TCEQ OSSF License Exam Study Guide
(2026/2027) | Complete 150-Question
Practice Examination
Aligned with 30 TAC Chapter 285 and Texas Water Code
Chapter 366
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND ADMINISTRATION
Q1: Under Texas Water Code Chapter 366, which state agency has primary
authority for administering the on-site sewage facilities program in Texas?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality [CORRECT]
C. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
D. Texas Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 366 delegates primary authority for the
OSSF program to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ
adopts rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285 to implement this statutory authority
statewide.
Q2: Which of the following license types is authorized to perform site evaluations
and soil analysis for OSSF design under 30 TAC Chapter 285?
A. Apprentice
B. Installer
C. Site Evaluator [CORRECT]
D. Designated Representative only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 30 TAC §285.90, a Site Evaluator license is specifically required
to conduct site evaluations, soil profile analysis, and percolation testing to
determine system suitability and design parameters.
,Q3: A county that has entered into an agreement with TCEQ to administer the
local OSSF program is known as what type of entity under 30 TAC Chapter 285?
A. Regional administrator
B. Authorized agent [CORRECT]
C. Local health department
D. Deputy permitting authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.2 defines an "authorized agent" as a county, municipality,
or other political subdivision that has entered into a formal agreement with TCEQ
to implement and enforce the OSSF program locally.
Q4: What is the minimum continuing education requirement for renewal of an
OSSF Installer license under current TCEQ rules?
A. 8 CEUs every 2 years
B. 12 CEUs every 3 years
C. 16 CEUs every 2 years [CORRECT]
D. 24 CEUs every 3 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.90 requires OSSF licensees to complete 16 continuing
education units (CEUs) during each 2-year renewal period, with specific
coursework requirements depending on license type.
Q5: Which permit type under 30 TAC Chapter 285 allows for the legal use of an
existing OSSF that was installed prior to the adoption of current rules and has not
been permitted?
A. Construction permit
B. Provisional permit
C. Existing facility permit [CORRECT]
D. Emergency repair permit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 provides for an "existing facility permit" to bring
unpermitted but functioning systems into compliance without requiring full
,reconstruction, provided the system meets minimum standards and does not
constitute a public health nuisance.
Q6: Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, what is the maximum penalty TCEQ may assess
per violation per day for operation of an OSSF without a required license?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $5,000
D. $10,000 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC §285.122 authorize
administrative penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day for violations of OSSF
licensing, permitting, and operational requirements.
Q7: An OSSF Designated Representative (DR) is responsible for which of the
following functions?
A. Physical installation of all system components
B. Soil percolation testing only
C. Overall supervision of OSSF planning, permitting, and ensuring compliance
with 30 TAC Chapter 285 [CORRECT]
D. Electrical wiring of aerobic treatment units exclusively
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 30 TAC §285.90, a Designated Representative provides overall
supervision for an OSSF business, ensures compliance with all applicable rules,
and is responsible for plan preparation, permitting, and quality assurance.
Q8: How many days does an authorized agent have to act on a complete OSSF
construction permit application under standard 30 TAC Chapter 285
requirements?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days [CORRECT]
D. 60 days
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 requires authorized agents to approve, approve with
conditions, or deny a complete construction permit application within 45 days of
receipt, ensuring timely processing for property owners.
Q9: Which of the following is a valid reason for TCEQ or an authorized agent to
issue an emergency permit for OSSF repair?
A. The homeowner prefers expedited service
B. A system failure poses an imminent threat to public health or water quality
[CORRECT]
C. The contractor is behind schedule
D. The property is being sold within 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 allows emergency permits only when a system failure
creates an imminent threat to public health or the environment, requiring
immediate action to abate the hazard.
Q10: Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, which of the following plans must be submitted
to the authorized agent for review prior to OSSF construction?
A. Only a hand-drawn sketch of the drainfield location
B. A site plan showing topography, soil evaluation locations, system layout, and
setbacks [CORRECT]
C. A verbal description from the installer
D. Only the manufacturer's specification sheet for the septic tank
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 requires permit applications to include a site plan with
topographic features, soil evaluation data, proposed system layout, setback
distances, and other information necessary to evaluate compliance with Chapter
285.
Q11: What bonding requirement applies to OSSF installers under 30 TAC Chapter
285?
A. No bond is required for any license type
B. A $5,000 bond for individual installers
(2026/2027) | Complete 150-Question
Practice Examination
Aligned with 30 TAC Chapter 285 and Texas Water Code
Chapter 366
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND ADMINISTRATION
Q1: Under Texas Water Code Chapter 366, which state agency has primary
authority for administering the on-site sewage facilities program in Texas?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality [CORRECT]
C. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
D. Texas Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 366 delegates primary authority for the
OSSF program to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). TCEQ
adopts rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285 to implement this statutory authority
statewide.
Q2: Which of the following license types is authorized to perform site evaluations
and soil analysis for OSSF design under 30 TAC Chapter 285?
A. Apprentice
B. Installer
C. Site Evaluator [CORRECT]
D. Designated Representative only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 30 TAC §285.90, a Site Evaluator license is specifically required
to conduct site evaluations, soil profile analysis, and percolation testing to
determine system suitability and design parameters.
,Q3: A county that has entered into an agreement with TCEQ to administer the
local OSSF program is known as what type of entity under 30 TAC Chapter 285?
A. Regional administrator
B. Authorized agent [CORRECT]
C. Local health department
D. Deputy permitting authority
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.2 defines an "authorized agent" as a county, municipality,
or other political subdivision that has entered into a formal agreement with TCEQ
to implement and enforce the OSSF program locally.
Q4: What is the minimum continuing education requirement for renewal of an
OSSF Installer license under current TCEQ rules?
A. 8 CEUs every 2 years
B. 12 CEUs every 3 years
C. 16 CEUs every 2 years [CORRECT]
D. 24 CEUs every 3 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.90 requires OSSF licensees to complete 16 continuing
education units (CEUs) during each 2-year renewal period, with specific
coursework requirements depending on license type.
Q5: Which permit type under 30 TAC Chapter 285 allows for the legal use of an
existing OSSF that was installed prior to the adoption of current rules and has not
been permitted?
A. Construction permit
B. Provisional permit
C. Existing facility permit [CORRECT]
D. Emergency repair permit
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 provides for an "existing facility permit" to bring
unpermitted but functioning systems into compliance without requiring full
,reconstruction, provided the system meets minimum standards and does not
constitute a public health nuisance.
Q6: Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, what is the maximum penalty TCEQ may assess
per violation per day for operation of an OSSF without a required license?
A. $500
B. $1,000
C. $5,000
D. $10,000 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Texas Water Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC §285.122 authorize
administrative penalties up to $10,000 per violation per day for violations of OSSF
licensing, permitting, and operational requirements.
Q7: An OSSF Designated Representative (DR) is responsible for which of the
following functions?
A. Physical installation of all system components
B. Soil percolation testing only
C. Overall supervision of OSSF planning, permitting, and ensuring compliance
with 30 TAC Chapter 285 [CORRECT]
D. Electrical wiring of aerobic treatment units exclusively
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 30 TAC §285.90, a Designated Representative provides overall
supervision for an OSSF business, ensures compliance with all applicable rules,
and is responsible for plan preparation, permitting, and quality assurance.
Q8: How many days does an authorized agent have to act on a complete OSSF
construction permit application under standard 30 TAC Chapter 285
requirements?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days [CORRECT]
D. 60 days
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 requires authorized agents to approve, approve with
conditions, or deny a complete construction permit application within 45 days of
receipt, ensuring timely processing for property owners.
Q9: Which of the following is a valid reason for TCEQ or an authorized agent to
issue an emergency permit for OSSF repair?
A. The homeowner prefers expedited service
B. A system failure poses an imminent threat to public health or water quality
[CORRECT]
C. The contractor is behind schedule
D. The property is being sold within 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 allows emergency permits only when a system failure
creates an imminent threat to public health or the environment, requiring
immediate action to abate the hazard.
Q10: Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, which of the following plans must be submitted
to the authorized agent for review prior to OSSF construction?
A. Only a hand-drawn sketch of the drainfield location
B. A site plan showing topography, soil evaluation locations, system layout, and
setbacks [CORRECT]
C. A verbal description from the installer
D. Only the manufacturer's specification sheet for the septic tank
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.34 requires permit applications to include a site plan with
topographic features, soil evaluation data, proposed system layout, setback
distances, and other information necessary to evaluate compliance with Chapter
285.
Q11: What bonding requirement applies to OSSF installers under 30 TAC Chapter
285?
A. No bond is required for any license type
B. A $5,000 bond for individual installers
