PENNSYLVANIA SEWAGE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
CERTIFICATION EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM
NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST BANK / SEWAGE
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREP WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A proposed absorption area has a measured slope of 26%. The applicant
argues that the area can still be used because the system will be installed
using shallow trenches.
What is the appropriate determination?
A. Approve because trench depth controls suitability
B. Approve if the absorption area is doubled
C. Deny the proposed absorption area based on the slope
D. Require only a deeper septic tank - Correct Answer - C
Under 25 Pa. Code §73.12, an absorption area or spray field with a slope
greater than 25% is considered unsuitable.
During a site investigation, an SEO encounters an undisturbed soil
profile beneath a proposed absorption area. The limiting zone is deeper
than the excavation capability available at the site.
What is the applicable excavation requirement?
A. Excavate exactly 5 feet at every site
B. Excavate to the limiting zone or a maximum of 7 feet
C. Stop excavation after the first restrictive horizon
D. Excavate until groundwater is encountered regardless of depth -
Correct Answer - B
pg. 1
,Chapter 73 requires the soil-profile excavation to extend to the top of the
limiting zone or a maximum of 7 feet.
An absorption area was created by grading several years ago. The
applicant measures the depth to the limiting zone from the current
finished ground surface.
Which reference point should control the determination?
A. Original natural ground surface
B. Existing finished grade regardless of soil disturbance
C. Surface of the undisturbed soil
D. Bottom of the excavation - Correct Answer - C
Where soil has been removed by grading or excavation, Chapter 73
specifies that the surface of the undisturbed soil is the point from which
limiting-zone depth is measured.
A proposed absorption area is located in an area underlain by limestone.
A depression from an earlier sinkhole lies within the proposed
absorption area.
Which determination is consistent with Chapter 73?
A. The area is unsuitable
B. The area is acceptable if the tank is watertight
C. The area is acceptable after increasing trench width
D. The area is acceptable if a replacement area is added - Correct
Answer - A
pg. 2
,In limestone areas, depressions left by earlier sinkholes within the
proposed absorption area or spray field make the area unsuitable under
§73.12.
Which Chapter 73 provision should be consulted for the construction
requirements?
A. §73.14
B. §73.32
C. §73.45
D. §73.55 - Correct Answer - D
Section 73.55 specifically addresses elevated sand mounds.
A proposed system would discharge sewage directly onto the ground
surface without qualifying as an approved individual residential spray
irrigation system.
Which action is authorized for the local agency?
A. Issue the permit with a monitoring condition
B. Issue the permit if the owner signs a waiver
C. Refuse to issue the on-lot permit
D. Issue the permit after increasing the tank volume - Correct Answer- C
Chapter 72 prohibits a local agency or SEO from issuing a permit for an
individual or community on-lot sewage system that directly discharges
to the ground surface or Commonwealth surface waters, except for
qualifying systems specifically allowed under Chapter 73.
An applicant wants to use an alternative sewage treatment method that is
not described among the conventional systems in Chapter 73.
pg. 3
, Which classification may apply?
A. Alternate sewage system
B. Standard gravity system
C. Retaining tank by default
D. Community sewerage system automatically - Correct Answer - A
Chapter 73 defines an alternate sewage system as a demonstrated on-lot
sewage treatment and disposal method not described in the chapter's
conventional provisions.
A designer proposes a seepage bed for a site rather than individual
standard trenches.
Which Chapter 73 provision is specifically associated with seepage
beds?
A. §73.21
B. §73.31
C. §73.53
D. §73.63 - Correct Answer - C
Section 73.53 establishes standards for seepage beds. Chapter 73
separately addresses standard trenches, seepage beds, sand filters and
elevated sand mounds.
An SEO receives a permit-processing payment directly from a
homeowner rather than through the local agency.
Which requirement is implicated?
A. The payment arrangement is improper
B. The payment is permissible if receipted
pg. 4
CERTIFICATION EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM
NEWEST 2026/ 2027 TEST BANK / SEWAGE
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER CERTIFICATION EXAM
PREP WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
A proposed absorption area has a measured slope of 26%. The applicant
argues that the area can still be used because the system will be installed
using shallow trenches.
What is the appropriate determination?
A. Approve because trench depth controls suitability
B. Approve if the absorption area is doubled
C. Deny the proposed absorption area based on the slope
D. Require only a deeper septic tank - Correct Answer - C
Under 25 Pa. Code §73.12, an absorption area or spray field with a slope
greater than 25% is considered unsuitable.
During a site investigation, an SEO encounters an undisturbed soil
profile beneath a proposed absorption area. The limiting zone is deeper
than the excavation capability available at the site.
What is the applicable excavation requirement?
A. Excavate exactly 5 feet at every site
B. Excavate to the limiting zone or a maximum of 7 feet
C. Stop excavation after the first restrictive horizon
D. Excavate until groundwater is encountered regardless of depth -
Correct Answer - B
pg. 1
,Chapter 73 requires the soil-profile excavation to extend to the top of the
limiting zone or a maximum of 7 feet.
An absorption area was created by grading several years ago. The
applicant measures the depth to the limiting zone from the current
finished ground surface.
Which reference point should control the determination?
A. Original natural ground surface
B. Existing finished grade regardless of soil disturbance
C. Surface of the undisturbed soil
D. Bottom of the excavation - Correct Answer - C
Where soil has been removed by grading or excavation, Chapter 73
specifies that the surface of the undisturbed soil is the point from which
limiting-zone depth is measured.
A proposed absorption area is located in an area underlain by limestone.
A depression from an earlier sinkhole lies within the proposed
absorption area.
Which determination is consistent with Chapter 73?
A. The area is unsuitable
B. The area is acceptable if the tank is watertight
C. The area is acceptable after increasing trench width
D. The area is acceptable if a replacement area is added - Correct
Answer - A
pg. 2
,In limestone areas, depressions left by earlier sinkholes within the
proposed absorption area or spray field make the area unsuitable under
§73.12.
Which Chapter 73 provision should be consulted for the construction
requirements?
A. §73.14
B. §73.32
C. §73.45
D. §73.55 - Correct Answer - D
Section 73.55 specifically addresses elevated sand mounds.
A proposed system would discharge sewage directly onto the ground
surface without qualifying as an approved individual residential spray
irrigation system.
Which action is authorized for the local agency?
A. Issue the permit with a monitoring condition
B. Issue the permit if the owner signs a waiver
C. Refuse to issue the on-lot permit
D. Issue the permit after increasing the tank volume - Correct Answer- C
Chapter 72 prohibits a local agency or SEO from issuing a permit for an
individual or community on-lot sewage system that directly discharges
to the ground surface or Commonwealth surface waters, except for
qualifying systems specifically allowed under Chapter 73.
An applicant wants to use an alternative sewage treatment method that is
not described among the conventional systems in Chapter 73.
pg. 3
, Which classification may apply?
A. Alternate sewage system
B. Standard gravity system
C. Retaining tank by default
D. Community sewerage system automatically - Correct Answer - A
Chapter 73 defines an alternate sewage system as a demonstrated on-lot
sewage treatment and disposal method not described in the chapter's
conventional provisions.
A designer proposes a seepage bed for a site rather than individual
standard trenches.
Which Chapter 73 provision is specifically associated with seepage
beds?
A. §73.21
B. §73.31
C. §73.53
D. §73.63 - Correct Answer - C
Section 73.53 establishes standards for seepage beds. Chapter 73
separately addresses standard trenches, seepage beds, sand filters and
elevated sand mounds.
An SEO receives a permit-processing payment directly from a
homeowner rather than through the local agency.
Which requirement is implicated?
A. The payment arrangement is improper
B. The payment is permissible if receipted
pg. 4
