Maine Site Evaluator Licensing
Exam 2026
Practice Questions & Answers
with Rationales
Domain 1: Laws & Regulations (Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules)
1. What is the official name of the administrative rule that governs subsurface
wastewater disposal in Maine?
a) The Maine Plumbing Code
b) 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
c) 10-144 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Rules Relating to Radiation Control
d) The International Building Code, Appendix P
Answer: b) 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
Rationale: The rules are promulgated by the Department of Health and Human
,Services (DHHS) and are codified as 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241. This is the definitive
rulebook for site evaluators in Maine.
2. Under the Maine Rules, what is the minimum lot size required for a new
construction utilizing a subsurface wastewater disposal system without a public
sewer?
a) 10,000 square feet
b) 20,000 square feet
c) 40,000 square feet (approx. 1 acre)
d) 80,000 square feet (approx. 2 acres)
Answer: b) 20,000 square feet
Rationale: Section 3 of the Rules specifies that the minimum lot area for new
construction is 20,000 square feet, provided all other setback and soil
requirements are met.
3. A "HHE-200" form is used to:
a) Apply for a plumbing permit.
b) Report a failing septic system to the town.
c) Report the findings of a site evaluation.
d) Order a septic tank pump-out.
Answer: c) Report the findings of a site evaluation.
Rationale: The HHE-200 (Health Inspection Data Sheet) is the official form used by
Licensed Site Evaluators to document soil profiles, site conditions, and proposed
system designs.
4. According to Maine law, who is authorized to design a subsurface wastewater
disposal system?
,a) Any licensed Master Plumber
b) A Certified Site Evaluator
c) A Professional Engineer or a Licensed Site Evaluator
d) The homeowner, if it is for their primary residence
Answer: c) A Professional Engineer or a Licensed Site Evaluator
Rationale: Design authority is granted to both Professional Engineers (with
expertise in this area) and state-licensed Site Evaluators.
5. What is the minimum vertical separation required between the bottom of a
disposal field and limiting condition (e.g., bedrock, water table) for a standard
system?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches (1 foot)
c) 24 inches (2 feet)
d) 48 inches (4 feet)
Answer: b) 12 inches (1 foot)
Rationale: Section 9(A) of the Rules requires a minimum of 1 foot of undisturbed,
unsaturated soil between the bottom of the disposal area and any limiting
condition.
6. If a lot has less than the required 12 inches of separation, what type of
system may be considered?
a) A standard gravity system with deeper trenches
b) An at-grade or pressure-dosed shallow trench system
c) A cesspool
d) No system is allowed under any circumstances
, Answer: b) An at-grade or pressure-dosed shallow trench system
Rationale: When vertical separation is limited (e.g., 6-11 inches), alternative
designs like shallow trenches or at-grade systems, which utilize the topsoil's
biomat formation, may be permitted.
7. The minimum setback distance from a private drinking water well to a new
disposal field is:
a) 50 feet
b) 100 feet
c) 150 feet
d) 300 feet
Answer: b) 100 feet
Rationale: Table 1 in Section 3 of the Rules requires a 100-foot horizontal setback
from a private well to protect groundwater from contamination.
8. What is the minimum setback from a high-intensity public road (e.g.,
Interstate, Route 1) to a disposal field?
a) 10 feet
b) 25 feet
c) 50 feet
d) 75 feet
Answer: c) 50 feet
Rationale: Setbacks from roads vary by type. High-intensity roads require a 50-
foot setback to account for potential de-icing salts and runoff.
9. The Maine Rules define "Limiting Condition" as:
a) The property line.
Exam 2026
Practice Questions & Answers
with Rationales
Domain 1: Laws & Regulations (Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules)
1. What is the official name of the administrative rule that governs subsurface
wastewater disposal in Maine?
a) The Maine Plumbing Code
b) 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
c) 10-144 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Rules Relating to Radiation Control
d) The International Building Code, Appendix P
Answer: b) 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241: Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
Rationale: The rules are promulgated by the Department of Health and Human
,Services (DHHS) and are codified as 06-096 C.M.R. Chap. 241. This is the definitive
rulebook for site evaluators in Maine.
2. Under the Maine Rules, what is the minimum lot size required for a new
construction utilizing a subsurface wastewater disposal system without a public
sewer?
a) 10,000 square feet
b) 20,000 square feet
c) 40,000 square feet (approx. 1 acre)
d) 80,000 square feet (approx. 2 acres)
Answer: b) 20,000 square feet
Rationale: Section 3 of the Rules specifies that the minimum lot area for new
construction is 20,000 square feet, provided all other setback and soil
requirements are met.
3. A "HHE-200" form is used to:
a) Apply for a plumbing permit.
b) Report a failing septic system to the town.
c) Report the findings of a site evaluation.
d) Order a septic tank pump-out.
Answer: c) Report the findings of a site evaluation.
Rationale: The HHE-200 (Health Inspection Data Sheet) is the official form used by
Licensed Site Evaluators to document soil profiles, site conditions, and proposed
system designs.
4. According to Maine law, who is authorized to design a subsurface wastewater
disposal system?
,a) Any licensed Master Plumber
b) A Certified Site Evaluator
c) A Professional Engineer or a Licensed Site Evaluator
d) The homeowner, if it is for their primary residence
Answer: c) A Professional Engineer or a Licensed Site Evaluator
Rationale: Design authority is granted to both Professional Engineers (with
expertise in this area) and state-licensed Site Evaluators.
5. What is the minimum vertical separation required between the bottom of a
disposal field and limiting condition (e.g., bedrock, water table) for a standard
system?
a) 6 inches
b) 12 inches (1 foot)
c) 24 inches (2 feet)
d) 48 inches (4 feet)
Answer: b) 12 inches (1 foot)
Rationale: Section 9(A) of the Rules requires a minimum of 1 foot of undisturbed,
unsaturated soil between the bottom of the disposal area and any limiting
condition.
6. If a lot has less than the required 12 inches of separation, what type of
system may be considered?
a) A standard gravity system with deeper trenches
b) An at-grade or pressure-dosed shallow trench system
c) A cesspool
d) No system is allowed under any circumstances
, Answer: b) An at-grade or pressure-dosed shallow trench system
Rationale: When vertical separation is limited (e.g., 6-11 inches), alternative
designs like shallow trenches or at-grade systems, which utilize the topsoil's
biomat formation, may be permitted.
7. The minimum setback distance from a private drinking water well to a new
disposal field is:
a) 50 feet
b) 100 feet
c) 150 feet
d) 300 feet
Answer: b) 100 feet
Rationale: Table 1 in Section 3 of the Rules requires a 100-foot horizontal setback
from a private well to protect groundwater from contamination.
8. What is the minimum setback from a high-intensity public road (e.g.,
Interstate, Route 1) to a disposal field?
a) 10 feet
b) 25 feet
c) 50 feet
d) 75 feet
Answer: c) 50 feet
Rationale: Setbacks from roads vary by type. High-intensity roads require a 50-
foot setback to account for potential de-icing salts and runoff.
9. The Maine Rules define "Limiting Condition" as:
a) The property line.
