Virginia Alternative Onsite Sewage System
Installer license Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
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 efluent
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
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
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.
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
Installer license Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
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 efluent
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
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
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.
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
