• 105 questions

Septic Tank Contractor Practice Test Florida

Unofficial questions on Florida's onsite sewage rule and septic tank contracting law, each answer naming its section.

Of a master septic tank contractor's 18 yearly classroom hours, how many must be approved master coursework?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

Print covers the next 100 questions. Share this set copies a link to the same questions in the same order.

Exam mode: 100 questions, no time limit, 75 right to pass (75%).

More options

Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Next step Building too? Florida contractor examWorking in Georgia too? Septic installer test

All 105 questions

Contracting law: Chapter 489 Part III, Rules 62-6.019 to .023 28

  • A "repeat violation" follows earlier discipline or a letter of warning finalized within how many preceding years? Rule 62-6.022(4), F.A.C.
  • A business organization loses its qualifying contractor. How long does it have to obtain another? Rule 62-6.023(3), F.A.C.
  • A property owner personally repairs the system of his or her own owner-occupied single-family home. Which is true? Section 381.0065(4), F.S.
  • Abandoning a project without good cause for how many consecutive days is a disciplinary violation? Rule 62-6.022(2)(f), F.A.C.
  • An applicant had a registration revoked. How long before the new application must the revocation have taken effect? Section 489.553(4)(e), F.S.
  • By what date each year must a septic tank contractor registration be renewed? DEP Septic Tank Contractor Registration Handbook, September 2026
  • For how long after the examination date can a passing score be used to issue a registration? Rule 62-6.019(4), F.A.C.
  • For how many businesses that request a certificate of authorization may one registered contractor be the sole qualifying contractor? Section 489.555(1), F.S.
  • For how much of the required contracting experience may related work or education be substituted? Section 489.553(4)(d), F.S.
Show all 105 questions (96 more)

Contracting law: Chapter 489 Part III, Rules 62-6.019 to .023, continued

  • How long does an applicant have to answer the department's request for additional information before the application is denied? Rule 62-6.019(3)(d), F.A.C.
  • How long must a contractor have been registered in Florida to be eligible for master septic tank contractor registration? Section 489.553(5)(a), F.S.
  • How many classroom hours of continuing education must a registered septic tank contractor complete each year? Section 489.554(2), F.S.
  • How many hours of experience demonstrate the three years required for registration? Rule 62-6.019(3)(a), F.A.C.
  • How many unused continuing education hours can be rolled over to the next year's renewal? Rule 62-6.021(3), F.A.C.
  • How many years of active experience must an applicant for registration have in total? Section 489.553(4)(d), F.S.
  • How much work experience does each 30 hours of department-approved coursework replace? Section 489.553(4)(d), F.S.
  • How often is a certificate of authorization renewed? Section 489.555(3), F.S.
  • How old must an applicant for septic tank contractor registration be? Section 489.553(4)(c), F.S.
  • Of a master septic tank contractor's 18 yearly classroom hours, how many must be approved master coursework? Section 489.554(2), F.S.
  • What class of offense is a violation of the septic tank contracting part of Chapter 489? Section 489.558(1), F.S.
  • What does the disciplinary rule set for a first violation of providing contracted services without registration? Rule 62-6.022(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • What does the examination application for a retake cost? DEP Septic Tank Contractor Registration Handbook, September 2026
  • What is the minimum passing score on the septic tank contractor registration examination? Rule 62-6.019(4), F.A.C.
  • What may a candidate use during the septic tank contractor examination? DEP Septic Tank Contractor Registration Handbook, September 2026
  • What share of the continuing education hours submitted may be on business practice or office management? Rule 62-6.021(2)(c), F.A.C.
  • Which business needs no certificate of authorization to offer septic tank contracting? Section 489.555(2), F.S.
  • Which department registers septic tank contractors in Florida? Section 489.551(1), F.S.
  • Which of these can a master septic tank contractor do, under the definitions, that the septic tank contractor definition does not list? Section 489.551(2), F.S.

Permits, inspections, sewer connection, abandonment 14

  • A central sewer becomes available. Within how many days of written notice must the owner of a properly functioning system connect? Section 381.00655(1)(a), F.S.
  • A Florida repair permit for an onsite system lasts how long after it is issued? Section 381.0065(4), F.S.
  • A system needs repair and a central sewer is available. Within how many days of the department's written notice must the owner connect? Section 381.00655(1)(b), F.S.
  • After a building is connected to central sewer, within how many days must the old onsite system be abandoned? Rule 62-6.011(1), F.A.C.
  • An abandoned tank cannot be ruptured or collapsed. What must it be filled with? Rule 62-6.011(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • At what point must the installer arrange the construction inspection? Rule 62-6.003(2), F.A.C.
  • For how long is a construction permit valid after it is issued? Section 381.0065(4), F.S.
  • For how long is a General Permit for system abandonment valid? Rule 62-6.011(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • How long must a private provider inspector keep the records of each inspection? Rule 62-6.003(3)(d), F.A.C.
  • What happens to a tank that is removed from the site during abandonment? Rule 62-6.011(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • What is needed before any repair is made to a failing onsite system? Rule 62-6.015, F.A.C.
  • What must be obtained before an aerobic treatment unit is used? Section 381.0065(4), F.S.
  • When a tank is abandoned in place, what is done after it is pumped and before it is filled? Rule 62-6.011(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • Which work on an onsite system needs a system construction permit first? Rule 62-6.003(1), F.A.C.

Location and site evaluation: Rules 62-6.005, 62-6.006 18

  • A lot will have a private well and an onsite system. What is the smallest lot area that meets the lot-size requirement? Rule 62-6.005(7)(a), F.A.C.
  • A rule requires a 400 square foot drainfield. How much unobstructed area must be available in total, drainfield included? Rule 62-6.005(4)(a), F.A.C.
  • A schedule 40 PVC effluent transmission line runs near a private potable well. What setback applies to the line? Rule 62-6.005(8), F.A.C.
  • A septic tank sits beneath a driveway. What must it have? Rule 62-6.005(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • A system is installed in fill that has not been compacted to the density of the natural soil. How long must the fill settle? Rule 62-6.005(5), F.A.C.
  • How close may an onsite system be to a building foundation or a property line? Rule 62-6.005(2), F.A.C.
  • How deep must the effective soil extend below the bottom surface of the drainfield? Rule 62-6.006(1), F.A.C.
  • How far below the bottom surface of the drainfield must the wettest-season water table be? Rule 62-6.006(2), F.A.C.
  • How far must a system be from a public drinking water well that serves a facility with a sewage flow of more than 2,000 gallons a day? Rule 62-6.005(1)(c), F.A.C.
  • How far must a system be from the design high-water line of a swale that holds water for less than 72 hours after rain? Rule 62-6.005(1)(f), F.A.C.
  • How far must an onsite system be from the boundary of a surface water body? Rule 62-6.005(3), F.A.C.
  • How far must an onsite system be set back from a groundwater interceptor drain? Rule 62-6.005(2)(c), F.A.C.
  • In soils finer than sandy loam, when may a drainfield not be installed? Rule 62-6.005(6), F.A.C.
  • The setback from a storm sewer pipe is 10 feet where possible. What is the least it may ever be? Rule 62-6.005(1)(e), F.A.C.
  • What is the minimum distance from an onsite system to a non-potable water well? Rule 62-6.005(1)(d), F.A.C.
  • What is the minimum distance from an onsite system to a private potable well? Rule 62-6.005(1)(a), F.A.C.
  • Where permitted, fill is placed to raise the system area above which flood level? Rule 62-6.006(6), F.A.C.
  • Which soil material is rated severely limited? Rule 62-6.006(1)(c), F.A.C.

System size: flows, tanks, drainfield area (62-6.008) 14

  • A 300 gallon per day house sits on fine sand. At Table III's trench rate of 0.80, how much trench absorption area is needed? Rule 62-6.008, Table III, F.A.C.
  • A building's estimated sewage flow is under 200 gallons a day. On what flow is the drainfield sized? Rule 62-6.008(5), F.A.C.
  • A house has three bedrooms on its floor plan and 2,500 square feet of building area. Which flow applies? Rule 62-6.008, Table I, F.A.C.
  • How is a residence's wastewater split between blackwater and graywater for design? Rule 62-6.008, Table I, F.A.C.
  • The same 300 gallon per day house uses an absorption bed in fine sand, at Table III's bed rate of 0.60. How much bed area is needed? Rule 62-6.008, Table III, F.A.C.
  • Several family dwelling units share one septic tank system. By how much is the Table II capacity increased for each unit? Rule 62-6.008(2), F.A.C.
  • What estimated sewage flow does Table I give a three-bedroom residence of 1,201 to 2,250 square feet? Rule 62-6.008, Table I, F.A.C.
  • What flow is used to size the system of a five-bedroom residence, on bedroom count alone? Rule 62-6.008, Table I, F.A.C.
  • What is the maximum sewage loading rate to a trench absorption surface in fine sand, a slightly limited soil? Rule 62-6.008, Table III, F.A.C.
  • What is the minimum effective capacity of a separate graywater tank that receives no more than 75 gallons a day? Rule 62-6.008(3), F.A.C.
  • What minimum effective septic tank capacity does Table II set for a flow of 301 to 400 gallons a day? Rule 62-6.008, Table II, F.A.C.
  • What minimum effective septic tank capacity does Table II set for an average sewage flow of 201 to 300 gallons a day? Rule 62-6.008, Table II, F.A.C.
  • Where is the required outlet filter installed? Rule 62-6.008(2), F.A.C.
  • Which waste counts as blackwater under the statute? Section 381.0065(2), F.S.

Tank standards: Rule 62-6.013 11

  • How far above the liquid level does the inlet invert enter a septic tank? Rule 62-6.013(2)(d), F.A.C.
  • How far above the liquid level must the outlet device of a septic tank extend? Rule 62-6.013(2)(e), F.A.C.
  • How far below the liquid level must the invert of the outlet device sit, as a share of liquid depth? Rule 62-6.013(2)(e), F.A.C.
  • How much freeboard or airspace must a blackwater tank have? Rule 62-6.013(2)(c), F.A.C.
  • How must septic tanks reach their required effective capacity? Rule 62-6.013(2)(a), F.A.C.
  • How tall must the lettering of the tank legend be at a minimum? Rule 62-6.013(2)(j), F.A.C.
  • Liquid depth beyond what figure is not counted toward a tank's effective capacity? Rule 62-6.013(2)(b), F.A.C.
  • What does the tank legend show? Rule 62-6.013(2)(j), F.A.C.
  • What is the least liquid depth allowed in the compartments of a septic tank? Rule 62-6.013(2)(b), F.A.C.
  • What is the minimum area of each access manhole of a tank compartment? Rule 62-6.013(2)(k), F.A.C.
  • Who must design, sign and seal tanks and lids for traffic installations? Rule 62-6.013(1)(f), F.A.C.

Drainfield construction: Rule 62-6.014 20

  • A system has more than 2,000 square feet of drainfield. How many dosing pumps must it have at least? Rule 62-6.014(3)(c), F.A.C.
  • Above what total drainfield area is low-pressure dosing required? Rule 62-6.014(3), F.A.C.
  • For how long must the bill-of-lading records for drainfield aggregate be kept available for review? Rule 62-6.014(5)(c), F.A.C.
  • How close to the treatment or pump tank may any part of a drainfield be placed? Rule 62-6.014(5)(j), F.A.C.
  • How long may a drain line be in a gravity-fed or lift-dosed drainfield? Rule 62-6.014(5)(i), F.A.C.
  • How much mineral aggregate must lie under the distribution pipe at a minimum? Rule 62-6.014(5)(d), F.A.C.
  • How often at most may a dosed drainfield in slightly limited soil be dosed in 24 hours? Rule 62-6.014(3)(e), F.A.C.
  • In a distribution box, how far above the outlet inverts must the inlet invert be? Rule 62-6.014(1)(c), F.A.C.
  • Lift dosing through a header pipe or distribution box applies only to drainfields up to what size? Rule 62-6.014(4), F.A.C.
  • Two absorption beds are used to get the needed area. How far apart must their sidewalls be? Rule 62-6.014(5)(b), F.A.C.
  • Two adjacent drain trenches are each 24 inches wide. What is the minimum separation between their sidewalls? Rule 62-6.014(5)(a), F.A.C.
  • What is the greatest depth allowed from the bottom of the drainfield to the finished ground surface, after settling? Rule 62-6.014(5)(f), F.A.C.
  • What is the largest bottom surface one absorption bed may have? Rule 62-6.014(5)(b), F.A.C.
  • What is the minimum earth cover over the top of a standard subsurface drainfield, after settling? Rule 62-6.014(5)(f), F.A.C.
  • What is the steepest downward slope allowed for a drainfield absorption surface? Rule 62-6.014(5)(h), F.A.C.
  • What is the widest a standard drain trench may be at the bottom? Rule 62-6.014(5)(a), F.A.C.
  • What protects a drainfield from infiltration of earth backfill, and where is it placed? Rule 62-6.014(5)(e), F.A.C.
  • Which drainfield method does the rule call the preferred method? Rule 62-6.014(5)(b), F.A.C.
  • Which is true of header pipe in a gravity system? Rule 62-6.014(2)(b), F.A.C.
  • Who may design the low-pressure distribution network of a drainfield with less than 1,500 square feet of absorption area? Rule 62-6.014(3)(f), F.A.C.

How this list was compiled: Chapter 62-6, Florida Administrative Code, Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=62-6); Florida Statutes sections 381.0065 and 381.00655 and Chapter 489 Part III, sections 489.551 to 489.558 (leg.state.fl.us); and the Department of Environmental Protection's Septic Tank Contractor Registration Handbook, revised September 2026 (https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/STCR_handbook_September_2026.pdf), whose page Examination Subject Matter and Regulatory Information lists that rule chapter and those statutes as what the 100-question exam covers. Read October 12, 2026. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the rule, the statutes and the handbook. Nothing comes from the state examination, a course provider or a question pool.

How it works

This unofficial Florida septic tank contractor practice test asks 105 of our own questions from Chapter 62-6, F.A.C., and the statutes the registration exam covers. Not affiliated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Read the full guide

Practice test for septic tank contracting, Florida law first

Twenty-eight questions ask the contracting law: Part III of Chapter 489 and Rules 62-6.019 to 62-6.023 on registration, renewal and discipline. The other 77 ask the system standards: permits, setbacks, sizing, tanks and drainfields.

Exam mode

Exam mode draws 100 questions and marks a pass at 75 percent, the count and the score in the department's handbook. The handbook gives no time limit, so no clock runs.

What is left out

The master septic tank contractor exam is a separate test. Sections 381.00651 and 381.00652, on system evaluations and the advisory committee, are on the state's list but not in this bank.

  • Wells: 75 feet from a private potable well, 50 from a non-potable well, 100 or 200 from a public well by flow.
  • Under the drainfield: 42 inches of effective soil and 24 inches to the wet-season water table.
  • Renewal is yearly by September 30 with 12 classroom hours; a master contractor needs 18.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the Florida septic tank contractor exam?

100. The department's handbook, revised September 2026, says the 100-question exam covers Chapter 62-6 of the administrative code and the listed onsite sewage and septic tank contracting statutes, and that a minimum score of 75 percent passes.

Is the Florida septic contractor exam open book?

The handbook says you receive the reference materials, the rule chapter and the listed statutes, to use during the test.

What experience do you need to be a septic tank contractor in Florida?

At least three years, shown as 6,000 hours, under a registered septic tank contractor or a plumbing contractor who did septic work. Related work or approved coursework can stand in for no more than two of those years (section 489.553).

How much does the Florida septic contractor exam cost?

$100 for the first application: a $25 account creation fee and a $75 examination fee. A retake application is $75, and registration after passing is another $100. All are in the September 2026 handbook.

Do plumbers need a septic tank contractor registration in Florida?

No. Section 489.552 lets a plumbing contractor licensed under section 489.105(3)(m) do the work without registering. The department's FAQ adds that the permits, the inspections and Chapter 62-6 still apply to the plumber.

More tests

Show 8 more

Browse Safety and Trades