WEST VIRGINIA SEPTIC INSTALLER EXAMINATION COMPLETE
REAL QUESTIONS + DETAILED ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION -
TOP RATED 2026/2027
1. What state agency regulates on-site sewage systems in West Virginia?
A. WV Department of Transportation
B. WV Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR)
C. WV Division of Forestry
D. WV Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B. The WV DHHR, specifically through the Bureau for
Public Health, oversees on-site sewage system regulation in the state.
2. Under WV Code, what is the minimum lot size typically required for an on-site
sewage system?
A. One-quarter acre
B. One-half acre
C. One acre
D. Two acres
Correct Answer: A. West Virginia generally requires a minimum of one-
quarter acre for a lot to be served by an on-site sewage system, though local
requirements may vary.
3. A WV Septic Installer license must be renewed how often?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. WV septic installer licenses are renewed on a biennial
(every two years) basis.
,4. What regulation primarily governs on-site sewage systems in West Virginia?
A. WV Code 16-1
B. WV Code 22-26
C. WV Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9
D. WV Code 7-1-3
Correct Answer: C. West Virginia Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9 (the 'On-Site
Sewage Health Regulations') is the primary rule governing on-site sewage
systems in the state.
5. Who must obtain a license before installing a septic system in West Virginia?
A. Only contractors with more than 5 employees
B. Any person installing a septic system for hire
C. Only municipal contractors
D. Only engineers and surveyors
Correct Answer: B. Any person who installs a septic system for compensation
(for hire) must hold a valid WV Septic Installer license.
6. What is the minimum setback from a private drinking water well to a septic tank
in WV?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Correct Answer: C. West Virginia regulations require a minimum setback of
100 feet from a private drinking water well to a septic tank.
7. The minimum setback from a drainfield to a property line in WV is:
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 25 feet
, Correct Answer: B. WV regulations require a minimum 10-foot setback from a
drainfield to a property line.
8. Before installation of an on-site sewage system in WV, what must be obtained?
A. A zoning variance
B. A construction permit from the local health department
C. An engineer's seal only
D. A notice to the county clerk
Correct Answer: B. A construction permit issued by the local county health
department is required before any on-site sewage system can be installed in
WV.
9. What is the minimum setback from a drainfield to a surface water body in WV?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Correct Answer: D. WV regulations require a minimum setback of 100 feet
from a drainfield to any surface water body.
10. What does 'bedroom equivalents' refer to in WV septic system sizing?
A. The number of bathrooms in the structure
B. A unit of measure used to estimate daily sewage flow
C. The number of floors in the structure
D. The square footage of the home
Correct Answer: B. Bedroom equivalents are used in WV to estimate the
volume of sewage a structure will generate, with each bedroom representing an
assumed number of occupants and daily flow.
11. What is the standard daily sewage flow assumed per bedroom in WV for
residential design?
A. 50 gallons per day
B. 75 gallons per day
, C. 100 gallons per day
D. 150 gallons per day
Correct Answer: C. WV regulations use 100 gallons per day per bedroom as
the standard design flow for residential on-site sewage systems.
12. A site evaluation in WV must include which of the following?
A. Soil percolation test and soil profile
B. GPS coordinates only
C. Aerial photograph of the lot
D. Survey of neighboring properties
Correct Answer: A. A site evaluation in WV must include both a soil
percolation test (or soil texture analysis) and a soil profile examination to
characterize soil conditions.
13. What is the minimum depth of soil required above a restrictive layer for a
conventional drainfield in WV?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Correct Answer: C. WV requires at least 24 inches of suitable soil above a
restrictive layer (such as bedrock or a seasonal high water table) for a
conventional drainfield.
14. A conventional septic permit in WV is typically valid for how long?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. Construction permits for on-site sewage systems in WV
are typically valid for two years from the date of issuance.
15. Which of the following best describes a 'percolation test' in WV?
REAL QUESTIONS + DETAILED ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION -
TOP RATED 2026/2027
1. What state agency regulates on-site sewage systems in West Virginia?
A. WV Department of Transportation
B. WV Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR)
C. WV Division of Forestry
D. WV Department of Agriculture
Correct Answer: B. The WV DHHR, specifically through the Bureau for
Public Health, oversees on-site sewage system regulation in the state.
2. Under WV Code, what is the minimum lot size typically required for an on-site
sewage system?
A. One-quarter acre
B. One-half acre
C. One acre
D. Two acres
Correct Answer: A. West Virginia generally requires a minimum of one-
quarter acre for a lot to be served by an on-site sewage system, though local
requirements may vary.
3. A WV Septic Installer license must be renewed how often?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B. WV septic installer licenses are renewed on a biennial
(every two years) basis.
,4. What regulation primarily governs on-site sewage systems in West Virginia?
A. WV Code 16-1
B. WV Code 22-26
C. WV Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9
D. WV Code 7-1-3
Correct Answer: C. West Virginia Legislative Rule 64 CSR 9 (the 'On-Site
Sewage Health Regulations') is the primary rule governing on-site sewage
systems in the state.
5. Who must obtain a license before installing a septic system in West Virginia?
A. Only contractors with more than 5 employees
B. Any person installing a septic system for hire
C. Only municipal contractors
D. Only engineers and surveyors
Correct Answer: B. Any person who installs a septic system for compensation
(for hire) must hold a valid WV Septic Installer license.
6. What is the minimum setback from a private drinking water well to a septic tank
in WV?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Correct Answer: C. West Virginia regulations require a minimum setback of
100 feet from a private drinking water well to a septic tank.
7. The minimum setback from a drainfield to a property line in WV is:
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 25 feet
, Correct Answer: B. WV regulations require a minimum 10-foot setback from a
drainfield to a property line.
8. Before installation of an on-site sewage system in WV, what must be obtained?
A. A zoning variance
B. A construction permit from the local health department
C. An engineer's seal only
D. A notice to the county clerk
Correct Answer: B. A construction permit issued by the local county health
department is required before any on-site sewage system can be installed in
WV.
9. What is the minimum setback from a drainfield to a surface water body in WV?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Correct Answer: D. WV regulations require a minimum setback of 100 feet
from a drainfield to any surface water body.
10. What does 'bedroom equivalents' refer to in WV septic system sizing?
A. The number of bathrooms in the structure
B. A unit of measure used to estimate daily sewage flow
C. The number of floors in the structure
D. The square footage of the home
Correct Answer: B. Bedroom equivalents are used in WV to estimate the
volume of sewage a structure will generate, with each bedroom representing an
assumed number of occupants and daily flow.
11. What is the standard daily sewage flow assumed per bedroom in WV for
residential design?
A. 50 gallons per day
B. 75 gallons per day
, C. 100 gallons per day
D. 150 gallons per day
Correct Answer: C. WV regulations use 100 gallons per day per bedroom as
the standard design flow for residential on-site sewage systems.
12. A site evaluation in WV must include which of the following?
A. Soil percolation test and soil profile
B. GPS coordinates only
C. Aerial photograph of the lot
D. Survey of neighboring properties
Correct Answer: A. A site evaluation in WV must include both a soil
percolation test (or soil texture analysis) and a soil profile examination to
characterize soil conditions.
13. What is the minimum depth of soil required above a restrictive layer for a
conventional drainfield in WV?
A. 12 inches
B. 18 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 36 inches
Correct Answer: C. WV requires at least 24 inches of suitable soil above a
restrictive layer (such as bedrock or a seasonal high water table) for a
conventional drainfield.
14. A conventional septic permit in WV is typically valid for how long?
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: C. Construction permits for on-site sewage systems in WV
are typically valid for two years from the date of issuance.
15. Which of the following best describes a 'percolation test' in WV?
