Certified Underground Storage Tank Workers
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Certified Tank Workers
The Division of Occupational Licensing (DOL) staffs the underground storage tank worker certification program. The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) adopts regulations to carry out laws governing underground storage tank workers in Alaska. It makes final licensing decisions and takes disciplinary actions against people who violate licensing laws. Please review the Underground Storage Tank Worker (UST) program's web page for additional information.
Requirements
UST Inspector Requirements
To become an UST inspector, a person must:
- Be certified in UST Installation and Cathodic Protection Testing by the State of Alaska
- Attend an DEC inspector orientation class and a nationally recognized UST course in the last two years
- Fill out application and pay licensing fees
- Not have a significant financial interest in the tanks you inspect
- Certification Required
- In order to do installation, testing, and closure of a UST system, a person must be certified by the State of Alaska in the category for which work is done.
- License Categories
- There are four UST Worker categories: Installation & Reconfiguration, Decommissioning (Closure), Tank Tightness Testing, and Cathodic Protection Testing. The State of Alaska added a category of Inspector in August of 1999.
- Duties and Responsibilities
- A certified person must be on the job site when work is being performed. A person may not sign-off on UST work that is not under his/her direct control and personal supervision. A certified person shall notify the tank owner or operator if a release is suspected. See the UST Worker 18 AAC 78.455 Standards of Practice for a complete listing of responsibilities.
- Discipline
- The State of Alaska may suspend or revoke worker certification if the certified worker is found to have fraudulently obtained certification, fails to meet the requirements of 18 AAC 78, fails to meet any law pertaining to the services performed under certification, or falsifies a document regarding tank work done.
- Business License
- Make sure that the firm you hire has a valid business license. In order to check, go to the Alaska Business License Search.
- Renewals
- A person who has maintained certification in a specific category under 18 AAC 78.410 for at least six consecutive years is only required to pass the examination required by 18 AAC 78.420 for every third renewal (i.e. 12/31/07, 12/31/13, 12/13/19) of that category of certification thereafter, so long as that person performs at least two UST projects in the category during the calendar year before each renewal for which an examination is not required. A UST project verification form or certification of a passing exam for each specific category must be submitted to DOL with each category specific renewal form. Do not use an application for certification when renewing.
- DOL sends UST workers one Biennial Underground Storage Tank Workers Certification Renewal notice and form.
- Application Requirements
- To apply for certification, a person must: (1) take and pass the appropriate International Code Council (ICC) UST exams plus the ICC Alaska Specific Exam; (2) demonstrate work experience at two completed UST projects in the last three years; (3) and apply and submit appropriate fees and application.
- Work Experience
- Your application will include a work verification form that must be filled out and signed by a person already certified at the time of the project who can personally attest to your experience. Out-of-state experience is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Notice: It is a Class B Misdemeanor to perform tank work without a current license.
Tank Worker Application
- Request an Application
- To order an application for a first time application or a renewal, please send your request and mailing address to Under Ground Storage Tank Worker (UST) Examiner at the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (CBPL) , PO Box 110806, Juneau, AK, 99811. Phone: 907-465-2550 Fax: 907-465-2974 or E-mail: license@alaska.gov. If you email, make sure to include your mailing address.
- Application Package Online
- We have created a complete online application. Please download the following:
- Before You Test
- Visit the ICC Certification Exam Catalog for essential information and registration. Once in the catalog, enter the following in the search fields:
- Type field: Choose UST/AST from drop down menu
- Field under type: Enter Alaska
- Category/Trade field: Choose State-Specific-UST/AST from drop down menu
- Training
- The State of Alaska does not provide training prior to examination or worker application. However, there are a number of firms and organizations that provide UST training.
- License Expiration
- Certifications are valid for two years and expire the last day of every odd-numbered year (12/31/15, 12/31/17, 12/31/19...).
For additional information on training and certification, visit the International Code Council website.
More Information
For more information about the Certification Program, please contact us.
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