Frequently Asked Questions

Onsite Sewage Professionals

How do I become a state registered installer?
Is there more than one type of state installer registration?
Are there requirements for maintaining my state registration?
What will be needed at renewal time?
How do CEU's benefit onsite professionals?
If I have more than one onsite registration, do I need to obtain 20 CEUs for each registration?
What rule changes have been proposed?
How can I offer comments on the draft changes?
How do I become licensed to inspect onsite sewage systems for real estate sales?

How do I become a state registered installer?
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) offers a two-day registered installers course. Contact the DHSS' onsite sewage program and leave your name and mailing address. You will be put on a mailing list and receive a course application about 30 days before the next installers course is offered.

Is there more than one type of state installer registration?
There are two levels of installer registration, basic and advanced. To install certain advanced systems, a registered installer must complete an advanced installer training course.  A basic registered installer can install advanced components under the supervision of an advanced registered installer.

Are there requirements for maintaining my state registration?
Installer registration is for a period of three years. Approved continuing education units are required for renewal registration.

What will be needed at renewal time?
For renewal at the time registration expires, the registered individual must submit a non-refundable processing fee of $90 with the completed application and documentation of required continuing education units (CEUs). As CEU courses are scheduled, they will be posted to this website.

How do CEU's benefit onsite professionals?
Continuing education is one way for onsite professionals to maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve high standards in the onsite wastewater treatment system industry. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) provide a way to recognize an individual's efforts to keep up with changes in OWTS methods and technology. Also, maintaining CEU records are important for professionals who want to renew their onsite registration or license or other credentials.

If I have more than one onsite registration, do I need to obtain 20 CEUs for each registration?
No. Many courses/seminars approved for CEUs will be credited towards more than one onsite registration. The possible CEU credit allowed for each onsite registration/license will be listed with the Continuing Education Units (CEUs) courses. For example: An individual may be a registered installer and a licensed inspector, however, in checking CEUs, that individual may have 20 CEUs for registered installer, but only 16 for licensed inspector. Therefore, an additional 4 CEUs would be needed to fulfill the requirement for renewal of the inspector's license. Also, if an individual has more than one onsite registration, the expiration dates might be different. CEUs will count for each onsite registration only during that three (3) year registration period. You may contact the course sponsoring organization or our office, to inquire about specific CEU training.

What rule changes have been proposed?
Changes have been drafted for the rule that established requirements for OWTS installers, onsite soil evaluators and percolation testers, 19 CSR 20-3.080 and the rule that established requirements for inspectors 19 CSR 20-3.070.  A summary of the main draft rule changes is available.  Note: the current rules remain in effect, and will remain in effect during the rulemaking process, which will be ongoing at least through the summer of 2008. 

How can I offer comments on the draft changes?
Send written comments (or questions) to DHSS, Bureau of Regulation and Licensure, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO  65102.  For your convenience, you may use the linked comment form.  During the formal rulemaking process, a proposed rule is published in the Missouri register with a period for comments.

How do I become licensed to inspect onsite sewage systems for real estate sales?
You must complete the inspector’s course offered by the University of Missouri. A prerequisite to be eligible for the inspector course is to successfully complete the registered installers course. Contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services onsite sewage program to be placed on the course mailing list.