SSTS Business Licensing, Individual Certification and Enforcement
SSTS Business Licensing
An SSTS license is required to do business in Minnesota as an SSTS installer, maintainer, service provider, designer, advanced designer, inspector, or advanced inspector. Local governments cannot require additional local licenses for septic system professionals.
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
- 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:
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:
License Application (wq-wwists3-20)- Bond Form (wq-wwists3-22)
- Certificate of Employment for DCI (wq-wwists3-24)
A Designated Certified Individual (DCI) is a person certified with the MPCA SSTS program who has attended training, passed exams, and gained experience in the specialty area for which he or she is seeking licensure.
Local and state government employees are required to be certified but not licensed, and are referred to as Qualified Employees (QE).
For more information on business licensing, read the following fact sheet:
- Licensing and Certification Program Factsheet (wq-wwists3-10)
SSTS Individual Certification
The state of Minnesota requires all individuals who install, maintain, provide service, design or inspect SSTS to be certified. Individual certification consists of training, examination, experience and continuing education.
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:
- SSTS Application for Professional Certification (wq-wwists3-11)
- SSTS Designated Mentor List (wq-wwists3-16)
- SSTS Experience Documentation Form for Individuals Certified Before 2/4/08 (wq-wwists3-13)
- SSTS Experience Documentation Form for Individuals Certified On 2/4/08 through 3/13/11 (wq-wwists3-12)
- SSTS Experience Documentation Form for Individuals Certified On or After 3/14/11 (wq-wwists3-12c)
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:
If you have further questions about Individual Certification, read the following fact sheet:
Need-To-Know
Need-To-Know (N2K) criteria were developed as a guide to what SSTS professionals need to know to effectively and efficiently perform their services and duties. N2K criteria will be used to revise and update training and examination materials. If you would like to comment on the N2K criteria or are interested in participating in N2K committees, contact Charlie Thompson at charlie.thompson@state.mn.us or Jane Seaver at jane.seaver@state.mn.us.
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.
- Minnesota Rules Chapter 7083.2020
- MPCA Enforcement action news releases
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:
-
SSTS Enforcement Referrals from Local Programs (PDF Version) (wq-wwists3-32)
The State of Minnesota Attorney General's Office accepts complaints from citizens with contractor disputes at:
Related Licenses
- LSTS Operator Certification
- Boiler Licenses: Pumpers that use boilers to thaw frozen systems must hold a boiler operator's license and used certified boilers. Information is available on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website.
- Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry's Certified Pipelayer License
- Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design.
- Department of Commerce license requirement
Links
- Minnesota Attorney General's Consumer Division (accepts calls from citizens with contractor disputes)
- Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Minnesota Plumbing Code (licensing of plumbers)
- Minnesota Well Code (licensing of well drillers)
