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Florida Septic Tank
Contractor Exam 2025/2026 –
100 Actual Questions with
Verified Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the minimum setback distance from a private potable well to a septic tank in Florida?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
C) 100 feet
Rationale: Per Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 62-6.005, a septic tank must be at least
100 feet from a private potable well to prevent contamination of drinking water sources.
Question 2
Who is responsible for obtaining a septic system permit before installation in Florida?
A) The septic tank contractor
B) The property owner or their authorized agent
C) The Florida Department of Health
D) The local utility company
B) The property owner or their authorized agent
Rationale: FAC 62-6.010 requires the property owner or their authorized agent to secure a
construction permit from the county health department before septic system installation.
Question 3
, 2
How often must a standard septic tank be pumped out under Florida law?
A) Every 1–2 years
B) Every 3–5 years
C) Every 6–8 years
D) Only when full
B) Every 3–5 years
Rationale: FAC 62-6.013 recommends pumping septic tanks every 3–5 years to prevent
solids from entering the drainfield, extending system life and ensuring proper function.
Question 4
Which Florida statute governs onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS)?
A) Chapter 489, Part I
B) Chapter 381.0065
C) Chapter 403
D) Chapter 553
B) Chapter 381.0065
Rationale: Florida Statute 381.0065 regulates OSTDS, outlining requirements for design,
installation, permitting, and maintenance to protect public health and the environment.
Question 5
What is the minimum distance a septic tank must be from a public drinking water well serving
more than 2,000 gallons per day?
A) 50 feet
B) 100 feet
C) 200 feet
D) 300 feet
C) 200 feet
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005 requires a minimum setback of 200 feet from a public drinking
water well with a flow rate exceeding 2,000 gallons per day to ensure water safety.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of a septic tank?
A) To treat wastewater chemically
, 3
B) To remove solids through settling
C) To filter groundwater
D) To store wastewater indefinitely
B) To remove solids through settling
Rationale: The primary function of a septic tank, per FAC 62-6, is to allow solids to settle
and separate from wastewater, with effluent then flowing to the drainfield for further treatment.
Question 7
What is the minimum lot size for a new septic system in Florida without public water or sewer?
A) 0.25 acres
B) 0.5 acres
C) 1 acre
D) 2 acres
B) 0.5 acres
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005(1) specifies a minimum lot size of 0.5 acres for new septic
systems where public water or sewer is unavailable, ensuring adequate space for the drainfield.
Question 8
What is the minimum depth of a lateral trench for a standard septic system?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
C) 24 inches
Rationale: FAC 62-6.008 requires lateral trenches to be at least 24 inches deep to ensure
proper effluent dispersal and treatment in the drainfield.
Question 9
Soil and site conditions primarily determine:
A) The type of septic system suitable for a site
B) The cost of installation
C) The contractor’s licensing requirements
D) The permit application timeline
, 4
A) The type of septic system suitable for a site
Rationale: FAC 62-6.004 states that soil type, site slope, and water table conditions dictate
the appropriate septic system design to ensure effective wastewater treatment.
Question 10
What is the maximum slope allowed for a drainfield site without special engineering?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
B) 10%
Rationale: FAC 62-6.008 allows a maximum slope of 10% for standard drainfield
installations without requiring specialized engineering to manage runoff and effluent flow.
Question 11
Septic tanks must have all seams and drain holes sealed to be watertight. Is this statement true?
A) True
B) False
C) Only for commercial systems
D) Only for residential systems
A) True
Rationale: FAC 62-6.009 requires septic tanks to be watertight, with all seams and drain
holes sealed to prevent leakage and groundwater contamination.
Question 12
What is the minimum separation distance between a septic tank and a surface water body?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
C) 75 feet
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005 mandates a minimum setback of 75 feet from surface water bodies
to protect them from contamination by septic system effluent.
Florida Septic Tank
Contractor Exam 2025/2026 –
100 Actual Questions with
Verified Correct Answers
Question 1
What is the minimum setback distance from a private potable well to a septic tank in Florida?
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
C) 100 feet
Rationale: Per Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 62-6.005, a septic tank must be at least
100 feet from a private potable well to prevent contamination of drinking water sources.
Question 2
Who is responsible for obtaining a septic system permit before installation in Florida?
A) The septic tank contractor
B) The property owner or their authorized agent
C) The Florida Department of Health
D) The local utility company
B) The property owner or their authorized agent
Rationale: FAC 62-6.010 requires the property owner or their authorized agent to secure a
construction permit from the county health department before septic system installation.
Question 3
, 2
How often must a standard septic tank be pumped out under Florida law?
A) Every 1–2 years
B) Every 3–5 years
C) Every 6–8 years
D) Only when full
B) Every 3–5 years
Rationale: FAC 62-6.013 recommends pumping septic tanks every 3–5 years to prevent
solids from entering the drainfield, extending system life and ensuring proper function.
Question 4
Which Florida statute governs onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS)?
A) Chapter 489, Part I
B) Chapter 381.0065
C) Chapter 403
D) Chapter 553
B) Chapter 381.0065
Rationale: Florida Statute 381.0065 regulates OSTDS, outlining requirements for design,
installation, permitting, and maintenance to protect public health and the environment.
Question 5
What is the minimum distance a septic tank must be from a public drinking water well serving
more than 2,000 gallons per day?
A) 50 feet
B) 100 feet
C) 200 feet
D) 300 feet
C) 200 feet
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005 requires a minimum setback of 200 feet from a public drinking
water well with a flow rate exceeding 2,000 gallons per day to ensure water safety.
Question 6
What is the primary purpose of a septic tank?
A) To treat wastewater chemically
, 3
B) To remove solids through settling
C) To filter groundwater
D) To store wastewater indefinitely
B) To remove solids through settling
Rationale: The primary function of a septic tank, per FAC 62-6, is to allow solids to settle
and separate from wastewater, with effluent then flowing to the drainfield for further treatment.
Question 7
What is the minimum lot size for a new septic system in Florida without public water or sewer?
A) 0.25 acres
B) 0.5 acres
C) 1 acre
D) 2 acres
B) 0.5 acres
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005(1) specifies a minimum lot size of 0.5 acres for new septic
systems where public water or sewer is unavailable, ensuring adequate space for the drainfield.
Question 8
What is the minimum depth of a lateral trench for a standard septic system?
A) 12 inches
B) 18 inches
C) 24 inches
D) 36 inches
C) 24 inches
Rationale: FAC 62-6.008 requires lateral trenches to be at least 24 inches deep to ensure
proper effluent dispersal and treatment in the drainfield.
Question 9
Soil and site conditions primarily determine:
A) The type of septic system suitable for a site
B) The cost of installation
C) The contractor’s licensing requirements
D) The permit application timeline
, 4
A) The type of septic system suitable for a site
Rationale: FAC 62-6.004 states that soil type, site slope, and water table conditions dictate
the appropriate septic system design to ensure effective wastewater treatment.
Question 10
What is the maximum slope allowed for a drainfield site without special engineering?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
B) 10%
Rationale: FAC 62-6.008 allows a maximum slope of 10% for standard drainfield
installations without requiring specialized engineering to manage runoff and effluent flow.
Question 11
Septic tanks must have all seams and drain holes sealed to be watertight. Is this statement true?
A) True
B) False
C) Only for commercial systems
D) Only for residential systems
A) True
Rationale: FAC 62-6.009 requires septic tanks to be watertight, with all seams and drain
holes sealed to prevent leakage and groundwater contamination.
Question 12
What is the minimum separation distance between a septic tank and a surface water body?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 75 feet
D) 100 feet
C) 75 feet
Rationale: FAC 62-6.005 mandates a minimum setback of 75 feet from surface water bodies
to protect them from contamination by septic system effluent.
