TENNESSEE SUBSURFACE SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM (SSDS)
INSTALLER LICENSING EXAMINATION 2026/2027 — 210
ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE TENNESSEE SEPTIC
SYSTEM INSTALLER STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1 — TENNESSEE SSDS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
1. Which Tennessee agency administers the state's Subsurface Sewage
Disposal System program?
A. Tennessee Department of Transportation
B. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Answer: B
Rationale: TDEC's Division of Water Resources administers the SSDS
permitting and installer program.
2. What does SSDS stand for?
A. State Sewage Drainage Standard
B. Septic Safety Design System
C. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System
D. Sewage Soil Development Standard
Answer: C
,Rationale: SSDS means Subsurface Sewage Disposal System.
3. Tennessee's principal SSDS statutory provisions are located in which
title?
A. Title 55
B. Title 68
C. Title 70
D. Title 90
Answer: B
Rationale: Tennessee Code Title 68 addresses Health, Safety and
Environmental Protection, including SSDS requirements.
4. Which chapter contains Tennessee's regulations governing SSDS?
A. 0400-48-01
B. 0600-22-10
C. 0800-14-04
D. 1000-50-01
Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter 0400-48-01 contains the SSDS regulations.
5. Which division is most directly involved in Tennessee's SSDS
program?
A. Division of Water Resources
B. Division of Forestry
C. Division of Air Pollution Control
D. Division of Solid Waste Management
Answer: A
,Rationale: The Division of Water Resources administers SSDS permitting
and related activities.
6. What is the primary environmental purpose of a properly
functioning septic system?
A. To increase groundwater flow
B. To dispose of wastewater while protecting public health and the
environment
C. To provide drinking water
D. To eliminate all wastewater generation
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper wastewater treatment and disposal help protect
human health, groundwater, and surface water.
7. Which activity generally requires an installer permit?
A. Installing a permitted SSDS
B. Painting a house
C. Installing a driveway
D. Landscaping a yard
Answer: A
Rationale: Persons constructing, installing, altering, extending, or
repairing SSDSs must have the appropriate installer permit.
8. What is one major responsibility of the Department concerning
SSDS installations?
A. Selling septic tanks
B. Inspecting installations for compliance
, C. Providing free excavation equipment
D. Selecting the homeowner's contractor
Answer: B
Rationale: The Division may inspect installations to determine
compliance with permit conditions and regulations.
9. Why are SSDS regulations important?
A. They establish requirements for safe wastewater treatment and
disposal.
B. They eliminate the need for permits.
C. They allow unrestricted wastewater discharge.
D. They apply only to public roads.
Answer: A
Rationale: Regulations establish technical and administrative
requirements designed to protect health and environmental resources.
10. Which activity is specifically associated with Tennessee SSDS
permitting?
A. Subsurface wastewater disposal
B. Automobile registration
C. Building electrical wiring
D. Highway construction
Answer: A
Rationale: SSDS permits govern septic-system construction and related
work.
INSTALLER LICENSING EXAMINATION 2026/2027 — 210
ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE TENNESSEE SEPTIC
SYSTEM INSTALLER STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1 — TENNESSEE SSDS REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
1. Which Tennessee agency administers the state's Subsurface Sewage
Disposal System program?
A. Tennessee Department of Transportation
B. Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
C. Tennessee Department of Agriculture
D. Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance
Answer: B
Rationale: TDEC's Division of Water Resources administers the SSDS
permitting and installer program.
2. What does SSDS stand for?
A. State Sewage Drainage Standard
B. Septic Safety Design System
C. Subsurface Sewage Disposal System
D. Sewage Soil Development Standard
Answer: C
,Rationale: SSDS means Subsurface Sewage Disposal System.
3. Tennessee's principal SSDS statutory provisions are located in which
title?
A. Title 55
B. Title 68
C. Title 70
D. Title 90
Answer: B
Rationale: Tennessee Code Title 68 addresses Health, Safety and
Environmental Protection, including SSDS requirements.
4. Which chapter contains Tennessee's regulations governing SSDS?
A. 0400-48-01
B. 0600-22-10
C. 0800-14-04
D. 1000-50-01
Answer: A
Rationale: Chapter 0400-48-01 contains the SSDS regulations.
5. Which division is most directly involved in Tennessee's SSDS
program?
A. Division of Water Resources
B. Division of Forestry
C. Division of Air Pollution Control
D. Division of Solid Waste Management
Answer: A
,Rationale: The Division of Water Resources administers SSDS permitting
and related activities.
6. What is the primary environmental purpose of a properly
functioning septic system?
A. To increase groundwater flow
B. To dispose of wastewater while protecting public health and the
environment
C. To provide drinking water
D. To eliminate all wastewater generation
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper wastewater treatment and disposal help protect
human health, groundwater, and surface water.
7. Which activity generally requires an installer permit?
A. Installing a permitted SSDS
B. Painting a house
C. Installing a driveway
D. Landscaping a yard
Answer: A
Rationale: Persons constructing, installing, altering, extending, or
repairing SSDSs must have the appropriate installer permit.
8. What is one major responsibility of the Department concerning
SSDS installations?
A. Selling septic tanks
B. Inspecting installations for compliance
, C. Providing free excavation equipment
D. Selecting the homeowner's contractor
Answer: B
Rationale: The Division may inspect installations to determine
compliance with permit conditions and regulations.
9. Why are SSDS regulations important?
A. They establish requirements for safe wastewater treatment and
disposal.
B. They eliminate the need for permits.
C. They allow unrestricted wastewater discharge.
D. They apply only to public roads.
Answer: A
Rationale: Regulations establish technical and administrative
requirements designed to protect health and environmental resources.
10. Which activity is specifically associated with Tennessee SSDS
permitting?
A. Subsurface wastewater disposal
B. Automobile registration
C. Building electrical wiring
D. Highway construction
Answer: A
Rationale: SSDS permits govern septic-system construction and related
work.
