This chapter contains rules and procedures for applications, experience, education, and eligibility to become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer or to obtain a certificate of competency.

On-site wastewater treatment system designer. "Designer" or "licensee" means an individual authorized under chapter 18.210 RCW to perform design services for on-site wastewater systems.

On-site wastewater treatment system inspector/certificate of competency holder. "Certificate of competency holder" or "inspector" means a person who has been issued a certificate and has been authorized by the board to practice as an on-site wastewater treatment inspector.

To become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer in Washington, you must meet the requirements described below:

(1) Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

(2) Have four years of progressive experience in the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems judged suitable by the board. The four years of experience could be a combination of education and work experience related to on-site wastewater system design.

(3) Fully complete the application form to the satisfaction of the board.

(4) Pay all applicable fees.

(5) Receive a passing score on the Washington law review.

(6) Receive a passing score on the Washington state on-site designer examination.

Upon passing the on-site designer examination, the applicant will be licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer.

The four years of experience in the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems of a character satisfactory to the board should include site and soil assessment, hydraulics, topographic delineations, use of specialized treatment processes and devices, microbiology, and construction practices. The following criteria will be used in evaluating an applicant's experience record:

(1) Acceptable work experience shall be broad based and progressive in the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems. Work experience will be considered by the board based upon the verifications provided by the applicant, the level of independent judgments and decisions, and the demonstration of the ability to work within the regulatory structure. This experience must include, but shall not be limited to the following:

(a) Applying state and local health regulations;

(b) Exercising sound judgment when making independent decisions regarding the sciences and technologies of on-site wastewater treatment systems;

(c) Field identification and evaluation of soil types and site conditions;

(d) Conducting research; and

(e) Interacting with clients and the public in conformance with chapter 18.210 RCW.

(2) Of the four years of work experience required, education relevant to on-site wastewater treatment may be considered satisfactory experience up to a maximum of two years; the board will determine if the education credentials are satisfactory to award years of experience based on the following:

(a) Graduation from a baccalaureate or associate degree program which contains course work in the sciences and technologies of engineering and/or on-site wastewater treatment systems, as provided in RCW 18.210.100 may be awarded up to a maximum of two years of experience. Course work relevant to on-site wastewater systems includes soil science, geology, biology, mapping, site development and construction management.

(b) Completed college level course work without a degree will be evaluated by the board in deciding the equivalent years of experience.

(c) Documented seminars, industry training programs, and other educational or training programs specifically related to the science and technologies of on-site wastewater treatment systems will be evaluated by the board in deciding the equivalent years of experience.

Official transcripts and/or other official educational documents must be sent to the board's office for review and approval to count towards experience.

(3) On-site wastewater related teaching may be considered satisfactory experience up to a maximum of one year at the discretion of the board.

(4) Working for a local health jurisdiction as a certificate of competency holder may count towards a portion of the required experience, at the discretion of the board.

(5) All work experience gained must be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed designer or professional engineer as per chapter 18.210 RCW or as approved by the board.

To receive an inspector certificate of competency you must meet the requirements below:

(1) Be an employee of a local health jurisdiction that reviews, inspects, or approves the design and construction of on-site wastewater treatment systems.

(2) Have one year of practical work experience under the supervision of a certificate of competency holder or one year of previous work under a licensed on-site designer or professional engineer, unless otherwise approved by the board.

The board will consider the following in evaluating the practical work experience: Verification(s) provided by the applicant, the demonstration of the ability to work within the regulatory structure and familiarity with the aspects of on-site wastewater system design, construction, and maintenance.

The work experience must demonstrate understanding of chapter 246-272A WAC and associated department of health recommended standards and guidance (RS&G) documents. In addition, the work experience should include:

(a) Review of site characteristics such as soil types and location of water tables.

(b) Review of well siting, testing, and construction.

(c) Review of plats and land subdivisions.

(d) Review of septic system designs.

(e) Review of system installation and construction.

(f) Review of system troubleshooting and operations and maintenance.

The applicant must demonstrate their knowledge and experience in more than one area listed under (a) through (f) of this subsection.

(3) Fully complete the application form to the satisfaction of the board.

(4) Provide a written request from the local health jurisdiction. Requests shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the board.

(5) Pay all applicable fees.

(6) Obtain a passing score on the Washington law review.

(7) Obtain a passing score on the on-site designer examination.

Upon passing the on-site designer examination, the applicant will be issued a certificate of competency. Issuance of the certificate of competency does not authorize the certificate of competency holder to offer or provide on-site wastewater treatment system design services to the public. However, nothing in this chapter limits or affects the ability of local health jurisdictions to perform on-site design services under their authority in chapter 70.05 RCW, RCW 18.210.190 (3)(d) and WAC 246-272A-0230.

The board has one application form for licensure as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer and another application for inspector certificate of competency. All applications must be completed on forms provided on the board's website, and include required documentation to be approved by the board for examination. Completed applications must be received at the board's address with the applicable fee by the date posted on the board's website to be considered for approval to take the exam. Incomplete applications, and/or applications received after the deadline may be considered for a later examination. Applications submitted without the proper fee shall be considered incomplete.

(1) On-site wastewater treatment system designer application: Applicants must complete all sections of the form and must meet all listed requirements for licensure.

(a) Applicants must provide information on the application form that demonstrates they meet all requirements for licensure. This includes work experience and education requirements, as detailed in WAC 196-32-011 and 196-32-020; and RCW 18.210.100, 18.210.110, and 18.210.120.

(b) All applicants must provide the following documents to verify these requirements:

(i) For education to be considered, you must submit official transcripts or other official educational documents.

(ii) Applicants must provide two or more verifications of work experience. Experience must be verified on the form titled "On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems Designer Experience Verification" which includes not only work experience information and details but also verifications of work experience by supervisors or other verifiers. At least one of the verifiers should be a licensed on-site designer or professional engineer who provided direct supervision of the applicant performing design services.

(c) A certificate of competency holder who wants to become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer must complete the on-site wastewater treatment system designer application, including verification(s) of design experience.

(2) Inspector certificate of competency application: Applicants must complete all sections of the form and must meet all requirements to obtain an inspector certificate of competency.

(a) Applicants must provide verification of one year of practical work experience under the supervision of a certificate of competency holder, licensed on-site designer or professional engineer; or otherwise demonstrate knowledge of (a) through (f) of this subsection to be considered by the board for approval of application.

(b) Applicants must have the local health department director or director designee complete and sign the "DOH request for examination" form per WAC 196-32-030 and submit it with the application.

(1) To become licensed as an on-site wastewater treatment system designer or to become an inspector certificate of competency holder the applicant must pass the on-site designer licensing examination as established by the board. The schedule of examinations and an examination blueprint may be found on the board's website.

(2) An applicant who has taken the examination and failed or who qualified for the examination but did not take it shall submit the exam reschedule application and applicable fee by the date posted on the board's website.

The board has the discretion to issue a license to an out-of-state licensee without examination who meets the following requirements:

(1) Completes the on-site wastewater treatment system designer registration application including supporting documentation as listed in WAC 196-32-035 and pays the appropriate fee.

(2) Receives a passing score on the Washington law review.

(3) Meets minimum requirements of RCW 18.210.100, 18.210.110, and 18.210.180 and this chapter.

(4) Holds a currently valid license in a board recognized licensing agency in a state, territory, possession, or foreign country.