South Carolina Septic Tank Installer License Exam Questions
and Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which South Carolina agency licenses septic system installers and
pumpers/haulers?
A. Department of Commerce
B. Department of Motor Vehicles
C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
D. Department of Revenue
Answer: C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
Rationale: SCDES (formerly part of DHEC) licenses onsite wastewater
professionals under Regulation 61-56.
2. The licensing exam for septic installers tests knowledge of which
regulation?
A. Regulation 61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems
B. Regulation 61-9
C. Regulation 72-300
D. The National Plumbing Code only
Answer: A. Regulation 61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems
Rationale: Study the regulation and its standards thoroughly. The exam is
based on it.
3. What score is required to pass the SCDES installer exam?
A. 60%
B. 80% or higher
C. 70%
D. 95%
Answer: B. 80% or higher
Rationale: A score of 80% or better is required.
Page 1
,4. If an applicant fails the exam, when may the exam generally be
retaken?
A. Immediately the same day
B. After 1 year
C. After 30 days; a third attempt after a further 60-day wait
D. Never
Answer: C. After 30 days; a third attempt after a further 60-day wait
Rationale: Retake waiting periods are set by SCDES, so confirm current
policy when scheduling.
5. A Tier 1 installer may install:
A. All Standard 610 specialized systems
B. Only commercial systems
C. Gravity-fed (and fill cap) residential systems
D. Only holding tanks
Answer: C. Gravity-fed (and fill cap) residential systems
Rationale: Tier 1 is the entry-level license for conventional gravity systems.
6. A Tier 3 installer license allows installation of:
A. Only pumping
B. Only Tier 1 systems
C. Only soil evaluations
D. All Tier 1 and 2 systems plus Standard 610 Specialized Onsite
Wastewater Systems
Answer: D. All Tier 1 and 2 systems plus Standard 610 Specialized
Onsite Wastewater Systems
Rationale: Tier 3 requires specific experience (e.g., 3 years active
installing in South Carolina) and bonding and insurance.
7. How often must an installer license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 10 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Never
Answer: A. Annually
Rationale: Licenses must be renewed every year with the required fee.
Page 2
, 8. A license may expire if renewal fees and late fees are not paid
within how many days of the due date?
A. 30 days
B. 1 year
C. 7 days
D. 90 days
Answer: D. 90 days
Rationale: Expired licensees cannot legally work until reinstated.
9. A person who pumps septic tanks and hauls septage for hire must:
A. Need no license
B. Only have a business card
C. Only have a driver's license
D. Hold the appropriate SCDES pumper/hauler license
Answer: D. Hold the appropriate SCDES pumper/hauler license
Rationale: Cleaning and hauling is licensed separately from construction.
10. After the 2022 tiering, which licensee may NOT install Standard
610 specialized systems?
A. A Tier 3 installer
B. A Tier 3 installer in good standing
C. A Tier 2 installer without Tier 3 licensure
D. A Tier 3 installer who is insured
Answer: C. A Tier 2 installer without Tier 3 licensure
Rationale: Only Tier 3 installers may install Standard 610 specialized
onsite wastewater systems.
Page 3
and Answers| Updated| Pass Guaranteed
1. Which South Carolina agency licenses septic system installers and
pumpers/haulers?
A. Department of Commerce
B. Department of Motor Vehicles
C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
D. Department of Revenue
Answer: C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES)
Rationale: SCDES (formerly part of DHEC) licenses onsite wastewater
professionals under Regulation 61-56.
2. The licensing exam for septic installers tests knowledge of which
regulation?
A. Regulation 61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems
B. Regulation 61-9
C. Regulation 72-300
D. The National Plumbing Code only
Answer: A. Regulation 61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems
Rationale: Study the regulation and its standards thoroughly. The exam is
based on it.
3. What score is required to pass the SCDES installer exam?
A. 60%
B. 80% or higher
C. 70%
D. 95%
Answer: B. 80% or higher
Rationale: A score of 80% or better is required.
Page 1
,4. If an applicant fails the exam, when may the exam generally be
retaken?
A. Immediately the same day
B. After 1 year
C. After 30 days; a third attempt after a further 60-day wait
D. Never
Answer: C. After 30 days; a third attempt after a further 60-day wait
Rationale: Retake waiting periods are set by SCDES, so confirm current
policy when scheduling.
5. A Tier 1 installer may install:
A. All Standard 610 specialized systems
B. Only commercial systems
C. Gravity-fed (and fill cap) residential systems
D. Only holding tanks
Answer: C. Gravity-fed (and fill cap) residential systems
Rationale: Tier 1 is the entry-level license for conventional gravity systems.
6. A Tier 3 installer license allows installation of:
A. Only pumping
B. Only Tier 1 systems
C. Only soil evaluations
D. All Tier 1 and 2 systems plus Standard 610 Specialized Onsite
Wastewater Systems
Answer: D. All Tier 1 and 2 systems plus Standard 610 Specialized
Onsite Wastewater Systems
Rationale: Tier 3 requires specific experience (e.g., 3 years active
installing in South Carolina) and bonding and insurance.
7. How often must an installer license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every 10 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Never
Answer: A. Annually
Rationale: Licenses must be renewed every year with the required fee.
Page 2
, 8. A license may expire if renewal fees and late fees are not paid
within how many days of the due date?
A. 30 days
B. 1 year
C. 7 days
D. 90 days
Answer: D. 90 days
Rationale: Expired licensees cannot legally work until reinstated.
9. A person who pumps septic tanks and hauls septage for hire must:
A. Need no license
B. Only have a business card
C. Only have a driver's license
D. Hold the appropriate SCDES pumper/hauler license
Answer: D. Hold the appropriate SCDES pumper/hauler license
Rationale: Cleaning and hauling is licensed separately from construction.
10. After the 2022 tiering, which licensee may NOT install Standard
610 specialized systems?
A. A Tier 3 installer
B. A Tier 3 installer in good standing
C. A Tier 2 installer without Tier 3 licensure
D. A Tier 3 installer who is insured
Answer: C. A Tier 2 installer without Tier 3 licensure
Rationale: Only Tier 3 installers may install Standard 610 specialized
onsite wastewater systems.
Page 3
