EPA
enforces environmental regulations under NESHAP and AHERA.
Section II: Asbestos Identification & Sampling Procedures
Questions 11–20 | Polarized Light Microscopy, Bulk Sampling Protocols, Chain of Custody
3
ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM
2026/2027 Examination — 100 Questions
EPA/State-Approved Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Certification Examination
Instructions: Select the single best answer for each question. A passing score of 70% (70/100) is required.
Total testing time: approximately 2.5–3 hours.
Domain Questions Points
I 1–10 10
II 11–20 10
III 21–30 10
IV 31–40 10
V 41–50 10
VI 51–60 10
VII 61–70 10
VIII 71–80 10
IX 81–90 10
X 91–100 10
TOTAL 100 100
Section I: Regulatory Frameworks
Questions 1–10 | EPA AHERA 40 CFR Part 763, OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 & 1910.1001, NESHAP 40 CFR
Part 61 Subpart M
1. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, what is the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for asbestos
as an 8-hour time-weighted average?
A. 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
B. 0.5 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
C. 1.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
D. 2.0 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Correct Answer: A. 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc)
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 establishes the PEL for asbestos at 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA, with an
excursion limit (EL) of 1.0 f/cc averaged over a 30-minute sampling period.
2. Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), which school buildings are
required to be inspected for asbestos-containing materials (ACM)?
A. Only schools built before 1960
B. All K-12 school buildings regardless of construction date
C. Only schools with confirmed asbestos damage
D. Only public schools, not private institutions
Correct Answer: B. All K-12 school buildings regardless of construction date
1
, ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM — 2026/2027
Rationale: AHERA (40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E) requires all K-12 schools, both public and private, to be
inspected for ACM regardless of when they were built, and to develop management plans for any ACM
found.
3. The NESHAP regulation (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M) requires notification to the
appropriate authority before renovation or demolition activities involving a threshold
amount of regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM). What is the notification period?
A. At least 3 working days prior to the start of the activity
B. At least 10 working days prior to the start of the activity
C. At least 30 calendar days prior to the start of the activity
D. At least 48 hours prior to the start of the activity
Correct Answer: B. At least 10 working days prior to the start of the activity
Rationale: NESHAP 40 CFR Part 61.150 requires at least 10 working days of written notification to the
delegated authority before demolition or renovation of facilities that contain a threshold amount of RACM.
4. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, at what airborne concentration of asbestos must the
employer implement a regulated area?
A. At or above 0.05 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
B. At or above 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
C. At or above 0.25 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
D. At or above the PEL on any single day
Correct Answer: B. At or above 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101(b)(1) requires the employer to establish a regulated area wherever the
airborne concentration of asbestos exceeds or may reasonably be expected to exceed the PEL of 0.1 f/cc as
an 8-hour TWA.
5. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Asbestos School Hazard
Abatement Reauthorization Act (ASHARA) of 1990?
A. To ban all asbestos use in commercial buildings
B. To extend AHERA requirements to public and commercial buildings
C. To require asbestos removal from all schools by 1995
D. To establish medical surveillance for all asbestos workers
Correct Answer: B. To extend AHERA requirements to public and commercial buildings
Rationale: ASHARA expanded the accreditation and training requirements originally established under
AHERA to cover asbestos abatement work in public and commercial buildings, not just schools.
6. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, which of the following is classified as an asbestos-
containing material (ACM)?
A. Any material containing 0.5% or more asbestos by weight
B. Any material containing 1.0% or more asbestos by weight
C. Any material containing any detectable amount of asbestos
D. Only materials that are friable and contain asbestos
Correct Answer: B. Any material containing 1.0% or more asbestos by weight
Rationale: OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101(b)(1) defines ACM as any material containing more than 1% asbestos
as determined by polarized light microscopy (PLM). EPA uses the same threshold under NESHAP.
2
, ASBESTOS SUPERVISOR INITIAL CERTIFICATION EXAM — 2026/2027
7. Under AHERA, how often must local education agencies (LEAs) conduct re-inspections of
asbestos-containing materials in school buildings?
A. Every year
B. Every 3 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 10 years
Correct Answer: B. Every 3 years
Rationale: AHERA requires LEAs to conduct re-inspections of known or assumed ACM at least once every
3 years to assess the condition of the materials and update the asbestos management plan.
8. According to OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101, which of the following work classifications requires
the highest level of respiratory protection?
A. Class I asbestos work
B. Class II asbestos work
C. Class III asbestos work
D. Class IV asbestos work
Correct Answer: A. Class I asbestos work
Rationale: Class I asbestos work involves the removal of thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing
ACM, which presents the highest potential for fiber exposure and requires the most stringent controls
including full containment and highest respiratory protection.
9. Under NESHAP, what is the minimum threshold of regulated asbestos-containing material
(RACM) that triggers notification requirements before demolition?
A. Any amount of ACM
B. At least 35 linear feet or 80 square feet of RACM
C. At least 160 square feet of RACM
D. At least 260 linear feet of RACM on pipes
Correct Answer: B. At least 35 linear feet or 80 square feet of RACM
Rationale: NESHAP 40 CFR 61.145 defines the threshold for RACM as 160 square feet on surfaces, 260
linear feet on pipes, or 35 cubic feet on facility components, at which point notification is required prior to
demolition.
10. Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing OSHA asbestos standards on
construction sites?
A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
C. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
D. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Correct Answer: B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Rationale: OSHA is the federal agency responsible for enforcing workplace safety standards, including
asbestos standards under 29 CFR 1926.1101 (construction) and 29 CFR 1910.1001 (general industry). EPA
enforces environmental regulations under NESHAP and AHERA.
Section II: Asbestos Identification & Sampling Procedures
Questions 11–20 | Polarized Light Microscopy, Bulk Sampling Protocols, Chain of Custody
3
