OSSF INSTALLER 1 LICENSE EXAM AND
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST
BANK| TEXAS ON SITE SEWAGE
1. Which state agency is the primary regulator of On-Site Sewage Facilities
(OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
B. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
C. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: C
Rationale: The TCEQ is the primary state agency that regulates OSSFs in Texas,
establishing rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. In which year did Texas first implement statewide regulation of OSSFs?
A. 1975
B. 1985
C. September 1989
D. 1995
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas implemented statewide regulation of OSSFs beginning in
September 1989.
3. An OSSF is exempt from permitting if it serves a single-family dwelling on a
tract of land that is at least how many acres?
A. 5 acres
B. 10 acres
,C. 20 acres
D. 50 acres
Answer: B
Rationale: The "10 acre rule" exempts properties from permitting if they meet all
other requirements, including serving a single-family dwelling on 10 acres or
larger.
4. What is the minimum distance required for all parts of an OSSF from the
property line for a permit exemption?
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: For a permit exemption under the 10 acre rule, all parts of the OSSF
must be at least 100 feet from the property line.
5. Which Texas law governs the OSSF permitting program?
A. Texas Water Code Chapter 26
B. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
C. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 30
D. Texas Environmental Code Chapter 285
Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 is the State law that governs
the OSSF permitting program.
6. What is the primary set of rules that governs OSSFs in Texas?
,A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 40 CFR Part 503
C. Texas Water Code Chapter 11
D. 30 TAC Chapter 290
Answer: A
Rationale: Title 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 285 contains the
rules for OSSFs.
7. An OSSF is "grandfathered" if it was installed before what date?
A. January 1, 1980
B. September 1, 1989
C. January 1, 1990
D. September 1, 1995
Answer: B
Rationale: An OSSF is grandfathered if it was installed before September 1, 1989,
and meets other conditions such as not creating a nuisance.
8. How long is an OSSF construction permit valid from the date of issuance?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. Does not expire
Answer: C
Rationale: An SSD construction permit expires after 3 years from the date of
issuance.
9. An installer's permit expires on which date?
, A. The last day of the month following issuance
B. December 31 following the date of issuance
C. One year from date of issuance
D. Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: An installer's permit expires on the 31st day of December following the
date of issuance.
10. Emergency repairs to an OSSF must be reported to the permitting authority
within what timeframe?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 7 days
Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency repairs must be reported to the permitting authority in
writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun.
11. Which of the following is NOT an "emergency repair" exempt from
permitting?
A. Replacing tank lids
B. Repairing inlet and outlet devices
C. Replacing an entire septic tank
D. Repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing
Answer: C
Rationale: Replacing entire septic tanks is not listed as an exempt emergency
repair; emergency repairs include replacing tank lids, inlet/outlet devices, risers,
disinfection devices, and damaged tubing.
PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST
BANK| TEXAS ON SITE SEWAGE
1. Which state agency is the primary regulator of On-Site Sewage Facilities
(OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
B. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
C. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: C
Rationale: The TCEQ is the primary state agency that regulates OSSFs in Texas,
establishing rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. In which year did Texas first implement statewide regulation of OSSFs?
A. 1975
B. 1985
C. September 1989
D. 1995
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas implemented statewide regulation of OSSFs beginning in
September 1989.
3. An OSSF is exempt from permitting if it serves a single-family dwelling on a
tract of land that is at least how many acres?
A. 5 acres
B. 10 acres
,C. 20 acres
D. 50 acres
Answer: B
Rationale: The "10 acre rule" exempts properties from permitting if they meet all
other requirements, including serving a single-family dwelling on 10 acres or
larger.
4. What is the minimum distance required for all parts of an OSSF from the
property line for a permit exemption?
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Answer: C
Rationale: For a permit exemption under the 10 acre rule, all parts of the OSSF
must be at least 100 feet from the property line.
5. Which Texas law governs the OSSF permitting program?
A. Texas Water Code Chapter 26
B. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
C. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 30
D. Texas Environmental Code Chapter 285
Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 is the State law that governs
the OSSF permitting program.
6. What is the primary set of rules that governs OSSFs in Texas?
,A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 40 CFR Part 503
C. Texas Water Code Chapter 11
D. 30 TAC Chapter 290
Answer: A
Rationale: Title 30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 285 contains the
rules for OSSFs.
7. An OSSF is "grandfathered" if it was installed before what date?
A. January 1, 1980
B. September 1, 1989
C. January 1, 1990
D. September 1, 1995
Answer: B
Rationale: An OSSF is grandfathered if it was installed before September 1, 1989,
and meets other conditions such as not creating a nuisance.
8. How long is an OSSF construction permit valid from the date of issuance?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. Does not expire
Answer: C
Rationale: An SSD construction permit expires after 3 years from the date of
issuance.
9. An installer's permit expires on which date?
, A. The last day of the month following issuance
B. December 31 following the date of issuance
C. One year from date of issuance
D. Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: An installer's permit expires on the 31st day of December following the
date of issuance.
10. Emergency repairs to an OSSF must be reported to the permitting authority
within what timeframe?
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. 7 days
Answer: C
Rationale: Emergency repairs must be reported to the permitting authority in
writing within 72 hours after repairs have begun.
11. Which of the following is NOT an "emergency repair" exempt from
permitting?
A. Replacing tank lids
B. Repairing inlet and outlet devices
C. Replacing an entire septic tank
D. Repairing damaged drip irrigation tubing
Answer: C
Rationale: Replacing entire septic tanks is not listed as an exempt emergency
repair; emergency repairs include replacing tank lids, inlet/outlet devices, risers,
disinfection devices, and damaged tubing.
