Texas OSSF Installer 1 – Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) – 2026/2027
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING
1. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) began regulating On-
Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) statewide in which year?
A) 1985
B) September 1989
C) March 1990
D) 1998
B
Rationale: OSSFs have been regulated statewide in Texas since September 1,
1989. The Installer I license requirement went into effect on March 1, 1990, while
Installer II and Designated Representative licenses were added in 1998.
2. Which agency is responsible for regulating OSSF systems in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Texas Water Development Board
D) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
B
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for regulating OSSF systems
in Texas. This authority is established under the Texas Health and Safety Code,
Chapters 366.001–366.078.
3. The first regulation of OSSF systems in Texas was initially conducted by:
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
B) Texas Department of Health
,C) Local governments
D) The U.S. EPA
C
Rationale: The first regulation of OSSF systems in Texas was done by local
governments. The intent of HB1875 is that most regulation of OSSF systems be
done by local government.
4. A local government with the authority to regulate septic systems is termed
a(n):
A) Authorized Agent
B) Designated Representative
C) Site Evaluator
D) Regulatory Authority
A
Rationale: A local government with the authority to regulate septic systems is
termed an Authorized Agent. Authorized agents are delegated authority by the
executive director to implement and enforce the rules.
5. A person legally constructing OSSF systems as a business is called a(n)
__________ and must be licensed by __________.
A) Contractor; local government
B) Installer; TCEQ
C) Designer; TCEQ
D) Operator; EPA
B
Rationale: A person legally constructing OSSF systems as a business is an Installer
and must be licensed by TCEQ.
,6. Which of the following statements about cesspools and seepage pits in Texas is
TRUE?
A) They are legal if installed in Class I soils
B) They are prohibited in Texas
C) They are legal only for commercial systems
D) They are allowed with a special permit
B
Rationale: Cesspools and seepage pits are prohibited in Texas because they allow
untreated sewage to directly enter the soil, bypassing necessary treatment
processes and increasing the risk of groundwater contamination.
7. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for an OSSF Installer I in
Texas?
A) $100,000 aggregate
B) $300,000 aggregate
C) $500,000 aggregate
D) $1,000,000 aggregate
B
Rationale: The minimum liability insurance requirement for an OSSF Installer I is
$300,000 aggregate.
8. Installers must renew their registration every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
C
Rationale: Installers must renew their registration every 3 years. License renewal
also requires 24 hours of continuing education.
, 9. An Installer II license requires which of the following prerequisites? (Select all
that apply)
A) Hold a current Installer I license for at least 1 year
B) Complete 3 installations as an Installer I
C) Complete the Installer II training course
D) Hold a current Site Evaluator license
Rationale: Requirements to become an Installer II include holding an Installer I
license for 1 year and completing 3 installations, OR serving as an apprentice for 2
years with 6 installations. The Installer II training course is also required.
10. A Designated Representative (DR) license requires:
A) 2 years of experience as an installer
B) Completion of a training course and passing the exam with 70%
C) A professional engineering license
D) 5 years of site evaluation experience
B
Rationale: A Designated Representative needs no experience—just the course
and test at 70%. However, they cannot work as an installer, designer, or evaluator
in the jurisdiction.
11. An individual who holds a valid license from TCEQ and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF is called a(n):
A) Site Evaluator
B) Designated Representative
C) Installer
D) Maintenance Provider
C
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) – 2026/2027
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING
1. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) began regulating On-
Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) statewide in which year?
A) 1985
B) September 1989
C) March 1990
D) 1998
B
Rationale: OSSFs have been regulated statewide in Texas since September 1,
1989. The Installer I license requirement went into effect on March 1, 1990, while
Installer II and Designated Representative licenses were added in 1998.
2. Which agency is responsible for regulating OSSF systems in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Texas Water Development Board
D) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
B
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for regulating OSSF systems
in Texas. This authority is established under the Texas Health and Safety Code,
Chapters 366.001–366.078.
3. The first regulation of OSSF systems in Texas was initially conducted by:
A) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
B) Texas Department of Health
,C) Local governments
D) The U.S. EPA
C
Rationale: The first regulation of OSSF systems in Texas was done by local
governments. The intent of HB1875 is that most regulation of OSSF systems be
done by local government.
4. A local government with the authority to regulate septic systems is termed
a(n):
A) Authorized Agent
B) Designated Representative
C) Site Evaluator
D) Regulatory Authority
A
Rationale: A local government with the authority to regulate septic systems is
termed an Authorized Agent. Authorized agents are delegated authority by the
executive director to implement and enforce the rules.
5. A person legally constructing OSSF systems as a business is called a(n)
__________ and must be licensed by __________.
A) Contractor; local government
B) Installer; TCEQ
C) Designer; TCEQ
D) Operator; EPA
B
Rationale: A person legally constructing OSSF systems as a business is an Installer
and must be licensed by TCEQ.
,6. Which of the following statements about cesspools and seepage pits in Texas is
TRUE?
A) They are legal if installed in Class I soils
B) They are prohibited in Texas
C) They are legal only for commercial systems
D) They are allowed with a special permit
B
Rationale: Cesspools and seepage pits are prohibited in Texas because they allow
untreated sewage to directly enter the soil, bypassing necessary treatment
processes and increasing the risk of groundwater contamination.
7. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for an OSSF Installer I in
Texas?
A) $100,000 aggregate
B) $300,000 aggregate
C) $500,000 aggregate
D) $1,000,000 aggregate
B
Rationale: The minimum liability insurance requirement for an OSSF Installer I is
$300,000 aggregate.
8. Installers must renew their registration every:
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
C
Rationale: Installers must renew their registration every 3 years. License renewal
also requires 24 hours of continuing education.
, 9. An Installer II license requires which of the following prerequisites? (Select all
that apply)
A) Hold a current Installer I license for at least 1 year
B) Complete 3 installations as an Installer I
C) Complete the Installer II training course
D) Hold a current Site Evaluator license
Rationale: Requirements to become an Installer II include holding an Installer I
license for 1 year and completing 3 installations, OR serving as an apprentice for 2
years with 6 installations. The Installer II training course is also required.
10. A Designated Representative (DR) license requires:
A) 2 years of experience as an installer
B) Completion of a training course and passing the exam with 70%
C) A professional engineering license
D) 5 years of site evaluation experience
B
Rationale: A Designated Representative needs no experience—just the course
and test at 70%. However, they cannot work as an installer, designer, or evaluator
in the jurisdiction.
11. An individual who holds a valid license from TCEQ and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF is called a(n):
A) Site Evaluator
B) Designated Representative
C) Installer
D) Maintenance Provider
C
