1|Page
VIRGINIA ALTERNATIVE ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM
INSTALLER LICENSE EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following best describes an alternative onsite
sewage system?
A. A conventional gravity drainfield only
B. A septic system that uses only natural soil absorption
C. A system that includes non-standard technologies (e.g., textile filters,
aerobic units) to treat or dispose of effluent
D. A system that discharges raw sewage into a nearby stream
o C.
Because alternative systems incorporate specialized treatment or disposal
technologies beyond simple gravity absorption.
2. What agency regulates the licensing of onsite sewage system
installers in Virginia?
A. EPA
B. Virginia DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation)
C. Virginia Department of Health, Water Division
D. Virginia Department of Transportation
o B.
The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators
and Onsite Sewage System Professionals is under DPOR. Virginia DPOR
,2|Page
3. How much does the exam fee cost for the Onsite Sewage
System Installer (alternative) license in Virginia?
A. $50
B. $80
C. $120
D. $200
o B.
Per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, the exam fee is $80. PSI Exams
4. Under Virginia regulation, to qualify for a master alternative
installer license, one option is to have:
A. 6 months’ experience and no exam required
B. Two years of full-time installing experience + passing the exam
C. Only a high school diploma
D. One year of assisting under a journeyman installer, no exam
o B.
One of the master-level paths requires two years of full-time experience and the
exam. Virginia Law+1
5. According to 18VAC160-40-160, which of the following can
verify an applicant’s experience for master alternative installer?
A. Licensed plumber only
B. Alternative onsite soil evaluator
C. Real estate broker
D. Homeowner
o B.
Experience must be verified by an authorized evaluator, e.g., an alternative onsite
soil evaluator, licensed installer, or professional engineer. Virginia Law
,3|Page
6. What is one of the training requirements for certain master
alternative installer paths?
A. 100 hours of college coursework
B. 20 hours of board-approved training in basic installation
C. No training; only experience counts
D. Only a high school diploma is sufficient
o B.
Some master paths require 20 hours of Board-approved training covering basic
installation. Legal Information Institute+1
7. When cancelling a scheduled exam with PSI, how soon must
you notify them to avoid forfeiting the fee? A. At least two business
days in advance
B. Same day is fine
C. One hour before the exam
D. Four days before
o A.
You can cancel/reschedule without forfeiting the fee if you give notice at least two
days before. PSI Exams
8. Which of the following is not a valid way to document
qualifying experience for master alternative installer?
A. Verification from a professional engineer
B. Verification from an alternative onsite soil evaluator
C. A notarized self-statement without third-party verification
D. Verification from an authorized onsite soil evaluator
o C.
, 4|Page
Self-statements without proper verifier are not accepted; regulations require
verification by certain licensed or certified professionals. Virginia DPOR+1
9. If someone holds an interim alternative installer license, how
much full-time experience do they need for master-level eligibility
(one path)?
A. 6 months
B. 18 months
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
o B.
Per regulatory requirements, 18 months of full-time installing alternative systems
is one of the master license paths. Virginia Law
10. For the master alternative installer license, what happens to a
conventional installer license upon issuance?
A. It remains valid indefinitely
B. It doubles in value
C. It is voided
D. It converts to a soil evaluator license
o C.
When someone obtains a master alternative installer license, their conventional
installer license is voided. Virginia Law
11. What is the statutory authority cited in the Virginia regulation
for the master alternative installer license?
A. § 54.1-201 & § 54.1-2301
B. § 62.1-44.15
C. § 10.1-1400
VIRGINIA ALTERNATIVE ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM
INSTALLER LICENSE EXAM ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURES PASS
1. Which of the following best describes an alternative onsite
sewage system?
A. A conventional gravity drainfield only
B. A septic system that uses only natural soil absorption
C. A system that includes non-standard technologies (e.g., textile filters,
aerobic units) to treat or dispose of effluent
D. A system that discharges raw sewage into a nearby stream
o C.
Because alternative systems incorporate specialized treatment or disposal
technologies beyond simple gravity absorption.
2. What agency regulates the licensing of onsite sewage system
installers in Virginia?
A. EPA
B. Virginia DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational
Regulation)
C. Virginia Department of Health, Water Division
D. Virginia Department of Transportation
o B.
The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators
and Onsite Sewage System Professionals is under DPOR. Virginia DPOR
,2|Page
3. How much does the exam fee cost for the Onsite Sewage
System Installer (alternative) license in Virginia?
A. $50
B. $80
C. $120
D. $200
o B.
Per the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin, the exam fee is $80. PSI Exams
4. Under Virginia regulation, to qualify for a master alternative
installer license, one option is to have:
A. 6 months’ experience and no exam required
B. Two years of full-time installing experience + passing the exam
C. Only a high school diploma
D. One year of assisting under a journeyman installer, no exam
o B.
One of the master-level paths requires two years of full-time experience and the
exam. Virginia Law+1
5. According to 18VAC160-40-160, which of the following can
verify an applicant’s experience for master alternative installer?
A. Licensed plumber only
B. Alternative onsite soil evaluator
C. Real estate broker
D. Homeowner
o B.
Experience must be verified by an authorized evaluator, e.g., an alternative onsite
soil evaluator, licensed installer, or professional engineer. Virginia Law
,3|Page
6. What is one of the training requirements for certain master
alternative installer paths?
A. 100 hours of college coursework
B. 20 hours of board-approved training in basic installation
C. No training; only experience counts
D. Only a high school diploma is sufficient
o B.
Some master paths require 20 hours of Board-approved training covering basic
installation. Legal Information Institute+1
7. When cancelling a scheduled exam with PSI, how soon must
you notify them to avoid forfeiting the fee? A. At least two business
days in advance
B. Same day is fine
C. One hour before the exam
D. Four days before
o A.
You can cancel/reschedule without forfeiting the fee if you give notice at least two
days before. PSI Exams
8. Which of the following is not a valid way to document
qualifying experience for master alternative installer?
A. Verification from a professional engineer
B. Verification from an alternative onsite soil evaluator
C. A notarized self-statement without third-party verification
D. Verification from an authorized onsite soil evaluator
o C.
, 4|Page
Self-statements without proper verifier are not accepted; regulations require
verification by certain licensed or certified professionals. Virginia DPOR+1
9. If someone holds an interim alternative installer license, how
much full-time experience do they need for master-level eligibility
(one path)?
A. 6 months
B. 18 months
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
o B.
Per regulatory requirements, 18 months of full-time installing alternative systems
is one of the master license paths. Virginia Law
10. For the master alternative installer license, what happens to a
conventional installer license upon issuance?
A. It remains valid indefinitely
B. It doubles in value
C. It is voided
D. It converts to a soil evaluator license
o C.
When someone obtains a master alternative installer license, their conventional
installer license is voided. Virginia Law
11. What is the statutory authority cited in the Virginia regulation
for the master alternative installer license?
A. § 54.1-201 & § 54.1-2301
B. § 62.1-44.15
C. § 10.1-1400
