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Onsite Wastewater Program

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Training/Testing

The Onsite Program includes certification of Onsite System Professionals, review of designs and plans for onsite septic systems (including large underground systems), operating permits and information about financial assistance available through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) program for repair or replacement of septic systems when applicants meet the requirements.

Onsite (Septic) Wastewater Systems

Onsite Professional Certification

Certification of Professionals—Original and Renewal

Onsite Professionals may become certified in the following categories:

  • Level 1
    Soil evaluations and percolation testing.
  • Level 2
    Design, inspection, and maintenance of conventional underground wastewater disposal systems, including soil evaluations and percolation testing.
  • Level 3
    Design, inspection, and maintenance of alternative or conventional underground wastewater disposal systems, including soil evaluations and percolation testing.

Levels 1, 2, and 3 are each valid for up to 3 years. A single application may be submitted to the Division of Water Quality for all Levels, or they may be done separately. A single certificate will now be issued to all qualified applicants. The certificate will bear the highest level of certification that the applicant has achieved. There will be gradual transition to a single, concurrent expiration date for all levels of certification held by an individual.

Each certificate issued will require a separate fee. In order to be certified at Level 2 or Level 3, current certification at the lower level(s) is required. In order to accomplish the transition to a single expiration date for multiple levels, the following procedures are in effect.

  • Each application is individually reviewed and evaluated.
  • When the previously issued lower level certificate expires after the new expiration date of the higher certificate, the new certificate is issued and the lower level certificate also remains valid with its current expiration date.
  • If the lower level certificate expires two years prior to the new higher level certificate’s calculated expiration date, a compromise date is generally used which extends the lower level certificate by one year and reduces the higher level certificate by one year so that all levels now expire one year prior to the anticipated higher level certificate’s expiration date. At time of future renewal, requirements for all levels will need to be met in order to renew at the higher level.
  • If the lower level certificate expires one year prior to the new higher level certificate’s calculated expiration date, generally the lower level certificate expiration date is extended to match the new higher level certificate’s date. However, if one of the lower level certificates has already been extended, it may be treated as a compromise and reduce the higher grade certificate by one year. At time of future renewal, requirements for all levels will need to be met in order to renew at the higher level.
  • Once any higher levels have been achieved, a single certificate is issued at the highest level to which the person has qualified. One exception would be if the individual chose not to renew the higher level, but only meet the requirements to renew a lower level certification.

The application form and certification fee must be submitted to the Division of Water Quality. A $25 certificate fee is required each time a new certificate is issued. However, if application for multiple levels is on one form, only one certificate will be issued, and only one $25 fee is required. (Local health officers should contact DWQ for more information on the fee payments.)

Certification application and fees are separate from the registration and fees for training through the Utah Onsite Training Program.

Please note:  The course completion certificate issued by the Utah Onsite Training Center is NOT a certification as an Onsite Professional by the Utah Division of Water Quality, but may be helpful for tracking continuing education for other professional licenses.

  • Application Forms
    Must include Citizenship/Alien ID Certification form .
  • Certified Onsite System Professionals List
    • Required renewal classes must be attended prior to expiration. There is now a “reinstatement” option (see Note below) which allows for reinstatement of a certificate within 6 months after expiration by attending the required renewal class(es) and submitting the renewal application with appropriate fees.
  • Training Information for Professionals
    Certification classes, renewal classes, or the renewal “Test-out Options” for non-governmental employees, are scheduled on the training calendar.

  • Rule
    Utah Administrative Code R317-11
  • SB81
    Beginning July 1, 2009, the Division was required to verify the lawful presence in the United States of an individual at least 18 years of age (includes sole proprietor doing business under assumed name) who has applied for Onsite Professional certification, Wastewater Operator certification, or who has applied for Federal SRF funding. A Citizenship/Alien ID Certification Form is available that must be completed, notarized, and submitted to the Division along with a copy of photo identification such as a driver license, passport, or similar.

Reinstatement Option

Expired certifications may be reinstated within 6 months after the expiration date by:

  • completing the refresher course(s) as provided by the Training Center; and,
  • submitting a renewal application and reinstatement fee to the Division of Water Quality.

After the reinstatement period, initial certification requirements must be met in order to be certified.

Onsite Related Rules

Variance Request Procedure

Program Contacts

Onsite Professional Certification

Judy Etherington (jetherington@utah.gov) (801) 536-4344

All Other Information—Design, Financial, Technical

Robert Beers (rbeers@utah.gov) (385) 501-9580

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