Texas OSSF Installer Actual Exam
Questions & Answers| Latest| Guaranteed Pass
,1. Which state agency holds primary regulatory authority over On-Site
Sewage Facilities (OSSF) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Water Development Board
D. Texas Department of Agriculture
Answer: B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Rationale: TCEQ administers the OSSF program statewide under 30 TAC
Chapter 285, though it often delegates permitting duties to local authorized
agents such as counties or health districts.
2. What is the primary purpose of setback and site evaluation
requirements found in Chapter 285?
A. To maximize the number of systems allowed per acre
B. To protect public health and prevent contamination of groundwater and
surface water
C. To reduce installation costs for homeowners
D. To standardize septic tank riser colors
Answer: B. To protect public health and prevent contamination of
groundwater and surface water
Rationale: The overriding goal of OSSF regulation is protection of public
health and water resources from improperly treated sewage.
3. Who is generally qualified to perform a site and soil evaluation to
support an OSSF permit application?
A. Any licensed plumber
B. A licensed Site Evaluator, qualified engineer, or registered sanitarian as
allowed under Chapter 285
C. The homeowner, without any credential
D. Only TCEQ central office staff
Answer: B. A licensed Site Evaluator, qualified engineer, or registered
sanitarian as allowed under Chapter 285
,Rationale: Site evaluations must be performed by a person with the
appropriate license or professional registration recognized under the OSSF
rules.
4. What must generally occur before construction of an OSSF may
begin?
A. The system must be installed and then inspected afterward
B. A permit must be obtained from the permitting authority
C. The installer must notify all adjoining property owners
D. The homeowner must complete an OSSF maintenance course
Answer: B. A permit must be obtained from the permitting authority
Rationale: Chapter 285 requires that a permit be issued by the permitting
authority (or authorized agent) before construction starts.
5. Which of the following is typically required as part of OSSF planning
materials submitted with a permit application?
A. A scaled site drawing showing property lines, wells, water lines,
buildings, easements, and the proposed system layout
B. A copy of the homeowner's income tax return
C. A structural engineering report on the home's foundation
D. A copy of the homeowner's homeowner's insurance policy
Answer: A. A scaled site drawing showing property lines, wells, water
lines, buildings, easements, and the proposed system layout
Rationale: Planning materials must show enough site detail for the permitting
authority to verify setbacks and suitability, including the proposed system's
location relative to site features.
6. An OSSF is generally distinguished from a larger wastewater
treatment facility (regulated separately) mainly by which factor?
A. The color of the tank
B. The design daily flow, with OSSFs generally applying to smaller flows
(commonly cited around 5,000 gallons per day or less)
C. The number of bedrooms in the home
D. The type of soil present on site
, Answer: B. The design daily flow, with OSSFs generally applying to
smaller flows (commonly cited around 5,000 gallons per day or less)
Rationale: OSSF rules generally apply to systems designed for smaller flows;
larger flow systems fall under separate wastewater treatment facility
permitting requirements.
7. Which license is generally required to install aerobic treatment units
and other complex or alternative OSSF technologies in Texas?
A. Installer I only
B. Installer II (or an equivalent advanced installer authorization)
C. A plumbing apprentice license
D. No license is required for aerobic systems
Answer: B. Installer II (or an equivalent advanced installer
authorization)
Rationale: Aerobic treatment units and many alternative/proprietary systems
require the higher-level installer authorization due to their added mechanical
and design complexity.
8. What is the general role of a 'Site Evaluator' license under the Texas
OSSF program?
A. Authorizes the holder to design septic tanks only
B. Authorizes the holder to assess soil and site conditions used to
determine an appropriate OSSF design
C. Authorizes the holder to issue building permits
D. Authorizes the holder to perform electrical inspections
Answer: B. Authorizes the holder to assess soil and site conditions
used to determine an appropriate OSSF design
Rationale: A Site Evaluator determines soil class, water table depth,
restrictive horizons, and other site factors that drive system design and
sizing.
9. How often must most individual TCEQ OSSF-related occupational
licenses (such as installer or site evaluator) generally be renewed?
A. Every year
Questions & Answers| Latest| Guaranteed Pass
,1. Which state agency holds primary regulatory authority over On-Site
Sewage Facilities (OSSF) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Water Development Board
D. Texas Department of Agriculture
Answer: B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Rationale: TCEQ administers the OSSF program statewide under 30 TAC
Chapter 285, though it often delegates permitting duties to local authorized
agents such as counties or health districts.
2. What is the primary purpose of setback and site evaluation
requirements found in Chapter 285?
A. To maximize the number of systems allowed per acre
B. To protect public health and prevent contamination of groundwater and
surface water
C. To reduce installation costs for homeowners
D. To standardize septic tank riser colors
Answer: B. To protect public health and prevent contamination of
groundwater and surface water
Rationale: The overriding goal of OSSF regulation is protection of public
health and water resources from improperly treated sewage.
3. Who is generally qualified to perform a site and soil evaluation to
support an OSSF permit application?
A. Any licensed plumber
B. A licensed Site Evaluator, qualified engineer, or registered sanitarian as
allowed under Chapter 285
C. The homeowner, without any credential
D. Only TCEQ central office staff
Answer: B. A licensed Site Evaluator, qualified engineer, or registered
sanitarian as allowed under Chapter 285
,Rationale: Site evaluations must be performed by a person with the
appropriate license or professional registration recognized under the OSSF
rules.
4. What must generally occur before construction of an OSSF may
begin?
A. The system must be installed and then inspected afterward
B. A permit must be obtained from the permitting authority
C. The installer must notify all adjoining property owners
D. The homeowner must complete an OSSF maintenance course
Answer: B. A permit must be obtained from the permitting authority
Rationale: Chapter 285 requires that a permit be issued by the permitting
authority (or authorized agent) before construction starts.
5. Which of the following is typically required as part of OSSF planning
materials submitted with a permit application?
A. A scaled site drawing showing property lines, wells, water lines,
buildings, easements, and the proposed system layout
B. A copy of the homeowner's income tax return
C. A structural engineering report on the home's foundation
D. A copy of the homeowner's homeowner's insurance policy
Answer: A. A scaled site drawing showing property lines, wells, water
lines, buildings, easements, and the proposed system layout
Rationale: Planning materials must show enough site detail for the permitting
authority to verify setbacks and suitability, including the proposed system's
location relative to site features.
6. An OSSF is generally distinguished from a larger wastewater
treatment facility (regulated separately) mainly by which factor?
A. The color of the tank
B. The design daily flow, with OSSFs generally applying to smaller flows
(commonly cited around 5,000 gallons per day or less)
C. The number of bedrooms in the home
D. The type of soil present on site
, Answer: B. The design daily flow, with OSSFs generally applying to
smaller flows (commonly cited around 5,000 gallons per day or less)
Rationale: OSSF rules generally apply to systems designed for smaller flows;
larger flow systems fall under separate wastewater treatment facility
permitting requirements.
7. Which license is generally required to install aerobic treatment units
and other complex or alternative OSSF technologies in Texas?
A. Installer I only
B. Installer II (or an equivalent advanced installer authorization)
C. A plumbing apprentice license
D. No license is required for aerobic systems
Answer: B. Installer II (or an equivalent advanced installer
authorization)
Rationale: Aerobic treatment units and many alternative/proprietary systems
require the higher-level installer authorization due to their added mechanical
and design complexity.
8. What is the general role of a 'Site Evaluator' license under the Texas
OSSF program?
A. Authorizes the holder to design septic tanks only
B. Authorizes the holder to assess soil and site conditions used to
determine an appropriate OSSF design
C. Authorizes the holder to issue building permits
D. Authorizes the holder to perform electrical inspections
Answer: B. Authorizes the holder to assess soil and site conditions
used to determine an appropriate OSSF design
Rationale: A Site Evaluator determines soil class, water table depth,
restrictive horizons, and other site factors that drive system design and
sizing.
9. How often must most individual TCEQ OSSF-related occupational
licenses (such as installer or site evaluator) generally be renewed?
A. Every year
