Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice
Exam 2026/2027 | 400 Practice Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. Which Florida agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) DEP
B) Department of Health (DOH)
C) EPA
D) DACS
Answer: B
Rationale: The Florida Department of Health regulates septic systems under Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C.
2. What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a 50-foot setback from septic tanks to private wells.
3. What is the required minimum distance from a drainfield to a property line?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields must be at least 10 feet from property lines.
,4. How often should a septic tank be pumped?
A) Every year
B) Every 3-5 years
C) Every 10 years
D) Never
Answer: B
Rationale: Pumping every 3-5 years prevents solids from entering the drainfield.
5. What is the minimum size septic tank for a 3-bedroom home in Florida?
A) 500 gallons
B) 900 gallons
C) 1200 gallons
D) 1500 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum 900-gallon tank for 3-bedroom homes.
6. What is the required distance from a septic tank to a lake or river?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Septic tanks must be at least 50 feet from surface waters.
7. What type of soil is best for a drainfield?
A) Clay
2
,B) Sandy loam
C) Rock
D) Silt
Answer: B
Rationale: Sandy loam provides good drainage and filtration.
8. What is a percolation test?
A) Tests water quality
B) Tests soil absorption rate
C) Tests tank size
D) Tests pump performance
Answer: B
Rationale: Perc tests determine how quickly soil absorbs water.
9. What is the minimum drainfield size for a 3-bedroom home?
A) 300 sq ft
B) 450 sq ft
C) 600 sq ft
D) 750 sq ft
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum 450 sq ft drainfield for 3-bedroom homes.
10. What is an ATU?
A) Aerobic Treatment Unit
B) Aerobic Treatment Unit
C) Anaerobic Treatment Unit
D) Advanced Treatment Unit
Answer: B
3
, Rationale: ATUs use oxygen to treat wastewater more effectively.
11. How often should an ATU be serviced?
A) Monthly
B) Every 3-6 months
C) Yearly
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: ATUs require regular maintenance every 3-6 months.
12. What is the required setback from a drainfield to a swimming pool?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields must be at least 10 feet from pools.
13. What is the purpose of a distribution box?
A) Stores water
B) Evenly distributes effluent to drainfield lines
C) Pumps water
D) Filters water
Answer: B
Rationale: D-boxes ensure equal flow to each drainfield line.
14. What is the minimum cover over a drainfield?
4
Exam 2026/2027 | 400 Practice Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. Which Florida agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) DEP
B) Department of Health (DOH)
C) EPA
D) DACS
Answer: B
Rationale: The Florida Department of Health regulates septic systems under Chapter 64E-6, F.A.C.
2. What is the minimum setback from a septic tank to a well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a 50-foot setback from septic tanks to private wells.
3. What is the required minimum distance from a drainfield to a property line?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields must be at least 10 feet from property lines.
,4. How often should a septic tank be pumped?
A) Every year
B) Every 3-5 years
C) Every 10 years
D) Never
Answer: B
Rationale: Pumping every 3-5 years prevents solids from entering the drainfield.
5. What is the minimum size septic tank for a 3-bedroom home in Florida?
A) 500 gallons
B) 900 gallons
C) 1200 gallons
D) 1500 gallons
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum 900-gallon tank for 3-bedroom homes.
6. What is the required distance from a septic tank to a lake or river?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Septic tanks must be at least 50 feet from surface waters.
7. What type of soil is best for a drainfield?
A) Clay
2
,B) Sandy loam
C) Rock
D) Silt
Answer: B
Rationale: Sandy loam provides good drainage and filtration.
8. What is a percolation test?
A) Tests water quality
B) Tests soil absorption rate
C) Tests tank size
D) Tests pump performance
Answer: B
Rationale: Perc tests determine how quickly soil absorbs water.
9. What is the minimum drainfield size for a 3-bedroom home?
A) 300 sq ft
B) 450 sq ft
C) 600 sq ft
D) 750 sq ft
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida requires a minimum 450 sq ft drainfield for 3-bedroom homes.
10. What is an ATU?
A) Aerobic Treatment Unit
B) Aerobic Treatment Unit
C) Anaerobic Treatment Unit
D) Advanced Treatment Unit
Answer: B
3
, Rationale: ATUs use oxygen to treat wastewater more effectively.
11. How often should an ATU be serviced?
A) Monthly
B) Every 3-6 months
C) Yearly
D) Every 5 years
Answer: B
Rationale: ATUs require regular maintenance every 3-6 months.
12. What is the required setback from a drainfield to a swimming pool?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: Drainfields must be at least 10 feet from pools.
13. What is the purpose of a distribution box?
A) Stores water
B) Evenly distributes effluent to drainfield lines
C) Pumps water
D) Filters water
Answer: B
Rationale: D-boxes ensure equal flow to each drainfield line.
14. What is the minimum cover over a drainfield?
4
