SOUTH CAROLINA (SC) SEPTIC TANK CONTRACTOR EXAM PRACTICE
250 Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Based on
SCDES Regulation 61-56 | 2026/2027 Update
Questions 1–250
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Questions 1–30)
1. Which South Carolina state agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) / now SCDES
C) SC Department of Natural Resources
D) SC Department of Agriculture
Answer B: SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) /
now SCDES
Rationale: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control (DHEC), now the Department of Environmental Services (SCDES),
,regulates septic tank contractors, installers, and pumpers under Regulation
61-56.
2. What is the primary regulatory document governing onsite wastewater
systems in South Carolina?
A) NFPA 1403
B) SC DES Regulation 61-56
C) SC LLR Title 40
D) The International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Answer B: SC DES Regulation 61-56
Rationale: SC DES Regulation 61-56 is the official regulation that specifies the
minimum standards for the construction, design, and installation of septic
systems in South Carolina.
3. What is the minimum passing score required for the South Carolina Septic
Tank Contractor Licensing Exam?
A) 70%
B) 80%
C) 85%
D) 90%
Answer B: 80%
,Rationale: Candidates must achieve a score of 80% or better to pass the
licensing exam.
4. A Tier 1 Installer license in South Carolina authorizes a contractor to work
on which type of systems?
A) Engineered alternative systems only
B) Gravity-fed conventional residential systems only
C) Commercial systems only
D) Any residential system regardless of design
Answer B: Gravity-fed conventional residential systems only
Rationale: South Carolina uses a tiered professional licensing system where a
Tier 1 Installer is authorized to install and repair conventional, basic gravity-
fed residential septic systems only.
5. Which tier of installer can install all gravity-fed and fill-cap residential
systems?
A) Tier 1 Installer
B) Tier 2 Installer
C) Tier 3 Installer
D) Master Installer
Answer A: Tier 1 Installer
, Rationale: Tier 1 Installers can install all gravity-fed and fill-cap residential
systems. Tier 2 and Tier 3 installers have progressively broader scope
authority.
6. In South Carolina, a septic tank contractor must be licensed by which
agency?
A) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
B) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
C) SC Department of Public Safety
D) Board of Sanitation Engineers
Answer B: SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
Rationale: The SC LLR regulates licensing and certification for septic tank
contractors under state construction codes.
7. How long is a standard South Carolina septic system "Permit to Construct"
valid after its date of issuance?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer D: 5 years
250 Verified Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales | Based on
SCDES Regulation 61-56 | 2026/2027 Update
Questions 1–250
SECTION 1: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Questions 1–30)
1. Which South Carolina state agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) / now SCDES
C) SC Department of Natural Resources
D) SC Department of Agriculture
Answer B: SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) /
now SCDES
Rationale: The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental
Control (DHEC), now the Department of Environmental Services (SCDES),
,regulates septic tank contractors, installers, and pumpers under Regulation
61-56.
2. What is the primary regulatory document governing onsite wastewater
systems in South Carolina?
A) NFPA 1403
B) SC DES Regulation 61-56
C) SC LLR Title 40
D) The International Plumbing Code (IPC)
Answer B: SC DES Regulation 61-56
Rationale: SC DES Regulation 61-56 is the official regulation that specifies the
minimum standards for the construction, design, and installation of septic
systems in South Carolina.
3. What is the minimum passing score required for the South Carolina Septic
Tank Contractor Licensing Exam?
A) 70%
B) 80%
C) 85%
D) 90%
Answer B: 80%
,Rationale: Candidates must achieve a score of 80% or better to pass the
licensing exam.
4. A Tier 1 Installer license in South Carolina authorizes a contractor to work
on which type of systems?
A) Engineered alternative systems only
B) Gravity-fed conventional residential systems only
C) Commercial systems only
D) Any residential system regardless of design
Answer B: Gravity-fed conventional residential systems only
Rationale: South Carolina uses a tiered professional licensing system where a
Tier 1 Installer is authorized to install and repair conventional, basic gravity-
fed residential septic systems only.
5. Which tier of installer can install all gravity-fed and fill-cap residential
systems?
A) Tier 1 Installer
B) Tier 2 Installer
C) Tier 3 Installer
D) Master Installer
Answer A: Tier 1 Installer
, Rationale: Tier 1 Installers can install all gravity-fed and fill-cap residential
systems. Tier 2 and Tier 3 installers have progressively broader scope
authority.
6. In South Carolina, a septic tank contractor must be licensed by which
agency?
A) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
B) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
C) SC Department of Public Safety
D) Board of Sanitation Engineers
Answer B: SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
Rationale: The SC LLR regulates licensing and certification for septic tank
contractors under state construction codes.
7. How long is a standard South Carolina septic system "Permit to Construct"
valid after its date of issuance?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 5 years
Answer D: 5 years
