Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam
1. Which Florida department is primarily responsible for regulating onsite sewage
treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS)?
A) Florida Department of Health
B) Florida Department of Environmental Protection
C) Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
D) Water Management Districts
ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has primary
responsibility for OSTDS regulations under Chapter 62-6, F.A.C. Local county health
departments often implement these rules.
2. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a septic tank and a private
water supply well in Florida?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 150 feet
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Florida Administrative Code 64E-6.005(1)(a) requires a minimum of 100
feet between a septic tank and a private water supply well.
3. According to Florida regulations, what is the minimum capacity for a residential septic
tank serving a three-bedroom home?
A) 750 gallons
,B) 900 gallons
C) 1000 gallons
D) 1200 gallons
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Florida requires a minimum septic tank capacity of 1000 gallons for a three-
bedroom residence according to standard design criteria.
4. Which of the following soil types has the slowest percolation rate and is generally least
suitable for drainfields?
A) Sand
B) Sandy Loam
C) Clay
D) Loam
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Clay soils have very small particles and poor drainage characteristics,
resulting in extremely slow percolation rates that make them unsuitable for conventional
drainfields.
5. What is the primary purpose of a distribution box in a septic system?
A) To treat effluent before it reaches the drainfield
B) To evenly distribute effluent to all drainfield lines
C) To provide access for tank pumping
D) To filter solids from the effluent
ANSWER: B
,EXPLANATION: A distribution box receives effluent from the septic tank and distributes it
equally to multiple drainfield lines to ensure even loading across the absorption area.
6. In Florida, what is the minimum depth of cover required over a septic tank?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: Florida regulations typically require a minimum of 12 inches of soil cover
over septic tanks, though local requirements may vary.
7. Which of these activities requires a Florida septic tank contractor license?
A) Installing a new residential septic system
B) Pumping an existing septic tank
C) Repairing a drainfield pipe
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D
EXPLANATION: Florida law requires a septic tank contractor license for installation, repair,
maintenance, and pumping of septic systems.
8. What is the purpose of a baffle in a septic tank?
A) To prevent scum and solids from exiting the tank
B) To aerate the effluent
C) To measure sludge accumulation
, D) To cool the effluent
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Baffles (or tees) are installed at the inlet and outlet of septic tanks to
prevent floating scum and settled solids from exiting the tank and clogging the drainfield.
9. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a drainfield and a property
line in Florida?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Florida Administrative Code requires at least 5 feet between a drainfield
and a property line, though local regulations may require greater distances.
10. Which type of septic system is typically required when the percolation rate is too slow
for a conventional system?
A) Mound system
B) Gravity system
C) Chamber system
D) Concrete tank system
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Mound systems are used when site conditions (slow percolation, high
water table, or shallow soil) prevent installation of conventional drainfields.
1. Which Florida department is primarily responsible for regulating onsite sewage
treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS)?
A) Florida Department of Health
B) Florida Department of Environmental Protection
C) Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
D) Water Management Districts
ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has primary
responsibility for OSTDS regulations under Chapter 62-6, F.A.C. Local county health
departments often implement these rules.
2. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a septic tank and a private
water supply well in Florida?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 150 feet
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Florida Administrative Code 64E-6.005(1)(a) requires a minimum of 100
feet between a septic tank and a private water supply well.
3. According to Florida regulations, what is the minimum capacity for a residential septic
tank serving a three-bedroom home?
A) 750 gallons
,B) 900 gallons
C) 1000 gallons
D) 1200 gallons
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Florida requires a minimum septic tank capacity of 1000 gallons for a three-
bedroom residence according to standard design criteria.
4. Which of the following soil types has the slowest percolation rate and is generally least
suitable for drainfields?
A) Sand
B) Sandy Loam
C) Clay
D) Loam
ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Clay soils have very small particles and poor drainage characteristics,
resulting in extremely slow percolation rates that make them unsuitable for conventional
drainfields.
5. What is the primary purpose of a distribution box in a septic system?
A) To treat effluent before it reaches the drainfield
B) To evenly distribute effluent to all drainfield lines
C) To provide access for tank pumping
D) To filter solids from the effluent
ANSWER: B
,EXPLANATION: A distribution box receives effluent from the septic tank and distributes it
equally to multiple drainfield lines to ensure even loading across the absorption area.
6. In Florida, what is the minimum depth of cover required over a septic tank?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: Florida regulations typically require a minimum of 12 inches of soil cover
over septic tanks, though local requirements may vary.
7. Which of these activities requires a Florida septic tank contractor license?
A) Installing a new residential septic system
B) Pumping an existing septic tank
C) Repairing a drainfield pipe
D) All of the above
ANSWER: D
EXPLANATION: Florida law requires a septic tank contractor license for installation, repair,
maintenance, and pumping of septic systems.
8. What is the purpose of a baffle in a septic tank?
A) To prevent scum and solids from exiting the tank
B) To aerate the effluent
C) To measure sludge accumulation
, D) To cool the effluent
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Baffles (or tees) are installed at the inlet and outlet of septic tanks to
prevent floating scum and settled solids from exiting the tank and clogging the drainfield.
9. What is the minimum horizontal separation required between a drainfield and a property
line in Florida?
A) 5 feet
B) 10 feet
C) 15 feet
D) 20 feet
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Florida Administrative Code requires at least 5 feet between a drainfield
and a property line, though local regulations may require greater distances.
10. Which type of septic system is typically required when the percolation rate is too slow
for a conventional system?
A) Mound system
B) Gravity system
C) Chamber system
D) Concrete tank system
ANSWER: A
EXPLANATION: Mound systems are used when site conditions (slow percolation, high
water table, or shallow soil) prevent installation of conventional drainfields.
