General Information

The certified installer program trains and certifies individuals who install onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems in Alaska. Certified Installer installations follow prescriptive standards set forth within the Onsite Wastewater System Installation Manual (OWSIM).

Certified Installers are certified to install systems under their certificate for conventional wastewater disposal systems for private residences, single service connection systems that serve small commercial facilities that generate less than 500 gallons per day of domestic wastewater, and single multi-family dwellings with no more than four residential units with 10 or less bedrooms. Facilities or properties that do not meet these abbreviated criteria need to be installed with a registered engineer in Alaska. Depending on the site and facility specifics, plan approval from the DEC prior to constructing the system may be required.

Certification is valid throughout the state except within the Municipality of Anchorage and the City of Valdez. Those areas have their own programs that are administered by the City. Please contact those localities for more information.

Becoming a Certified Installer

To become certified an individual must: (1) have a current general, excavation or water and sewer contractor's license, be working under another's license, or be employed by a government or health corporation; and (2) attend DEC training course; and (3) pass a written examination; and (4) pay the required certification fee.

The training course is typically held in the spring of each year and includes online instructor led sessions, self-learning modules, and an in-person soils course. More information is available at the course website.

After successfully completing the training and passing the written exam, a person who seeks to be a Certified Installer must pay a certification fee of $850 to DEC for a two-year certification period. This fee may be paid in two annual installments of $460. The individual must have on file with DEC a copy of their current contractor's license prior to certification: if a person is working under another's license, DEC requires a copy of that license and a letter from the licensed contractor indicating the person is employed by that contractor: if the person is employed by government or a health corporation, DEC requires a letter indicating the person is employed by that organization.

For general construction contractors, the certified installer course provides 8 technical credit hours for continuing education requirements.

Certified Installer Continued Training

To remain certified an individual must attend the class and pass the examination every two years. The written examination may be exempted provided the installer submits all of their documentation, installed systems in conformance to the standards, and completed a minimum 0.4 continuing education units or five professional hours directly related to drinking water or wastewater systems. Installers exempt must still attend the course.

Additional Questions or Information

For additional information, sign-up to be notified of the next available course, etc., please contact your local office or Tony Sonoda at DEC/Fairbanks Area Office. Tony may be contacted at 907-451-2109, or by email at: Tony.Sonoda@alaska.gov