Frequently Asked Questions

Onsite Wastewater Treatment

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?
When will changes in the onsite professional rules be effective?
What are the changes in CEU requirements for renewal?
Has there been any registration/renewal processing fee changes?
How do I become licensed to inspect onsite sewage systems for real estate sales?
What information is available about the number and types of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) permitted in Missouri?

How do I become a state registered installer?
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) offer 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?
All onsite professionals' 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.

When will changes in the onsite professional rules be effective?
In December 2008, rule changes were published in the Missouri Register 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. Final Orders of Rulemaking have been published in the April 1, 2009 edition of the Missouri Register. These changes will become effective on May 30, 2009.

What are the changes in CEU requirements for renewal?
The numbers of CEUs needed for renewal have changed. If you are an onsite professional renewing for the first time, you will need to have acquired twenty (20) CEUs of which eight (8) must meet select criteria.
Onsite professionals renewing for the second, third, or more times after May 30, 2009:

See our CEU page for more information.

Have there been any registration/renewal processing fee changes?
Effective May 30, 2009, the registration and renewal processing fee for the licensed inspector has changes from $30.00 to $90.00. Since March 2007 when renewals started for the installer, percolation tester and onsite soil evaluator, the processing fee has been $90.00.

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 installer course. Contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services onsite sewage program to be placed on the course mailing list.

What information is available about the number and types of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) permitted in Missouri?
At this time, 2006 OWTS permit information is available for most counties. Permit data by the county is provided in both map form and in table form. More data will be added as it becomes available.