TEXAS OSSF INSTALLER I LICENSE EXAMINATION — COMPLETE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
200 Questions Covering All Exam Topics Based on 30 TAC Chapter 285,
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366, and TCEQ Licensing
Requirements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Regulatory Framework & Licensing 25 Q1–Q25
II Site Evaluation & Soil Analysis 30 Q26–Q55
III System Design & Sizing 30 Q56–Q85
IV Setback & Separation Distances 25 Q86–Q110
V Installation Procedures & Construction 35 Q111–Q145
Standards
VI Wastewater Treatment & Disposal Principles 25 Q146–Q170
VII Inspection, Troubleshooting & Maintenance 20 Q171–Q190
VIII Safety, Environmental Protection & 10 Q191–Q200
Enforcement
SECTION I: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Q1–Q25)
Q1. What is the primary purpose of an on-site sewage facility (OSSF)?
A) Provide drinking water to rural households
B) Treat and dispose of household wastewater on the property where it
is generated
,C) Store stormwater runoff for irrigation
D) Generate electricity from organic waste
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An OSSF is designed to collect, treat, and dispose of
wastewater from a single-family residence or small commercial
establishment when centralized sewer service is not available. The
system must prevent public health hazards and protect water quality.
Reference: 30 TAC §285.1
Q2. Which Texas state agency is responsible for administering the
OSSF program and issuing installer licenses?
A) Texas Department of State Health Services
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Texas Water Development Board
D) Texas Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TCEQ administers the OSSF program under 30 TAC
Chapter 285 and the Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366. TCEQ
issues licenses to installers, site evaluators, designated representatives,
and maintenance providers.
Reference: Texas Health & Safety Code §366.012; 30 TAC §285.2
Q3. An OSSF Installer I license authorizes the holder to install which of
the following systems?
,A) All types of OSSF systems, including aerobic treatment units and drip
irrigation
B) Standard OSSF systems including septic tanks, absorptive drainfields,
unlined ET drainfields, leaching chambers, gravelless pipe, and pumped
effluent drainfields
C) Only holding tanks and portable toilets
D) Only surface application systems requiring secondary treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Installer I license is limited to standard OSSF systems.
Installer II is required for all types of OSSF systems, including proprietary
and non-standard systems such as aerobic treatment units, drip
irrigation, and surface application systems.
Reference: 30 TAC §285.2; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q4. What is the minimum work experience required to obtain an OSSF
Installer I license?
A) One year of supervised installation experience
B) Two years of plumbing experience
C) No minimum work experience requirement
D) Five completed installations verified by a designated representative
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to TCEQ licensing requirements, there are no
minimum education or work experience requirements to apply for the
OSSF Installer I license. Applicants must complete the required training
course and pass the licensing examination.
, Reference: 30 TAC §30.207; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q5. An OSSF apprentice may perform installation services under what
conditions?
A) Independently, after completing 100 hours of on-the-job training
B) Only under the constant, direct supervision of a licensed installer
C) Only on weekends when the licensed installer is unavailable
D) Apprentices are not permitted to perform any installation work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A registered apprentice must work under the constant, direct
supervision of a licensed installer. If supervision is not on-site, the
licensed installer must visit the job site at least once each workday to
verify the apprentice's work complies with state and authorized agent
requirements.
Reference: 30 TAC §30.211; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q6. Which of the following is a duty of the OSSF Designated
Representative (DR)?
A) Performing preconstruction site evaluations
B) Installing septic tanks and drainfields
C) Inspecting OSSF installations to ensure compliance with approved
plans and TCEQ rules
D) Pumping septic tanks for homeowners
Correct Answer: C
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
200 Questions Covering All Exam Topics Based on 30 TAC Chapter 285,
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366, and TCEQ Licensing
Requirements
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Domain Approx. Page
Questions Reference
I Regulatory Framework & Licensing 25 Q1–Q25
II Site Evaluation & Soil Analysis 30 Q26–Q55
III System Design & Sizing 30 Q56–Q85
IV Setback & Separation Distances 25 Q86–Q110
V Installation Procedures & Construction 35 Q111–Q145
Standards
VI Wastewater Treatment & Disposal Principles 25 Q146–Q170
VII Inspection, Troubleshooting & Maintenance 20 Q171–Q190
VIII Safety, Environmental Protection & 10 Q191–Q200
Enforcement
SECTION I: REGULATORY FRAMEWORK & LICENSING (Q1–Q25)
Q1. What is the primary purpose of an on-site sewage facility (OSSF)?
A) Provide drinking water to rural households
B) Treat and dispose of household wastewater on the property where it
is generated
,C) Store stormwater runoff for irrigation
D) Generate electricity from organic waste
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An OSSF is designed to collect, treat, and dispose of
wastewater from a single-family residence or small commercial
establishment when centralized sewer service is not available. The
system must prevent public health hazards and protect water quality.
Reference: 30 TAC §285.1
Q2. Which Texas state agency is responsible for administering the
OSSF program and issuing installer licenses?
A) Texas Department of State Health Services
B) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
C) Texas Water Development Board
D) Texas Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The TCEQ administers the OSSF program under 30 TAC
Chapter 285 and the Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 366. TCEQ
issues licenses to installers, site evaluators, designated representatives,
and maintenance providers.
Reference: Texas Health & Safety Code §366.012; 30 TAC §285.2
Q3. An OSSF Installer I license authorizes the holder to install which of
the following systems?
,A) All types of OSSF systems, including aerobic treatment units and drip
irrigation
B) Standard OSSF systems including septic tanks, absorptive drainfields,
unlined ET drainfields, leaching chambers, gravelless pipe, and pumped
effluent drainfields
C) Only holding tanks and portable toilets
D) Only surface application systems requiring secondary treatment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Installer I license is limited to standard OSSF systems.
Installer II is required for all types of OSSF systems, including proprietary
and non-standard systems such as aerobic treatment units, drip
irrigation, and surface application systems.
Reference: 30 TAC §285.2; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q4. What is the minimum work experience required to obtain an OSSF
Installer I license?
A) One year of supervised installation experience
B) Two years of plumbing experience
C) No minimum work experience requirement
D) Five completed installations verified by a designated representative
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to TCEQ licensing requirements, there are no
minimum education or work experience requirements to apply for the
OSSF Installer I license. Applicants must complete the required training
course and pass the licensing examination.
, Reference: 30 TAC §30.207; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q5. An OSSF apprentice may perform installation services under what
conditions?
A) Independently, after completing 100 hours of on-the-job training
B) Only under the constant, direct supervision of a licensed installer
C) Only on weekends when the licensed installer is unavailable
D) Apprentices are not permitted to perform any installation work
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A registered apprentice must work under the constant, direct
supervision of a licensed installer. If supervision is not on-site, the
licensed installer must visit the job site at least once each workday to
verify the apprentice's work complies with state and authorized agent
requirements.
Reference: 30 TAC §30.211; TCEQ Licensing Requirements
Q6. Which of the following is a duty of the OSSF Designated
Representative (DR)?
A) Performing preconstruction site evaluations
B) Installing septic tanks and drainfields
C) Inspecting OSSF installations to ensure compliance with approved
plans and TCEQ rules
D) Pumping septic tanks for homeowners
Correct Answer: C
