Texas OSSF Site Evaluator Exam Study Guide
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Verified Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales (100% Correct Solutions) | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Section 1: TCEQ Rules, Licensing & Permitting (Questions 1–35)
Question 1
Which Texas Administrative Code chapter contains the rules governing On-Site
Sewage Facilities?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 30 TAC Chapter 170
C. 30 TAC Chapter 300
D. 30 TAC Chapter 250
Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 is the specific chapter that outlines OSSF
permitting, licensing, and enforcement requirements in Texas.
Question 2
Who is primarily responsible for determining the suitability of a site for an OSSF?
A. The Installer
B. The Site Evaluator
C. The Authorized Agent (AA)
D. The Designer
Answer: B
Rationale: The Site Evaluator conducts the site survey, soil analysis, and makes the
suitability determination per TCEQ rules.
pg. 1
,Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a step in the nine-step OSSF permitting cycle?
A. Application submission
B. Construction inspection
C. Issuance of a water use permit
D. Authorization to Construct (ATC) issuance
Answer: C
Rationale: A water use permit is unrelated to the OSSF permitting cycle; the nine
steps focus on site evaluation, design, ATC, construction, and final acceptance.
Question 4
Which Texas agency is the primary regulatory authority for On-Site Sewage
Facilities in the state?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
C. Texas Department of Agriculture
D. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Answer: D
Rationale: TCEQ is the primary regulatory authority for OSSF systems under 30
TAC Chapter 285. The agency establishes rules, oversees licensed installers, and
enforces compliance.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of an OSSF site evaluation?
A. Determine whether the site is suitable for an OSSF and what type and size may
be appropriate
B. Determine the property tax value
C. Determine the contractor's installation fee
D. Determine the home's market value
Answer: A
Rationale: A site evaluation documents soil and site conditions and is used to
determine the appropriate type and size of the OSSF.
pg. 2
,Question 6
According to 30 TAC §285.30, who is authorized to perform a complete site
evaluation on a tract of land where an OSSF will be installed?
A. A licensed installer or apprentice
B. A site evaluator or professional engineer
C. A designated representative or maintenance provider
D. A homeowner or registered sanitarian
Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.30(a) explicitly requires that a complete site evaluation be
performed by either a site evaluator or a professional engineer.
Question 7
Which Texas agency regulates the OSSF program?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
B. Texas Department of Health and Human Services
C. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D. Texas Water Development Board
Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ is the state agency responsible for regulating OSSFs in Texas.
Question 8
What is the primary objective of the Texas OSSF rules?
A. To promote the use of the most expensive treatment technologies
B. To maximize property tax revenue
C. To reduce the number of licensed installers
D. To protect public health and the environment
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary objective of the Texas OSSF rules is to protect public
health and the environment by ensuring proper treatment and disposal of domestic
sewage.
pg. 3
, Question 9
Under Texas OSSF rules, a complete site evaluation is generally required on:
A. Every tract of land where an OSSF will be installed
B. Only commercial properties
C. Only properties larger than one acre
D. Only properties using aerobic treatment
Answer: A
Rationale: The rule requires a complete site evaluation for every tract where an
OSSF will be installed.
Question 10
Who may perform the site evaluation under the general rule?
A. Any property owner
B. A site evaluator or professional engineer
C. Any licensed plumber
D. Only a septic tank manufacturer
Answer: B
Rationale: The site evaluation is performed by a site evaluator or professional
engineer under the applicable rule.
Question 11
What document communicates the findings of the site evaluation?
A. Property deed
B. Plumbing invoice
C. Site evaluation report
D. Tax appraisal
Answer: C
Rationale: The site evaluator or professional engineer prepares a report containing
the required site-evaluation information.
Question 12
The site evaluation information is primarily used to determine:
pg. 4
| Complete Practice Exam Questions with
Verified Correct Answers and Detailed
Rationales (100% Correct Solutions) | Latest
Update 2026/2027 | Already Graded A+
Section 1: TCEQ Rules, Licensing & Permitting (Questions 1–35)
Question 1
Which Texas Administrative Code chapter contains the rules governing On-Site
Sewage Facilities?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 30 TAC Chapter 170
C. 30 TAC Chapter 300
D. 30 TAC Chapter 250
Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 is the specific chapter that outlines OSSF
permitting, licensing, and enforcement requirements in Texas.
Question 2
Who is primarily responsible for determining the suitability of a site for an OSSF?
A. The Installer
B. The Site Evaluator
C. The Authorized Agent (AA)
D. The Designer
Answer: B
Rationale: The Site Evaluator conducts the site survey, soil analysis, and makes the
suitability determination per TCEQ rules.
pg. 1
,Question 3
Which of the following is NOT a step in the nine-step OSSF permitting cycle?
A. Application submission
B. Construction inspection
C. Issuance of a water use permit
D. Authorization to Construct (ATC) issuance
Answer: C
Rationale: A water use permit is unrelated to the OSSF permitting cycle; the nine
steps focus on site evaluation, design, ATC, construction, and final acceptance.
Question 4
Which Texas agency is the primary regulatory authority for On-Site Sewage
Facilities in the state?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
C. Texas Department of Agriculture
D. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Answer: D
Rationale: TCEQ is the primary regulatory authority for OSSF systems under 30
TAC Chapter 285. The agency establishes rules, oversees licensed installers, and
enforces compliance.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of an OSSF site evaluation?
A. Determine whether the site is suitable for an OSSF and what type and size may
be appropriate
B. Determine the property tax value
C. Determine the contractor's installation fee
D. Determine the home's market value
Answer: A
Rationale: A site evaluation documents soil and site conditions and is used to
determine the appropriate type and size of the OSSF.
pg. 2
,Question 6
According to 30 TAC §285.30, who is authorized to perform a complete site
evaluation on a tract of land where an OSSF will be installed?
A. A licensed installer or apprentice
B. A site evaluator or professional engineer
C. A designated representative or maintenance provider
D. A homeowner or registered sanitarian
Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC §285.30(a) explicitly requires that a complete site evaluation be
performed by either a site evaluator or a professional engineer.
Question 7
Which Texas agency regulates the OSSF program?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
B. Texas Department of Health and Human Services
C. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D. Texas Water Development Board
Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ is the state agency responsible for regulating OSSFs in Texas.
Question 8
What is the primary objective of the Texas OSSF rules?
A. To promote the use of the most expensive treatment technologies
B. To maximize property tax revenue
C. To reduce the number of licensed installers
D. To protect public health and the environment
Answer: D
Rationale: The primary objective of the Texas OSSF rules is to protect public
health and the environment by ensuring proper treatment and disposal of domestic
sewage.
pg. 3
, Question 9
Under Texas OSSF rules, a complete site evaluation is generally required on:
A. Every tract of land where an OSSF will be installed
B. Only commercial properties
C. Only properties larger than one acre
D. Only properties using aerobic treatment
Answer: A
Rationale: The rule requires a complete site evaluation for every tract where an
OSSF will be installed.
Question 10
Who may perform the site evaluation under the general rule?
A. Any property owner
B. A site evaluator or professional engineer
C. Any licensed plumber
D. Only a septic tank manufacturer
Answer: B
Rationale: The site evaluation is performed by a site evaluator or professional
engineer under the applicable rule.
Question 11
What document communicates the findings of the site evaluation?
A. Property deed
B. Plumbing invoice
C. Site evaluation report
D. Tax appraisal
Answer: C
Rationale: The site evaluator or professional engineer prepares a report containing
the required site-evaluation information.
Question 12
The site evaluation information is primarily used to determine:
pg. 4
