NEW HAMPSHIRE SEPTIC INSTALLER EXAM
120 Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
1. Which New Hampshire agency approves the design and construction of
individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS)?
A. NH Department of Transportation
B. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification only
C. The local planning board only
D. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Subsurface Systems
Bureau
Correct Answer: D. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES),
Subsurface Systems Bureau
Rationale: NHDES, through its Subsurface Systems Bureau, reviews plans and
issues construction approvals and approvals to operate under RSA 485-A and
Env-Wq 1000. Towns may add their own requirements, but the state approval is
required.
2. Which chapter of the NH Code of Administrative Rules contains the
subdivision and individual sewage disposal system design rules?
A. Env-Wq 1000
B. Env-Wq 300
C. Env-Dw 700
D. Saf-C 6000
Correct Answer: A. Env-Wq 1000
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 is the chapter titled Subdivisions; Individual Sewage
Disposal Systems. It covers applications, soils, tanks, effluent disposal areas and
installation.
Page 1
,3. In New Hampshire rules, what does the abbreviation ISDS stand for?
A. Integrated Septic Drainage Standard
B. Industrial Soil Disposal Site
C. Individual Sewage Disposal System
D. Inspected Septic Design Statement
Correct Answer: C. Individual Sewage Disposal System
Rationale: An ISDS is a wastewater disposal or treatment system that receives
domestic sewage. A holding tank and a cesspool are not ISDSs under the rules.
4. Before any ISDS is constructed, what must first be obtained?
A. An approval to operate
B. A construction approval from NHDES
C. A verbal approval from the inspector
D. A septage hauler's permit
Correct Answer: B. A construction approval from NHDES
Rationale: RSA 485-A:32 and Env-Wq 1003.01 prohibit constructing an ISDS
before the plans and specifications have been approved by the department.
5. When is an approval to operate issued for an ISDS?
A. When the plans are first submitted
B. When the tank is delivered
C. After the first year of use
D. After the department inspects the completed installation
Correct Answer: D. After the department inspects the completed installation
Rationale: Approval to operate is written approval to cover and use the system, and
it is issued only after inspection by department staff.
Page 2
,6. Who may install a replacement ISDS without being a permitted installer?
A. Any licensed plumber
B. Any excavation contractor with insurance
C. A friend of the owner who has experience
D. The homeowner, if the system will serve the homeowner's own domicile
Correct Answer: D. The homeowner, if the system will serve the homeowner's
own domicile
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.18 and RSA 485-A:36, II allow an individual to install a
replacement ISDS that serves his or her own domicile. All other installations need a
permitted installer.
7. Work done under a permitted installer's permit number must be:
A. Performed by anyone the installer has paid
B. Performed under that installer's supervision
C. Performed without supervision if the crew is experienced
D. Performed under the designer's supervision
Correct Answer: B. Performed under that installer's supervision
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.11 makes each permitted installer responsible for all work
under his or her permit number, and that work must be done under the installer's
supervision.
8. Where must the construction approval be posted during construction?
A. In the installer's truck
B. With the town clerk only
C. Inside the home's basement
D. At the site in a location readily visible from a public way
Correct Answer: D. At the site in a location readily visible from a public way
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.06 requires the construction approval to be posted at the
site where it can be seen from a public way.
Page 3
, 9. May a constructed ISDS be covered before final inspection and approval?
A. Yes, if the installer takes photographs
B. Yes, if the homeowner agrees
C. Yes, if the system is a pump system
D. No, it may not be covered or placed in operation until inspected and
approved
Correct Answer: D. No, it may not be covered or placed in operation until
inspected and approved
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.07 states that the constructed ISDS shall not be covered
or put into operation without final inspection and approval by the department or its
authorized agent.
10. What is a 'do not backfill order'?
A. A written notice to the installer that the ISDS was not installed in accordance
with the approved plans
B. A notice that the site is too wet to work
C. A notice that the permit fee is unpaid
D. A notice that the tank must be pumped
Correct Answer: A. A written notice to the installer that the ISDS was not
installed in accordance with the approved plans
Rationale: Department staff issue a do not backfill order when an installation does
not match the approved plans and specifications. The deficiencies must be
corrected and re-inspected.
11. Can an inspector grant a field waiver to allow a system to deviate from the
approved plans?
A. Yes, for any minor change
B. No, field waivers are prohibited
C. Yes, if the installer requests it in writing on site
D. Yes, if the homeowner signs off
Correct Answer: B. No, field waivers are prohibited
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.12 states that no field waivers shall be granted for
non-conformance with approved plans or for any other reason.
Page 4
120 Practice Questions with Answers and
Rationales
1. Which New Hampshire agency approves the design and construction of
individual sewage disposal systems (ISDS)?
A. NH Department of Transportation
B. NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification only
C. The local planning board only
D. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), Subsurface Systems
Bureau
Correct Answer: D. NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES),
Subsurface Systems Bureau
Rationale: NHDES, through its Subsurface Systems Bureau, reviews plans and
issues construction approvals and approvals to operate under RSA 485-A and
Env-Wq 1000. Towns may add their own requirements, but the state approval is
required.
2. Which chapter of the NH Code of Administrative Rules contains the
subdivision and individual sewage disposal system design rules?
A. Env-Wq 1000
B. Env-Wq 300
C. Env-Dw 700
D. Saf-C 6000
Correct Answer: A. Env-Wq 1000
Rationale: Env-Wq 1000 is the chapter titled Subdivisions; Individual Sewage
Disposal Systems. It covers applications, soils, tanks, effluent disposal areas and
installation.
Page 1
,3. In New Hampshire rules, what does the abbreviation ISDS stand for?
A. Integrated Septic Drainage Standard
B. Industrial Soil Disposal Site
C. Individual Sewage Disposal System
D. Inspected Septic Design Statement
Correct Answer: C. Individual Sewage Disposal System
Rationale: An ISDS is a wastewater disposal or treatment system that receives
domestic sewage. A holding tank and a cesspool are not ISDSs under the rules.
4. Before any ISDS is constructed, what must first be obtained?
A. An approval to operate
B. A construction approval from NHDES
C. A verbal approval from the inspector
D. A septage hauler's permit
Correct Answer: B. A construction approval from NHDES
Rationale: RSA 485-A:32 and Env-Wq 1003.01 prohibit constructing an ISDS
before the plans and specifications have been approved by the department.
5. When is an approval to operate issued for an ISDS?
A. When the plans are first submitted
B. When the tank is delivered
C. After the first year of use
D. After the department inspects the completed installation
Correct Answer: D. After the department inspects the completed installation
Rationale: Approval to operate is written approval to cover and use the system, and
it is issued only after inspection by department staff.
Page 2
,6. Who may install a replacement ISDS without being a permitted installer?
A. Any licensed plumber
B. Any excavation contractor with insurance
C. A friend of the owner who has experience
D. The homeowner, if the system will serve the homeowner's own domicile
Correct Answer: D. The homeowner, if the system will serve the homeowner's
own domicile
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.18 and RSA 485-A:36, II allow an individual to install a
replacement ISDS that serves his or her own domicile. All other installations need a
permitted installer.
7. Work done under a permitted installer's permit number must be:
A. Performed by anyone the installer has paid
B. Performed under that installer's supervision
C. Performed without supervision if the crew is experienced
D. Performed under the designer's supervision
Correct Answer: B. Performed under that installer's supervision
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.11 makes each permitted installer responsible for all work
under his or her permit number, and that work must be done under the installer's
supervision.
8. Where must the construction approval be posted during construction?
A. In the installer's truck
B. With the town clerk only
C. Inside the home's basement
D. At the site in a location readily visible from a public way
Correct Answer: D. At the site in a location readily visible from a public way
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.06 requires the construction approval to be posted at the
site where it can be seen from a public way.
Page 3
, 9. May a constructed ISDS be covered before final inspection and approval?
A. Yes, if the installer takes photographs
B. Yes, if the homeowner agrees
C. Yes, if the system is a pump system
D. No, it may not be covered or placed in operation until inspected and
approved
Correct Answer: D. No, it may not be covered or placed in operation until
inspected and approved
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.07 states that the constructed ISDS shall not be covered
or put into operation without final inspection and approval by the department or its
authorized agent.
10. What is a 'do not backfill order'?
A. A written notice to the installer that the ISDS was not installed in accordance
with the approved plans
B. A notice that the site is too wet to work
C. A notice that the permit fee is unpaid
D. A notice that the tank must be pumped
Correct Answer: A. A written notice to the installer that the ISDS was not
installed in accordance with the approved plans
Rationale: Department staff issue a do not backfill order when an installation does
not match the approved plans and specifications. The deficiencies must be
corrected and re-inspected.
11. Can an inspector grant a field waiver to allow a system to deviate from the
approved plans?
A. Yes, for any minor change
B. No, field waivers are prohibited
C. Yes, if the installer requests it in writing on site
D. Yes, if the homeowner signs off
Correct Answer: B. No, field waivers are prohibited
Rationale: Env-Wq 1004.12 states that no field waivers shall be granted for
non-conformance with approved plans or for any other reason.
Page 4
