TEXAS OSSF INSTALLER I & II LICENSE EXAM COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE
Complete EXAM Question Bank with Detailed Rationales
200 Questions Covering All Exam Topics Including: TCEQ Rules (30 TAC
Chapter 285), Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, Site
Evaluation Procedures, Soil Classification, System Design, Permitting
Requirements, Maintenance Contracts, Licensing Requirements,
Setback Distances, and Enforcement Authority
Actual Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers for 2026/2027
Certification Testing
1. What is the primary state statute that grants TCEQ the authority to
regulate On-Site Sewage Facilities in Texas?
A) Texas Water Code Title 7
B) Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285
C) Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
D) Clean Water Act Section 402
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter
366 is the enabling statute that establishes OSSF regulations and the
authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) .
2. Under TCEQ rules, what is the minimum horizontal distance
required between a septic tank and a private water supply well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
,C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Texas regulations require a minimum 100-foot
setback between a private water well and any component of an OSSF to
prevent contamination .
3. Before statewide regulations were established, which entity was
responsible for the oversight of OSSF systems in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Local government
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
D) Environmental Protection Agency
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Before statewide regulation began in September
1989, local governments were the primary authorities for OSSF
oversight .
4. A local government entity authorized by TCEQ to administer the
OSSF program within its jurisdiction is called a(n):
A) Authorized Agent
B) Local Enforcement Agency
C) Designated Representative
D) Environmental Health Office
CORRECT ANSWER: A. An Authorized Agent is a local governmental
entity, such as a county or municipality, that has been delegated
authority by TCEQ to implement and enforce OSSF rules .
5. What is the minimum lot size typically required for a standard OSSF
system under Texas regulations?
A) Quarter acre
,B) One acre
C) Half acre
D) Two acres
CORRECT ANSWER: C. State regulations generally require a minimum of
one-half acre for a standard OSSF system, though local jurisdictions may
impose stricter requirements .
6. The specific state law that first authorized statewide regulation of
OSSFs in Texas was:
A) Senate Bill 101
B) Clean Water Act
C) Texas Water Code Title 7
D) House Bill 1875
CORRECT ANSWER: D. House Bill 1875 (HB 1875) was the legislation
that gave TCEQ the authority to implement statewide regulation of
OSSFs .
7. What is the term for the individual appointed by the Authorized
Agent to enforce OSSF regulations locally?
A) Site Inspector
B) Designated Representative
C) Professional Engineer
D) Licensed Installer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Designated Representative (DR) is licensed
by TCEQ and works for an Authorized Agent to perform inspections,
investigate complaints, and enforce OSSF regulations .
8. Which document must be obtained prior to the installation of an
OSSF system in Texas?
, A) OSSF permit issued by the Authorized Agent
B) Building permit only
C) Soil percolation certificate
D) Site evaluation report only
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A person may not construct, alter, repair, or
extend an OSSF that does not comply with Chapter 366 and applicable
rules. An OSSF permit from the local permitting authority (Authorized
Agent) is required .
9. What is the specific provision in the Texas Administrative Code that
establishes the minimum standards for OSSF planning, construction,
and installation?
A) Title 5, Chapter 366
B) Title 30, Chapter 285
C) Title 7, Texas Water Code
D) Title 30, Chapter 30
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC),
Chapter 285 contains the rules for OSSFs, including planning materials,
construction, installation, and permitting .
10. Which type of license authorizes an individual to install standard
OSSF systems, including septic tanks and absorptive drainfields?
A) Installer II License
B) Apprentice Registration
C) Installer I License
D) Maintenance Provider License
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An Installer I License authorizes the installation
of conventional systems (septic tanks, absorptive drainfields, leaching
GUIDE
Complete EXAM Question Bank with Detailed Rationales
200 Questions Covering All Exam Topics Including: TCEQ Rules (30 TAC
Chapter 285), Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, Site
Evaluation Procedures, Soil Classification, System Design, Permitting
Requirements, Maintenance Contracts, Licensing Requirements,
Setback Distances, and Enforcement Authority
Actual Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers for 2026/2027
Certification Testing
1. What is the primary state statute that grants TCEQ the authority to
regulate On-Site Sewage Facilities in Texas?
A) Texas Water Code Title 7
B) Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285
C) Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
D) Clean Water Act Section 402
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter
366 is the enabling statute that establishes OSSF regulations and the
authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) .
2. Under TCEQ rules, what is the minimum horizontal distance
required between a septic tank and a private water supply well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
,C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Texas regulations require a minimum 100-foot
setback between a private water well and any component of an OSSF to
prevent contamination .
3. Before statewide regulations were established, which entity was
responsible for the oversight of OSSF systems in Texas?
A) Texas Department of Health
B) Local government
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
D) Environmental Protection Agency
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Before statewide regulation began in September
1989, local governments were the primary authorities for OSSF
oversight .
4. A local government entity authorized by TCEQ to administer the
OSSF program within its jurisdiction is called a(n):
A) Authorized Agent
B) Local Enforcement Agency
C) Designated Representative
D) Environmental Health Office
CORRECT ANSWER: A. An Authorized Agent is a local governmental
entity, such as a county or municipality, that has been delegated
authority by TCEQ to implement and enforce OSSF rules .
5. What is the minimum lot size typically required for a standard OSSF
system under Texas regulations?
A) Quarter acre
,B) One acre
C) Half acre
D) Two acres
CORRECT ANSWER: C. State regulations generally require a minimum of
one-half acre for a standard OSSF system, though local jurisdictions may
impose stricter requirements .
6. The specific state law that first authorized statewide regulation of
OSSFs in Texas was:
A) Senate Bill 101
B) Clean Water Act
C) Texas Water Code Title 7
D) House Bill 1875
CORRECT ANSWER: D. House Bill 1875 (HB 1875) was the legislation
that gave TCEQ the authority to implement statewide regulation of
OSSFs .
7. What is the term for the individual appointed by the Authorized
Agent to enforce OSSF regulations locally?
A) Site Inspector
B) Designated Representative
C) Professional Engineer
D) Licensed Installer
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The Designated Representative (DR) is licensed
by TCEQ and works for an Authorized Agent to perform inspections,
investigate complaints, and enforce OSSF regulations .
8. Which document must be obtained prior to the installation of an
OSSF system in Texas?
, A) OSSF permit issued by the Authorized Agent
B) Building permit only
C) Soil percolation certificate
D) Site evaluation report only
CORRECT ANSWER: A. A person may not construct, alter, repair, or
extend an OSSF that does not comply with Chapter 366 and applicable
rules. An OSSF permit from the local permitting authority (Authorized
Agent) is required .
9. What is the specific provision in the Texas Administrative Code that
establishes the minimum standards for OSSF planning, construction,
and installation?
A) Title 5, Chapter 366
B) Title 30, Chapter 285
C) Title 7, Texas Water Code
D) Title 30, Chapter 30
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Title 30, Texas Administrative Code (30 TAC),
Chapter 285 contains the rules for OSSFs, including planning materials,
construction, installation, and permitting .
10. Which type of license authorizes an individual to install standard
OSSF systems, including septic tanks and absorptive drainfields?
A) Installer II License
B) Apprentice Registration
C) Installer I License
D) Maintenance Provider License
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An Installer I License authorizes the installation
of conventional systems (septic tanks, absorptive drainfields, leaching
