NEW HAMPSHIRE SEPTIC INSTALLER EXAM 2 –
SYSTEM INSTALLATION & CONSTRUCTION EXAM
300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE ALREADY
GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
Section 1: Regulations, Permits & Administration (Questions 1–
30)
1. Under which New Hampshire statute does NHDES issue individual sewage
disposal system (ISDS) installer permits?
A. RSA 485-A:35
B. RSA 485-A:29
C. RSA 483-B
D. RSA 482-A
Answer: A
Rationale: RSA 485-A:35 specifically governs the issuance of installer permits for
subsurface sewage disposal systems. RSA 485-A:29 establishes the overall
authority for water pollution and waste disposal regulations.
2. What is the minimum passing score required on each part of the NH Septic
Installer exam?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Answer: C
Rationale: NHDES requires a minimum score of 80% on both Part 1 and Part 2.
Scores are not averaged, so a high score on one part cannot compensate for a
failing score on the other.
,3. Beginning in Spring 2026, how are the two parts of the NH Septic Installer exam
administered?
A. On the same day
B. On separate days
C. Part 2 is taken online
D. Part 1 is a field test
Answer: B
Rationale: Beginning in Spring 2026, Part 1 and Part 2 are administered on
separate days. Applicants must pass Part 1 to be eligible to sit for Part 2.
4. Which NHDES administrative chapter governs subdivisions and individual
sewage disposal system (ISDS) design rules?
A. Env-Wq 1000
B. Env-Wq 402
C. Env-Ws 1000
D. Env-A 1000
Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter Env-Wq 1000 contains the subdivision and individual sewage
disposal system design rules in New Hampshire. This is the primary rule reference
for the installer exam.
5. May a floor drain discharge to an ISDS without separate approval under
applicable groundwater-discharge rules?
A. Yes, in any garage
B. Yes, if the property is residential
C. Yes, if the drain is trapped
D. No
Answer: D
Rationale: Env-Wq 1012.06 states that floor drains shall not be used unless
approved under Env-Wq 402 or a predecessor rule. Floor drains can introduce
contaminants not appropriate for a normal domestic ISDS. Installers should verify
the intended waste stream before connecting such a drain. Rule reference: Env-Wq
1012.06
6. Can a newly constructed ISDS be covered or placed in operation before final
inspection and approval?
A. No
,B. Yes, for up to 30 days
C. Yes, if the installer photographs it
D. Yes, if the owner signs a waiver
Answer: A
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.06 prohibits covering or placing the constructed system
in operation before final inspection and approval by the department or its
authorized agent. This allows critical components, elevations, and workmanship to
be verified. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1004.06
7. What extension may a permitted designer or installer request when an ISDS is
actively under construction as the construction approval is expiring?
A. Up to 90 days
B. Exactly one year
C. Up to 30 days only
D. No extension is allowed
Answer: A
Rationale: The rule allows an extension of up to 90 days when an ISDS is actively
under construction and the construction approval is expiring, subject to the
required written request. This is not automatic. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1004
8. May state septic requirements be treated as replacing stricter local requirements?
A. Yes, but only for residential systems
B. Only after final inspection
C. Yes; state approval eliminates local requirements
D. No; state requirements are minimums and local requirements can still apply
Answer: D
Rationale: RSA 485-A:32 states that the chapter does not reduce powers of local
authorities and that state requirements are minimum requirements. An installer
may therefore need to satisfy both state and local conditions. Rule reference: RSA
485-A:32
9. How may NHDES test an applicant for a system installer permit?
A. By written examination only
B. By employer recommendation only
C. By field inspection only
D. By oral examination, written examination, or both
, Answer: D
Rationale: The statute authorizes NHDES to require an oral examination, a written
examination, or both. This gives the department flexibility to test both rule
knowledge and practical understanding. Rule reference: RSA 485-A
10. What is the maximum number of ISDS installations a provisional ITA
generally allows, and for how long?
A. Exactly 100 systems for 2 years
B. Up to 5 systems for 1 year
C. Up to 50 systems over up to 5 years
D. Unlimited systems for 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: A provisional ITA can allow up to 50 installations over a period of up to
five years while performance testing is conducted. Provisional status is controlled
field evaluation, not unrestricted general use. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1024
11. Which New Hampshire agency has primary authority for regulating subsurface
wastewater disposal systems?
A. NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT)
B. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)
C. NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
D. NH Office of Planning and Development
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES, through its Subsurface Systems Bureau, has primary authority
for regulating subsurface wastewater disposal systems under RSA 485-A and
administrative rules Env-Wq 1000.
12. What must an installer do if a general ITA with conditions requires a specific
manufacturer installation manual?
A. Use any older version available
B. Ignore the manual if local practice differs
C. Install as a conventional system without checking conditions
D. Follow the approved manual and all stated conditions
Answer: D
Rationale: A general ITA with conditions may require compliance with a specific
approved design or installation manual. The conditions are part of the technology
authorization. Deviating from them can mean the installed system no longer
SYSTEM INSTALLATION & CONSTRUCTION EXAM
300 ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST UPDATE ALREADY
GRADED A+ ASSURED PASS
Section 1: Regulations, Permits & Administration (Questions 1–
30)
1. Under which New Hampshire statute does NHDES issue individual sewage
disposal system (ISDS) installer permits?
A. RSA 485-A:35
B. RSA 485-A:29
C. RSA 483-B
D. RSA 482-A
Answer: A
Rationale: RSA 485-A:35 specifically governs the issuance of installer permits for
subsurface sewage disposal systems. RSA 485-A:29 establishes the overall
authority for water pollution and waste disposal regulations.
2. What is the minimum passing score required on each part of the NH Septic
Installer exam?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Answer: C
Rationale: NHDES requires a minimum score of 80% on both Part 1 and Part 2.
Scores are not averaged, so a high score on one part cannot compensate for a
failing score on the other.
,3. Beginning in Spring 2026, how are the two parts of the NH Septic Installer exam
administered?
A. On the same day
B. On separate days
C. Part 2 is taken online
D. Part 1 is a field test
Answer: B
Rationale: Beginning in Spring 2026, Part 1 and Part 2 are administered on
separate days. Applicants must pass Part 1 to be eligible to sit for Part 2.
4. Which NHDES administrative chapter governs subdivisions and individual
sewage disposal system (ISDS) design rules?
A. Env-Wq 1000
B. Env-Wq 402
C. Env-Ws 1000
D. Env-A 1000
Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter Env-Wq 1000 contains the subdivision and individual sewage
disposal system design rules in New Hampshire. This is the primary rule reference
for the installer exam.
5. May a floor drain discharge to an ISDS without separate approval under
applicable groundwater-discharge rules?
A. Yes, in any garage
B. Yes, if the property is residential
C. Yes, if the drain is trapped
D. No
Answer: D
Rationale: Env-Wq 1012.06 states that floor drains shall not be used unless
approved under Env-Wq 402 or a predecessor rule. Floor drains can introduce
contaminants not appropriate for a normal domestic ISDS. Installers should verify
the intended waste stream before connecting such a drain. Rule reference: Env-Wq
1012.06
6. Can a newly constructed ISDS be covered or placed in operation before final
inspection and approval?
A. No
,B. Yes, for up to 30 days
C. Yes, if the installer photographs it
D. Yes, if the owner signs a waiver
Answer: A
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.06 prohibits covering or placing the constructed system
in operation before final inspection and approval by the department or its
authorized agent. This allows critical components, elevations, and workmanship to
be verified. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1004.06
7. What extension may a permitted designer or installer request when an ISDS is
actively under construction as the construction approval is expiring?
A. Up to 90 days
B. Exactly one year
C. Up to 30 days only
D. No extension is allowed
Answer: A
Rationale: The rule allows an extension of up to 90 days when an ISDS is actively
under construction and the construction approval is expiring, subject to the
required written request. This is not automatic. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1004
8. May state septic requirements be treated as replacing stricter local requirements?
A. Yes, but only for residential systems
B. Only after final inspection
C. Yes; state approval eliminates local requirements
D. No; state requirements are minimums and local requirements can still apply
Answer: D
Rationale: RSA 485-A:32 states that the chapter does not reduce powers of local
authorities and that state requirements are minimum requirements. An installer
may therefore need to satisfy both state and local conditions. Rule reference: RSA
485-A:32
9. How may NHDES test an applicant for a system installer permit?
A. By written examination only
B. By employer recommendation only
C. By field inspection only
D. By oral examination, written examination, or both
, Answer: D
Rationale: The statute authorizes NHDES to require an oral examination, a written
examination, or both. This gives the department flexibility to test both rule
knowledge and practical understanding. Rule reference: RSA 485-A
10. What is the maximum number of ISDS installations a provisional ITA
generally allows, and for how long?
A. Exactly 100 systems for 2 years
B. Up to 5 systems for 1 year
C. Up to 50 systems over up to 5 years
D. Unlimited systems for 10 years
Answer: C
Rationale: A provisional ITA can allow up to 50 installations over a period of up to
five years while performance testing is conducted. Provisional status is controlled
field evaluation, not unrestricted general use. Rule reference: Env-Wq 1024
11. Which New Hampshire agency has primary authority for regulating subsurface
wastewater disposal systems?
A. NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT)
B. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES)
C. NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
D. NH Office of Planning and Development
Answer: B
Rationale: NHDES, through its Subsurface Systems Bureau, has primary authority
for regulating subsurface wastewater disposal systems under RSA 485-A and
administrative rules Env-Wq 1000.
12. What must an installer do if a general ITA with conditions requires a specific
manufacturer installation manual?
A. Use any older version available
B. Ignore the manual if local practice differs
C. Install as a conventional system without checking conditions
D. Follow the approved manual and all stated conditions
Answer: D
Rationale: A general ITA with conditions may require compliance with a specific
approved design or installation manual. The conditions are part of the technology
authorization. Deviating from them can mean the installed system no longer
