SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTIC TANK INSTALLER / ONSITE
WASTEWATER SYSTEM INSTALLER EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Exam coverage
1. Regulation 61-56 — Understand the state requirements governing onsite wastewater systems.
2. Installer licensing — Know Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 authorization and responsibilities.
3. Permitting — Know when permits are required and why construction cannot begin prematurely.
4. Site evaluation — Recognize how soil and site conditions affect system feasibility.
5. Septic tanks — Understand approved tanks, minimum capacities, construction, access, and installation.
6. Infiltration areas — Understand proper placement, preparation, distribution, and protection of
absorption areas.
7. Installation procedures — Apply requirements for piping, bedding, grading, tanks, trenches, and
backfilling.
8. Inspection and approval — Know when inspection is required and what documentation installers must
provide.
9. Environmental protection — Prevent sewage contamination of groundwater, surface water, and
surrounding property.
10. Installer responsibilities — Follow the approved permit, obtain authorization for changes, maintain
licensing, and comply with SCDES requirements.
1.
A homeowner asks an installer to begin constructing a septic system
before SCDES has issued the required permit; what should the installer
do?
A. Begin excavation because the homeowner accepts responsibility
B. Begin only the septic tank installation
C. Refuse to begin until the required authorization is issued
D. Begin construction if the soil appears suitable
Answer: C
,Rationale: South Carolina regulations prohibit construction of an onsite
wastewater system until the Department has issued the required
permit and authorization. (
2.
A contractor is installing a residential septic tank serving four bedrooms
under ordinary circumstances; what minimum septic tank liquid
capacity applies?
A. 500 gallons
B. 750 gallons
C. 1,000 gallons
D. 1,250 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 establishes a minimum net liquid capacity
of 1,000 gallons for septic tanks serving dwellings of four bedrooms or
fewer. (
3.
A proposed septic tank for a three-bedroom residence has only 900
gallons of net liquid capacity; how should the installer handle this
situation?
A. Install it because three bedrooms require less than 1,000 gallons
B. Install it only when soil conditions are excellent
C. Install it if the homeowner signs a waiver
,D. Do not install it because the tank fails the minimum capacity
requirement
Answer: D
Rationale: The regulation establishes 1,000 gallons as the minimum net
liquid capacity for qualifying residential septic tanks, regardless of
smaller bedroom counts. (
4.
A five-bedroom dwelling requires a septic tank under the standard
residential sizing rule; what minimum capacity should the installer
recognize?
A. 1,000 gallons
B. 1,250 gallons
C. 1,500 gallons
D. 2,000 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: The regulation requires an additional 250 gallons for each
bedroom beyond four, making a five-bedroom dwelling require at least
1,250 gallons. ()
5.
An installer discovers that the approved permit drawing conflicts with
actual field conditions before construction begins; what is the most
appropriate response?
, A. Modify the system independently
B. Ignore the discrepancy
C. Obtain Department authorization before making the proposed
change
D. Ask the homeowner to approve the modification
Answer: C
Rationale: Systems must be constructed according to the permit, and
Department authorization is required before changes are constructed
or operated. (
6.
Which organization currently provides South Carolina regulatory
oversight and licensing information for onsite wastewater system
installers?
A. South Carolina Department of Transportation
B. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
C. South Carolina Department of Agriculture
D. South Carolina Building Commission
Answer: B
Rationale: SCDES administers South Carolina's onsite wastewater
regulatory and installer licensing program under Regulation 61-56. ()
7.
WASTEWATER SYSTEM INSTALLER EXAMINATION
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR JUST RELEASED
Exam coverage
1. Regulation 61-56 — Understand the state requirements governing onsite wastewater systems.
2. Installer licensing — Know Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 authorization and responsibilities.
3. Permitting — Know when permits are required and why construction cannot begin prematurely.
4. Site evaluation — Recognize how soil and site conditions affect system feasibility.
5. Septic tanks — Understand approved tanks, minimum capacities, construction, access, and installation.
6. Infiltration areas — Understand proper placement, preparation, distribution, and protection of
absorption areas.
7. Installation procedures — Apply requirements for piping, bedding, grading, tanks, trenches, and
backfilling.
8. Inspection and approval — Know when inspection is required and what documentation installers must
provide.
9. Environmental protection — Prevent sewage contamination of groundwater, surface water, and
surrounding property.
10. Installer responsibilities — Follow the approved permit, obtain authorization for changes, maintain
licensing, and comply with SCDES requirements.
1.
A homeowner asks an installer to begin constructing a septic system
before SCDES has issued the required permit; what should the installer
do?
A. Begin excavation because the homeowner accepts responsibility
B. Begin only the septic tank installation
C. Refuse to begin until the required authorization is issued
D. Begin construction if the soil appears suitable
Answer: C
,Rationale: South Carolina regulations prohibit construction of an onsite
wastewater system until the Department has issued the required
permit and authorization. (
2.
A contractor is installing a residential septic tank serving four bedrooms
under ordinary circumstances; what minimum septic tank liquid
capacity applies?
A. 500 gallons
B. 750 gallons
C. 1,000 gallons
D. 1,250 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 establishes a minimum net liquid capacity
of 1,000 gallons for septic tanks serving dwellings of four bedrooms or
fewer. (
3.
A proposed septic tank for a three-bedroom residence has only 900
gallons of net liquid capacity; how should the installer handle this
situation?
A. Install it because three bedrooms require less than 1,000 gallons
B. Install it only when soil conditions are excellent
C. Install it if the homeowner signs a waiver
,D. Do not install it because the tank fails the minimum capacity
requirement
Answer: D
Rationale: The regulation establishes 1,000 gallons as the minimum net
liquid capacity for qualifying residential septic tanks, regardless of
smaller bedroom counts. (
4.
A five-bedroom dwelling requires a septic tank under the standard
residential sizing rule; what minimum capacity should the installer
recognize?
A. 1,000 gallons
B. 1,250 gallons
C. 1,500 gallons
D. 2,000 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: The regulation requires an additional 250 gallons for each
bedroom beyond four, making a five-bedroom dwelling require at least
1,250 gallons. ()
5.
An installer discovers that the approved permit drawing conflicts with
actual field conditions before construction begins; what is the most
appropriate response?
, A. Modify the system independently
B. Ignore the discrepancy
C. Obtain Department authorization before making the proposed
change
D. Ask the homeowner to approve the modification
Answer: C
Rationale: Systems must be constructed according to the permit, and
Department authorization is required before changes are constructed
or operated. (
6.
Which organization currently provides South Carolina regulatory
oversight and licensing information for onsite wastewater system
installers?
A. South Carolina Department of Transportation
B. South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
C. South Carolina Department of Agriculture
D. South Carolina Building Commission
Answer: B
Rationale: SCDES administers South Carolina's onsite wastewater
regulatory and installer licensing program under Regulation 61-56. ()
7.
