OSSF DR UPDATED ACTUAL Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
1880s - CORRECT ANSWER - Septic tanks were introduced in the United States in the
_______.
C - CORRECT ANSWER - The beginning of statewide regulation of the OSSFs across Texas
was ________.
A. November 1987
B. April 1989
C. September 1989
D. March 1985
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
Before 1989, Texas had no statewide regulation.
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
The law gives the local government the right to adopt local regulations that are more stringent
than the state OSSF law or rules.
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
The following are key elements of the Texas OSSF rules:
,On-site sewage disposal system, Agency/Commission, Authorized Agent (AA), Designated
Representative (DR), Installer, Apprentice, Site-Evaluator (SE), Maintenance Provider (MP), and
Maintenance Technician.
On-Site Sewage Disposal System: - CORRECT ANSWER - One or more systems of
treatment devices and disposal facilities that:
- Produce not more than 5,000 gallons of waste each day:
- Are used only for disposal of sewage produced on the site where the system is located (new
cluster systems are prohibited); and
-Dispose of wastewater on-site into the soil or as a vapor to the atmosphere.
Agency/Commission - CORRECT ANSWER - TCEQ is the state agency responsible for
making sure that OSSF laws, rules, and regulations are enforces statewide
Authorized Agent (AA) - CORRECT ANSWER - The local government entity authorized by
the TQEC to implement and enforce the OSSF laws and regulations.
Designated Representative - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who holds a DR license
and is designated by the authorized agent to review permit applications, conduct site evaluations,
review planning materials, and conduct inspections of OSSFs.
Installer - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who holds a valid license from the TCEQ
and who is compensated by another individual to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF. (Two
levels Installer I and II)
One exception to TCEQ certified or registered installer requirement; - CORRECT ANSWER -
Single family residence homeowners may install, or repair their own systems without being a
registered installer. (does not apply to owners developing property for sale or for lease.
Apprentice - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who has been properly registered with the
agency and is undertaking an on-the-job training program supervised by an Installer.
, Site Evaluator - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who visits a site and conducts a
preconstruction site evaluation following the TCEQ rules. This evaluation includes a soil
analysis, a site survey, and other criteria necessary to determine the suitability or a site for a
specific OSSF.
Maintenance Provider (MP) - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who maintains OSSF for
compensation. Must be licensed with the executive director.
Maintenance Technician - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who works under an MP and
holds a valid registration issued by the Executive Director to maintain OSSF.
Permitting - CORRECT ANSWER - DR is responsible for conducting the Texas OSSF
permitting program within the jurisdiction of the local government/authorized agent who
designated him or her.
Complaint Investigation - CORRECT ANSWER - DR is required to respond to complaints
concerning on-site facilities within the jurisdiction of the local government/authorized agent that
has designated him or her.
Ten Acre Rule - CORRECT ANSWER - An OSSF for a single-family residence on a 10-acre
or larger tract in which the disposal lines are at least 100 ft from the property line is not required
to apply for a permit for the new construction. 30 TAC 285.3(f)(2)
Process Steps - CORRECT ANSWER - Site evaluation, selection of an OSSF, system must be
planned (designed), professional designer, permit application and planning materials prepared
and submitted, application and planning materials reviewed, authorized or permit to construct,
construction, inspection by permitting agency, final inspection and transfer of permits
Revoked or suspended licenses - CORRECT ANSWER - violating OSSF laws or regulations,
submitting falsified documents or information, other causes such as fraud or deceit, or failure to
use reasonable or professional judgement in the performance of their duties
Questions and CORRECT Answers
1880s - CORRECT ANSWER - Septic tanks were introduced in the United States in the
_______.
C - CORRECT ANSWER - The beginning of statewide regulation of the OSSFs across Texas
was ________.
A. November 1987
B. April 1989
C. September 1989
D. March 1985
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
Before 1989, Texas had no statewide regulation.
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
The law gives the local government the right to adopt local regulations that are more stringent
than the state OSSF law or rules.
True - CORRECT ANSWER - True or False:
The following are key elements of the Texas OSSF rules:
,On-site sewage disposal system, Agency/Commission, Authorized Agent (AA), Designated
Representative (DR), Installer, Apprentice, Site-Evaluator (SE), Maintenance Provider (MP), and
Maintenance Technician.
On-Site Sewage Disposal System: - CORRECT ANSWER - One or more systems of
treatment devices and disposal facilities that:
- Produce not more than 5,000 gallons of waste each day:
- Are used only for disposal of sewage produced on the site where the system is located (new
cluster systems are prohibited); and
-Dispose of wastewater on-site into the soil or as a vapor to the atmosphere.
Agency/Commission - CORRECT ANSWER - TCEQ is the state agency responsible for
making sure that OSSF laws, rules, and regulations are enforces statewide
Authorized Agent (AA) - CORRECT ANSWER - The local government entity authorized by
the TQEC to implement and enforce the OSSF laws and regulations.
Designated Representative - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who holds a DR license
and is designated by the authorized agent to review permit applications, conduct site evaluations,
review planning materials, and conduct inspections of OSSFs.
Installer - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who holds a valid license from the TCEQ
and who is compensated by another individual to construct, install, alter, or repair an OSSF. (Two
levels Installer I and II)
One exception to TCEQ certified or registered installer requirement; - CORRECT ANSWER -
Single family residence homeowners may install, or repair their own systems without being a
registered installer. (does not apply to owners developing property for sale or for lease.
Apprentice - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who has been properly registered with the
agency and is undertaking an on-the-job training program supervised by an Installer.
, Site Evaluator - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who visits a site and conducts a
preconstruction site evaluation following the TCEQ rules. This evaluation includes a soil
analysis, a site survey, and other criteria necessary to determine the suitability or a site for a
specific OSSF.
Maintenance Provider (MP) - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who maintains OSSF for
compensation. Must be licensed with the executive director.
Maintenance Technician - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual who works under an MP and
holds a valid registration issued by the Executive Director to maintain OSSF.
Permitting - CORRECT ANSWER - DR is responsible for conducting the Texas OSSF
permitting program within the jurisdiction of the local government/authorized agent who
designated him or her.
Complaint Investigation - CORRECT ANSWER - DR is required to respond to complaints
concerning on-site facilities within the jurisdiction of the local government/authorized agent that
has designated him or her.
Ten Acre Rule - CORRECT ANSWER - An OSSF for a single-family residence on a 10-acre
or larger tract in which the disposal lines are at least 100 ft from the property line is not required
to apply for a permit for the new construction. 30 TAC 285.3(f)(2)
Process Steps - CORRECT ANSWER - Site evaluation, selection of an OSSF, system must be
planned (designed), professional designer, permit application and planning materials prepared
and submitted, application and planning materials reviewed, authorized or permit to construct,
construction, inspection by permitting agency, final inspection and transfer of permits
Revoked or suspended licenses - CORRECT ANSWER - violating OSSF laws or regulations,
submitting falsified documents or information, other causes such as fraud or deceit, or failure to
use reasonable or professional judgement in the performance of their duties
