South Carolina Septic Tank Contractor Newest
Version 2 Practice Exam: SC DHEC R.61-56 Multiple-
Choice Questions with Answers for Licensure
Preparation | PDF
1. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a private well in SC?
A) 25 ft
B) 50 ft
C) 75 ft
D) 100 ft
Answer: B) 50 ft
*SC DHEC R.61-56 requires 50 ft from septic tank to private well.*
2. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a private well in SC?
A) 25 ft
B) 50 ft
C) 75 ft
D) 100 ft
Answer: D) 100 ft
Drainfields require greater setback (100 ft) than tanks (50 ft).
3. A perc test result of 10 minutes per inch is considered:
A) Too fast
B) Ideal for conventional system
C) Too slow
D) Requires mound system
Answer: B) Ideal for conventional system
*SC accepts 5–30 min/inch for conventional drainfields.*
4. A perc test result of 90 minutes per inch requires:
A) Conventional system
B) Alternative system (e.g., LPP, mound)
C) No system possible
D) Larger septic tank
,Answer: B) Alternative system (e.g., LPP, mound)
Slow perc rates need pressure-dosed or elevated systems.
5. What is the maximum allowable perc rate for a conventional system in SC?
A) 15 min/inch
B) 30 min/inch
C) 60 min/inch
D) 120 min/inch
Answer: B) 30 min/inch
*Slower than 30 min/inch requires alternative design.*
6. What is the minimum allowable perc rate for a conventional system in SC?
A) 1 min/inch
B) 5 min/inch
C) 10 min/inch
D) 15 min/inch
Answer: B) 5 min/inch
*Faster than 5 min/inch may not treat effluent adequately.*
7. The primary treatment occurs in which part of a septic system?
A) Drainfield
B) Septic tank
C) Distribution box
D) Pump tank
Answer: B) Septic tank
Solids settle and partially digest anaerobically in the tank.
8. Secondary treatment occurs in which part of a septic system?
A) Septic tank
B) Drainfield soil
C) Inlet pipe
D) Riser
Answer: B) Drainfield soil
Soil filters and treats effluent biologically and chemically.
9. What is the minimum septic tank size for a 2-bedroom home in SC?
A) 500 gal
B) 750 gal
C) 900 gal
D) 1,000 gal
,Answer: D) 1,000 gal
SC requires 1,000 gal minimum for any new home, regardless of bedrooms.
10. What is the minimum septic tank size for a 5-bedroom home in SC?
A) 1,000 gal
B) 1,200 gal
C) 1,350 gal
D) 1,500 gal
Answer: C) 1,350 gal
*1,000 gal for 3BR, +150 gal per extra bedroom = 1,350 gal for 5BR.*
11. How much additional tank capacity is required per bedroom over 3 bedrooms?
A) 100 gal
B) 150 gal
C) 200 gal
D) 250 gal
Answer: B) 150 gal
Each additional bedroom adds 150 gallons to tank size.
12. A septic tank must have at least how many compartments?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Answer: B) Two
*Two compartments improve solids retention; first compartment holds 2/3 of volume.*
13. What percentage of total septic tank volume should the first compartment hold?
A) 1/2
B) 2/3
C) 3/4
D) 4/5
Answer: B) 2/3
Larger first compartment allows more solids settling.
14. Inlet and outlet baffles must extend how far above and below the water line?
A) 2 inches
B) 4 inches
C) 6 inches
D) 8 inches
, Answer: C) 6 inches
SC requires 6 inches above and below the liquid surface for baffles.
15. A sanitary tee can replace a baffle if it has:
A) Any length
B) A vented cap
C) Minimum 4-inch diameter and proper extension
D) No requirements
Answer: C) Minimum 4-inch diameter and proper extension
Sanitary tees must meet SC DHEC specifications.
16. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a building foundation?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: A) 5 ft
Allows access and protects foundation from moisture.
17. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a building foundation?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: B) 10 ft
Prevents structural damage and root intrusion.
18. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a property line?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: B) 10 ft
SC requires 10 ft from tank to property line.
19. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a property line?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Version 2 Practice Exam: SC DHEC R.61-56 Multiple-
Choice Questions with Answers for Licensure
Preparation | PDF
1. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a private well in SC?
A) 25 ft
B) 50 ft
C) 75 ft
D) 100 ft
Answer: B) 50 ft
*SC DHEC R.61-56 requires 50 ft from septic tank to private well.*
2. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a private well in SC?
A) 25 ft
B) 50 ft
C) 75 ft
D) 100 ft
Answer: D) 100 ft
Drainfields require greater setback (100 ft) than tanks (50 ft).
3. A perc test result of 10 minutes per inch is considered:
A) Too fast
B) Ideal for conventional system
C) Too slow
D) Requires mound system
Answer: B) Ideal for conventional system
*SC accepts 5–30 min/inch for conventional drainfields.*
4. A perc test result of 90 minutes per inch requires:
A) Conventional system
B) Alternative system (e.g., LPP, mound)
C) No system possible
D) Larger septic tank
,Answer: B) Alternative system (e.g., LPP, mound)
Slow perc rates need pressure-dosed or elevated systems.
5. What is the maximum allowable perc rate for a conventional system in SC?
A) 15 min/inch
B) 30 min/inch
C) 60 min/inch
D) 120 min/inch
Answer: B) 30 min/inch
*Slower than 30 min/inch requires alternative design.*
6. What is the minimum allowable perc rate for a conventional system in SC?
A) 1 min/inch
B) 5 min/inch
C) 10 min/inch
D) 15 min/inch
Answer: B) 5 min/inch
*Faster than 5 min/inch may not treat effluent adequately.*
7. The primary treatment occurs in which part of a septic system?
A) Drainfield
B) Septic tank
C) Distribution box
D) Pump tank
Answer: B) Septic tank
Solids settle and partially digest anaerobically in the tank.
8. Secondary treatment occurs in which part of a septic system?
A) Septic tank
B) Drainfield soil
C) Inlet pipe
D) Riser
Answer: B) Drainfield soil
Soil filters and treats effluent biologically and chemically.
9. What is the minimum septic tank size for a 2-bedroom home in SC?
A) 500 gal
B) 750 gal
C) 900 gal
D) 1,000 gal
,Answer: D) 1,000 gal
SC requires 1,000 gal minimum for any new home, regardless of bedrooms.
10. What is the minimum septic tank size for a 5-bedroom home in SC?
A) 1,000 gal
B) 1,200 gal
C) 1,350 gal
D) 1,500 gal
Answer: C) 1,350 gal
*1,000 gal for 3BR, +150 gal per extra bedroom = 1,350 gal for 5BR.*
11. How much additional tank capacity is required per bedroom over 3 bedrooms?
A) 100 gal
B) 150 gal
C) 200 gal
D) 250 gal
Answer: B) 150 gal
Each additional bedroom adds 150 gallons to tank size.
12. A septic tank must have at least how many compartments?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Answer: B) Two
*Two compartments improve solids retention; first compartment holds 2/3 of volume.*
13. What percentage of total septic tank volume should the first compartment hold?
A) 1/2
B) 2/3
C) 3/4
D) 4/5
Answer: B) 2/3
Larger first compartment allows more solids settling.
14. Inlet and outlet baffles must extend how far above and below the water line?
A) 2 inches
B) 4 inches
C) 6 inches
D) 8 inches
, Answer: C) 6 inches
SC requires 6 inches above and below the liquid surface for baffles.
15. A sanitary tee can replace a baffle if it has:
A) Any length
B) A vented cap
C) Minimum 4-inch diameter and proper extension
D) No requirements
Answer: C) Minimum 4-inch diameter and proper extension
Sanitary tees must meet SC DHEC specifications.
16. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a building foundation?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: A) 5 ft
Allows access and protects foundation from moisture.
17. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a building foundation?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: B) 10 ft
Prevents structural damage and root intrusion.
18. What is the minimum distance from a septic tank to a property line?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
Answer: B) 10 ft
SC requires 10 ft from tank to property line.
19. What is the minimum distance from a septic drainfield to a property line?
A) 5 ft
B) 10 ft
C) 15 ft
D) 20 ft
