TEXAS OSSF INSTALLER EXAM
1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
C. Texas Department of State Health Services
D. Texas Water Development Board
Correct Answer: B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Rationale: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state
agency responsible for regulating on-site sewage facilities under Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. Which chapter of the Texas Administrative Code contains the detailed
technical rules for OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 16 TAC Chapter 76
C. 25 TAC Chapter 265
D. 22 TAC Chapter 203
Correct Answer: A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285, titled 'On-Site Sewage Facilities,' contains TCEQ's
detailed design, construction, and permitting rules for OSSFs in Texas.
3. Which chapter of the Texas Health and Safety Code establishes the statutory
basis for OSSF regulation?
A. Chapter 341
B. Chapter 366
C. Chapter 711
D. Chapter 361
Correct Answer: B. Chapter 366
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, the 'On-Site Sewage Disposal
Systems' statute, provides the legal foundation for TCEQ's OSSF program.
,4. In many counties, day-to-day OSSF permitting and inspection functions are
delegated by TCEQ to:
A. The federal EPA
B. An authorized agent, such as a county or local government
C. The Texas Real Estate Commission
D. A private national trade association
Correct Answer: B. An authorized agent, such as a county or local government
Rationale: TCEQ commonly delegates permitting and inspection authority to local
authorized agents (such as counties or health districts) that administer the OSSF
program at the local level under TCEQ oversight.
5. What is the primary public health purpose of OSSF regulation in Texas?
A. To increase property tax revenue
B. To prevent the improper disposal of sewage that could contaminate
groundwater, surface water, and pose health hazards
C. To promote a specific brand of septic tank
D. To eliminate the use of any decentralized wastewater treatment
Correct Answer: B. To prevent the improper disposal of sewage that could
contaminate groundwater, surface water, and pose health hazards
Rationale: OSSF regulations exist to protect public health and the environment by
ensuring sewage is properly treated and disposed of, preventing contamination of
water resources and exposure to pathogens.
6. An OSSF, as regulated by TCEQ, generally refers to a system that treats and
disposes of sewage:
A. Only at large centralized municipal treatment plants
B. On an individual lot, typically not connected to a centralized municipal sewage
collection system
C. Exclusively for industrial wastewater
D. Only for stormwater runoff
Correct Answer: B. On an individual lot, typically not connected to a centralized
municipal sewage collection system
Rationale: An OSSF (commonly called a septic system) is a decentralized system
that treats and disposes of sewage on the same or a nearby site, rather than being
connected to a centralized municipal collection and treatment system.
,7. Which of the following best describes the relationship between TCEQ rules
and local authorized agent orders regarding OSSFs?
A. Local orders may never be stricter than state minimums
B. Local authorized agents may adopt orders that are at least as stringent as, and
in some respects more stringent than, state minimum standards
C. Local governments have no authority to regulate OSSFs at all
D. State rules do not apply once a county adopts its own order
Correct Answer: B. Local authorized agents may adopt orders that are at least
as stringent as, and in some respects more stringent than, state minimum
standards
Rationale: Local authorized agents may adopt orders equal to or more stringent than
TCEQ's minimum state standards, but state law and rules still establish the baseline
framework that must be met.
8. In Texas, installing an OSSF for compensation generally requires the installer
to hold:
A. No license; installation is unregulated
B. A TCEQ-issued OSSF installer license (Class I or Class II, as applicable)
C. Only a plumbing license
D. A general contractor's license issued by the county
Correct Answer: B. A TCEQ-issued OSSF installer license (Class I or Class II, as
applicable)
Rationale: Persons who install OSSFs for compensation in Texas must generally hold
an appropriate installer license (Class I or Class II) issued by TCEQ, corresponding to
the type of system being installed.
, 9. What is the general distinction between a Class I and a Class II OSSF installer
license in Texas?
A. There is no difference between the two
B. A Class II installer is generally authorized for standard/conventional systems,
while a Class I installer is authorized for both standard and more complex/aerobic
systems
C. Class I installers may only install systems in one county
D. Class II installers may never install septic tanks
Correct Answer: B. A Class II installer is generally authorized for
standard/conventional systems, while a Class I installer is authorized for both
standard and more complex/aerobic systems
Rationale: A Class II license generally authorizes installation of standard
(conventional) OSSF systems, while a Class I license authorizes installation of both
standard systems and more complex systems, such as aerobic treatment unit
systems and other proprietary/alternative systems.
10. Which of the following is typically required to qualify for an initial OSSF
installer license in Texas?
A. A bachelor's degree in engineering only
B. Completion of a TCEQ-approved training course and passing the required
examination
C. No training or examination of any kind
D. Five years of unrelated retail experience
Correct Answer: B. Completion of a TCEQ-approved training course and
passing the required examination
Rationale: Applicants generally must complete TCEQ-approved installer training and
pass the corresponding state examination to qualify for an OSSF installer license.
11. How often must a Texas OSSF installer license generally be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every ten years
D. Licenses never expire
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
Rationale: OSSF installer licenses in Texas are generally renewed on a two-year
cycle, subject to applicable fees and continuing education requirements.
1. Which state agency has primary regulatory authority over On-Site Sewage
Facilities (OSSFs) in Texas?
A. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
C. Texas Department of State Health Services
D. Texas Water Development Board
Correct Answer: B. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Rationale: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is the state
agency responsible for regulating on-site sewage facilities under Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.
2. Which chapter of the Texas Administrative Code contains the detailed
technical rules for OSSFs?
A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
B. 16 TAC Chapter 76
C. 25 TAC Chapter 265
D. 22 TAC Chapter 203
Correct Answer: A. 30 TAC Chapter 285
Rationale: 30 TAC Chapter 285, titled 'On-Site Sewage Facilities,' contains TCEQ's
detailed design, construction, and permitting rules for OSSFs in Texas.
3. Which chapter of the Texas Health and Safety Code establishes the statutory
basis for OSSF regulation?
A. Chapter 341
B. Chapter 366
C. Chapter 711
D. Chapter 361
Correct Answer: B. Chapter 366
Rationale: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, the 'On-Site Sewage Disposal
Systems' statute, provides the legal foundation for TCEQ's OSSF program.
,4. In many counties, day-to-day OSSF permitting and inspection functions are
delegated by TCEQ to:
A. The federal EPA
B. An authorized agent, such as a county or local government
C. The Texas Real Estate Commission
D. A private national trade association
Correct Answer: B. An authorized agent, such as a county or local government
Rationale: TCEQ commonly delegates permitting and inspection authority to local
authorized agents (such as counties or health districts) that administer the OSSF
program at the local level under TCEQ oversight.
5. What is the primary public health purpose of OSSF regulation in Texas?
A. To increase property tax revenue
B. To prevent the improper disposal of sewage that could contaminate
groundwater, surface water, and pose health hazards
C. To promote a specific brand of septic tank
D. To eliminate the use of any decentralized wastewater treatment
Correct Answer: B. To prevent the improper disposal of sewage that could
contaminate groundwater, surface water, and pose health hazards
Rationale: OSSF regulations exist to protect public health and the environment by
ensuring sewage is properly treated and disposed of, preventing contamination of
water resources and exposure to pathogens.
6. An OSSF, as regulated by TCEQ, generally refers to a system that treats and
disposes of sewage:
A. Only at large centralized municipal treatment plants
B. On an individual lot, typically not connected to a centralized municipal sewage
collection system
C. Exclusively for industrial wastewater
D. Only for stormwater runoff
Correct Answer: B. On an individual lot, typically not connected to a centralized
municipal sewage collection system
Rationale: An OSSF (commonly called a septic system) is a decentralized system
that treats and disposes of sewage on the same or a nearby site, rather than being
connected to a centralized municipal collection and treatment system.
,7. Which of the following best describes the relationship between TCEQ rules
and local authorized agent orders regarding OSSFs?
A. Local orders may never be stricter than state minimums
B. Local authorized agents may adopt orders that are at least as stringent as, and
in some respects more stringent than, state minimum standards
C. Local governments have no authority to regulate OSSFs at all
D. State rules do not apply once a county adopts its own order
Correct Answer: B. Local authorized agents may adopt orders that are at least
as stringent as, and in some respects more stringent than, state minimum
standards
Rationale: Local authorized agents may adopt orders equal to or more stringent than
TCEQ's minimum state standards, but state law and rules still establish the baseline
framework that must be met.
8. In Texas, installing an OSSF for compensation generally requires the installer
to hold:
A. No license; installation is unregulated
B. A TCEQ-issued OSSF installer license (Class I or Class II, as applicable)
C. Only a plumbing license
D. A general contractor's license issued by the county
Correct Answer: B. A TCEQ-issued OSSF installer license (Class I or Class II, as
applicable)
Rationale: Persons who install OSSFs for compensation in Texas must generally hold
an appropriate installer license (Class I or Class II) issued by TCEQ, corresponding to
the type of system being installed.
, 9. What is the general distinction between a Class I and a Class II OSSF installer
license in Texas?
A. There is no difference between the two
B. A Class II installer is generally authorized for standard/conventional systems,
while a Class I installer is authorized for both standard and more complex/aerobic
systems
C. Class I installers may only install systems in one county
D. Class II installers may never install septic tanks
Correct Answer: B. A Class II installer is generally authorized for
standard/conventional systems, while a Class I installer is authorized for both
standard and more complex/aerobic systems
Rationale: A Class II license generally authorizes installation of standard
(conventional) OSSF systems, while a Class I license authorizes installation of both
standard systems and more complex systems, such as aerobic treatment unit
systems and other proprietary/alternative systems.
10. Which of the following is typically required to qualify for an initial OSSF
installer license in Texas?
A. A bachelor's degree in engineering only
B. Completion of a TCEQ-approved training course and passing the required
examination
C. No training or examination of any kind
D. Five years of unrelated retail experience
Correct Answer: B. Completion of a TCEQ-approved training course and
passing the required examination
Rationale: Applicants generally must complete TCEQ-approved installer training and
pass the corresponding state examination to qualify for an OSSF installer license.
11. How often must a Texas OSSF installer license generally be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every ten years
D. Licenses never expire
Correct Answer: B. Every two years
Rationale: OSSF installer licenses in Texas are generally renewed on a two-year
cycle, subject to applicable fees and continuing education requirements.
