SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTIC TANK INSTALLER LICENSE EXAM
PRACTICE (2026 EDITION) PREPARATION WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
SECTION 1: LICENSING, REGULATIONS & PERMITTING (Questions 1–40)
1. Which South Carolina agency is responsible for regulating onsite wastewater systems and
licensing septic tank contractors?
A) South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
C) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
D) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As of July 1, 2024, the former SCDHEC was reorganized, and the environmental
permitting and enforcement functions (including R.61-56) were transferred to the newly
established SCDES. SCDES is the sole issuing authority for septic tank contractor licenses.
2. What is the minimum passing score required for the South Carolina septic tank contractor
licensing examination?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First-time applicants must pass the Regulation 61-56 exam with a score of 80% or
better. The exam covers design, installation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems.
3. Which specific state regulation governs the design, installation, and maintenance of septic
tanks in South Carolina?
1
,A) R.61-51 (Standards for Swimming Pools)
B) R.61-56 (Onsite Wastewater Systems)
C) R.61-67 (Solid Waste Management)
D) R.61-25 (Retail Food Establishments)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 is the exclusive authority for onsite wastewater treatment and
disposal systems in South Carolina.
4. A Tier 1 Installer license allows you to perform which of the following tasks?
A) Installation of pressurized sewage systems
B) Installation of all gravity-fed residential onsite wastewater systems
C) Major repairs to existing failing drainfields
D) Soil classification without supervision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tier 1 is the entry-level license for new gravity-fed residential systems. Repairs (Tier
2) and pressurized/commercial systems (Tier 3) require higher licensure levels.
5. What is the minimum bond amount required for septic installers in South Carolina?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bond amount required for septic installers is $10,000 minimum, covering project
costs and adjustable for large jobs.
6. How often must a Tier 1 Installer renew their license with SCDES?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
2
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Licenses for installers and haulers must be renewed annually and are subject to late
fees if not paid on time.
7. If a contractor fails a licensing exam, when can they retake it?
A) The next day
B) 30 days later
C) 6 months later
D) 1 year later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After the first fail, the applicant must wait 30 days before retaking. A second fail
requires a 60-day wait, but there is no limit on total attempts.
8. What is the minimum continuing education requirement for a Tier 1 installer renewal every
two years?
A) 0 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 16 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tier 1 installers are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education every two
years to maintain their license.
9. If a contractor repeatedly violates R.61-56, what is the maximum penalty SCDES can
impose?
A) A verbal warning
B) A fine not exceeding $500
C) License suspension or revocation
D) Mandatory community service
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated code violations or falsifying records can lead to the suspension or
permanent revocation of the contractor's license.
3
, 10. When must a septic system be inspected by the regulatory authority (SCDES)?
A) After the system has been used for 30 days
B) Before the system is covered with backfill
C) Only when a complaint is filed
D) Every 5 years after installation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 prohibits covering a system until the Department performs a
construction inspection. The system must be inspected before backfilling.
11. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the construction permit before installing a septic
system in South Carolina?
A) The property owner
B) The general contractor building the house
C) The licensed septic tank installer
D) The real estate agent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A licensed installer must pull the permit. The regulation explicitly requires the
licensed professional to ensure the permit is issued or applied for before starting work.
12. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for septic system installers in South
Carolina?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: South Carolina requires septic tank contractors to carry a minimum of $500,000 in
general liability insurance to protect against damages.
13. What is the annual renewal fee for a Tier 1 Installer license in South Carolina?
4
PRACTICE (2026 EDITION) PREPARATION WITH COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!
SECTION 1: LICENSING, REGULATIONS & PERMITTING (Questions 1–40)
1. Which South Carolina agency is responsible for regulating onsite wastewater systems and
licensing septic tank contractors?
A) South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
C) South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
D) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As of July 1, 2024, the former SCDHEC was reorganized, and the environmental
permitting and enforcement functions (including R.61-56) were transferred to the newly
established SCDES. SCDES is the sole issuing authority for septic tank contractor licenses.
2. What is the minimum passing score required for the South Carolina septic tank contractor
licensing examination?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First-time applicants must pass the Regulation 61-56 exam with a score of 80% or
better. The exam covers design, installation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater systems.
3. Which specific state regulation governs the design, installation, and maintenance of septic
tanks in South Carolina?
1
,A) R.61-51 (Standards for Swimming Pools)
B) R.61-56 (Onsite Wastewater Systems)
C) R.61-67 (Solid Waste Management)
D) R.61-25 (Retail Food Establishments)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 is the exclusive authority for onsite wastewater treatment and
disposal systems in South Carolina.
4. A Tier 1 Installer license allows you to perform which of the following tasks?
A) Installation of pressurized sewage systems
B) Installation of all gravity-fed residential onsite wastewater systems
C) Major repairs to existing failing drainfields
D) Soil classification without supervision
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tier 1 is the entry-level license for new gravity-fed residential systems. Repairs (Tier
2) and pressurized/commercial systems (Tier 3) require higher licensure levels.
5. What is the minimum bond amount required for septic installers in South Carolina?
A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $15,000
D) $25,000
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The bond amount required for septic installers is $10,000 minimum, covering project
costs and adjustable for large jobs.
6. How often must a Tier 1 Installer renew their license with SCDES?
A) Annually
B) Every 2 years
C) Every 3 years
D) Every 5 years
2
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Licenses for installers and haulers must be renewed annually and are subject to late
fees if not paid on time.
7. If a contractor fails a licensing exam, when can they retake it?
A) The next day
B) 30 days later
C) 6 months later
D) 1 year later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After the first fail, the applicant must wait 30 days before retaking. A second fail
requires a 60-day wait, but there is no limit on total attempts.
8. What is the minimum continuing education requirement for a Tier 1 installer renewal every
two years?
A) 0 hours
B) 4 hours
C) 8 hours
D) 16 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tier 1 installers are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education every two
years to maintain their license.
9. If a contractor repeatedly violates R.61-56, what is the maximum penalty SCDES can
impose?
A) A verbal warning
B) A fine not exceeding $500
C) License suspension or revocation
D) Mandatory community service
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated code violations or falsifying records can lead to the suspension or
permanent revocation of the contractor's license.
3
, 10. When must a septic system be inspected by the regulatory authority (SCDES)?
A) After the system has been used for 30 days
B) Before the system is covered with backfill
C) Only when a complaint is filed
D) Every 5 years after installation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 prohibits covering a system until the Department performs a
construction inspection. The system must be inspected before backfilling.
11. Who is legally responsible for obtaining the construction permit before installing a septic
system in South Carolina?
A) The property owner
B) The general contractor building the house
C) The licensed septic tank installer
D) The real estate agent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A licensed installer must pull the permit. The regulation explicitly requires the
licensed professional to ensure the permit is issued or applied for before starting work.
12. What is the minimum liability insurance requirement for septic system installers in South
Carolina?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: South Carolina requires septic tank contractors to carry a minimum of $500,000 in
general liability insurance to protect against damages.
13. What is the annual renewal fee for a Tier 1 Installer license in South Carolina?
4
