The Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) credential is offered by the American Public Works Association. This page is for candidates already approved to test. It lists the exam facts we could verify, gives worked examples, and links to free practice sets covering inspection, erosion control, regulations, hydrology and more. Practice with the free Certified Stormwater Manager practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (9 questions with answer explanations).
Interactive Certified Stormwater Manager resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The CSM has 150 questions and costs $500[1] (American Public Works Association, verified Oct 26, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice questions[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee | $500 (plus any testing center fees if taken at a testing center)[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Retake policy | 90-day waiting period between attempts; within eligibility period[2] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Validity | 5 years[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Delivery | Computer-based, in-person proctored at place of employment or testing center[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Eligibility applications closed; only previously approved candidates may test[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Score release | Initial result upon submission; formal notification within 14 business days[2] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | At least 30 days prior to preferred exam date[1] | American Public Works Association · Oct 26, 2026 |
According to American Public Works Association, “The computer-based, proctored exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions based on the CSM Content Outline.”[1]
The CSM is a certification from the American Public Works Association (APWA) for stormwater management professionals. The exam is computer-based and proctored in person. It can be administered at the candidate's place of employment or at a testing center of their choosing. It has 150 multiple-choice questions based on the CSM Content Outline.
Eligibility. APWA states that eligibility applications for the current CSM program are closed. Only people who were previously approved for eligibility can test, and they must pass before their eligibility period expires. If that describes you, check your own approval details with APWA.
Fee and scheduling. The fee is $500 for either administration. If you test at a testing center, you also pay any center fees directly to the center. The exam must be scheduled at least 30 days before your preferred exam date.
Results. You see an initial result when you submit your answers. APWA sends formal notification within 14 business days.
Retakes. You can retake the exam only while still within your eligibility period. Each attempt needs a new application and fee, and a 90-day waiting period applies between attempts.
Validity. Certification is valid for 5 years.
We could not verify the official content outline, passing score or time limit for this page. Confirm those on the APWA CSM page before you book.
Prepare for the CSM - Certified Stormwater Manager exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: Why are stormwater inspections required?
Answer: B. To ensure permit compliance
Explanation:
The correct answer is B. Inspections exist so that a site can show it is following its stormwater permit. They check that the controls described in the pollution prevention plan are installed, maintained and working.
A is wrong because inspections are part of a project's required routine, not a way to hold it up. C is wrong because avoiding cleanup costs may be a side benefit, but it is not why the requirement exists. D is wrong because inspections look at stormwater controls and discharges, not landscaping appearance.
Rule to remember: when a question asks why a requirement exists, look for the answer tied to permit compliance and pollution prevention.
Question: What is the purpose of a headwall at a storm drain outfall?
Answer: A. To stabilize the end of a pipe where it discharges to a channel or receiving water and to prevent erosion around the outlet
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. A headwall is a structure at the end of a pipe. It holds the pipe in place and protects the surrounding bank from the scour that concentrated outflow causes.
B is wrong because measuring discharge needs a flow-measuring device, not a headwall. C is wrong because a headwall does not close the pipe or stop dry-weather flow. D is wrong because it does not raise the discharge elevation or create ponding. Its job is physical support and erosion protection.
Rule to remember: at an outfall, match the structure to its function. Structures at pipe ends usually control velocity and protect soil, not measure or store water.
Question: What is green infrastructure in the context of urban stormwater management?
Answer: A. An approach that uses natural processes and vegetation to manage stormwater at or near its source, mimicking the natural water cycle
Explanation:
The correct answer is A. Green infrastructure manages stormwater with vegetation and natural processes close to where the rain falls, so it behaves more like the natural water cycle.
B is wrong because solar panels on detention facilities are an energy choice, not a stormwater approach. C is wrong because recycled pipe material may be sustainable, but it does not manage runoff at the source. D is wrong because painting infrastructure is cosmetic and has no effect on runoff.
Rule to remember: the word green here describes how water is handled, through infiltration, evapotranspiration and filtering, not the colour or materials of the hardware.
Start with the APWA CSM page and read the current CSM Content Outline, since that defines what the exam covers. Use the topic lists below as a rough map until you have checked it.
Take one untimed practice set first, such as Stormwater Regulations and Compliance or Inspection, Monitoring and Maintenance. Do not worry about the score. For every miss, write down why the right answer is right and why your choice was wrong.
Remember that our questions are written by us with AI tools and are not real exam questions. Use them to find gaps in understanding, not to predict what you will see. Book your slot early, since scheduling needs at least 30 days notice.
According to APWA, eligibility applications for the current CSM program are closed. Only candidates who were previously approved for eligibility can test, and they must pass before their eligibility period expires. Check the APWA CSM page for the latest status.
The computer-based, proctored exam has 150 multiple-choice questions based on the CSM Content Outline. We could not verify a time limit or passing score, so check the APWA page for those details.
The fee is $500. If you test at a testing center, you also pay any testing center fees directly to that center. A new application and fee are required for each attempt.
You receive an initial result after you submit your answers. APWA then sends formal notification of the results within 14 business days of the end of your exam.
Yes, if you are still within your eligibility period. You need a new application and fee for each attempt, and you must observe a 90-day waiting period before retaking.
Certification is valid for 5 years, according to APWA. After that period the certification is no longer valid under the stated term, so check the APWA CSM page for current renewal or recertification requirements before it lapses.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.