• 93 questions

GA Septic Tank License Practice Test

Unofficial questions on Georgia's septic rule and installer manual, each answer naming its section.

What is the minimum diameter of solid pipes and fittings in an on-site system, beginning at the house?

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

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Exam mode: 40 questions, no time limit, 28 right to pass (70%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Georgia Department of Public Health. Bank checked October 12, 2026.

Next step Treatment plant work? Wastewater Grade 1Working in Florida too? Septic contractor exam

All 93 questions

Section A: permits, inspections and definitions 21

  • A proposed system will produce more than 2,000 gallons of sewage a day. Whose registration number and signature must the plans carry? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(6)
  • A public sewer is available in the right-of-way that abuts a lot. What does Georgia's rule require? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(1)(a)
  • A septic tank is taken out of use and left in the ground. What must the property owner have done? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.17(5)
  • A waste stream must be pretreated before a conventional system when its BOD5 and TSS are higher than what level? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(1)(c)
  • After the final inspection, which act makes the county's approval void? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(4)(b)
  • For how long does an on-site sewage management construction permit stay valid? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(3)(a)
  • How does a dosing tank discharge effluent to a distribution device? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.02(u)
  • How long does the County Board of Health have to approve or disapprove a completed construction permit application? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(2)(a)
  • In what unit is a percolation rate expressed? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.02(ii)
  • On a tract of three acres or more, a conventional system may be used if the percolation rate does not exceed what figure? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(3)(c)
Show all 93 questions (83 more)

Section A: permits, inspections and definitions, continued

  • On what basis are design sewage flow calculations made? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.13
  • What is the minimum diameter of solid pipes and fittings in an on-site system, beginning at the house? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.04(2)
  • What must a person have before installing an on-site sewage management system or any component of one? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(2)
  • What must the installer deliver to the property owner after installing a system? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(10)
  • What size must aggregate be under Georgia's definition? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.02(e)
  • When may an installer backfill a newly installed system? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(4)
  • Where must the effluent from a grease trap go? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.12(2)
  • Which fixture produces black water under Georgia's definitions? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.02(j)
  • Which of these may not be used in running an on-site sewage management system? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.17(3)
  • Which work on an existing system must be permitted and inspected? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(2)(c)
  • Within how many feet of the property line does an available public sewer require connection? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(1)(a)

Section A: tank and field location and capacity 17

  • A water supply line must cross an absorption field. How is it installed? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • By how much is septic tank capacity increased when a garbage grinder is to be used? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(3)
  • Georgia keeps a septic tank at least how far from an existing or proposed well? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(2)
  • How close may an absorption field be built to a building that has no basement? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • How close to a property line may a Georgia septic tank be installed? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(2)
  • How far must a septic tank be from a drainage ditch or embankment? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(2)
  • How far must a septic tank be from a lake, pond or stream? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(2)
  • How far must an absorption field be from a building with a basement? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • How far must an absorption field be from a swimming pool foundation or a trash pit? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • How far must an absorption field be from the normal water level of a stream or pond? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • How many hours of retention must a septic tank provide at a minimum? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(1)
  • In a two-compartment tank, what share of the liquid capacity must the first compartment hold at least? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(4)
  • What is the minimum distance from an absorption field to an existing or proposed well? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.07(3)
  • What is the smallest septic tank design capacity allowed for a conventional or chamber system? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.03(5)
  • What liquid capacity must the septic tank for a six-bedroom house have, with no garbage grinder? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(3)
  • What liquid capacity must the septic tank for a three-bedroom house have? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(3)
  • Where does the rule require an approved filter? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.05(1)

Section D: septic tanks, tees, filters and risers 18

  • A concrete riser lid at the ground surface may be considered "secured" if it cannot slide off and weighs at least how much? DPH Manual, Section D.19.A.7
  • A septic tank will sit under more than 12 inches of soil. What is required? DPH Manual, Section D.19.A
  • Georgia's manual has the tees of a concrete tank rise how far above the liquid level? DPH Manual, Section D.3.F
  • How far down into the liquid must the inlet and outlet tees of a concrete tank extend? DPH Manual, Section D.3.F
  • How long must a precast concrete septic tank be in relation to its width? DPH Manual, Section D.3.C
  • How much freeboard must a precast concrete septic tank have between the liquid and the underside of the lid? DPH Manual, Section D.3.B
  • How much lower than the inlet tee invert must the outlet tee invert be? DPH Manual, Section D.3.F
  • What 28-day compressive strength must the concrete of a septic tank reach at a minimum? DPH Manual, Section D.3.K
  • What fitting on the pump discharge pipe lets a pump be removed without entering the tank? DPH Manual, Section D.4.E
  • What is the minimum liquid depth of a precast concrete septic tank? DPH Manual, Section D.3.A
  • What is the minimum opening of the access holes over the inlet and outlet tees of a concrete tank? DPH Manual, Section D.3.H
  • What is the minimum thickness of the top of a precast concrete septic tank? DPH Manual, Section D.3.J
  • What minimum diameter must the access opening over the pump in a pump tank have? DPH Manual, Section D.4.E
  • What two things does the imprint on a septic tank wall identify? DPH Manual, Section D.3.M
  • Where along a concrete tank is the partition between the two compartments placed, measured from the inlet end? DPH Manual, Section D.3.G
  • Which standard must an effluent filter for a residential gravity flow septic tank be certified to? DPH Manual, Section D.8.A
  • Who is responsible for the proper installation of the tees in a septic tank? DPH Manual, Section D.3.F
  • Why does the Manual advise against entering a septic tank without personal protective equipment? DPH Manual, Section D.2

Section E: distribution boxes and dosing 9

  • A dosing tank serves 600 linear feet of four-inch absorption line. On the Manual's half gallon per foot, what operating liquid capacity results? DPH Manual, Section E.3.A.4
  • A system needs more than 1,000 linear feet of absorption trench. How must it be dosed? DPH Manual, Section E.3.A.4
  • An alternating valve is buried below the soil surface. What must be fitted to it? DPH Manual, Section E.2.F.3
  • How much higher than the outlet hole is the inlet hole of a precast concrete distribution box set? DPH Manual, Section E.2.A.6
  • In drop boxes set in series, how much higher is the inlet centerline of one box than that of the next box? DPH Manual, Section E.2.C.2
  • What vertical uniform load must a precast concrete distribution box withstand on its top? DPH Manual, Section E.2.A.1
  • When does a conventional septic tank system need a dosing tank? DPH Manual, Section E.3.A.4
  • When must a dosing tank use a pump and not a siphon? DPH Manual, Section E.3.A.2
  • Which setbacks apply to a dosing tank? DPH Manual, Section E.3.A.2

Section F: absorption trenches and field methods 19

  • Above what slope may an absorption field not be installed unless special investigations show the limitation can be overcome? DPH Manual, Section F.2.B
  • How is perforated pipe laid in an absorption trench? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.7
  • How long may an absorption line from a distribution box be when a dosing tank is used? DPH Manual, Section F.3.A
  • How much earth cover must the top of a distribution box have at a minimum? DPH Manual, Section F.3.A
  • How wide may a Georgia absorption trench be at most? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.5
  • In an alternating field system, how long is each field normally used before flow is diverted to the other? DPH Manual, Section F.3.D
  • In the serial distribution method, when does effluent pass to the next trench? DPH Manual, Section F.3.C
  • Installing the first absorption trenches on centers of how many feet leaves room for replacement trenches between them? DPH Manual, Section F.2.B
  • On a lot of less than three acres, what is the maximum percolation rate? DPH Manual, Section F.2.B
  • On what topography may the level field method be used? DPH Manual, Section F.3.B
  • Sections of solid pipe run through part of an absorption field. How do they count toward trench bottom area? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.9
  • What crush strength must perforated pipe for gravity flow meet? DPH Manual, Section F.2.D.1
  • What goes over the aggregate before the trench is backfilled? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.8
  • What is the minimum depth of aggregate in an absorption trench? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.6
  • What is the minimum spacing of absorption line laterals, center to center? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.4
  • What pressure rating must PVC pipe for a low-pressure pipe system have at least? DPH Manual, Section F.3.F.1
  • What vertical separation is required between the trench bottom and a seasonal groundwater table, rock or impervious layer? DPH Manual, Section F.2.B
  • Which absorption field method is required when a dosing tank is used? DPH Manual, Section F.3.A
  • Why are absorption trenches in soils other than sands not excavated when the soil is wet? DPH Manual, Section F.2.C.10

Certification rules for installers 9

  • A worker is not certified. Under what condition may the worker still perform installer services? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.16(1)
  • An installer's certification has been expired for more than two years. What must the installer do? DPH Manual, Section N.5.B
  • By whom must a certified installer be employed? DPH Manual, Section N.4.A.1
  • How many continuing education hours does Section N ask of an installer at renewal? DPH Manual, Section N.5.G
  • How many days after a notice of disciplinary action is mailed must a written request for a hearing be received? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.19(3)(c)
  • How often must a septic tank contractor's certification be renewed? DPH Rule 511-3-1-.16(1)(c)
  • What is the minimum age for certification as a septic installer? DPH Manual, Section N.3.A
  • What share of correct responses does an installer need on the applicable exams? DPH Manual, Section N.4.A.2
  • Which exam must a person pass at least in order to install systems in Georgia? DPH, How to become a Certified Installer/Pumper

How this list was compiled: Georgia Department of Public Health: Rules of the Department of Public Health, Chapter 511-3-1, On-Site Sewage Management Systems (https://dph.georgia.gov/document/publication/envhealthonsiteruleschapter511-3-1jan2016pdf/download) and the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, Sections A, D, E, F and N, as posted on October 12, 2026 (https://dph.georgia.gov/media/92616/download). The topic groups follow the study list on the department's page How to become a Certified Installer/Pumper (https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage/how-become-certified-installerpumper, last updated 1/13/26): installers focus on Section A Rules and Regulations, Section D Pretreatment, Section E Effluent Distribution and Dosing Devices and Section F Dispersal. Read October 12, 2026. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the rule and the manual. Nothing comes from the state examination, a course provider or a question pool.

How it works

This unofficial GA septic tank license practice test asks 93 of our own questions from Rule 511-3-1 and the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. Not affiliated with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Read the full guide

Rule first, then the manual

Forty-one questions come from Rule 511-3-1 itself: permits, inspections, setbacks and tank sizes. Fifty-one come from the manual's construction detail: tees, risers, distribution boxes, dosing tanks and trench building.

Exam mode

Exam mode draws 40 questions, our number, and marks a pass at the manual's 70 percent. The department publishes no question count and no time limit, so no clock runs.

What is left out

Commercial, subsurface drip and mound systems have their own exams, and so does pumping. This page practices the Residential Exam's sections only.

  • Tank setbacks: 50 feet from a well, 25 from a stream or pond, 15 from a ditch, 10 from a property line.
  • Field setbacks: 100 feet from a well, 50 from a stream, 10 from a basement wall, 5 from a property line.
  • Tank size: 1,000 gallons up to four bedrooms, 250 more for each extra bedroom, half again with a garbage grinder.

Questions and answers

What score do you need to pass the Georgia septic installer exam?

70. The department's certification page asks for at least 70 points on the residential exam, and Section N of its manual sets a minimum of 70 percent correct on applicable exams.

What should I study for the GA septic installer test?

The department's Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. Its certification page tells installers to focus on four sections: A (rules and regulations), D (pretreatment), E (effluent distribution and dosing devices) and F (dispersal).

How much does the Georgia septic tank exam cost?

$50 per exam, on the department's page as last updated January 13, 2026. You schedule the exam with your County Environmental Health Office and bring the contractor application with you.

Do you need a license to install a septic tank in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia calls it certification. Under Rule 511-3-1-.16 no person may work as a septic tank contractor unless certified by the department or under the personal on-site supervision of someone who is.

How often is a Georgia septic installer certification renewed?

Every two years. The department's FAQ gives February 28 of even-numbered years as the date, and Section N of the manual asks installers for 8 hours of approved continuing education.

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