CHMM (IHMM) study plan

CHMM · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Laws and Regulations

Map the core federal statutes (RCRA, CERCLA, EPCRA, CAA, CWA, TSCA, SDWA, OSHA) to the hazard-management obligations each imposes
Diagram RCRA generator categories (VSQG, SQG, LQG) with monthly quantity thresholds, accumulation time limits, and container/emergency requirements
Differentiate listed wastes (F, K, P, U) from characteristic wastes using the four characteristics and give one example of each
Build a flashcard deck of 30 high-yield regulatory citations, acronyms, and numeric thresholds
Sequence the cradle-to-grave waste lifecycle from point of generation through manifest, transporter, and TSD facility

One-page statutory map plus a 30-card citation deck scored at 90% or better on a self-quiz.

Week 2

Apply land disposal restriction, universal waste, and used oil rules to six written compliance scenarios
Outline CERCLA release reporting (reportable quantities), EPCRA Tier II and TRI thresholds, and SPCC applicability triggers
Solve 25 quantitative items on generator thresholds, accumulation limits, and reporting quantities
Distinguish DOT hazmat classification, packaging, marking, and shipping-paper duties for a mixed waste shipment
Summarize OSHA HAZWOPER and Hazard Communication requirements as they apply to facility operations

Scenario worksheet of 10 regulatory applicability decisions, each with a cited CFR part, scored at 8/10 or better.

Week 3

Trace how regulatory thresholds depend on chemical and physical properties (flash point, reactivity, pH, solubility) to bridge into Domain 2
Complete a timed 50-question Domain 1 practice set and log every missed item by statute and topic
Re-teach the three weakest statutes in your own words, one page each, without reference notes
Cross-check a mock facility permit checklist against RCRA, CAA, and CWA requirements

Domain 1 practice set score of 75% or higher plus a written error log categorizing each miss by statute.

Week 4

Classify contaminants by chemical family and predict environmental behavior from solubility, volatility, density, and organic-carbon partitioning
Explain dose-response concepts including LD50/LC50, NOAEL/LOAEL, and carcinogenic versus non-carcinogenic endpoints
Diagram fate-and-transport pathways (advection, dispersion, sorption, volatilization, biodegradation) across soil, groundwater, and air
Calculate simple exposure and risk expressions (chronic daily intake, hazard quotient, excess cancer risk) from supplied parameters

Worked 15-problem quantitative set on toxicology, fate and transport, and risk math, scored at 80% or better.

Week 5

Perform a source-pathway-receptor analysis for two site scenarios and state the controlling exposure route
Select sampling and monitoring methods matched to soil, groundwater, and air media, including QA/QC and chain-of-custody steps
Interpret descriptive statistics and detection-limit data from a sample data set and flag data-quality problems
Describe the four-step risk assessment process and apply each step to one contaminated-site case

Two-page conceptual site model with a source-pathway-receptor diagram and an accompanying sampling plan.

Week 6

Conduct a facility hazard assessment and rank risks using a consequence-by-likelihood matrix
Draft the elements of an emergency response plan: pre-planning, notification, evacuation, drill frequency, and ICS interface
Specify storage, secondary containment, labeling, and incompatible-material separation controls for a mock chemical inventory
Outline a spill prevention and waste minimization program covering source reduction, recycling, and SPCC elements
Write audit-ready inspection checklists for container management and housekeeping

Completed hazard assessment matrix covering 15 facility hazards with a named control and owner for each.

Week 7

Build a training and auditing calendar covering HAZWOPER, HazCom, and DOT refresher cycles
Work 20 integrated scenario questions that require combining regulatory, scientific, and BMP reasoning
Walk a mock facility and write findings mapped to specific regulatory citations and recommended BMPs
Rank remaining weak topics from practice data and convert them into a 10-day remediation list

Mock audit report with 10 findings, each mapped to a statute and a recommended best management practice.

Week 8

Take two full-length timed practice exams under simulated test conditions
Review every missed item and close each gap using targeted reference reading
Rehearse the exam-day plan: per-question timing, flagging strategy, and reference handling
Recite the top 50 thresholds, time limits, and citations from memory in a self-quiz

Both full-length practice exams scored at 80% or higher with zero unresolved items on the gap list.

Week 3: Domain 1 practice set at 75% or higher, with every missed item logged against a named statute.

Week 4: Quantitative Domain 2 problem set at 80% or higher, showing worked calculations for risk and fate-and-transport items.

Week 6: Hazard assessment matrix passes a 20-item BMP checklist with at least 16 of 20 elements satisfied.

Week 8: Two full-length practice exams at 80% or higher, and the remediation list fully closed with no open weak areas.