diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.py
index cda64c1310a..4e991e801e1 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCoRpcFiveNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCoRpcFiveNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.yaml
index f4f344a3821..6f72abc5163 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_five_node.yaml
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   no_sep:
     env: no_sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.py
index fe3217f30d4..1b2c369c988 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCoRpcOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCoRpcOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.yaml
index 9221a5a6a3e..34e38357db6 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.py
index ce207851681..72625daf98b 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCoRpcTwoNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCoRpcTwoNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.yaml
index c9731c1ff7d..ab2c16f2284 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/corpc/cart_corpc_two_node.yaml
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,CORPC=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.py
index 2f17512f66a..bf808f0b6d8 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCtlFiveNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCtlFiveNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.yaml
index d85d5572e4a..84efe70b1ab 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_five_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/ctl
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/ctl
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "0"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   no_sep:
     env: no_sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.py
index 0370581dfbb..d5325b5885f 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCtlOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCtlOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.yaml
index 1f6c5ab148e..dd2635028ad 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ctl/cart_ctl_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/ctl
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/ctl
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.py
index 51b7a21a81c..9dec1a7c670 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartCoRpcOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartCoRpcOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.yaml
index a41ca0bbe87..764103432dd 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/ghost_rank_rpc/cart_ghost_rank_prc_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,14 +1,13 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/envs_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/corpc_prefwd
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.py
index d8c069989c8..dd80fcf1614 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class GroupTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(GroupTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.yaml
index f7432d3ab56..b1494cc0abf 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/group_test/group_test.yaml
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/no_pmix_launcher
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/no_pmix_launcher
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
 hosts: !mux
   hosts_1:
     config: one_node
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.py
index f04b0c8d0e0..6f9e7ab93ae 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.py
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ class CartIvOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartIvOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.yaml
index f940f667325..b12ea20236e 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/iv
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,IV=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/iv
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,IV=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.py
index ac106efa38a..33ee832d6f4 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.py
@@ -82,7 +82,6 @@ class CartIvTwoNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartIvTwoNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.yaml
index 7b6d4308295..175bf950543 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/iv/cart_iv_two_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/iv
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,IV=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/iv
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,IV=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "2"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.py
index 00c835be8bd..d40398fcb9d 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.py
@@ -9,9 +9,8 @@
 
 import sys
 import subprocess
-import os
 
-from apricot import TestWithoutServers
+from apricot       import TestWithoutServers
 
 sys.path.append('./util')
 
@@ -28,8 +27,17 @@ class CartNoPmixOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartNoPmixOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
+        self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
+        crt_phy_addr = self.params.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR", '/run/defaultENV/')
+        ofi_interface = self.params.get("OFI_INTERFACE", '/run/defaultENV/')
+        ofi_ctx_num = self.params.get("CRT_CTX_NUM", '/run/defaultENV/')
+        ofi_share_addr = self.params.get("CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR",
+                                         '/run/defaultENV/')
+        self.pass_env = {"CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR": crt_phy_addr,
+                         "OFI_INTERFACE": ofi_interface,
+                         "CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR": ofi_share_addr,
+                         "CRT_CTX_NUM": ofi_ctx_num}
 
     def tearDown(self):
         """ Tear down """
@@ -44,31 +52,11 @@ def test_cart_no_pmix(self):
         :avocado: tags=all,cart,pr,daily_regression,no_pmix,one_node
         """
 
-        crt_phy_addr = os.environ.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR")
-        ofi_interface = os.environ.get("OFI_INTERFACE")
-        ofi_ctx_num = os.environ.get("CRT_CTX_NUM")
-        ofi_share_addr = os.environ.get("CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR")
-
-        # env dict keys and values must all be of string type
-        if not isinstance(crt_phy_addr, ("".__class__, u"".__class__)):
-            crt_phy_addr = ""
-        if not isinstance(ofi_interface, ("".__class__, u"".__class__)):
-            ofi_interface = ""
-        if not isinstance(ofi_ctx_num, ("".__class__, u"".__class__)):
-            ofi_ctx_num = ""
-        if not isinstance(ofi_share_addr, ("".__class__, u"".__class__)):
-            ofi_share_addr = ""
-
-        pass_env = {"CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR": crt_phy_addr,
-                    "OFI_INTERFACE": ofi_interface,
-                    "CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR": ofi_share_addr,
-                    "CRT_CTX_NUM": ofi_ctx_num}
-
         cmd = self.params.get("tst_bin", '/run/tests/*/')
 
         self.utils.print("\nTest cmd : %s\n" % cmd)
 
-        test_env = pass_env
+        test_env = self.pass_env
         p = subprocess.Popen([cmd], env=test_env, stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
 
         rc = self.utils.wait_process(p, 30)
@@ -78,3 +66,7 @@ def test_cart_no_pmix(self):
             self.fail("Test failed.\n")
 
         self.utils.print("Finished waiting for {}".format(p))
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.yaml
index d02602bb4f3..06c51b901e1 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/no_pmix/cart_nopmix_multictx_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,13 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/rpc_error
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - CRT_CTX_NUM: "8"
-    - CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: "0"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/no_pmix_multi_ctx
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  CRT_CTX_NUM: "8"
+  CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: "0"
 tests: !mux
   no_pmix_multi_ctx:
     name: no_pmix_multi_ctx
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.py
index ec71b8633cb..821ec4fb3fc 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 
 from __future__ import print_function
 
-import os
 import sys
 
 from apricot       import TestWithoutServers
@@ -27,7 +26,6 @@ class CartNoPmixLauncherOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartNoPmixLauncherOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
@@ -47,10 +45,10 @@ def test_cart_no_pmix_launcher(self):
         cli_bin = self.params.get("test_clients_bin", '/run/tests/*/')
         cli_arg = self.params.get("test_clients_arg", '/run/tests/*/')
         cli_ppn = self.params.get("test_clients_ppn", '/run/tests/*/')
-
-        log_mask = os.environ.get("D_LOG_MASK")
-        crt_phy_addr = os.environ.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR")
-        ofi_interface = os.environ.get("OFI_INTERFACE")
+        log_mask = self.params.get("D_LOG_MASK", "/run/defaultENV/")
+        crt_phy_addr = self.params.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR",
+                                       "/run/defaultENV/")
+        ofi_interface = self.params.get("OFI_INTERFACE", "/run/defaultENV/")
 
         srv_cmd = self.utils.build_cmd(self, self.env, "test_servers")
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.yaml
index 08cadc4b719..686b84f7ca9 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/nopmix_launcher/cart_nopmix_launcher_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/no_pmix_launcher
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/no_pmix_launcher
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
 hosts: !mux
   hosts_1:
     config: one_node
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.py
index 07846939592..fbd1cabb340 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartRpcOneNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartRpcOneNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.yaml
index 18ee403fd79..2d5ecfc6112 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node.yaml
@@ -1,17 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-customENV:
-  MY_CUSTOM_ENV: "pineapple"
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/proto_np
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/proto_np
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node_with_swim_notification_on_rank_eviction.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node_with_swim_notification_on_rank_eviction.py
index 2fab3b5d1ee..71a1b5fbdbf 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node_with_swim_notification_on_rank_eviction.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_one_node_with_swim_notification_on_rank_eviction.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ class CartRpcOneNodeSwimNotificationOnRankEvictionTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartRpcOneNodeSwimNotificationOnRankEvictionTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.py
index 5c41b63675c..6dfee0ebebb 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartRpcTwoNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartRpcTwoNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.yaml
index 9c71deb4d39..152bfe59d0b 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/rpc/cart_rpc_two_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/rpc_error
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/rpc_error
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN,RPC=DEBUG,HG=DEBUG"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.py
index 0ad65feb54f..8be98c4f88c 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class CartSelfThreeNodeTest(TestWithoutServers):
     def setUp(self):
         """ Test setup """
         print("Running setup\n")
-        super(CartSelfThreeNodeTest, self).setUp()
         self.utils = CartUtils()
         self.env = self.utils.get_env(self)
 
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.yaml b/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.yaml
index fe5617d8236..08e8ee71acb 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.yaml
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/selftest/cart_selftest_three_node.yaml
@@ -1,15 +1,14 @@
 # change host names to your reserved nodes, the
 # required quantity is indicated by the placeholders
 
-ENV:
-  default:
-    #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
-    #!filter-only : /run/tests/self_np
-    - D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
-    - CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
-    - OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
-    - test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
-    - test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+defaultENV:
+  #!filter-only : /run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/no_sep
+  #!filter-only : /run/tests/self_np
+  D_LOG_MASK: "WARN"
+  CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR: "ofi+sockets"
+  OFI_INTERFACE: "eth0"
+  test_servers_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
+  test_clients_CRT_CTX_NUM: "16"
 env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR: !mux
   sep:
     env: sep
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/cart/util/cart_utils.py b/src/tests/ftest/cart/util/cart_utils.py
index 6f1887b33c0..e29c56d2b52 100755
--- a/src/tests/ftest/cart/util/cart_utils.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/cart/util/cart_utils.py
@@ -134,27 +134,13 @@ def get_env(self, cartobj):
         log_file = os.path.join(log_path, log_dir,
                                 test_name + "_" + env_CCSA + "_cart.log")
 
-        # Default env vars for orterun to None
-        log_mask = None
-        self.provider = None
-        ofi_interface = None
-        ofi_domain = None
-        ofi_share_addr = None
-
-        if "D_LOG_MASK" in os.environ:
-            log_mask = os.environ.get("D_LOG_MASK")
-
-        if "CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR" in os.environ:
-            self.provider = os.environ.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR")
-
-        if "OFI_INTERFACE" in os.environ:
-            ofi_interface = os.environ.get("OFI_INTERFACE")
-
-        if "OFI_DOMAIN" in os.environ:
-            ofi_domain = os.environ.get("OFI_DOMAIN")
-
-        if "CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR" in os.environ:
-            ofi_share_addr = os.environ.get("CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR")
+        log_mask = cartobj.params.get("D_LOG_MASK", "/run/defaultENV/")
+        self.provider = cartobj.params.get("CRT_PHY_ADDR_STR",
+                                           "/run/defaultENV/")
+        ofi_interface = cartobj.params.get("OFI_INTERFACE", "/run/defaultENV/")
+        ofi_domain = cartobj.params.get("OFI_DOMAIN", "/run/defaultENV/")
+        ofi_share_addr = cartobj.params.get("CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR",
+                                            "/run/env_CRT_CTX_SHARE_ADDR/*/")
 
         # Do not use the standard .log file extension, otherwise it'll get
         # removed (cleaned up for disk space savings) before we can archive it.
@@ -259,10 +245,8 @@ def build_cmd(self, cartobj, env, host, **kwargs):
                                       "/run/tests/*/")
         _tst_slt = cartobj.params.get("{}_slt".format(host),
                                       "/run/tests/*/")
-
-        _tst_ctx = "16"
-        if "{}_CRT_CTX_NUM".format(host) in os.environ:
-            _tst_ctx = os.environ["{}_CRT_CTX_NUM".format(host)]
+        _tst_ctx = cartobj.params.get("{}_CRT_CTX_NUM".format(host),
+                                      "/run/defaultENV/")
 
         # If the yaml parameter is a list, return the n-th element
         tst_bin = self.get_yaml_list_elem(_tst_bin, index)
diff --git a/src/tests/ftest/util/apricot/apricot/test.py b/src/tests/ftest/util/apricot/apricot/test.py
index 3d11f2e8629..336e445f3fc 100644
--- a/src/tests/ftest/util/apricot/apricot/test.py
+++ b/src/tests/ftest/util/apricot/apricot/test.py
@@ -352,22 +352,6 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.d_log = DaosLog(self.context)
         self.test_log.daos_log = self.d_log
 
-        # import and set env vars from yaml file
-        default_env = self.params.get("default", "/run/ENV/")
-        if default_env is None:
-            return
-
-        for kv_pair in default_env:
-            key = next(iter(kv_pair))
-            if key is not None:
-                value = kv_pair[key]
-                print("Adding {}={} to environment.\n".format(key, value))
-                os.environ[key] = value
-
-        # For compatibility with cart tests, which set env vars in oretrun
-        # command via -x options
-        self.env = os.environ
-
     def tearDown(self):
         """Tear down after each test case."""
         self.report_timeout()
@@ -395,20 +379,6 @@ def stop_leftover_processes(self, processes, hosts):
             stop_processes(hosts, "'({})'".format("|".join(processes)))
 
 
-    def unset_other_env_vars(self):
-        """ import env vars from other_env_var param """
-        default_env = self.params.get("default", "/run/ENV/")
-        if default_env is None:
-            return
-
-        for kv_pair in default_env:
-            try:
-                key = kv_pair[0][0]
-                print("Removing key {} from environment.\n".format(key))
-                del os.environ[key]
-            except IndexError:
-                pass
-
 class TestWithServers(TestWithoutServers):
     # pylint: disable=too-many-public-methods,too-many-instance-attributes
     """Run tests with DAOS servers and at least one client.
diff --git a/utils/sl/pylint3.rc b/utils/sl/pylint3.rc
index be1dc116c66..899e9ad453a 100644
--- a/utils/sl/pylint3.rc
+++ b/utils/sl/pylint3.rc
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [MESSAGES CONTROL]
 disable=locally-disabled,locally-enabled,star-args,wrong-import-order,
         unused-wildcard-import,invalid-name,global-statement,bad-option-value,
-        wrong-import-position,super-with-arguments
+        wrong-import-position
 
 [FORMAT]
 max-line-length=80