CPESC Exam Structure and Grading

There are two CPESC exams. One is for individuals pursing In-Training status. The second is for individuals who are approved for the full CPESC exam. The following sections provide details about these exams.

See the Calculator Policy for information about which calculators are approved for use on the CPESC exam. Note that examinees are NOT allowed to bring the following devices into the exam room:

CPESC-IT Exam

Overview

Individuals pursuing In-Training status must pass the CPESC-IT exam to achieve In-Training status. Once they have acquired the qualifying work experience specified by the Application Review Committee (ARC), they can petition the ARC for approval to proceed with the Practical Application portion of the exam (Part II). Note that the Practical Application portion of the exam is structured exactly like the Practical Application part of the full CPESC exam.

The CPESC-IT exam is comprised of three sections. You will have a maximum of three hours to complete the exam.

See CPESC Certification Procedures and Standards, Article III, Section 4 for more information about achieving full professional status.

Section A - Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control

Section A consists of 165 true false, multiple choice, matching, and comparison type questions that test the applicants knowledge of the fundamentals of erosion and sediment control. The questions, answer sheets, and a metric conversion table will be provided to you at the exam site. For this Section you must answer all of the questions.

Section B - Rules and Regulations

Section B consists of 60 true false, multiple choice, and matching type questions that test the applicants knowledge of national rules and regulations. Country-specific versions of this Section are available for the United States and Canada. Questions and answer sheets will be provided to you at the exam site. For this Section you must answer all of the questions.

Section C - Site Problem

Section C consists of 14 practice placement questions on erosion and sediment control application for a specific problem site.

Grading

All examination materials will be returned to the CPESC, Inc. Administrative Office for grading. The process time for grading of the exam is approximately thirty (30) days.

CPESC-IT candidates must score at least 70 percent overall to pass the examination portion of the In-Training application process. CPESC-IT registrants must score at least 70 percent on the Practical Application portion of the exam to achieve full CPESC status.

An exam review course/study manual is available from the CPESC Administrative Office. See CPESC Products for cost and ordering information. Click here to view the table of contents for the manual.

If a qualified applicant fails the exam, there is a re-test fee to sit for the exam again. See CPESC Certification Procedures and Standards, Article II, Section 3. Fees for more information.

Full CPESC Exam

Overview

The full CPESC exam is comprised of two parts. You will have a maximum of five (5) hours to complete the exam. All needed reference materials will be provided by CPESC, Inc.

Part I, Section A - Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control

Part I, Section A consists of 145 true false, multiple choice, matching, and comparison type questions that test the applicants knowledge of the fundamentals of erosion and sediment control. The questions, answer sheets, and a metric conversion table will be provided to you at the exam site. For this Section you must answer all of the questions.

Part I, Section B - Rules and Regulations

Part I, Section B consists of 45 true false, multiple choice, and matching type questions that test the applicants knowledge of national rules and regulations. Country-specific versions of this Section are available for the United States and Canada. Questions and answer sheets will be provided to you at the exam site. For this Section you must answer all of the questions.

Part II - Practical Application

Part II contains six (6) sections from which you must choose three (3). The sections are: Agriculture, Small Commercial Development, Mining, Linear Construction Project, Residential Development, and Forestry. Each section tests the applicant's knowledge of erosion and sediment control principles and their ability to apply that knowledge in specific areas of land use. Each section has 12 questions. All questions are written in multiple-choice format. A resource booklet will be provided to assist you in answering these questions.

Grading

All examination materials will be returned to the CPESC, Inc. Administrative Office for grading. Candidates must score at least 70 percent on EACH part to pass the examination portion of the application process. The process time for grading of the exam is approximately thirty (30) days.

An exam review course/study manual is available from the CPESC Administrative Office. See CPESC Products for cost and ordering information. Click here to view the table of contents for the manual.

If a qualified applicant fails the exam, there is a re-test fee to sit for the exam again. See CPESC Certification Procedures and Standards, Article II, Section 3. Fees for more information.