diff --git a/src/test/obj_ndctl_bb/TEST1 b/src/test/obj_ndctl_bb/TEST1
index b01d407469..1b0d519c6d 100755
--- a/src/test/obj_ndctl_bb/TEST1
+++ b/src/test/obj_ndctl_bb/TEST1
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_ndctl_enable
 require_test_type short
 
 setup
 
+require_sds ./obj_ndctl_bb
+
 TMP=tmp${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $TMP
 
diff --git a/src/test/obj_ndctl_sds/TEST1 b/src/test/obj_ndctl_sds/TEST1
index 44d9b37ebe..78dd7d132e 100755
--- a/src/test/obj_ndctl_sds/TEST1
+++ b/src/test/obj_ndctl_sds/TEST1
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_ndctl_enable
 require_test_type short
 
 setup
 
+require_sds ./obj_ndctl_sds
+
 TMP=tmp${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $TMP
 
diff --git a/src/test/obj_pool/TEST32 b/src/test/obj_pool/TEST32
index 024f22cd10..8616c33e90 100755
--- a/src/test/obj_pool/TEST32
+++ b/src/test/obj_pool/TEST32
@@ -11,12 +11,11 @@
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
 require_test_type medium
-# For non-pmem POOL_FEAT_CHECK_BAD_BLOCKS is turned off via PMEMOBJ_CONF="sds.at_create=0"
-require_real_pmem
-require_sds ./obj_pool
 
 setup
 
+require_sds ./obj_pool
+
 #
 # TEST32 existing file, file size >= min required size,
 #        layout matches the value from pool header
@@ -26,8 +25,6 @@ expect_normal_exit ./obj_pool$EXESUFFIX c $DIR/testfile "test" 20 0640
 # create a bad block recovery file
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testfile_r0_p0_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $DIR/testfile
-
 # pmemobj_open() should fail, because the bad block recovery file exists
 expect_normal_exit ./obj_pool$EXESUFFIX o $DIR/testfile "test"
 
diff --git a/src/test/obj_pool/TEST33 b/src/test/obj_pool/TEST33
index 299291164b..15f3e2a9f8 100755
--- a/src/test/obj_pool/TEST33
+++ b/src/test/obj_pool/TEST33
@@ -11,12 +11,11 @@
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
 require_test_type medium
-# For non-pmem POOL_FEAT_CHECK_BAD_BLOCKS is turned off via PMEMOBJ_CONF="sds.at_create=0"
-require_real_pmem
-require_sds ./obj_pool
 
 setup
 
+require_sds ./obj_pool
+
 POOLSET=$DIR/testset1
 create_poolset $POOLSET 10M:$DIR/testfile0:z 10M:$DIR/testfile1:z 10M:$DIR/testfile2:z \
 			R 30M:$DIR/testfile3:z
@@ -33,8 +32,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p0_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $DIR/testset1
-
 # pmemobj_open() should fail, because the bad block recovery files exist
 expect_normal_exit ./obj_pool$EXESUFFIX o $DIR/testset1 "test"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST32 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST32
index 670ed31da6..a6468644a8 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST32
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST32
@@ -13,13 +13,14 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST33 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST33
index 9a5ca2b9f5..bc3a7c9042 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST33
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST33
@@ -13,13 +13,14 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
@@ -36,8 +37,6 @@ expect_normal_exit $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX create obj --layout pmempool$SUFFIX $POOL
 
 expect_normal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX c v &>> $LOG"
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # zero blocks: offset: 0 length: 250
 zero_blocks $DIR/testfile1 0 250
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST34 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST34
index 0d0e0ce6c9..4042fbc223 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST34
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST34
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
@@ -50,8 +51,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p0_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of recovery files
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST35 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST35
index 0554156118..37618a6664 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST35
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST35
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
@@ -50,8 +51,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p1_badblocks.txt 1000 250
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p0_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of recovery files
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST36 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST36
index 19739f767d..733be80483 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST36
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST36
@@ -16,13 +16,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
@@ -39,8 +40,6 @@ expect_normal_exit $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX create obj --layout pmempool$SUFFIX $POOL
 
 expect_normal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX c v &>> $LOG"
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # zero blocks: offset: 1000 length: 250
 zero_blocks $DIR/testfile0 1000 250
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST37 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST37
index bc9879e5cb..7d3141c832 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST37
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST37
@@ -16,13 +16,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
 rm -f $LOG && touch $LOG
 
@@ -39,8 +40,6 @@ expect_normal_exit $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX create obj --layout pmempool$SUFFIX $POOL
 
 expect_normal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX c v &>> $LOG"
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # zero blocks: offset: 125 length: 125
 zero_blocks $DIR/testfile1 125 125
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST43 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST43
index 86ab559d0a..2a4475bdea 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST43
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST43
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST43 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p0_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p1_badblocks.txt 126 2
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fixing bad blocks should fail
 expect_abnormal_exit "$PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX sync -v -b $POOLSET &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST44 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST44
index 74ce57cafc..aad222e180 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST44
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST44
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST44 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -17,14 +17,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -72,8 +72,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1000 1 1002 1
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST45 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST45
index 67b79532a7..9ef481b40b 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST45
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST45
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST45 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -70,8 +70,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p1_badblocks.txt 125 1 127 1
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST46 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST46
index b78d19b9ef..3e55d47adb 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST46
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST46
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST46 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@
 
 . ../unittest/unittest.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -70,8 +70,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt 125 1 127 1
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST47 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST47
index 7beb008952..194262fdf9 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST47
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST47
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST47 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -73,8 +73,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1000 2
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt 1000 2
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST48 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST48
index 2015ee7635..bcc046ee0a 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST48
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST48
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST48 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -76,8 +76,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1001 2
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p1_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt 1000 2
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST49 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST49
index e9279dbca6..d0f94cc382 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST49
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST49
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2011-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST49 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST50 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST50
index 0ab62e01c6..dad28761a0 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST50
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST50
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST50 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -20,14 +20,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt 1001 1
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt 1001 1
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1001 1
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST51 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST51
index e35b1bb1aa..bdec17a134 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST51
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST51
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST51 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -21,14 +21,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -76,8 +76,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p1_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p0_badblocks.txt 1000 3
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST52 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST52
index ebf20e5560..5ad02a0464 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST52
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST52
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2018-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST52 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -73,8 +73,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST53 b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST53
index 441055510c..701f84f25f 100755
--- a/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST53
+++ b/src/test/pmempool_sync/TEST53
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
 # Copyright 2011-2024, Intel Corporation
-# Copyright 2025, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
+# Copyright 2025-2026, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
 #
 #
 # pmempool_sync/TEST53 -- test for sync command with badblocks
@@ -18,14 +18,14 @@
 
 . setup.sh
 
-require_real_pmem
 require_test_type medium
-require_fs_type non-pmem
 require_build_type debug nondebug
 require_linked_with_ndctl $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
 
 setup
 
+require_sds $PMEMPOOL$EXESUFFIX
+
 export PMEMPOOL_LOG_LEVEL=10
 
 LOG=out${UNITTEST_NUM}.log
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r0_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r1_p2_badblocks.txt
 create_recovery_file $DIR/testset1_r2_p2_badblocks.txt
 
-turn_on_checking_bad_blocks $POOLSET
-
 # fail because of bad blocks
 expect_abnormal_exit "$OBJ_VERIFY$EXESUFFIX $POOLSET pmempool$SUFFIX v &>> $LOG"
 
diff --git a/src/test/unittest/unittest.sh b/src/test/unittest/unittest.sh
index 0b297d5f69..00ad1ba277 100644
--- a/src/test/unittest/unittest.sh
+++ b/src/test/unittest/unittest.sh
@@ -2610,25 +2610,3 @@ function set_test_labels() {
 	verbose_msg "$UNITTEST_NAME: SKIP ($TEST/$REAL_FS/$BUILD$MCSTR$PROV$PM) test-labels: $* ($TEST_LABEL required)"
 	exit 0
 }
-
-#
-# require_real_pmem -- run tests only on real pmem
-#
-function require_real_pmem() {
-	local path="$1"
-	if [ -z "$path" ]; then
-		path="$DIR"
-	fi
-	if [ "$PMEM_IS_PMEM_FORCE" == "1" ]; then
-		verbose_msg "$UNITTEST_NAME: SKIP ($TEST/$REAL_FS/$BUILD$MCSTR$PROV$PM) PMEM is forced (PMEM_IS_PMEM_FORCE=$PMEM_IS_PMEM_FORCE), real PMEM required"
-		exit 0
-	fi
-	case "$REAL_FS" in
-		pmem)
-			;;
-		*)
-			verbose_msg "$UNITTEST_NAME: SKIP ($TEST/$REAL_FS/$BUILD$MCSTR$PROV$PM) REAL_FS $REAL_FS (pmem required)"
-			exit 0
-			;;
-	esac
-}
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST0 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST0
index 86cbacc329..a5b8561feb 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST0
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST0
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_dirty_clear
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST1 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST1
index dee5359277..3bdce3b59c 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST1
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST1
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_invalid_checksum
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST2 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST2
index 0b9dc9ed75..fbb6573673 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST2
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST2
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_dirty_set
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST3 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST3
index d3ccc46cde..fd6986146f 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST3
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST3
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_invalid_uuid
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST4 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST4
index 6026bf7be4..e605196b84 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST4
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST4
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_invalid_uuid_set_dirty
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST5 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST5
index a15d99599b..463983acd2 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST5
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST5
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_invalid_usc
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST6 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST6
index e138f6a938..bc457eba7b 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST6
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST6
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_invalid_usc_set_dirty
diff --git a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST7 b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST7
index 2b5142c911..0f86f783b0 100755
--- a/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST7
+++ b/src/test/util_sds_check/TEST7
@@ -14,8 +14,6 @@ require_fs_type none
 
 require_build_type debug
 
-require_sds ./util_sds_check
-
 setup
 
 expect_normal_exit ./util_sds_check test_happy_day