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SSTS Business Licensing, Individual Certification and Enforcement

SSTS Business Licensing

Septic system diagram

All private businesses in Minnesota that design, install, repair, maintain, operate, or inspect septic systems must be licensed with the MPCA. Local and state government employees do not require a license, but must obtain Individual Certification in the specialty area(s) applicable to the work being conducted, and are referred to as Qualified Employees (QE). Local units of government cannot require additional local licenses for septic system professionals in Minnesota.

All Minnesota-licensed businesses must employ at least one ‘Designated Certified Individual’ (DCI) for each specialty area offered by the business. A DCI is a person certified with the MPCA SSTS program that has attended training, passed exams, and gained experience in the specialty area for which he or she is seeking licensure.

There are four requirements for a business license application:

  • Proof of an SSTS Surety Bond
  • Proof of general liability insurance
  • $200 fee for each license specialty area per year ($400 maximum)
  • Proof of employment of at least one SSTS Certified Individual per specialty area

If seeking a list of active SSTS Business Licenses, use the following search tool:

Questions? Contact SSTS Certification and Licensing Staff by e-mail at: ssts-info.pca@state.mn.us.

If applying for a business license use the following forms:

For more information on business licensing, read the following fact sheet:

SSTS Individual Certification

The state of Minnesota requires a certified individual to design, install, repair, maintain, operate, or inspect septic systems. Individual certification consists of training, examination, experience and continuing education. The table below highlights the nine specialty areas for certification:

Training and specialty area certification requirements

To do this type of work

You need this type of training and exam
(Pre-Certification Workshop)

And certification in this specialty area

Install SSTS

Introduction, Installing

Installer

Sewage tank evaluation, cleaning, and repairs, portable toilets & septage management

Introduction, Maintaining   

Maintainer

System assessment, adjustments, sampling, troubleshooting, repairs, and operational performance reporting

Introduction, Service Provider   

Service Provider

Design of Type I – Type III systems ≤ 2,500 gpd

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Soils   

Basic Designer

Design of Type I – Type V* systems ≤ 2,500 gpd for residential strength waste

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Soils, Intermediate Design and Inspection

Intermediate Designer

Design of Type I – Type V* systems ≤ 10,000 gpd

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Soils, Intermediate Design and Inspection, and Advanced Design and Inspection

Advanced Designer

Inspection of Type I – Type III systems ≤ 2,500 gpd

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Inspecting, Soils   

Basic Inspector

Inspection of Type I – Type V* systems ≤ 2,500 gpd for residential strength waste

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Inspecting, Soils, Service Provider, Intermediate Design and Inspection

Intermediate Inspector

Inspection of Type I – Type V* systems ≤ 10,000 gpd

Introduction, Installing, Basic Design, Inspecting, Soils, Service Provider, Intermediate Design and Inspection, and Advanced Design and Inspection

Advanced Inspector

* Type V SSTS require the expertise of an appropriately licensed AELSLAGID professionalExit to Web

Detailed information about Individual Certification can be found in the following fact sheet:

The MPCA developed two new specialty areas in 2013. Read about the design and inspection tiers in the following fact sheet:

Notes about the Intermediate Design and Inspection specialty areas:

  1. The first Intermediate Design and Inspection course is offered by the U of M Onsite Sewage Treatment Program on March 12 – 15, 2013 in St. Cloud, MN. Visit their websiteExit to Web to enroll in this course.
  2. Eligible Designers or Inspectors that have completed Advanced Design and Inspection courses in the past will be allowed to take this exam without attending the Intermediate Design and Inspection course. Contact MPCA SSTS Certification and Licensing staff to inquire about your eligibility and schedule an exam session as early as February 13, 2013.

If seeking a record of your SSTS Individual Certification, including expiration date and continuing education credits, use the following search:

Questions? Contact SSTS Certification and Licensing staff by e-mail at: ssts-info.pca@state.mn.us.

If applying for Individual Certification, use the following forms:

If interested in enrolling in SSTS Training, go to the following Web site:

If applying for SSTS Training Course Accreditation, use the following form and fact sheet:

Need-To-Know

The Need-To-Know (N2K) process is a stakeholder-driven job analysis procedure used to define what SSTS practitioners ‘need to know’ to effectively and efficiently practice their profession. The job analysis process is an important way to define and continuously improve SSTS curriculum and exams. The Task Analyses below are working documents that outline tasks in which SSTS practitioners are expected to be competent. If you would like to comment on existing N2K criteria or are interested in participating in N2K committees, contact Charlie Thompson at charlie.thompson@state.mn.us or Nick Haig at nick.haig@state.mn.us.

SSTS Task Analyses

SSTS Exam Descriptions

Enforcement

Due to their permit and ordinance authorities, local units of government are often the first line of action for licensing enforcement activities. The MPCA provides enforcement when local actions are ineffective or local governments or SSTS professionals need assistance. The MPCA investigates written complaints with sufficient evidence and retains the authority to suspend, restrict or revoke a license.

The MPCA has a process that allows local units of government to request that the MPCA be the lead on a local SSTS enforcement issue. To facilitate this process, the MPCA has an enforcement review process which includes the following referral document:

The State of Minnesota Attorney General's Office accepts complaints from citizens with contractor disputes at:

Related Licenses

Links

Last modified on April 25, 2013 10:35
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