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NH SUBSURFACE SYSTEM INSTALLER - MASTER PRACTICE
EXAMINATION FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED- VERIFIED
ANSWERS- ALREADY GRADED A+
Environmental Engineering / Water and Wastewater Engineering
This exam covers NH subsurface system installation, including: RSA 485
A & Env Wq 1000 regulations; soil evaluation & percolation testing;
septic tanks (sizing, baffles, effluent filters); absorption fields (gravity,
pressure dosed); installation procedures & safety; system math (design
flow, loading rates); maintenance, troubleshooting & failure indicators;
environmental setbacks (wells, property lines, surface waters);
advanced systems (LPP, drip, ATUs); inspection protocols; continuing
education requirements; and practical field scenarios. Emphasizes
regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and safe installation
practices for NH permitted installers.
Section 1: Regulatory Framework (NH RSA 485-A & Env-Wq 1000)
Question 1
A homeowner in New Hampshire wants to replace a failing septic
system on their own primary residence. Which of the following best
describes the legal requirement regarding a state permit for this work?
A. Only a permitted designer can plan the work, but a homeowner may
install it without a permit.
B. A homeowner may design, install, repair, or replace a subsurface
sewage disposal system for their own primary domicile without
holding a permit ✔.
C. The homeowner must first obtain a provisional installer permit from
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the local municipality regardless of system size.
D. All repairs must be performed by a permitted installer; no homeowner
exemption exists for any work on a septic system.
Rationale: Under NH RSA 485-A:35-36 and DES guidance, the only
statutory exception to the permit requirement is that a homeowner may
design and install, or repair and replace, a subsurface sewage disposal
system for his/her own primary domicile.
Question 2
When a permitted installer in New Hampshire fails to file a complete
renewal application by the permit expiration date, what is the immediate
consequence, according to DES procedures?
A. The permit is automatically extended for 60 days with no penalty.
B. The installer may continue working while paying a late fee of $40 per
month.
C. The permit is deemed suspended after 30 days of non-renewal
unless reinstatement is requested ✔.
D. The permit is void immediately and the individual must retake the
entire examination.
Rationale: DES rules state that permits not renewed within 30 days of
the expiration date shall be deemed suspended. Reinstatement requires
a late fee, a reinstatement fee, and documentation of completed
continuing education.
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Question 3
What is the biennial continuing education credit requirement for a
permitted installer in New Hampshire who holds only an installer permit
(not a designer permit)?
A. No continuing education is required for installers, only for designers.
B. A minimum of 6 credit hours per biennium of DES-approved
continuing education ✔.
C. 12 credit hours per biennium, of which 6 must be field-based
practical training.
D. 3 credit hours annually, for a total of 6 hours per biennium, but all 6
must be from out-of-state seminars.
Rationale: NH RSA 485-A:36(b) requires permitted installers to
complete a minimum of 6 hours biennially of continuing education
approved by the department. Any permitted installer who is also a
designer may use the same 6 hours for both permits.
Question 4
A licensed designer submits a subdivision plan with 10 lots for DES
review. According to RSA 485-A:30, what fee must accompany the
submission for the subdivision lots?
A. $50 per lot, payable to the local municipality.
B. **$300 per lot, paid to the department and deposited in the
subsurface systems fund** ✔.
C. A flat fee of $1,500 regardless of lot count.
D. $80 per lot plus a $50 per-lot plan review fee.
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Rationale: RSA 485-A:30 requires any person submitting plans and
specifications for a subdivision of land to pay to the department a fee of
$300 per lot, which is deposited in the subsurface systems fund.
Question 5
Which of the following scenarios qualifies for a “permit by rule” for the
in-kind repair or replacement of a sewage effluent disposal area in New
Hampshire?
A. The system is located 50 feet from a surface water body, water supply
well, or very poorly drained soil.
B. The repair exactly matches the previously approved plan, and the
system is not within 75 feet of any surface water, water supply well,
or very poorly drained soil ✔.
C. The property owner signs a waiver acknowledging that the repair does
not meet state setbacks.
D. Any repair that uses a plastic chamber system instead of a
stone-and-pipe trench.
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 Appendix E specifies that a repair or
replacement in-kind of a sewage effluent disposal area qualifies for a
permit by rule only if the system is not within 75 feet of any surface
water, water supply well, or very poorly drained soil unless prior
departmental approval is obtained.
Question 6
A candidate fails the written installer exam three times over two years.
NH SUBSURFACE SYSTEM INSTALLER - MASTER PRACTICE
EXAMINATION FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED- VERIFIED
ANSWERS- ALREADY GRADED A+
Environmental Engineering / Water and Wastewater Engineering
This exam covers NH subsurface system installation, including: RSA 485
A & Env Wq 1000 regulations; soil evaluation & percolation testing;
septic tanks (sizing, baffles, effluent filters); absorption fields (gravity,
pressure dosed); installation procedures & safety; system math (design
flow, loading rates); maintenance, troubleshooting & failure indicators;
environmental setbacks (wells, property lines, surface waters);
advanced systems (LPP, drip, ATUs); inspection protocols; continuing
education requirements; and practical field scenarios. Emphasizes
regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and safe installation
practices for NH permitted installers.
Section 1: Regulatory Framework (NH RSA 485-A & Env-Wq 1000)
Question 1
A homeowner in New Hampshire wants to replace a failing septic
system on their own primary residence. Which of the following best
describes the legal requirement regarding a state permit for this work?
A. Only a permitted designer can plan the work, but a homeowner may
install it without a permit.
B. A homeowner may design, install, repair, or replace a subsurface
sewage disposal system for their own primary domicile without
holding a permit ✔.
C. The homeowner must first obtain a provisional installer permit from
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the local municipality regardless of system size.
D. All repairs must be performed by a permitted installer; no homeowner
exemption exists for any work on a septic system.
Rationale: Under NH RSA 485-A:35-36 and DES guidance, the only
statutory exception to the permit requirement is that a homeowner may
design and install, or repair and replace, a subsurface sewage disposal
system for his/her own primary domicile.
Question 2
When a permitted installer in New Hampshire fails to file a complete
renewal application by the permit expiration date, what is the immediate
consequence, according to DES procedures?
A. The permit is automatically extended for 60 days with no penalty.
B. The installer may continue working while paying a late fee of $40 per
month.
C. The permit is deemed suspended after 30 days of non-renewal
unless reinstatement is requested ✔.
D. The permit is void immediately and the individual must retake the
entire examination.
Rationale: DES rules state that permits not renewed within 30 days of
the expiration date shall be deemed suspended. Reinstatement requires
a late fee, a reinstatement fee, and documentation of completed
continuing education.
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Question 3
What is the biennial continuing education credit requirement for a
permitted installer in New Hampshire who holds only an installer permit
(not a designer permit)?
A. No continuing education is required for installers, only for designers.
B. A minimum of 6 credit hours per biennium of DES-approved
continuing education ✔.
C. 12 credit hours per biennium, of which 6 must be field-based
practical training.
D. 3 credit hours annually, for a total of 6 hours per biennium, but all 6
must be from out-of-state seminars.
Rationale: NH RSA 485-A:36(b) requires permitted installers to
complete a minimum of 6 hours biennially of continuing education
approved by the department. Any permitted installer who is also a
designer may use the same 6 hours for both permits.
Question 4
A licensed designer submits a subdivision plan with 10 lots for DES
review. According to RSA 485-A:30, what fee must accompany the
submission for the subdivision lots?
A. $50 per lot, payable to the local municipality.
B. **$300 per lot, paid to the department and deposited in the
subsurface systems fund** ✔.
C. A flat fee of $1,500 regardless of lot count.
D. $80 per lot plus a $50 per-lot plan review fee.
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Rationale: RSA 485-A:30 requires any person submitting plans and
specifications for a subdivision of land to pay to the department a fee of
$300 per lot, which is deposited in the subsurface systems fund.
Question 5
Which of the following scenarios qualifies for a “permit by rule” for the
in-kind repair or replacement of a sewage effluent disposal area in New
Hampshire?
A. The system is located 50 feet from a surface water body, water supply
well, or very poorly drained soil.
B. The repair exactly matches the previously approved plan, and the
system is not within 75 feet of any surface water, water supply well,
or very poorly drained soil ✔.
C. The property owner signs a waiver acknowledging that the repair does
not meet state setbacks.
D. Any repair that uses a plastic chamber system instead of a
stone-and-pipe trench.
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 Appendix E specifies that a repair or
replacement in-kind of a sewage effluent disposal area qualifies for a
permit by rule only if the system is not within 75 feet of any surface
water, water supply well, or very poorly drained soil unless prior
departmental approval is obtained.
Question 6
A candidate fails the written installer exam three times over two years.
