MPCA Home > Programs > Minnesota's Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Program (SSTS) > SSTS Business Licensing, Individual Certification and Enforcement

SSTS Business Licensing, Individual Certification and Enforcement

SSTS Business Licensing SSTS Professional Certification Need-To-Know Enforcement Related Licenses

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:

• Licensed Business Search

Questions?  Contact the SSTS Licensing Coordinator by e-mail at: ssts-info@pca.state.mn.us, or by phone at:  651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864.

If applying for a business license use the following forms:

• License Application
  
  
• Bond Form
  • Examples:
    • SSTS Surety Bond Example A - Follow Example A if (1) your company is not filed with the Secretary of State or (2) if your company is filed with the Secretary of State as an Assumed Name (AN).
    • SSTS Surety Bond Example B - Follow Example B if your company is filed with the Secretary of State as any other category than an Assumed Name (AN).
  • Secretary of State Business Information by Entity Name Search
  • (see 7083.2030)
    
    
• Certificate of Employment for DCI

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 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

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:

• Certified Individual Search

Questions?  Contact the SSTS Certification Coordinator by e-mail at:  ssts-info@pca.state.mn.us, or by phone at:  651-296-6300 or 800-657-3864.

If applying for Individual Certification, use the following forms:

• SSTS Application for Professional Certification
• SSTS Designated Mentor List
• SSTS Experience Documentation Form for Individuals Certified Before 2/4/08
• SSTS Experience Documentation Form for Individiuals Certified On or After 2/4/08
• Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Experience Plan Reporting

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

• U of M Training Workshops

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

• SSTS Training Accreditation Application
• SSTS Training Accreditation Fact Sheet

If you have further questions about Individual Certification, read the following fact sheet:

• Licensing and Certification Program Factsheet

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@pca.state.mn.us or Jane Seaver at jane.seaver@pca.state.mn.us.

• Introduction Basics
• Installer
• Soil
• Design
• Inspector
• Maintainer
• Advanced Design
• OM Service Provider
• Service Provider Exam Description

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 fail 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.

• Administrative Penalty Orders; Compliance is the Goal
• Statute 7083.2020
• Enforcement action news releases
• Evidence recommendations (under construction)
• Conflict resolution (under construction)
• Attorney General's Consumer Division (accepts calls from citizens with contractor disputes)

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 Web site.
• Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry's Certified Pipelayer License
• Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design.
  The 2007 Minnesota Legislature has directed MPCA to work with stakeholders on issues relating to the licensing of Engineers, Geoscientists and SSTS Professionals.  For more information, go to the SSTS News page.
• Department of Commerce license requirement

Links

• Minnesota Attorney General's Consumer Division (accepts calls from citizens with contractor disputes)
• Minnestoa Department of Commerce
• Minnesota Plumbing Code (licensing of plumbers)
• Minnesota Well Code (licensing of well drillers)