TEXAS SANITARIAN LICENSING EXAMINATION COMPLETE
EXAM QUESTIONS & DETAILED SOLUTIONS — 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which Texas agency administers the Registered Sanitarian program,
including registration and examination administration?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
C. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
D. Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Answer: C
Rationale: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
administers the Registered Sanitarian program, including registration
and examination administration.
2. A Registered Sanitarian in Texas must possess at least how many
semester hours in basic or applied science?
A. 18 semester hours
B. 24 semester hours
C. 30 semester hours
D. 36 semester hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree that
includes at least 30 semester hours in basic or applied science.
,3. Which federal law gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
authority to regulate underground storage tanks containing hazardous
liquids?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act
D. Clean Water Act
Answer: B
Rationale: RCRA, specifically Subtitle I, provides the EPA with authority
to regulate underground storage tanks to prevent releases of hazardous
substances into soil and groundwater.
4. Within the Incident Command System, what is the primary purpose
of establishing a clear chain of command?
A. To allow every responder to issue independent orders
B. To ensure that everyone reports through defined lines of authority
C. To eliminate communication between response agencies
D. To transfer all responsibilities to a single field inspector
Answer: B
Rationale: ICS uses an established chain of command to clarify
authority, responsibilities, and reporting relationships, helping
coordinate personnel and resources during emergencies.
5. What is the primary purpose of a HACCP plan in a food
establishment?
,A. To increase production speed
B. To reduce labor costs
C. To identify, evaluate, and control food safety hazards
D. To improve the aesthetic appeal of food
Answer: C
Rationale: HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety
that identifies potential hazards and implements controls at critical
points in the process.
6. Muerto Canyon virus (MCV) is a Hantavirus mainly carried by which
organism?
A. Rats
B. Mice
C. Squirrels
D. Rabbits
Answer: B
Rationale: Muerto Canyon virus is a Hantavirus primarily carried by
mice, particularly deer mice, and is transmitted to humans through
inhalation of aerosolized rodent droppings.
7. A negative pressure fit test for a protective mask is performed by:
A. Exhaling sharply and feeling for leaks
B. Placing both palms against the intake filters
C. Inhaling while covering the exhalation valve
D. Performing a user seal check in a contamination chamber
Answer: B
, Rationale: A negative pressure fit test involves covering the inhalation
valves or filter cartridges with both palms and gently inhaling; if the
facepiece collapses slightly and no inward leakage is detected, the seal
is acceptable.
8. Which measure describes the proportion of a population that has a
disease at a particular point or during a specified period?
A. Mortality
B. Attack rate
C. Incidence
D. Prevalence
Answer: D
Rationale: Prevalence measures existing cases within a population at a
specified time or over a defined period, while incidence focuses on new
cases occurring during a specified period.
9. Which structure is primarily responsible for controlling movement of
substances into and out of a bacterial cell?
A. Ribosome
B. Cell wall
C. Cell membrane
D. Nucleoid
Answer: C
Rationale: The cell membrane regulates the movement of many
substances into and out of the cell, is selectively permeable, and plays
an important role in maintaining the cell's internal environment.
EXAM QUESTIONS & DETAILED SOLUTIONS — 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. Which Texas agency administers the Registered Sanitarian program,
including registration and examination administration?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
C. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
D. Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Answer: C
Rationale: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
administers the Registered Sanitarian program, including registration
and examination administration.
2. A Registered Sanitarian in Texas must possess at least how many
semester hours in basic or applied science?
A. 18 semester hours
B. 24 semester hours
C. 30 semester hours
D. 36 semester hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree that
includes at least 30 semester hours in basic or applied science.
,3. Which federal law gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
authority to regulate underground storage tanks containing hazardous
liquids?
A. Safe Drinking Water Act
B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
C. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act
D. Clean Water Act
Answer: B
Rationale: RCRA, specifically Subtitle I, provides the EPA with authority
to regulate underground storage tanks to prevent releases of hazardous
substances into soil and groundwater.
4. Within the Incident Command System, what is the primary purpose
of establishing a clear chain of command?
A. To allow every responder to issue independent orders
B. To ensure that everyone reports through defined lines of authority
C. To eliminate communication between response agencies
D. To transfer all responsibilities to a single field inspector
Answer: B
Rationale: ICS uses an established chain of command to clarify
authority, responsibilities, and reporting relationships, helping
coordinate personnel and resources during emergencies.
5. What is the primary purpose of a HACCP plan in a food
establishment?
,A. To increase production speed
B. To reduce labor costs
C. To identify, evaluate, and control food safety hazards
D. To improve the aesthetic appeal of food
Answer: C
Rationale: HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety
that identifies potential hazards and implements controls at critical
points in the process.
6. Muerto Canyon virus (MCV) is a Hantavirus mainly carried by which
organism?
A. Rats
B. Mice
C. Squirrels
D. Rabbits
Answer: B
Rationale: Muerto Canyon virus is a Hantavirus primarily carried by
mice, particularly deer mice, and is transmitted to humans through
inhalation of aerosolized rodent droppings.
7. A negative pressure fit test for a protective mask is performed by:
A. Exhaling sharply and feeling for leaks
B. Placing both palms against the intake filters
C. Inhaling while covering the exhalation valve
D. Performing a user seal check in a contamination chamber
Answer: B
, Rationale: A negative pressure fit test involves covering the inhalation
valves or filter cartridges with both palms and gently inhaling; if the
facepiece collapses slightly and no inward leakage is detected, the seal
is acceptable.
8. Which measure describes the proportion of a population that has a
disease at a particular point or during a specified period?
A. Mortality
B. Attack rate
C. Incidence
D. Prevalence
Answer: D
Rationale: Prevalence measures existing cases within a population at a
specified time or over a defined period, while incidence focuses on new
cases occurring during a specified period.
9. Which structure is primarily responsible for controlling movement of
substances into and out of a bacterial cell?
A. Ribosome
B. Cell wall
C. Cell membrane
D. Nucleoid
Answer: C
Rationale: The cell membrane regulates the movement of many
substances into and out of the cell, is selectively permeable, and plays
an important role in maintaining the cell's internal environment.
