Septic Tank Installer Licence

In Nova Scotia, the installation, replacement, alteration, pumping, and maintenance of on site sewage disposal systems and portable restrooms may only be completed by individuals certified under the On site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations.

Certification is required for each activity an individual performs. The recognized certification categories are:

Professional Engineers - Select or design systems in accordance with the Standard (certified through Engineers Nova Scotia)

Qualified Persons (QP) - Select pre-designed systems from the Standard

Installers - Construct and install on site sewage disposal systems

Septic Tank Cleaners - Pump, clean, and maintain systems and portable restrooms

Qualified Persons, Installers, and Septic Tank Cleaners are certified by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (ECC).

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change

Office: Any Regional or District Office of Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change

E-mail: ecccompliance@novascotia.ca

Training Provider - Waste Water Nova Scotia (WWNS)

Waste Water Nova Scotia (WWNS) administers the courses required for on-site certification.

• Email: office@wwns.ca
• Website: https://wwns.ca
• Course fees are set by WWNS and should be confirmed directly

First-time applicants should review the On-Site Program Certification Information Package, which explains certification requirements and the application process.

The general certification process is:

1. Complete the required WWNS course and exam
2. Obtain the ECC certificate application form
3. Document relevant work experience (Qualified Persons and Installers)
4. Submit the completed application with required supporting documents and fee
5. If all requirements and supporting documents are met, ECC will review the submission and will issue the certificate within 10 business days

Qualified Person

To be eligible for a Qualified Person certificate, an applicant must:

• Complete 1,000 hours of work experience in the on-site sewage industry, including installation of at least six (6) systems
• Successfully complete the Installer Course of Instruction
• Successfully complete the Qualified Person Course of Instruction

Both courses and exams are administered by WWNS.

Installer

To be eligible for an Installer certificate, an applicant must:

• Complete 1,000 hours of work experience in the on-site sewage industry, including installation of at least six (6) systems
• Successfully complete the Installer Course of Instruction

The course and exam are administered by WWNS.

Septic Tank Cleaner

To be eligible for a Septic Tank Cleaner certificate, an applicant must:

• Successfully complete the Septic Tank Cleaners Course of Instruction

This program is a self-study course provided by WWNS. Applicants contact WWNS to receive the course materials.

When ready to write the exam, applicants must submit the Training Request Form to their Regional ECC office. ECC will provide access to the online exam.

After Passing the Course / Exam (All Applicants)

After successfully completing the required course and exam:

1. ECC will notify applicants and provide them with an application package to complete.
2. Submit the completed application to your Regional ECC office with the following:
• Completed application form
• Applicable fee
• Proof of appropriate insurance
• Professional liability insurance for Qualified Persons
• General contractors' liability insurance for Installers and Cleaners
• Proof of access to an approved septage disposal site (For Cleaners only)
3. ECC will review the submission and once verified, issue the certificate.

All certifications are valid for up to four (4) years based on a set four-year cycle.

To renew a certificate at the end of the cycle, an individual must complete an appropriate amount of continuing education points such as applicable training or attending industry board meetings during the renewal cycle.

Each Qualified Person and Installer must accumulate a minimum of 100 points within a 4-year period. Each septic pumper, portable restroom operator and bed flusher (Cleaners) must accumulate a minimum of 50 points within a 4-year period. Extra points do not carry over to the next cycle.

If an applicant becomes certified during the cycle the number of continuing education points they need will be prorated.

Fees are charged per four-year certification period:

• Installer Certification: $166.05
• Qualified Person Certification: $311.45
• Cleaner Certification:
• First activity: $116.65
• Each additional activity: $58.30

Payment may be made by cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance, or online.

Accommodation

Requests for accommodation should be emailed to onsite@novascotia.ca. Additional information is available through ECC's Accommodation Policy.

Alternative Verification

If required documentation cannot be obtained for reasons beyond the applicant's control, the applicant should contact onsite@novascotia.ca and explain the circumstances. With consent and in accordance with FOIPOP, ECC may undertake additional verification. Applications may be approved or denied based on available evidence.

Appeals

If certification is denied, applicants may appeal to the Minister of Environment within 30 days of the decision date. Appeals must be submitted using the Notice of Appeal Form.

Certification recognition applicants seeking to have their certification from another Canadian jurisdiction recognized in Nova Scotia must complete the Interprovincial Certification Recognition - Onsite Application (PDF) and provide supporting documentation. / Applicants must provide documents that allow the department to confirm their certification status, standing and history in the original licensing jurisdiction. Once all information has been received, the department will provide a response within 10 days.

Applications and questions can be sent to the onsite sewage disposal systems program at onsite@novascotia.ca.

Authority for this certification program is provided under the Environment Act On-site Sewage Disposal Systems Regulations