Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam Study Guide
2026/2027
This professional regulatory resource serves as a premier test bank explicitly
engineered for wastewater professionals preparing for the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Septic Tank Contractor Registration
Examination. It features high-yield practice questions, 100% verified correct
answers, and comprehensive technical rationales mapped out across 5 core testing
domains including system design, soil evaluations, and system maintenance. Reviewing
these premium testing parameters ensures deep competence in Florida Administrative
Code Chapter 62-6 regulations, tank sizing principles, and environmental safety
protocols to guarantee you exceed the 75% passing threshold on your first attempt
1. Under Florida law, which of the following individuals is legally authorized to
perform septic system work on a property?
A) A homeowner on any rental property they own
B) A homeowner on their owner-occupied, single-family home
C) Any licensed general contractor
D) Any real estate agent managing the property
Answer: B
Rationale: According to FDEP, a homeowner can do septic work only on his or her owner-
occupied, single-family home. Rental property owners and general contractors are not
exempt from registration requirements.
2. A contractor is installing a drip irrigation system. What type of treatment unit
must the effluent come from before entering the drip system?
A) A standard septic tank
B) An approved aerobic treatment unit or performance-based treatment system
C) A grease interceptor
D) A holding tank
Answer: B
,Rationale: Drip irrigation systems must receive effluent from an approved aerobic
treatment unit or a performance-based treatment system designed to meet at least
secondary treatment standards for CBOD5 and TSS.
3. In Florida, what is the minimum liquid capacity required for a tank truck used by
a septage disposal service?
A) 500 gallons
B) 1,000 gallons
C) 1,500 gallons
D) 2,000 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Applicants for a septage disposal service permit must possess adequate
equipment, including a tank truck with a liquid capacity of at least 1,500 gallons.
4. What is the minimum stabilization tank capacity required for a septage
treatment facility?
A) 1,000 gallons
B) 2,000 gallons
C) 3,000 gallons
D) 5,000 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Stabilization tanks for septage and food service sludges shall have a liquid
capacity of at least 3,000 gallons.
5. A contractor is installing a mound system. What is the minimum separation
required between the shoulder of the fill and the nearest drip emitter line?
,A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: For mound systems, there must be a minimum 18-inch separation between the
shoulder of the fill and the nearest drip emitter line.
6. A mound system is being constructed with a height exceeding 36 inches. What
is the maximum allowable slope for the mound sides?
A) 2:1 horizontal to vertical
B) 3:1 horizontal to vertical
C) 4:1 horizontal to vertical
D) 5:1 horizontal to vertical
Answer: B
Rationale: Mound heights which exceed 36 inches shall have a slope not steeper than 3
feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical.
7. What is the minimum setback distance between a septic tank and a building
foundation?
A) 2 feet
B) 5 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: There shall be a minimum 5-foot separation between the shoulder of the fill
and building foundations, swimming pool walls, retaining walls, or similar obstructions.
, 8. A contractor is reviewing the soil profile at a proposed drainfield site. The soil is
classified as coarse sand not associated with an estimated wet season high water
table within 48 inches below the absorption surface. How is this soil classified?
A) Severely limited
B) Moderately limited
C) Slightly limited
D) Unsuitable
Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse sand not associated with an estimated wet season high water table
within 48 inches below the absorption surface, along with sand, fine sand, loamy coarse
sand, coarse sandy loam, loamy sand, and sandy loam, are considered slightly limited soil
materials.
9. Which of the following soil textures is classified as moderately limited under
Florida site evaluation criteria?
A) Sand
B) Loamy sand
C) Silt loam
D) Coarse sand
Answer: C
Rationale: Very fine sand, loamy fine sand, loamy very fine sand, silt loam, silt, loam, fine
sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay,
and silty clay soil are considered moderately limited soil materials.
10. A contractor discovers bedrock at the proposed drainfield site. How is bedrock
classified under Florida site evaluation criteria?
2026/2027
This professional regulatory resource serves as a premier test bank explicitly
engineered for wastewater professionals preparing for the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) Septic Tank Contractor Registration
Examination. It features high-yield practice questions, 100% verified correct
answers, and comprehensive technical rationales mapped out across 5 core testing
domains including system design, soil evaluations, and system maintenance. Reviewing
these premium testing parameters ensures deep competence in Florida Administrative
Code Chapter 62-6 regulations, tank sizing principles, and environmental safety
protocols to guarantee you exceed the 75% passing threshold on your first attempt
1. Under Florida law, which of the following individuals is legally authorized to
perform septic system work on a property?
A) A homeowner on any rental property they own
B) A homeowner on their owner-occupied, single-family home
C) Any licensed general contractor
D) Any real estate agent managing the property
Answer: B
Rationale: According to FDEP, a homeowner can do septic work only on his or her owner-
occupied, single-family home. Rental property owners and general contractors are not
exempt from registration requirements.
2. A contractor is installing a drip irrigation system. What type of treatment unit
must the effluent come from before entering the drip system?
A) A standard septic tank
B) An approved aerobic treatment unit or performance-based treatment system
C) A grease interceptor
D) A holding tank
Answer: B
,Rationale: Drip irrigation systems must receive effluent from an approved aerobic
treatment unit or a performance-based treatment system designed to meet at least
secondary treatment standards for CBOD5 and TSS.
3. In Florida, what is the minimum liquid capacity required for a tank truck used by
a septage disposal service?
A) 500 gallons
B) 1,000 gallons
C) 1,500 gallons
D) 2,000 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Applicants for a septage disposal service permit must possess adequate
equipment, including a tank truck with a liquid capacity of at least 1,500 gallons.
4. What is the minimum stabilization tank capacity required for a septage
treatment facility?
A) 1,000 gallons
B) 2,000 gallons
C) 3,000 gallons
D) 5,000 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: Stabilization tanks for septage and food service sludges shall have a liquid
capacity of at least 3,000 gallons.
5. A contractor is installing a mound system. What is the minimum separation
required between the shoulder of the fill and the nearest drip emitter line?
,A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 18 inches
D) 24 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: For mound systems, there must be a minimum 18-inch separation between the
shoulder of the fill and the nearest drip emitter line.
6. A mound system is being constructed with a height exceeding 36 inches. What
is the maximum allowable slope for the mound sides?
A) 2:1 horizontal to vertical
B) 3:1 horizontal to vertical
C) 4:1 horizontal to vertical
D) 5:1 horizontal to vertical
Answer: B
Rationale: Mound heights which exceed 36 inches shall have a slope not steeper than 3
feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical.
7. What is the minimum setback distance between a septic tank and a building
foundation?
A) 2 feet
B) 5 feet
C) 10 feet
D) 15 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: There shall be a minimum 5-foot separation between the shoulder of the fill
and building foundations, swimming pool walls, retaining walls, or similar obstructions.
, 8. A contractor is reviewing the soil profile at a proposed drainfield site. The soil is
classified as coarse sand not associated with an estimated wet season high water
table within 48 inches below the absorption surface. How is this soil classified?
A) Severely limited
B) Moderately limited
C) Slightly limited
D) Unsuitable
Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse sand not associated with an estimated wet season high water table
within 48 inches below the absorption surface, along with sand, fine sand, loamy coarse
sand, coarse sandy loam, loamy sand, and sandy loam, are considered slightly limited soil
materials.
9. Which of the following soil textures is classified as moderately limited under
Florida site evaluation criteria?
A) Sand
B) Loamy sand
C) Silt loam
D) Coarse sand
Answer: C
Rationale: Very fine sand, loamy fine sand, loamy very fine sand, silt loam, silt, loam, fine
sandy loam, very fine sandy loam, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay,
and silty clay soil are considered moderately limited soil materials.
10. A contractor discovers bedrock at the proposed drainfield site. How is bedrock
classified under Florida site evaluation criteria?
