Department of Environmental Quality
Chapter 340
Division 71
ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS
340-071-0650
Training and Certification Requirements for System Installers and Maintenance Providers
(1) Certification required.
(a) A person who supervises or is responsible for constructing or installing onsite systems must be a certified installer unless the person is the permittee for constructing or installing the system or the permittee's regular employee.
(b) A maintenance provider who inspects, maintains, or certifies or supervises maintenance on onsite systems using alternative treatment technologies, recirculating gravel filters, sand filters, or pressurized distribution systems must be certified as a maintenance provider.
(2) Training and certification programs. DEQ may enter interagency agreements to provide a program to train and certify onsite system installers, maintenance providers, and other onsite maintenance providers as described in this rule.
(3) Initial training and certification.
(a) Each initial training course for certification must provide the minimum training described in this section. One day of training equals 8 hours including a total of 30 minutes of break time and a one-hour lunch.
(b) Course instructors must have academic credentials or field experience in the course discipline and experience as instructors.
(c) Installer training.
(A) The training course for installers must include at least 8 hours of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on training, course review, and exam. DEQ encourages using audiovisual materials to complement lectures where appropriate.
(B) Installer training must at a minimum adequately address the following topics:
(i) Working knowledge of onsite rules.
(ii) Working understanding of permits.
(iii) Basic math skills.
(iv) Technical drawing.
(v) Field layout of onsite system.
(vi) Installation requirements.
(vii) Job safety practices.
(d) Maintenance provider training.
(A) The training course for maintenance providers must include at least 8 hours of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on training, course review, and exam. DEQ encourages using audiovisual materials to complement lectures where appropriate.
(B) Maintenance provider training must adequately address the following topics:
(i) Working knowledge of onsite rules.
(ii) Working understanding of permits.
(iii) Basic math skills.
(iv) Technical drawing.
(v) Onsite system processes.
(vi) System operation and maintenance.
(vii) Job safety practices.
(4) Examinations and certification.
(a) The training provider must administer an open book examination to persons seeking certification. A person seeking initial certification in a discipline must complete the initial training and pass the examination for that discipline, except that installers DEQ certified before December 31, 2003, are not required to take the examination.
(b) Each examination must be approved by DEQ and include questions that adequately cover the topics in the training course for that discipline. Applicants must answer 70 percent correctly to pass.
(c) The training provider must issue a certification to each person who completes the training course and passes the required examination.
(d) Each certification must include the following:
(A) A unique certificate number.
(B) Full name of the person certified.
(C) Dates of the training course.
(D) Date of the examination.
(E) An expiration date three years after the certification issuance date.
(F) The name, address, and telephone number of the training provider that issued the certificate.
(G) A statement that the person receiving the certification has completed the requisite training and examination for the discipline certified.
(f) Certified persons must have proof of certification at the location where they are conducting work requiring certification.
(5) Recertification.
(a) For each discipline, the training provider or DEQ must review and approve continuing education courses and other training for recertification. Training approved for each discipline must cover topics related to that discipline, including the topics addressed in section (1) of this rule.
(b) For each discipline, the training provider must extend recertification to each certified person who completes 18 hours of approved continuing education following his most recent certification and to each formerly certified person who completes these requirements within six months after his certification expires.
(6) Suspension or revocation of certification.
(a) DEQ may suspend or revoke the certification of any person for the following reasons:
(A) Performing work requiring certification at a job site without physically possessing a current certification.
(B) Permitting another person to duplicate or use one's own certification.
(C) Obtaining certification from a person not accredited to provide the certification.
(D) Violating requirements in this division.
(E) Failing to pay civil penalties assessed for violations of this division.
(b) DEQ must notify the person whose certification is being revoked or suspended of the reasons for the action and any conditions that must be met before DEQ will reinstate the certification.
(c) A person may appeal a suspension or revocation by requesting a contested case hearing under OAR chapter 340, division 011.
(d) A person whose certification has been revoked may not be recertified and may not apply for a new certification for 12 months after the revocation date or under exceptional circumstances as approved by DEQ.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 454.615, 454.625 & 468.020
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 454.615, 454.625 & 468.020
History:
DEQ 15-2017, amend filed 10/31/2017, effective 11/01/2017
DEQ 14-2013, f. 12-20-13, cert. ef. 1-2-14
DEQ 11-2004, f. 12-22-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05