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OSS Certification & Licensing
In order to perform work as an on-site sewage system installer, pumper, or monitoring & maintenance specialist in Snohomish County, you must first be certified by the Health Department. Those who have a certification from another county other than Snohomish must also be certified by the Health Department before conducting business here. To perform work as a designer, licensing is completed through the state with the Department of Licensing. See the tabs below for certification details for each contractor role.
Certificate Renewals
For those with existing certificates, keep in mind that all pumper, installers, and M&M specialist certificates expire at the end of each year and must be renewed annually. To renew your certification, you must pay the Annual Certification Fee (see our Fee Schedule for the current cost). For M&M specialists, you must also complete your 10 professional development hours every year.
See the list of steps below for how to become a certified OSS installer or pumper in Snohomish County. These steps are also available in a printable checklist.
To become a certified Installer or Pumper in Snohomish County, you will need to:
- Submit the Certification Application Form: Complete this form and email it to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org. Your application will be reviewed by the Health Department and an invoice will be sent to pay the exam fee.
- Pay the Exam Fee: You will be notified via email to pay this fee after your application has been reviewed. You can pay this fee online. Once you have paid, the Health Department will send you an invitation to choose an exam date through Public Safety Testing (our testing partner). See current fees in our fee schedule.
- Register for the Exam: Instructions to register will be in the invitation email that you will receive after paying the exam fee. You can choose to take the exam in-person at the testing facility in Lynnwood, or at home online. Follow all instructions carefully prior to taking the exam. Failure to do so will make you ineligible to take the exam on the date you chose.
- Study for the Exam: It is highly recommended you review the study materials provided by Health Department prior to taking the exam.
- Pass the Exam: The written exam is comprised of true/false and multiple-choice questions. The exam is worth 100 points with a total of 70 points needed to pass (70%). The exam will take approximately 2 hours to complete. Resource materials, cell phones or other electronic devices are not allowed during the exam. Once results from your written exam become available, any remaining certification requirements must be completed within 90 days. If more than 90 days passes, you will be required to reapply and retest.
- After passing the exam, you will need to complete one of the following depending on which certification you are seeking:
- Installer Field Review: The field review follows the successful completion of the written exam. The field review consists of a site meeting with an Environmental Health Specialist to discuss the results of the exam and to review an installed on-site sewage system ready for final inspection. This allows for a more hands-on discussion of installation principles and practices and provides an opportunity to answer further questions.
- Pumper Oral Review: The oral review follows the successful completion of the written exam. The oral review consists of discussing your exam results with an Environmental Health Specialist and an opportunity to ask further questions.
- Other requirements: Depending on the certification you are seeking, there are addition requirements that can be completed any time after submitting the application form.
- For Installers: Submit current Department of Labor & Industries State Contractor’s License. You can submit this at any time before paying the annual certification fee (can be submitted before or after taking the exam). Send this document to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org
- For Pumpers: The following three items can be completed any time before paying the annual certification fee (can be submitted before or after taking the exam). Send these documents to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org
- Submit Current Department of Labor & Industries State Contractor’s License
- Health Department Inspection of Pump Truck & Related Equipment: Complete the Pump Truck Inspection Form and email it to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org. Once the Health Department receives this form, we will schedule an inspection at the storage location of your pump truck. (Please note: If you or your company have already submitted this form for the year and there have been no changes to your fleet, skip this step).
- Submit Confirmation of Approved Dump Site: Obtain a letter from the dump site you will use that clearly states you have permission to dump septage at that specific facility.
- Pay the Annual Certification Fee: After passing the exam and completing your review, you will receive another invoice via email to pay the annual certification fee. Certificates are valid for the calendar year in which they are applied for and are renewed annually every January. You can pay this fee online. See current fees in our fee schedule.
- Register in OnlineRME: Once you have paid the annual certification fee, you will be emailed your certificate number and a link to register in OnlineRME. You will need to use your certificate number to register. After you have registered, email your OnlineRME number to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org.
- Receive Your Certificate: When all certification requirements have been met, you will be sent an electronic copy of your certificate over email and a paper copy will be sent in the mail.
Monitoring & Maintenance Specialist Certification Requirements
To become a monitoring & maintenance specialist, you will need to score 70% or greater on both portions of the O&M exam administered by WOSSA (Level 1 and Level 2) within the past 12 months or have certification by reciprocity. You must also have a minimum of 2 years relevant and verifiable experience related to on-site sewage disposal system design, installation, monitoring and/or maintenance. To take the exam, you will need to register with WOSSA and pay their exam fee.
Once you’ve completed the exam process through WOSSA, fill out our Septic Contractor Certification Application. Email the completed application to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org along with proof of the following:
- Exam scores of 70% or higher on each portion of the O&M exam administered by WOSSA (Level 1 and Level 2) within the past 12 months or have certification by reciprocity.
- Minimum of 2 years relevant and verifiable experience related to on-site sewage disposal system design, installation, monitoring and/or maintenance. Written proof must be submitted on company letterhead, indicating specific job duties and the timeframe in which these duties were performed.
- Copy of valid Washington State Labor and Industries General or Specialty Contractors license.
Once we receive your application, we will send an invoice to pay the annual certificate fee and make sure that all items listed above have been submitted. After you pay the fee and we verify all requirements have been met, you will be emailed your certificate number and a link to register in OnlineRME. You will need to use your certificate number to register. After you have registered, email your OnlineRME number to SHD-EHQ@snoco.org.
Receive Your Certificate
When all certification requirements have been met, you will receive an electronic copy of your certificate over email, and a paper copy will be sent in the mail. Once you receive your certificate, you are eligible to perform work as a Monitoring & Maintenance Specialist in Snohomish County
Certificate Renewal Reminders
In addition to paying the yearly Annual Certification Fee to keep your certificate active, monitoring & maintenance specialists are required to maintain 10 hours of professional development annually. If you have questions on how to submit your professional development hours, email SHD-EHQ@snoco.org
To design on-site sewage systems in Washington State, you must either be a licensed on-site designer or professional engineer. Licensing is handled by the Washington State Department of Licensing. If you are interested in becoming licensed or need to renew or update your license, visit the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors.