Texas OSSF Designated Representative Exam
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
D. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ administers the statewide OSSF program under Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapter 366 and its implementing rules in 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. Which Texas Administrative Code chapter contains the core rules governing
OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
C. 30 TAC Chapter 330
D. 30 TAC Chapter 210
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 sets out the technical and administrative
requirements for the planning, permitting, installation, and maintenance of OSSFs in
Texas.
,3. Under the Texas OSSF program, who is typically designated to administer
permitting on behalf of TCEQ at the local level?
A. The county or, in some cases, a designated authorized agent
B. The federal EPA regional office
C. A private homeowners association exclusively
D. The Texas Real Estate Commission
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TCEQ authorizes counties or other eligible entities to act as the permitting
authority for OSSFs within their jurisdiction, subject to an approved order and
program.
4. What is the general statutory basis for the OSSF program in Texas?
A. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
B. Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 17
C. Texas Government Code Chapter 551
D. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 exclusively
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 establishes the statutory
framework for OSSF regulation, which TCEQ implements through its rules.
5. Which of the following best describes the role of a 'permitting authority' in
the OSSF process?
A. A private consultant hired by the homeowner
B. The county, TCEQ, or authorized agent responsible for reviewing plans and
issuing permits for OSSF construction
C. The manufacturer of septic tank components
D. The installer performing the physical work only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The permitting authority is the governmental entity responsible for
reviewing and approving OSSF planning materials and issuing construction and,
where applicable, operating permits.
,6. What is generally required before construction of an OSSF may begin?
A. Nothing; construction can begin at any time without authorization
B. Approval of the planning materials and issuance of a permit by the permitting
authority
C. Only a verbal agreement with a neighbor
D. Only proof of homeowner's insurance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSSF rules require review and approval of planning materials, with a
permit issued by the permitting authority, prior to installation.
7. What is the primary function of a Designated Representative (DR) under the
Texas OSSF program?
A. To act on behalf of a permitting authority to review and approve OSSF permit
applications and inspections within delegated authority
B. To manufacture septic tanks
C. To provide financing for homeowners
D. To perform only landscaping around the OSSF
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A Designated Representative is authorized by the permitting authority
(often a county) to carry out specific administrative and technical functions such as
reviewing applications and conducting inspections.
8. Which entity typically appoints or designates a Designated Representative?
A. The property owner
B. The permitting authority (e.g., the county) that has adopted an OSSF order
C. The installer's employer only
D. The Texas Attorney General
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The permitting authority designates individuals to serve as Designated
Representatives to help administer the local OSSF program.
, 9. What qualification is generally expected of an individual serving as a
Designated Representative?
A. No qualifications are required
B. Appropriate training and, where applicable, registration/certification recognized
for performing OSSF administrative and inspection duties
C. A law degree
D. Only a high school diploma with no further training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Designated Representatives are expected to complete relevant training so
they can competently review site evaluations, plans, and installations consistent with
TCEQ rules.
10. Can a Designated Representative also serve as the site evaluator or installer
for the same OSSF project they are administratively reviewing?
A. Yes, with no restriction whatsoever
B. Generally, conflicts of interest should be avoided; a DR reviewing/approving a
permit should not simultaneously act in a role that compromises independent
review
C. Only if the homeowner pays extra
D. This scenario is irrelevant to program integrity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To preserve the integrity of the permitting process, care is taken to avoid or
disclose conflicts of interest where the same individual holds review authority and a
direct business interest in the same project.
11. What is one of the key responsibilities of a Designated Representative
during system installation?
A. Ignoring the approved plans and improvising the design in the field
B. Verifying that construction and installation are consistent with the approved
planning materials and applicable rules
C. Collecting payment on behalf of the installer
D. Selling septic tank equipment directly to homeowners
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A core DR duty is confirming that what is actually built in the field matches
the approved plans and complies with 30 TAC Chapter 285 requirements.
120 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
D. Texas Water Development Board (TWDB)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: TCEQ administers the statewide OSSF program under Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapter 366 and its implementing rules in 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. Which Texas Administrative Code chapter contains the core rules governing
OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 30 TAC Chapter 217
C. 30 TAC Chapter 330
D. 30 TAC Chapter 210
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 sets out the technical and administrative
requirements for the planning, permitting, installation, and maintenance of OSSFs in
Texas.
,3. Under the Texas OSSF program, who is typically designated to administer
permitting on behalf of TCEQ at the local level?
A. The county or, in some cases, a designated authorized agent
B. The federal EPA regional office
C. A private homeowners association exclusively
D. The Texas Real Estate Commission
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TCEQ authorizes counties or other eligible entities to act as the permitting
authority for OSSFs within their jurisdiction, subject to an approved order and
program.
4. What is the general statutory basis for the OSSF program in Texas?
A. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
B. Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 17
C. Texas Government Code Chapter 551
D. Texas Local Government Code Chapter 212 exclusively
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 establishes the statutory
framework for OSSF regulation, which TCEQ implements through its rules.
5. Which of the following best describes the role of a 'permitting authority' in
the OSSF process?
A. A private consultant hired by the homeowner
B. The county, TCEQ, or authorized agent responsible for reviewing plans and
issuing permits for OSSF construction
C. The manufacturer of septic tank components
D. The installer performing the physical work only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The permitting authority is the governmental entity responsible for
reviewing and approving OSSF planning materials and issuing construction and,
where applicable, operating permits.
,6. What is generally required before construction of an OSSF may begin?
A. Nothing; construction can begin at any time without authorization
B. Approval of the planning materials and issuance of a permit by the permitting
authority
C. Only a verbal agreement with a neighbor
D. Only proof of homeowner's insurance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: OSSF rules require review and approval of planning materials, with a
permit issued by the permitting authority, prior to installation.
7. What is the primary function of a Designated Representative (DR) under the
Texas OSSF program?
A. To act on behalf of a permitting authority to review and approve OSSF permit
applications and inspections within delegated authority
B. To manufacture septic tanks
C. To provide financing for homeowners
D. To perform only landscaping around the OSSF
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A Designated Representative is authorized by the permitting authority
(often a county) to carry out specific administrative and technical functions such as
reviewing applications and conducting inspections.
8. Which entity typically appoints or designates a Designated Representative?
A. The property owner
B. The permitting authority (e.g., the county) that has adopted an OSSF order
C. The installer's employer only
D. The Texas Attorney General
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The permitting authority designates individuals to serve as Designated
Representatives to help administer the local OSSF program.
, 9. What qualification is generally expected of an individual serving as a
Designated Representative?
A. No qualifications are required
B. Appropriate training and, where applicable, registration/certification recognized
for performing OSSF administrative and inspection duties
C. A law degree
D. Only a high school diploma with no further training
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Designated Representatives are expected to complete relevant training so
they can competently review site evaluations, plans, and installations consistent with
TCEQ rules.
10. Can a Designated Representative also serve as the site evaluator or installer
for the same OSSF project they are administratively reviewing?
A. Yes, with no restriction whatsoever
B. Generally, conflicts of interest should be avoided; a DR reviewing/approving a
permit should not simultaneously act in a role that compromises independent
review
C. Only if the homeowner pays extra
D. This scenario is irrelevant to program integrity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To preserve the integrity of the permitting process, care is taken to avoid or
disclose conflicts of interest where the same individual holds review authority and a
direct business interest in the same project.
11. What is one of the key responsibilities of a Designated Representative
during system installation?
A. Ignoring the approved plans and improvising the design in the field
B. Verifying that construction and installation are consistent with the approved
planning materials and applicable rules
C. Collecting payment on behalf of the installer
D. Selling septic tank equipment directly to homeowners
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A core DR duty is confirming that what is actually built in the field matches
the approved plans and complies with 30 TAC Chapter 285 requirements.
