Requirements: On-site wastewater treatment

License exemptions

You are not required to get an on-site wastewater treatment license if you are:

• a licensed professional engineer.
• an employee or subordinate of a licensed designer or professional engineer and are working under the direct supervision of a licensed designer or professional engineer.

Basic licensing requirements

On-site wastewater treatment system designer

To get a designer license, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• have a minimum of 4 years’ approved experience showing increased responsibility for the design of on-site wastewater treatment systems.
  • Experience must be completed at least 2 months before the exam date.
  • Two years of this experience may come from completing 2 years of approved college-level coursework.
  • You must provide at least 2 verifications of experience from professional engineers, licensed on-site wastewater treatment system designers, or local on-site regulatory officials.
• pass the written examination.
• pay all licensing fees.

On-site wastewater treatment system inspector

A certificate of competency holder may perform on-site design services for local health jurisdictions, but is not allowed to practice as a licensed on-site wastewater treatment system designer. To receive a certificate of competency, you must:

• be an employee of a local health jurisdiction.
• have a written request for certification from your Local Health Director or designee.
• get a passing score on the written on-site wastewater treatment system designer exam.
• pay all licensing fees.

How to apply for a license

On-site Wastewater Treatment System Designer License

1. Complete the On-site Wastewater Treatment System Designer License Application.
2. Mail your completed application and fee to:
   
   On-Site Designer Licensing/Inspector Certification Program
   Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
   PO Box 9048
   Olympia WA 98507-9048

On-site Wastewater Treatment System Inspector Certificate of Competency

1. Complete the On-site Wastewater Treatment System Inspector Certificate of Competency Application.
2. Mail your completed application and fee to:
   
   On-Site Designer Licensing/Inspector Certification Program
   Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
   Department of Licensing
   PO Box 9048
   Olympia, WA 98507-9048

Application deadlines

Applications and fees must be received 3 months before the exam date. If we receive your application material after the deadline for an exam, you will be scheduled for the next available exam.

How will I be notified if I qualify for a license or certificate?

After we evaluate your application materials, we will send you a letter telling you one of the following:

• You have been approved for the examination.
• We need additional information to process your application.
• You are not eligible to take the exam.

If you are approved to take the exam, we will send you details about your exam date and location 2-3 weeks before the exam.

On-site wastewater treatment system designer stamp

As a licensed on-site wastewater treatment system designer, you must purchase a stamp for use on plans, specifications, and reports prepared by you or under your direct supervision. For more information about stamp requirements, see Professional Stamps and Seals.