SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTIC TANK INSTALLER EXAMINATION
Practice Exam with Questions, ANSWERs & Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: REGULATORY AUTHORITY & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Question 1
Which South Carolina agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
B) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
C) SC Department of Environmental Quality
D) SC Department of Agriculture
ANSWER: B
Rationale: The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) regulates septic tank
contractors through the Contractors' Licensing Board.
Question 2
What is the primary regulatory document governing onsite wastewater systems in South Carolina?
A) NFPA 1403
B) SC DHEC Regulation 61-56
C) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Title 40
D) The International Plumbing Code (IPC)
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 is the official regulation that specifies minimum standards for the
construction, design, and installation of septic systems in South Carolina.
,Question 3
What minimum score must you achieve on the examination to become licensed as a septic system
installer in South Carolina?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 90%
ANSWER: C
Rationale: Per Regulation 61-56, applicants must pass the exam with 80% or better. The exam tests
knowledge of Regulation 61-56 topics like design, installation, and permitting.
Question 4
How many years of experience are required for a septic tank contractor license in SC?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
ANSWER: C
Rationale: Applicants must have at least 3 years of qualifying experience in septic tank installation and
repair.
Question 5
What is the minimum liability insurance required for SC septic tank contractors?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
,ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Carolina requires septic tank contractors to carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability
insurance.
Question 6
Which state agency has historically had primary authority for regulating septic systems in South
Carolina?
A) Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) Department of Environmental Services (DES)
C) Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
D) Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
ANSWER: C
Rationale: DHEC is the state agency responsible for environmental health and safety, including the
regulation of onsite wastewater systems. DES is a newer department that took over some
environmental functions.
Question 7
If you fail to pass the exam the first time, how long must you wait before retaking it?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
ANSWER: B
Rationale: If you do not pass the test, you can retake it in 30 days. If you fail to pass a second time, you
can wait 60 days and retake the exam a third time.
Question 8
What is the annual license renewal fee for a Tier 1 Installer in South Carolina?
, A) $50
B) $75
C) $100
D) $150
ANSWER: C
Rationale: The licensure and annual renewal fees for onsite wastewater system installers are: Tier 1 -
$100, Tier 2 - $100, Tier 3 - $200.
Question 9
What happens if you allow your installer license to expire?
A) You can renew it with a late fee
B) You must repeat the new license process from the beginning
C) You automatically drop to a lower tier
D) You receive a warning and have 90 days to renew
ANSWER: B
Rationale: If you allow your license to expire, you will have to repeat the new license process from the
beginning.
Question 10
Before installing a septic system for a new residential home, what must be obtained from SCDES?
A) Only a building permit
B) Site approval and a Permit to Construct
C) Soil test only
D) Hauler license
ANSWER: B
Rationale: South Carolina law requires SCDES site evaluation and a Permit to Construct for all onsite
systems to ensure suitability and prevent environmental contamination.
Practice Exam with Questions, ANSWERs & Rationales 2026
SECTION 1: REGULATORY AUTHORITY & LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Question 1
Which South Carolina agency regulates septic tank contractors?
A) SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
B) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
C) SC Department of Environmental Quality
D) SC Department of Agriculture
ANSWER: B
Rationale: The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) regulates septic tank
contractors through the Contractors' Licensing Board.
Question 2
What is the primary regulatory document governing onsite wastewater systems in South Carolina?
A) NFPA 1403
B) SC DHEC Regulation 61-56
C) SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Title 40
D) The International Plumbing Code (IPC)
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Regulation 61-56 is the official regulation that specifies minimum standards for the
construction, design, and installation of septic systems in South Carolina.
,Question 3
What minimum score must you achieve on the examination to become licensed as a septic system
installer in South Carolina?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 90%
ANSWER: C
Rationale: Per Regulation 61-56, applicants must pass the exam with 80% or better. The exam tests
knowledge of Regulation 61-56 topics like design, installation, and permitting.
Question 4
How many years of experience are required for a septic tank contractor license in SC?
A) 1 year
B) 2 years
C) 3 years
D) 4 years
ANSWER: C
Rationale: Applicants must have at least 3 years of qualifying experience in septic tank installation and
repair.
Question 5
What is the minimum liability insurance required for SC septic tank contractors?
A) $100,000
B) $250,000
C) $500,000
D) $1,000,000
,ANSWER: C
Rationale: South Carolina requires septic tank contractors to carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability
insurance.
Question 6
Which state agency has historically had primary authority for regulating septic systems in South
Carolina?
A) Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR)
B) Department of Environmental Services (DES)
C) Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
D) Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
ANSWER: C
Rationale: DHEC is the state agency responsible for environmental health and safety, including the
regulation of onsite wastewater systems. DES is a newer department that took over some
environmental functions.
Question 7
If you fail to pass the exam the first time, how long must you wait before retaking it?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 60 days
D) 90 days
ANSWER: B
Rationale: If you do not pass the test, you can retake it in 30 days. If you fail to pass a second time, you
can wait 60 days and retake the exam a third time.
Question 8
What is the annual license renewal fee for a Tier 1 Installer in South Carolina?
, A) $50
B) $75
C) $100
D) $150
ANSWER: C
Rationale: The licensure and annual renewal fees for onsite wastewater system installers are: Tier 1 -
$100, Tier 2 - $100, Tier 3 - $200.
Question 9
What happens if you allow your installer license to expire?
A) You can renew it with a late fee
B) You must repeat the new license process from the beginning
C) You automatically drop to a lower tier
D) You receive a warning and have 90 days to renew
ANSWER: B
Rationale: If you allow your license to expire, you will have to repeat the new license process from the
beginning.
Question 10
Before installing a septic system for a new residential home, what must be obtained from SCDES?
A) Only a building permit
B) Site approval and a Permit to Construct
C) Soil test only
D) Hauler license
ANSWER: B
Rationale: South Carolina law requires SCDES site evaluation and a Permit to Construct for all onsite
systems to ensure suitability and prevent environmental contamination.
