Page 1 of 76
OSSF INSTALLER 1 LICENSE QUESTIONS 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Section 1: Regulatory Framework (Questions 1-50)
1. Which Texas agency is primarily responsible for regulating On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) statewide?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D) Texas Water Development Board
Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ has sole authority for OSSF rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285. The
agency is responsible for developing regulations, issuing permits, and enforcing
compliance for all on-site sewage facilities in Texas .
2. What is the desired level of OSSF regulation in Texas?
A) Federal regulation
B) State regulation
C) Local regulation
D) No regulation
Answer: C
Rationale: The intent of HB1875 is that local governments take primary responsibility for
OSSF regulation. This allows for site-specific considerations and more responsive
oversight .
3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas begin?
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A) 1970
B) 1985
C) September 1989
D) 2001
Answer: C
Rationale: Statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas began in September 1989. Prior to
this, regulation was primarily local or non-existent .
4. Local permitting for OSSFs in Texas is delegated by which agency?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Local city councils
D) County commissioners
Answer: B
Rationale: Local permitting authority is delegated by TCEQ to authorized local
governments (counties or municipalities). TCEQ retains oversight but delegates day-to-
day permitting and inspection responsibilities to local authorized agents .
5. Which of the following is NOT a delegation option for OSSF permitting in Texas?
A) TCEQ direct permitting
B) Authorized Agent (county/city)
C) Statewide delegated private firms
D) Local government delegation
Answer: C
Rationale: Permitting is done by TCEQ, authorized local governments, or certified
agents. Private firms are not authorized to issue permits on a statewide basis .
6. What is the maximum penalty per violation per day under Texas Water Code
§7.052 for OSSF rule violations?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
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Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Water Code §7.052 allows for penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
per day for OSSF rule violations. This significant penalty underscores the importance of
compliance with all OSSF regulations .
7. Who is responsible for reviewing permit applications, site evaluations, planning
materials, and conducting inspections of OSSFs?
A) The installer
B) The property owner
C) The Designated Representative (authorized agent)
D) TCEQ field staff
Answer: C
Rationale: The Designated Representative (authorized agent) is responsible for
reviewing permit applications, site evaluations, planning materials, and conducting
inspections .
8. According to TCEQ rules, what is the primary requirement for obtaining an OSSF
Installer I license?
A) High school diploma and two years of experience
B) Passing a TCEQ-approved exam and proof of liability insurance
C) A bachelor's degree in engineering
D) Recommendation from a licensed professional engineer
Answer: B
Rationale: Installer I requires passing the TCEQ-approved examination, proof of liability
insurance with a $300,000 aggregate minimum, and registration with TCEQ. No college
degree is required for this entry-level license .
9. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for an OSSF Installer I
in Texas?
A) $100,000 per occurrence / $200,000 aggregate
B) $300,000 aggregate
C) $500,000 aggregate
D) $1,000,000 aggregate
Answer: B
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Rationale: TCEQ regulations require a minimum of $300,000 aggregate liability
insurance coverage for OSSF Installer I license holders. This insurance protects the
installer and the public in case of property damage or injury during installation
activities .
10. What is the maximum penalty per violation per day under Texas Water Code
§7.052 for OSSF rule violations?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Water Code §7.052 allows for penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
per day for OSSF rule violations. This significant penalty underscores the importance of
compliance with all OSSF regulations .
11. Which of the following requires a separate permit amendment?
A) Replacing a septic tank lid
B) Changing drainfield location on same property
C) Pumping the septic tank
D) Adding risers to grade
Answer: B
Rationale: Any deviation from approved plans requires a permit amendment or new
permit. Changing the drainfield location constitutes a significant modification to the
approved system design and must be reviewed and approved by the permitting
authority .
12. An OSSF Installer I may perform repairs on a conventional system only if:
A) The repair costs less than $500
B) A TCEQ licensed site evaluator has approved the repair design
C) The homeowner signs a waiver
D) The repair uses only PVC pipe
Answer: B
OSSF INSTALLER 1 LICENSE QUESTIONS 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 EDITION
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Section 1: Regulatory Framework (Questions 1-50)
1. Which Texas agency is primarily responsible for regulating On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) statewide?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D) Texas Water Development Board
Answer: C
Rationale: TCEQ has sole authority for OSSF rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285. The
agency is responsible for developing regulations, issuing permits, and enforcing
compliance for all on-site sewage facilities in Texas .
2. What is the desired level of OSSF regulation in Texas?
A) Federal regulation
B) State regulation
C) Local regulation
D) No regulation
Answer: C
Rationale: The intent of HB1875 is that local governments take primary responsibility for
OSSF regulation. This allows for site-specific considerations and more responsive
oversight .
3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas begin?
, Page 2 of 76
A) 1970
B) 1985
C) September 1989
D) 2001
Answer: C
Rationale: Statewide regulation of OSSFs in Texas began in September 1989. Prior to
this, regulation was primarily local or non-existent .
4. Local permitting for OSSFs in Texas is delegated by which agency?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Local city councils
D) County commissioners
Answer: B
Rationale: Local permitting authority is delegated by TCEQ to authorized local
governments (counties or municipalities). TCEQ retains oversight but delegates day-to-
day permitting and inspection responsibilities to local authorized agents .
5. Which of the following is NOT a delegation option for OSSF permitting in Texas?
A) TCEQ direct permitting
B) Authorized Agent (county/city)
C) Statewide delegated private firms
D) Local government delegation
Answer: C
Rationale: Permitting is done by TCEQ, authorized local governments, or certified
agents. Private firms are not authorized to issue permits on a statewide basis .
6. What is the maximum penalty per violation per day under Texas Water Code
§7.052 for OSSF rule violations?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
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Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Water Code §7.052 allows for penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
per day for OSSF rule violations. This significant penalty underscores the importance of
compliance with all OSSF regulations .
7. Who is responsible for reviewing permit applications, site evaluations, planning
materials, and conducting inspections of OSSFs?
A) The installer
B) The property owner
C) The Designated Representative (authorized agent)
D) TCEQ field staff
Answer: C
Rationale: The Designated Representative (authorized agent) is responsible for
reviewing permit applications, site evaluations, planning materials, and conducting
inspections .
8. According to TCEQ rules, what is the primary requirement for obtaining an OSSF
Installer I license?
A) High school diploma and two years of experience
B) Passing a TCEQ-approved exam and proof of liability insurance
C) A bachelor's degree in engineering
D) Recommendation from a licensed professional engineer
Answer: B
Rationale: Installer I requires passing the TCEQ-approved examination, proof of liability
insurance with a $300,000 aggregate minimum, and registration with TCEQ. No college
degree is required for this entry-level license .
9. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage required for an OSSF Installer I
in Texas?
A) $100,000 per occurrence / $200,000 aggregate
B) $300,000 aggregate
C) $500,000 aggregate
D) $1,000,000 aggregate
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 76
Rationale: TCEQ regulations require a minimum of $300,000 aggregate liability
insurance coverage for OSSF Installer I license holders. This insurance protects the
installer and the public in case of property damage or injury during installation
activities .
10. What is the maximum penalty per violation per day under Texas Water Code
§7.052 for OSSF rule violations?
A) $1,000
B) $5,000
C) $10,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C
Rationale: Texas Water Code §7.052 allows for penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
per day for OSSF rule violations. This significant penalty underscores the importance of
compliance with all OSSF regulations .
11. Which of the following requires a separate permit amendment?
A) Replacing a septic tank lid
B) Changing drainfield location on same property
C) Pumping the septic tank
D) Adding risers to grade
Answer: B
Rationale: Any deviation from approved plans requires a permit amendment or new
permit. Changing the drainfield location constitutes a significant modification to the
approved system design and must be reviewed and approved by the permitting
authority .
12. An OSSF Installer I may perform repairs on a conventional system only if:
A) The repair costs less than $500
B) A TCEQ licensed site evaluator has approved the repair design
C) The homeowner signs a waiver
D) The repair uses only PVC pipe
Answer: B
