WV Septic Installer Practice Exam
120 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. Which legislative rule governs individual sewer system installer certification in
West Virginia?
A. 64 CSR 47
B. 64 CSR 9
C. 64 CSR 51
D. 64 CSR 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 64 CSR 9, 'Sewer Systems, Sewage Treatment Systems and Sewage Tank
Cleaners,' establishes the requirements for individual sewer system installer
certification in West Virginia, including examination and renewal provisions.
2. What minimum score must an applicant achieve on the WV installer
certification exam to qualify for certification?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 64 CSR 9, Section 11, an applicant must attain a passing grade of 70%
or greater on the written examination to qualify for individual sewer system installer
certification.
3. If an applicant fails the WV sewage system installer examination, how long
must they wait before re-examination?
A. No waiting period is required
B. 10 days
C. 30 days
D. 6 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 64 CSR 9, an applicant who fails the certification examination must
wait 30 days before being permitted to retake the exam.
,4. A Class I certified installer in West Virginia is authorized to install which of the
following systems?
A. Only alternative and experimental sewage systems
B. Standard soil absorption systems, soil absorption beds, holding tanks, effluent lift
stations, and grey water soil absorption systems
C. Only commercial systems exceeding 1,000 gallons per day
D. Public water distribution systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Class I certificate under 64 CSR 9 applies to standard soil absorption
systems, soil absorption beds, holding tanks, effluent lift stations, and grey water soil
absorption systems.
5. How does a Class II installer certification differ in scope from a Class I
certification in West Virginia?
A. Class II covers only holding tanks
B. Class II includes everything covered by Class I, plus alternative and other
individual/on-site sewer systems
C. Class II is limited to commercial systems only
D. There is no difference; the classifications are identical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Class II certificate covers all systems included under Class I, plus
alternative and other individual or on-site sewer systems (e.g., engineered/alternative
treatment systems), reflecting a broader scope of authorized work.
6. How long is an individual sewer system installer certification valid in West
Virginia before renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: On-site sewage system installer certifications in West Virginia are valid for
five years from the date of issuance, after which renewal is required.
,7. If an installer's certification has lapsed for six months or more, what must they
do to become certified again?
A. Nothing; certification never expires
B. Submit a simple renewal form only
C. Complete an application for a NEW installer certification, which typically requires
retesting
D. Wait one year and automatically be recertified
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If certification has been expired for six months or more, the individual must
apply for a new sewage installer certification rather than a simple renewal, generally
requiring them to meet all initial certification requirements again, including examination.
8. Who is exempt from individual sewer system installer certification
requirements in West Virginia?
A. Any homeowner installing a system for personal use, without exception
B. A delivery driver dropping off system parts, a manufacturer who does not perform
installation, or an employee working under the direct on-site supervision of a
certified installer
C. Any contractor with a general contractor's license, regardless of septic
experience
D. Plumbers licensed in any state
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 64 CSR 9 exempts drivers delivering system components, manufacturers
who do not install parts, and employees working under the direct on-site surveillance of
a certified installer from the individual certification requirement.
, 9. Under what circumstance may a homeowner be permitted to install their own
onsite sewage system without holding a standard installer certification?
A. Never; only certified installers may ever perform installation
B. If they pass an examination administered by the local health department
demonstrating knowledge of applicable rules, limited to their own residence
C. If they hire an uncertified friend to help
D. If the system serves a commercial establishment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The director (through the local health department) may issue a limited
homeowner installer permit if the individual passes an examination demonstrating
knowledge of the applicable rules; this permit is generally limited to installation at the
homeowner's own residence.
10. Which agency has primary regulatory authority over onsite sewage disposal
systems in West Virginia, with permits processed at the county level?
A. The WV Department of Transportation
B. The WV Bureau for Public Health, through local county health departments
C. The federal EPA exclusively
D. The WV Public Service Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Onsite sewage disposal systems in West Virginia are regulated under rules
promulgated by the WV Bureau for Public Health (WVDHHR), with permits issued and
inspections conducted by local county health departments.
11. What is the primary purpose of a site evaluation prior to designing an onsite
sewage system?
A. To determine the property's market value
B. To assess soil characteristics, depth to restrictive layers, slope, and site
suitability for effluent absorption
C. To calculate the homeowner's water bill
D. To determine paint color for the home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A site evaluation assesses soil texture and structure, depth to bedrock or a
restrictive layer, depth to seasonal high water table, slope, and available area, all of
which determine whether and how a soil absorption system can be safely and
effectively installed.
120 Original Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. Which legislative rule governs individual sewer system installer certification in
West Virginia?
A. 64 CSR 47
B. 64 CSR 9
C. 64 CSR 51
D. 64 CSR 3
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 64 CSR 9, 'Sewer Systems, Sewage Treatment Systems and Sewage Tank
Cleaners,' establishes the requirements for individual sewer system installer
certification in West Virginia, including examination and renewal provisions.
2. What minimum score must an applicant achieve on the WV installer
certification exam to qualify for certification?
A. 60%
B. 65%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 64 CSR 9, Section 11, an applicant must attain a passing grade of 70%
or greater on the written examination to qualify for individual sewer system installer
certification.
3. If an applicant fails the WV sewage system installer examination, how long
must they wait before re-examination?
A. No waiting period is required
B. 10 days
C. 30 days
D. 6 months
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 64 CSR 9, an applicant who fails the certification examination must
wait 30 days before being permitted to retake the exam.
,4. A Class I certified installer in West Virginia is authorized to install which of the
following systems?
A. Only alternative and experimental sewage systems
B. Standard soil absorption systems, soil absorption beds, holding tanks, effluent lift
stations, and grey water soil absorption systems
C. Only commercial systems exceeding 1,000 gallons per day
D. Public water distribution systems
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Class I certificate under 64 CSR 9 applies to standard soil absorption
systems, soil absorption beds, holding tanks, effluent lift stations, and grey water soil
absorption systems.
5. How does a Class II installer certification differ in scope from a Class I
certification in West Virginia?
A. Class II covers only holding tanks
B. Class II includes everything covered by Class I, plus alternative and other
individual/on-site sewer systems
C. Class II is limited to commercial systems only
D. There is no difference; the classifications are identical
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A Class II certificate covers all systems included under Class I, plus
alternative and other individual or on-site sewer systems (e.g., engineered/alternative
treatment systems), reflecting a broader scope of authorized work.
6. How long is an individual sewer system installer certification valid in West
Virginia before renewal is required?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 5 years
D. 10 years
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: On-site sewage system installer certifications in West Virginia are valid for
five years from the date of issuance, after which renewal is required.
,7. If an installer's certification has lapsed for six months or more, what must they
do to become certified again?
A. Nothing; certification never expires
B. Submit a simple renewal form only
C. Complete an application for a NEW installer certification, which typically requires
retesting
D. Wait one year and automatically be recertified
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: If certification has been expired for six months or more, the individual must
apply for a new sewage installer certification rather than a simple renewal, generally
requiring them to meet all initial certification requirements again, including examination.
8. Who is exempt from individual sewer system installer certification
requirements in West Virginia?
A. Any homeowner installing a system for personal use, without exception
B. A delivery driver dropping off system parts, a manufacturer who does not perform
installation, or an employee working under the direct on-site supervision of a
certified installer
C. Any contractor with a general contractor's license, regardless of septic
experience
D. Plumbers licensed in any state
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 64 CSR 9 exempts drivers delivering system components, manufacturers
who do not install parts, and employees working under the direct on-site surveillance of
a certified installer from the individual certification requirement.
, 9. Under what circumstance may a homeowner be permitted to install their own
onsite sewage system without holding a standard installer certification?
A. Never; only certified installers may ever perform installation
B. If they pass an examination administered by the local health department
demonstrating knowledge of applicable rules, limited to their own residence
C. If they hire an uncertified friend to help
D. If the system serves a commercial establishment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The director (through the local health department) may issue a limited
homeowner installer permit if the individual passes an examination demonstrating
knowledge of the applicable rules; this permit is generally limited to installation at the
homeowner's own residence.
10. Which agency has primary regulatory authority over onsite sewage disposal
systems in West Virginia, with permits processed at the county level?
A. The WV Department of Transportation
B. The WV Bureau for Public Health, through local county health departments
C. The federal EPA exclusively
D. The WV Public Service Commission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Onsite sewage disposal systems in West Virginia are regulated under rules
promulgated by the WV Bureau for Public Health (WVDHHR), with permits issued and
inspections conducted by local county health departments.
11. What is the primary purpose of a site evaluation prior to designing an onsite
sewage system?
A. To determine the property's market value
B. To assess soil characteristics, depth to restrictive layers, slope, and site
suitability for effluent absorption
C. To calculate the homeowner's water bill
D. To determine paint color for the home
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A site evaluation assesses soil texture and structure, depth to bedrock or a
restrictive layer, depth to seasonal high water table, slope, and available area, all of
which determine whether and how a soil absorption system can be safely and
effectively installed.
