The QEP examination has two parts. Both exams are international in scope and contain no regulations specific to any country. The focus is on technical environmental science. Each part takes up to three hours to complete and consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice questions.
Part 2 requires the QEP applicant to choose a specialty practice area exam from among the four options. EPIs do not take a specialty practice exam until they apply for full QEP status upon completing the minimum requirement of five years of professional environmental work experience.
The examination for the EPI and QEP certifications are being updated to combine four QEP specialty areas — water quality; air quality; waste management; and environmental science, management, and policy — into, a comprehensive examination process. The Examination Blueprint is being provided in preparation for the release of the new, comprehensive exam.