CIH Practice Test 2026 — Free CIH Exam Prep Questions
The CIH is the senior credential for industrial hygienists who anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control workplace health hazards. This practice set follows the three domains of the BGC CIH Exam Blueprint and drills the calculations candidates must handle with the BGC equation sheet: TWAs, noise dose, exposure statistics and ventilation.
A consultant CIH finds that a tank the client plans to have workers enter tomorrow contains an IDLH hydrogen sulfide atmosphere. The client refuses to postpone the entry and cites the confidentiality clause of the contract. Under the BGC Code of Ethics, what should the CIH do?
CIH format, scoring & key facts
Computer-based at Pearson VUE: two 2.5-hour sections with an optional 30-minute break between them. Fixed form (not adaptive); you can review questions within a section. An embedded scientific calculator, the on-screen BGC Equation Sheets (with ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual, 31st edition, Table 6-2 and Figure 9-a) and an embedded scratch pad are provided; personal calculators are not allowed.
| Credentialing body | Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC), formerly the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 180 multiple choice (150 scored + 30 pilot), four options each |
| Time | Two 2.5-hour sections with an optional 30-minute break |
| Exam blueprint | Based on the 2021 Job Analysis, effective April 1, 2022: 3 domains, 9 tasks |
| Tools | Embedded scientific calculator and on-screen BGC Equation Sheets; no personal calculators |
| Ventilation basis | ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual, 31st edition (since the Spring 2025 exam) |
| Scoring | Criterion-referenced pass/fail; no guessing penalty; subject-area scores reported |
| Testing windows | April 1–May 31 and October 1–November 30 |
| Fees | $160 application + $370 exam |
| Experience required | 4 years of professional-level industrial hygiene practice (plus degree, STEM and IH coursework, and ethics training) |
| Maintenance | 5-year cycle, 40 CM points, annual fee |
Facts last verified Oct 18, 2026. Source: gobgc.org/updated-applicant-cih-handbook/. Always confirm details with BGC before your exam.
When can you take the CIH?
Two testing windows a year: Spring (apply by February 1, test April 1–May 31) and Fall (apply by August 1, test October 1–November 30). One exam per window.
What the CIH covers
Every PrepBanq CIH test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Exposure Assessment Principles and PracticeAnticipating and recognizing hazards, linking exposure to health effects, designing exposure assessment strategies, and drawing and communicating conclusions from data. | 50% | ~75 | 75 questions → |
Control Selection, Recommendation/Implementation, and ValidationSelecting controls using the hierarchy of controls, developing and implementing them, and validating their effectiveness (ventilation, noise, radiation, thermal, PPE, ergonomics). | 35% | ~53 | 53 questions → |
Risk ManagementDeveloping, evaluating and maintaining industrial hygiene programs and systems, risk communication, and the BGC Code of Ethics. | 15% | ~23 | 22 questions → |
How to register for the CIH
Retake policy
If you do not pass, you may retest in the next available exam window; the $370 examination fee applies to each attempt. An approved application stays active for four consecutive exam windows (two years).
Score release
Preliminary pass/fail status at the end of the exam; official results by email in about 7–10 business days.
Credential renewal
Certification is maintained on a 5-year cycle: 40 certification-maintenance points (including 10 IH points and 2 hours of ethics), the annual fee, and adherence to the BGC Code of Ethics.
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CIH FAQ
How many questions are on the CIH?
The CIH has 180 questions (150 of them scored) and you have 5 hours to finish. Question types: Multiple choice with four options and one best answer. 150 questions are scored and 30 are unscored pilot questions. Questions are not grouped by subject area..
How long is the CIH exam?
Testing time for the CIH is 5 hours.
What is the passing score for the CIH?
CIH passing standard: Criterion-referenced pass/fail based on the total number correct; no penalty for wrong answers and no minimum score required in any subject area. Score range: Pass/fail, with a subject-area performance report.
How much does the CIH cost?
The CIH registration fee is $160 application fee plus $370 examination fee (effective August 2, 2024); annual fee $180 after certification. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CIH?
The CIH covers Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice (about 50%), Control Selection, Recommendation/Implementation, and Validation (about 35%), Risk Management (about 15%).
Who administers the CIH?
The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) Exam is administered by BGC. Delivery: Computer-based at Pearson VUE: two 2.5-hour sections with an optional 30-minute break between them. Fixed form (not adaptive); you can review questions within a section. An embedded scientific calculator, the on-screen BGC Equation Sheets (with ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual, 31st edition, Table 6-2 and Figure 9-a) and an embedded scratch pad are provided; personal calculators are not allowed.
Can you retake the CIH?
If you do not pass, you may retest in the next available exam window; the $370 examination fee applies to each attempt. An approved application stays active for four consecutive exam windows (two years).
Is there a free CIH practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CIH practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CIH formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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