Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam 2026 – Questions with
Answers & Rationales | OSTDS, Setbacks, Soils, ENR, Safety, Installation,
Maintenance, DOH & DBPR Rules
SECTION 1 – Laws, Licensing, Regulatory Authority (Q1–40)
Q1. Under Florida law, which state agency holds the primary statutory authority to regulate
onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) including permitting and
construction standards?
A. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
B. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
C. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) only
D. Local county building department only
B. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
DOH regulates OSTDS under Ch. 381 F.S. & 64E-6 F.A.C.
Q2. Which Florida agency is responsible for issuing and renewing the registration for
individuals who work as septic tank contractors in the state?
A. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
B. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
C. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
D. County health department only
,B. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
DBPR licenses contractors; DOH regulates systems.
Q3. According to Florida Statute 489.553, what is the minimum age requirement for an
applicant to register as a septic tank contractor in the state of Florida?
A. Sixteen years old
B. Eighteen years old
C. Twenty-one years old
D. Twenty-five years old
B. Eighteen years old
F.S. 489.553 requires applicants be at least 18.
Q4. An applicant for initial registration as a septic tank contractor in Florida must
demonstrate at least how many years of active experience under a registered contractor?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
C. Three years
F.S. 489.553 requires 3 years of apprenticeship experience.
,Q5. Which of the following individuals is legally permitted to install a septic system on a
property in Florida without holding a septic tank contractor registration?
A. A certified general contractor
B. A homeowner on their own primary residence
C. A handyman with ten years of experience
D. A residential air conditioning contractor
B. A homeowner on their own primary residence
Owner-occupied single-family homeowners may self-install.
Q6. A septic tank contractor whose license has been revoked and who continues to contract
for septic work in Florida is generally subject to which level of penalty under state law?
A. Civil infraction only
B. Misdemeanor of the second degree
C. Misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances
D. Administrative warning only
C. Misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances
Unlicensed activity can be criminal; repeat/revocation may be felony.
Q7. How often must a registered septic tank contractor in Florida renew their license with
the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to maintain active status?
, A. Every year (annually)
B. Every two years (biennially)
C. Every three years
D. Licenses do not expire
B. Every two years (biennially)
FL contractor licenses renew biennially with CEUs.
Q8. Which of the following actions would most likely constitute unlicensed activity for a
septic tank contractor under Florida law and result in disciplinary action?
A. Performing maintenance on a system they installed
B. Installing a septic system without a current registration
C. Inspecting a system for a real estate transaction
D. Pumping a tank under a county health permit
B. Installing a septic system without a current registration
Installation requires active registration.
Q9. The Florida Department of Health regulates onsite sewage systems primarily under
which Florida Administrative Code chapter that contains the OSTDS rules?
A. Chapter 61J2
B. Chapter 64E-6
C. Chapter 61G4
D. Chapter 64B9
Answers & Rationales | OSTDS, Setbacks, Soils, ENR, Safety, Installation,
Maintenance, DOH & DBPR Rules
SECTION 1 – Laws, Licensing, Regulatory Authority (Q1–40)
Q1. Under Florida law, which state agency holds the primary statutory authority to regulate
onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) including permitting and
construction standards?
A. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
B. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
C. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) only
D. Local county building department only
B. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
DOH regulates OSTDS under Ch. 381 F.S. & 64E-6 F.A.C.
Q2. Which Florida agency is responsible for issuing and renewing the registration for
individuals who work as septic tank contractors in the state?
A. Florida Department of Health (DOH)
B. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
C. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
D. County health department only
,B. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
DBPR licenses contractors; DOH regulates systems.
Q3. According to Florida Statute 489.553, what is the minimum age requirement for an
applicant to register as a septic tank contractor in the state of Florida?
A. Sixteen years old
B. Eighteen years old
C. Twenty-one years old
D. Twenty-five years old
B. Eighteen years old
F.S. 489.553 requires applicants be at least 18.
Q4. An applicant for initial registration as a septic tank contractor in Florida must
demonstrate at least how many years of active experience under a registered contractor?
A. One year
B. Two years
C. Three years
D. Five years
C. Three years
F.S. 489.553 requires 3 years of apprenticeship experience.
,Q5. Which of the following individuals is legally permitted to install a septic system on a
property in Florida without holding a septic tank contractor registration?
A. A certified general contractor
B. A homeowner on their own primary residence
C. A handyman with ten years of experience
D. A residential air conditioning contractor
B. A homeowner on their own primary residence
Owner-occupied single-family homeowners may self-install.
Q6. A septic tank contractor whose license has been revoked and who continues to contract
for septic work in Florida is generally subject to which level of penalty under state law?
A. Civil infraction only
B. Misdemeanor of the second degree
C. Misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances
D. Administrative warning only
C. Misdemeanor or felony depending on circumstances
Unlicensed activity can be criminal; repeat/revocation may be felony.
Q7. How often must a registered septic tank contractor in Florida renew their license with
the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to maintain active status?
, A. Every year (annually)
B. Every two years (biennially)
C. Every three years
D. Licenses do not expire
B. Every two years (biennially)
FL contractor licenses renew biennially with CEUs.
Q8. Which of the following actions would most likely constitute unlicensed activity for a
septic tank contractor under Florida law and result in disciplinary action?
A. Performing maintenance on a system they installed
B. Installing a septic system without a current registration
C. Inspecting a system for a real estate transaction
D. Pumping a tank under a county health permit
B. Installing a septic system without a current registration
Installation requires active registration.
Q9. The Florida Department of Health regulates onsite sewage systems primarily under
which Florida Administrative Code chapter that contains the OSTDS rules?
A. Chapter 61J2
B. Chapter 64E-6
C. Chapter 61G4
D. Chapter 64B9
