TEXAS ON-SITE SEWAGE FACILITIES (OSSF) INSTALLER I
CERTIFICATION: 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
1–25: Regulatory Framework & Licensing
1. Which Texas state agency is the primary regulator for On-Site
Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Water Development Board
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: B
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for administering
the OSSF program under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. What is the primary state statute that grants TCEQ the authority to
regulate OSSFs?
A. Texas Water Code Title 7
B. Clean Water Act Section 402
C. Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
D. Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 366 of the Texas Health and Safety Code is the
enabling statute that establishes OSSF regulations and the authority of
the TCEQ.
,3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs begin in Texas?
A. September 1989
B. January 1990
C. September 1997
D. January 2000
Answer: A
Rationale: On-site sewage facilities have been regulated statewide since
September 1, 1989.
4. What does the acronym OSSF stand for?
A. On-Site Septic Facility
B. On-Site Sewage Facility
C. Off-Site Sewage Facility
D. On-Surface Soil Filter
Answer: B
Rationale: OSSF stands for On-Site Sewage Facility, which describes
systems that treat and dispose of wastewater on the same property
where it is generated.
5. Which chapter of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) establishes
minimum standards for the planning, construction, and installation of
OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 30
B. 30 TAC Chapter 285
C. 30 TAC Chapter 290
D. 30 TAC Chapter 335
Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 sets the minimum standards for all
aspects of OSSF planning, construction, installation, alteration, repair,
permitting, and inspection.
,6. Which TAC chapter addresses the licensing of installers, designated
representatives, and site evaluators?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 30
B. 30 TAC Chapter 285
C. 30 TAC Chapter 290
D. 30 TAC Chapter 336
Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 30 covers the licensing of OSSF professionals,
including installers, designated representatives, and site evaluators.
7. An Installer I license authorizes an individual to install all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Septic tanks
B. Absorptive drainfields
C. Aerobic treatment units
D. Pumped effluent drainfields
Answer: C
Rationale: An Installer I is limited to conventional systems (septic tank +
drainfield). Aerobic treatment units require an Installer II license.
8. 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**
**Rationale:** Texas regulations require an OSSF Installer I to carry a
minimum of $300,000 aggregate liability insurance.
, 9. How long is a new OSSF Installer I license issued for before it must
be renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: New OSSF licenses are issued for a term of 3 years. An
individual must complete 24 hours of TCEQ-approved continuing
education to renew.
10. An individual who holds a valid license from TCEQ and is
compensated to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF is called
a(n):
A. Designated Representative
B. Installer
C. Site Evaluator
D. Maintenance Provider
Answer: B
Rationale: An Installer is licensed by TCEQ and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF.
11. Which of the following is the correct term for a disease-causing
microorganism?
A. Pathogen
B. Nitrate
C. Coliform
D. Bacteria
Answer: A
Rationale: A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism and is a
CERTIFICATION: 200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & EXPLANATIONS
1–25: Regulatory Framework & Licensing
1. Which Texas state agency is the primary regulator for On-Site
Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)?
A. Texas Department of State Health Services
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C. Texas Water Development Board
D. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Answer: B
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for administering
the OSSF program under 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. What is the primary state statute that grants TCEQ the authority to
regulate OSSFs?
A. Texas Water Code Title 7
B. Clean Water Act Section 402
C. Title 5, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366
D. Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285
Answer: C
Rationale: Chapter 366 of the Texas Health and Safety Code is the
enabling statute that establishes OSSF regulations and the authority of
the TCEQ.
,3. In what year did statewide regulation of OSSFs begin in Texas?
A. September 1989
B. January 1990
C. September 1997
D. January 2000
Answer: A
Rationale: On-site sewage facilities have been regulated statewide since
September 1, 1989.
4. What does the acronym OSSF stand for?
A. On-Site Septic Facility
B. On-Site Sewage Facility
C. Off-Site Sewage Facility
D. On-Surface Soil Filter
Answer: B
Rationale: OSSF stands for On-Site Sewage Facility, which describes
systems that treat and dispose of wastewater on the same property
where it is generated.
5. Which chapter of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) establishes
minimum standards for the planning, construction, and installation of
OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 30
B. 30 TAC Chapter 285
C. 30 TAC Chapter 290
D. 30 TAC Chapter 335
Answer: B
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285 sets the minimum standards for all
aspects of OSSF planning, construction, installation, alteration, repair,
permitting, and inspection.
,6. Which TAC chapter addresses the licensing of installers, designated
representatives, and site evaluators?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 30
B. 30 TAC Chapter 285
C. 30 TAC Chapter 290
D. 30 TAC Chapter 336
Answer: A
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 30 covers the licensing of OSSF professionals,
including installers, designated representatives, and site evaluators.
7. An Installer I license authorizes an individual to install all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Septic tanks
B. Absorptive drainfields
C. Aerobic treatment units
D. Pumped effluent drainfields
Answer: C
Rationale: An Installer I is limited to conventional systems (septic tank +
drainfield). Aerobic treatment units require an Installer II license.
8. 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**
**Rationale:** Texas regulations require an OSSF Installer I to carry a
minimum of $300,000 aggregate liability insurance.
, 9. How long is a new OSSF Installer I license issued for before it must
be renewed?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Answer: C
Rationale: New OSSF licenses are issued for a term of 3 years. An
individual must complete 24 hours of TCEQ-approved continuing
education to renew.
10. An individual who holds a valid license from TCEQ and is
compensated to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF is called
a(n):
A. Designated Representative
B. Installer
C. Site Evaluator
D. Maintenance Provider
Answer: B
Rationale: An Installer is licensed by TCEQ and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF.
11. Which of the following is the correct term for a disease-causing
microorganism?
A. Pathogen
B. Nitrate
C. Coliform
D. Bacteria
Answer: A
Rationale: A pathogen is a disease-causing microorganism and is a
