TEXAS OSSF DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVE (DR)
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Question 1
What does the acronym OSSF stand for in the context of Texas
environmental regulations?
A) Open Source Security Framework
B) On-Site Sewage Facility
C) Organized Sanitary Sewer Foundation
D) Operational Safety and Sanitation Framework
Correct Answer: B) On-Site Sewage Facility
Rationale: OSSF stands for On-Site Sewage Facility, which refers to
wastewater treatment systems designed to treat and dispose of sewage
on the property where it is generated, typically in areas without access
to centralized municipal sewer systems.
Question 2
Which Texas state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-
Site Sewage Facilities?
A) Texas Department of Health Services
B) Texas Water Development Board
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D) Texas Department of Agriculture
,Correct Answer: C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for adopting and
enforcing OSSF rules under Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter
285.
Question 3
What is the primary role of a Designated Representative (DR) in the
OSSF regulatory framework?
A) To install all septic systems in a given county
B) To represent the property owner in permitting and ensure OSSF
compliance with TCEQ regulations
C) To design wastewater treatment plants for municipalities
D) To enforce federal clean water laws
Correct Answer: B) To represent the property owner in permitting and
ensure OSSF compliance with TCEQ regulations
Rationale: A Designated Representative is authorized to act on behalf of
a property owner in matters related to OSSF permitting, installation,
and compliance with TCEQ regulations.
Question 4
Which individual holds a valid license from TCEQ and is compensated
to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF?
A) Designated Representative
B) Site Evaluator
C) Installer
D) Professional Engineer
Correct Answer: C) Installer
,Rationale: An Installer holds a valid TCEQ license and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF.
Question 5
A Site Evaluator is responsible for:
A) Issuing permits to construct
B) Visiting a site and conducting soil evaluations and a site survey
C) Installing septic tanks
D) Enforcing OSSF rules
Correct Answer: B) Visiting a site and conducting soil evaluations and a
site survey
Rationale: The Site Evaluator visits the site and conducts soil
evaluations and a site survey. Permits are issued by the Authorized
Agent, not the Site Evaluator.
Question 6
Which OSSF licenses require previous experience?
A) Installer I and Apprentice
B) Installer II and Maintenance Provider
C) Site Evaluator and Designer
D) Designated Representative and Professional Engineer
Correct Answer: B) Installer II and Maintenance Provider
Rationale: Installer II and Maintenance Provider licenses require
previous experience. Installer I does not require previous experience.
Question 7
According to 30 TAC Chapter 285, what is the minimum horizontal
, separation distance required between an OSSF disposal field and a
public water supply well?
A) 10 feet
B) 25 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 100 feet
Correct Answer: C) 50 feet
Rationale: TCEQ Chapter 285 establishes 50 feet as the minimum
horizontal separation distance between OSSF systems and potable
water supply wells.
Question 8
Under TCEQ regulations, nitrogen reduction becomes mandatory for
OSSF systems under which condition?
A) All OSSF systems must achieve nitrogen reduction regardless of
circumstances
B) Only when the system is within a recharge zone of a sole-source
aquifer
C) When systems are located in areas sensitive to nitrogen
contamination, such as near coastal bays
D) Only when the property is larger than 10 acres
Correct Answer: C) When systems are located in areas sensitive to
nitrogen contamination, such as near coastal bays
Rationale: Nitrogen reduction is required when systems are located in
areas sensitive to nitrogen contamination, such as near coastal bays or
in the recharge zone of a sole-source aquifer.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Question 1
What does the acronym OSSF stand for in the context of Texas
environmental regulations?
A) Open Source Security Framework
B) On-Site Sewage Facility
C) Organized Sanitary Sewer Foundation
D) Operational Safety and Sanitation Framework
Correct Answer: B) On-Site Sewage Facility
Rationale: OSSF stands for On-Site Sewage Facility, which refers to
wastewater treatment systems designed to treat and dispose of sewage
on the property where it is generated, typically in areas without access
to centralized municipal sewer systems.
Question 2
Which Texas state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-
Site Sewage Facilities?
A) Texas Department of Health Services
B) Texas Water Development Board
C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
D) Texas Department of Agriculture
,Correct Answer: C) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
Rationale: The TCEQ is the state agency responsible for adopting and
enforcing OSSF rules under Title 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter
285.
Question 3
What is the primary role of a Designated Representative (DR) in the
OSSF regulatory framework?
A) To install all septic systems in a given county
B) To represent the property owner in permitting and ensure OSSF
compliance with TCEQ regulations
C) To design wastewater treatment plants for municipalities
D) To enforce federal clean water laws
Correct Answer: B) To represent the property owner in permitting and
ensure OSSF compliance with TCEQ regulations
Rationale: A Designated Representative is authorized to act on behalf of
a property owner in matters related to OSSF permitting, installation,
and compliance with TCEQ regulations.
Question 4
Which individual holds a valid license from TCEQ and is compensated
to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF?
A) Designated Representative
B) Site Evaluator
C) Installer
D) Professional Engineer
Correct Answer: C) Installer
,Rationale: An Installer holds a valid TCEQ license and is compensated to
construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF.
Question 5
A Site Evaluator is responsible for:
A) Issuing permits to construct
B) Visiting a site and conducting soil evaluations and a site survey
C) Installing septic tanks
D) Enforcing OSSF rules
Correct Answer: B) Visiting a site and conducting soil evaluations and a
site survey
Rationale: The Site Evaluator visits the site and conducts soil
evaluations and a site survey. Permits are issued by the Authorized
Agent, not the Site Evaluator.
Question 6
Which OSSF licenses require previous experience?
A) Installer I and Apprentice
B) Installer II and Maintenance Provider
C) Site Evaluator and Designer
D) Designated Representative and Professional Engineer
Correct Answer: B) Installer II and Maintenance Provider
Rationale: Installer II and Maintenance Provider licenses require
previous experience. Installer I does not require previous experience.
Question 7
According to 30 TAC Chapter 285, what is the minimum horizontal
, separation distance required between an OSSF disposal field and a
public water supply well?
A) 10 feet
B) 25 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 100 feet
Correct Answer: C) 50 feet
Rationale: TCEQ Chapter 285 establishes 50 feet as the minimum
horizontal separation distance between OSSF systems and potable
water supply wells.
Question 8
Under TCEQ regulations, nitrogen reduction becomes mandatory for
OSSF systems under which condition?
A) All OSSF systems must achieve nitrogen reduction regardless of
circumstances
B) Only when the system is within a recharge zone of a sole-source
aquifer
C) When systems are located in areas sensitive to nitrogen
contamination, such as near coastal bays
D) Only when the property is larger than 10 acres
Correct Answer: C) When systems are located in areas sensitive to
nitrogen contamination, such as near coastal bays
Rationale: Nitrogen reduction is required when systems are located in
areas sensitive to nitrogen contamination, such as near coastal bays or
in the recharge zone of a sole-source aquifer.
