SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTIC TANK INSTALLER LICENSE EXAMINATION:
200 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS & DETAILED SOLUTIONS
1. Before beginning commercial septic-system construction work in
South Carolina, which authorization must an installer generally
possess?
A. A county building permit only
B. A valid SCDES onsite wastewater installer license
C. A manufacturer's equipment certificate only
D. A residential plumbing registration
2. What minimum examination score does SCDES currently identify as
necessary for applicants seeking septic-system installer licensure?
A. 70 percent
B. 75 percent
C. 80 percent
D. 65 percent
3. Which South Carolina regulation governs the design, installation,
and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems?
A. Regulation 61-56
B. Regulation 61-56
,C. Regulation 61-58
D. Regulation 61-67
4. How often must a licensed septic tank installer renew their license
with SCDES?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
5. List three core components of a standard conventional septic
system.
Answer: Septic tank, distribution box, drainfield (or absorption field).
6. Fill in the blank: A licensed installer must notify the local SCDES
office at least ____ hours before beginning construction of a new
onsite wastewater system.
Answer: 48 hours (or as specified by local county guidelines, typically
24-48 hours).
7. Which of the following is NOT a required qualification for obtaining
an SCDES installer license?
A. Passing a written examination
B. Possessing a general contractor's license
,C. Paying the required licensing fee
D. Submitting a completed application
8. What is the primary purpose of a septic tank in an onsite
wastewater system?
A. To aerate the wastewater
B. To separate solids from liquids and promote anaerobic digestion
C. To pump effluent to the drainfield
D. To filter out pathogens
9. Multiple Choice: Which of the following soil types is generally
considered the most suitable for a conventional septic drainfield?
A. Sandy loam
B. Heavy clay
C. Solid rock
D. Silt with a high water table
10. What is the minimum required capacity (in gallons) for a septic
tank serving a 3-bedroom residential home in South Carolina?
A. 750 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons
C. 1,250 gallons
D. 1,500 gallons
, 11. List the four main steps of a standard percolation test.
Answer: Digging the test hole, presoaking the hole, filling the hole with
water, and measuring the drop in water level over time.
12. Fill in the blank: The minimum separation distance between the
bottom of a drainfield trench and the seasonal high water table in
South Carolina is typically ____ inches.
Answer: 12 inches (for suitable soils) to 24 inches depending on soil
texture.
13. Which component distributes effluent evenly across the drainfield
trenches?
A. The septic tank
B. The pump chamber
C. The distribution box (D-box)
D. The inspection port
14. What is the required minimum distance from a septic tank to a
property line in South Carolina?
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 20 feet
200 COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS & DETAILED SOLUTIONS
1. Before beginning commercial septic-system construction work in
South Carolina, which authorization must an installer generally
possess?
A. A county building permit only
B. A valid SCDES onsite wastewater installer license
C. A manufacturer's equipment certificate only
D. A residential plumbing registration
2. What minimum examination score does SCDES currently identify as
necessary for applicants seeking septic-system installer licensure?
A. 70 percent
B. 75 percent
C. 80 percent
D. 65 percent
3. Which South Carolina regulation governs the design, installation,
and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems?
A. Regulation 61-56
B. Regulation 61-56
,C. Regulation 61-58
D. Regulation 61-67
4. How often must a licensed septic tank installer renew their license
with SCDES?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
5. List three core components of a standard conventional septic
system.
Answer: Septic tank, distribution box, drainfield (or absorption field).
6. Fill in the blank: A licensed installer must notify the local SCDES
office at least ____ hours before beginning construction of a new
onsite wastewater system.
Answer: 48 hours (or as specified by local county guidelines, typically
24-48 hours).
7. Which of the following is NOT a required qualification for obtaining
an SCDES installer license?
A. Passing a written examination
B. Possessing a general contractor's license
,C. Paying the required licensing fee
D. Submitting a completed application
8. What is the primary purpose of a septic tank in an onsite
wastewater system?
A. To aerate the wastewater
B. To separate solids from liquids and promote anaerobic digestion
C. To pump effluent to the drainfield
D. To filter out pathogens
9. Multiple Choice: Which of the following soil types is generally
considered the most suitable for a conventional septic drainfield?
A. Sandy loam
B. Heavy clay
C. Solid rock
D. Silt with a high water table
10. What is the minimum required capacity (in gallons) for a septic
tank serving a 3-bedroom residential home in South Carolina?
A. 750 gallons
B. 1,000 gallons
C. 1,250 gallons
D. 1,500 gallons
, 11. List the four main steps of a standard percolation test.
Answer: Digging the test hole, presoaking the hole, filling the hole with
water, and measuring the drop in water level over time.
12. Fill in the blank: The minimum separation distance between the
bottom of a drainfield trench and the seasonal high water table in
South Carolina is typically ____ inches.
Answer: 12 inches (for suitable soils) to 24 inches depending on soil
texture.
13. Which component distributes effluent evenly across the drainfield
trenches?
A. The septic tank
B. The pump chamber
C. The distribution box (D-box)
D. The inspection port
14. What is the required minimum distance from a septic tank to a
property line in South Carolina?
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 20 feet
