Florida (FL) Septic Tank Contractor Practice Exam Study Guide
Graded A+
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 is NOT a requirement for obtaining a
septic tank contractor registration?
A) Being at least 18 years of age
B) Having a high school diploma or GED
C) Having 3 years of active experience as an apprentice
D) Passing an approved examination with a score of at least 70%
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 489.553 does not require a high school diploma or GED for
septic tank contractor registration. The requirements are: at least 18 years old, good moral
character, 3 years of apprenticeship experience, and passing the examination with a
minimum score of 70%.
2. A registered septic tank contractor is performing a repair on an existing system.
The repair requires replacement of a distribution box. Which of the following is
required before the contractor may cover the distribution box?
A) The contractor must notify the department and wait 24 hours
B) The contractor must obtain a repair permit and have the work inspected
,C) The contractor may cover the box immediately if the repair is minor
D) The contractor must submit an as-built drawing before covering
Answer: B
Rationale: Any repair to an OSTDS requires a repair permit from the county health
department, and the work must be inspected by the department before it is covered. This
ensures compliance with Rule 64E-6, F.A.C.
3. What is the minimum setback distance for an OSTDS drainfield from a
stormwater retention pond?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum setback from surface water bodies, including stormwater
retention ponds, is 50 feet. This is required to protect water quality and prevent
contamination.
4. A homeowner wants to install a septic system on a lot with a seasonal high
water table at 20 inches below the ground surface. What is the most appropriate
system type?
A) Standard trench drainfield
B) Mound system
C) Absorption bed
D) Drip distribution system
Answer: B
Rationale: When the seasonal high water table is less than 24 inches below the ground
surface, a standard subsurface drainfield cannot be used because there is insufficient
,separation. A mound system raises the drainfield above the natural grade to provide the
required separation.
5. Which USDA soil textural class is considered suitable for a standard subsurface
drainfield?
A) Clay
B) Silty clay loam
C) Loamy sand
D) Sandy clay
Answer: C
Rationale: Drainfields must not be installed in soils with textures finer than sand and
loamy sand. Loamy sand is suitable; clay, silty clay loam, and sandy clay are too fine and
have poor permeability.
6. A septic tank contractor is installing a new system for a 4-bedroom home. What
is the minimum effective septic tank capacity required?
A) 900 gallons
B) 1,000 gallons
C) 1,200 gallons
D) 1,500 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum effective septic tank capacity for a 3-bedroom home is 900
gallons. For each additional bedroom, 75 gallons must be added. For a 4-bedroom home,
900 + 75 = 975 gallons, but many jurisdictions require a minimum of 1,200 gallons for 4
bedrooms. However, based strictly on the rule, 900 + (1 × 75) = 975 gallons, but the table
often specifies 1,200 gallons for 4 bedrooms. The correct answer based on typical Florida
sizing is 1,200 gallons.
, 7. What is the minimum separation required between the bottom of a drainfield
trench and the seasonal high water table?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: A minimum separation of 24 inches is required between the bottom of the
drainfield and the seasonal high water table to ensure proper treatment and prevent
groundwater contamination.
8. A contractor is installing a gravity distribution system. What is the required
slope for the distribution pipe?
A) 0.5% to 1%
B) 1% to 2%
C) 2% to 4%
D) 4% to 6%
Answer: B
Rationale: Gravity distribution pipes must have a slope of 1% to 2% (1/8 to 1/4 inch per
foot) to ensure proper flow and even distribution of effluent.
9. Which of the following is a required element of a septic system construction
permit application?
A) A copy of the homeowner's insurance policy
B) A site evaluation and system design
C) A letter from the neighbor approving the location
D) A copy of the property deed
Answer: B
Graded A+
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 is NOT a requirement for obtaining a
septic tank contractor registration?
A) Being at least 18 years of age
B) Having a high school diploma or GED
C) Having 3 years of active experience as an apprentice
D) Passing an approved examination with a score of at least 70%
Answer: B
Rationale: Florida Statute 489.553 does not require a high school diploma or GED for
septic tank contractor registration. The requirements are: at least 18 years old, good moral
character, 3 years of apprenticeship experience, and passing the examination with a
minimum score of 70%.
2. A registered septic tank contractor is performing a repair on an existing system.
The repair requires replacement of a distribution box. Which of the following is
required before the contractor may cover the distribution box?
A) The contractor must notify the department and wait 24 hours
B) The contractor must obtain a repair permit and have the work inspected
,C) The contractor may cover the box immediately if the repair is minor
D) The contractor must submit an as-built drawing before covering
Answer: B
Rationale: Any repair to an OSTDS requires a repair permit from the county health
department, and the work must be inspected by the department before it is covered. This
ensures compliance with Rule 64E-6, F.A.C.
3. What is the minimum setback distance for an OSTDS drainfield from a
stormwater retention pond?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum setback from surface water bodies, including stormwater
retention ponds, is 50 feet. This is required to protect water quality and prevent
contamination.
4. A homeowner wants to install a septic system on a lot with a seasonal high
water table at 20 inches below the ground surface. What is the most appropriate
system type?
A) Standard trench drainfield
B) Mound system
C) Absorption bed
D) Drip distribution system
Answer: B
Rationale: When the seasonal high water table is less than 24 inches below the ground
surface, a standard subsurface drainfield cannot be used because there is insufficient
,separation. A mound system raises the drainfield above the natural grade to provide the
required separation.
5. Which USDA soil textural class is considered suitable for a standard subsurface
drainfield?
A) Clay
B) Silty clay loam
C) Loamy sand
D) Sandy clay
Answer: C
Rationale: Drainfields must not be installed in soils with textures finer than sand and
loamy sand. Loamy sand is suitable; clay, silty clay loam, and sandy clay are too fine and
have poor permeability.
6. A septic tank contractor is installing a new system for a 4-bedroom home. What
is the minimum effective septic tank capacity required?
A) 900 gallons
B) 1,000 gallons
C) 1,200 gallons
D) 1,500 gallons
Answer: C
Rationale: The minimum effective septic tank capacity for a 3-bedroom home is 900
gallons. For each additional bedroom, 75 gallons must be added. For a 4-bedroom home,
900 + 75 = 975 gallons, but many jurisdictions require a minimum of 1,200 gallons for 4
bedrooms. However, based strictly on the rule, 900 + (1 × 75) = 975 gallons, but the table
often specifies 1,200 gallons for 4 bedrooms. The correct answer based on typical Florida
sizing is 1,200 gallons.
, 7. What is the minimum separation required between the bottom of a drainfield
trench and the seasonal high water table?
A) 6 inches
B) 12 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
Answer: C
Rationale: A minimum separation of 24 inches is required between the bottom of the
drainfield and the seasonal high water table to ensure proper treatment and prevent
groundwater contamination.
8. A contractor is installing a gravity distribution system. What is the required
slope for the distribution pipe?
A) 0.5% to 1%
B) 1% to 2%
C) 2% to 4%
D) 4% to 6%
Answer: B
Rationale: Gravity distribution pipes must have a slope of 1% to 2% (1/8 to 1/4 inch per
foot) to ensure proper flow and even distribution of effluent.
9. Which of the following is a required element of a septic system construction
permit application?
A) A copy of the homeowner's insurance policy
B) A site evaluation and system design
C) A letter from the neighbor approving the location
D) A copy of the property deed
Answer: B
