Nebraska Administrative Code
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy

Title 124 - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Chapter 9 - Certification Requirements

001 Only a certified professional, a professional engineer, a registered environmental health specialist, or a person under their direct supervision may engage in the inspection, pumping, siting, layout, construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, repair, closure or otherwise changing of an onsite wastewater treatment system. For the purposes of these regulations, “direct supervision” means the person overseeing the work is physically present on the site where the work is being done and has control over, responsibility for, and professional knowledge of the work being done. The certification requirement does not apply to a private onsite wastewater treatment system at an electric generation facility site owned by a district organized under Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 70, article 6.

002 Certified professionals must hold a valid certificate by examination in accordance with this Title or a hardship certificate in one or more of the following categories:
002.01 Master Installer
002.02 Journeyman Installer
002.03 Soil Evaluator
002.04 Inspector
002.05 Master Pumper
002.06 Journeyman Pumper

003 Authorization to Practice
003.01 Authorization to Practice under Certificates by Examination:
003.01A A Master Installer or Journeyman Installer is authorized to engage in the siting, layout, construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, repair, inspection, or closure of onsite wastewater systems, except that a Journeyman Installer is only authorized to engage in any of these activities in accordance with the following restrictions:
003.01A.1 The Journeyman Installer is employed by a Master Installer, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is responsible for the work, or
003.01A.2 The Journeyman Installer is employed by a business or government entity that has a Master Installer, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist as an owner, officer, or employee of the business or of a government entity who is responsible for the work.
003.01B A Soil Evaluator is authorized to engage in the soil evaluation of onsite wastewater systems.
003.01C An Inspector is authorized to engage in the inspecting or soil evaluation of onsite wastewater systems.
003.01D A Master Pumper or Journeyman Pumper is authorized to engage in the pumping or repair of onsite wastewater systems, except that a Journeyman Pumper is only authorized to engage in this activity in accordance with the following restrictions:
003.01D.1 The Journeyman Pumper is employed by a Master Pumper, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is responsible for the work; or
003.01D.2 The Journeyman Pumper is employed by a business or government entity that has a Master Pumper, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is an owner, officer, or employee of the business or government entity and responsible for the work.
003.02 Authorization to Practice under Hardship Certificates - A person holding a valid Hardship Certificate is authorized to practice in those categories listed on the certificate in accordance with Authorizations to Practice under Certificates by Examination of this Section.

004 No person will engage in the siting, layout, construction, reconstruction, alteration, modification, repair, closure, or otherwise changing of a private onsite wastewater system unless a Master Installer, a Journeyman Installer, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is responsible for such work is physically present at the site where such work is being performed and is supervising the work, except that a Soil Evaluator or an Inspector may perform soil evaluation for the purpose of aiding in siting and layout.

005 No person will engage in the pumping of a private onsite wastewater system unless a Master Pumper, a Journeyman Pumper, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is responsible for such work is physically present at the site where such work is being performed and is supervising the work.

006 No person will engage in the inspecting of a private onsite wastewater system unless an Inspector, Master Installer, a professional engineer, or a registered environmental health specialist who is responsible for the work is physically present at the site where such work is being performed and is supervising the work.

007 Hardship Certificate. A Hardship Certificate may be issued to an individual upon submittal of a complete application and an application fee in accordance with the fee schedule in Appendix A. The purpose of a Hardship Certificate is to waive PDH requirements.
007.01 Submittal of a request for certification by hardship will include the words “Application for Onsite Hardship Certification” and state the conditions of the hardship and include evidence supporting competency in the categories in which the individual is seeking certification. The request will include: (1) the applicants name and license number, (2) the number of PDH for which the hardship is sought, (3) a narrative explaining what circumstances beyond the applicants control prevented completion of all or part of the continuing education requirements including but not limited to: pertinent dates and identification of persons by name, address, and telephone number, who have direct knowledge of the grounds claimed for waiver, and (4) documentation of the circumstances which prevented the licensee from fulfilling the PDH requirements.
007.02 A separate hardship application with application fee will be required for each category of certificate that the applicant applies for.
007.03 A hardship certificate expires 180 days after the date of issuance.

008 Certificate by Examination


008.01 To obtain a certificate by examination in any category, an applicant must pass an examination administered by the Department.


008.02 All certificates by examination expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year unless renewed in accordance with this Chapter.


008.03 Application for Certificate by Examination. An applicant for certification by examination is to submit the following to the Department: a certificate application fee and an examination fee in accordance with Appendix A and a complete application on a form provided by the Department


008.03A The Director may waive certification and examination fees pursuant to Neb. Rev. Sta. § 81-15,248(4).

008.03A.1 The application for certification or for certificate renewal for which the fee waiver is requested will include verification of employment as an inspector of onsite wastewater treatment systems by a local governmental agency or subdivision.

008.03A.2 The Department may request additional information as needed to verify employment or to determine that the local inspection program is at least as stringent as the requirements in this Title.

008.03A.3 An Inspector who is granted this fee waiver will be limited to inspecting as a government employee within the jurisdiction and under the authority of that local governmental agency or subdivision.


008.03B All applications received less than five days prior to a scheduled examination date may be held for the next scheduled examination date.


008.03C An individual seeking certification by examination in multiple categories of certification may submit a single application for certification by examination with one application fee for one or more categories, but must submit the examination fee for each examination to be taken. A separate examination is required for each category sought. Where application is made for multiple categories and certification application fees for the categories are different, the applicant will submit the highest fee.


008.03D An applicant who fails an examination will be permitted to be re-examined at a subsequent examination. An applicant who desires to be re-examined will submit an application for certification by examination as identified in 008.03 above and the examination fee in accordance with the fee schedule (Appendix A). The certificate application fee is not required for re-examination within two years of initial application as noted below. An applicant who fails three examinations in succession will obtain a minimum of six hours of approved continuing education prior to re-examination. Failure to pass the examination within two years of the date the initial application for certification by examination was received will result in the rejection of the application. An individual whose application has been so rejected who desires certification will submit a new application for certification by examination and the applicable examination and application fees.


008.03E Adding Categories to Current Certificates


008.03E.1 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Master Installer, Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator category may apply for addition of other categories to the certificate by submitting an application for certification by examination as identified in 008.03 above and the examination fee for each additional category and passing the appropriate exam.

008.03E.2 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may apply to add the Journeyman Pumper category, and a certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may apply to add the Journeyman Installer category to the certificate by submitting an application for certification by examination and the examination fee for the additional category and passing the appropriate exam.

008.03E.3 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may apply for certification in the category of Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator by submitting a new application for certification by examination and the examination fee for each additional category, and submit the difference in certificate fees between the Journeyman Installer certificate fee and the Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator certificate fee and passing the appropriate exam.


008.03E.4 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may apply for certification in the category of Master Installer, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator by submitting a new application for certification by examination and the examination fee for each additional category, and submit the difference in certificate fees between the Journeyman Pumper certificate fee and the Master Installer, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator certificate fee and passing the appropriate exam.


008.03E.5 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may upgrade to a Master Installer category, and a certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may upgrade to a Master Pumper category, by submitting a completed application for certification by examination and the difference in certificate fees between the two certificates.


008.04 Renewal of Certificates. To renew a valid certificate, the certified professional will submit to the Department a certificate renewal fee in accordance with the fee schedule (Appendix A) and a complete application for renewal, including the certified professional’s record of continuing education, on a form provided by the Department.


008.04A If the Department does not receive the application for renewal, which includes the renewal fee and record of continuing education, prior to the expiration date of the certificate, the certificate will expire.

008.04B The certificate of any certified professional who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements of this Chapter will expire on the expiration date of the certificate.

008.04C Late Renewal of Expired Certificate


008.04C.1 A person may late renew their expired certificate within 60 days after the certificate has expired by submitting to the Department a properly completed application for onsite certificate renewal , record of continuing education, the certificate renewal fee (Appendix A), and a $50 late renewal penalty.

008.04C.2 The late renewal application (which includes the record of continuing education, certificate renewal fee, and late penalty) must be received by the Department no later than 60 days after the certificate has expired.

008.04C.3 Once the 60 day late renewal period has expired, in order to obtain certification the individual is to submit an application for certification by examination, including the application fee along with the examination fee for each category, and pass the examination for each category desired.


008.04D The Department will not renew a certificate or issue a new certificate to an individual whose certificate has been revoked until at least one year has passed since the date of revocation.

005.04E If insufficient PDH are obtained prior to renewal, the person may renew by examination. To renew by examination the person will submit: certification examination fee, certificate of renewal fee, and a completed application form. In addition, the person must pass the appropriate exam administered by the Department.

008.05 Examination Development and Administration


008.05A Examinations for certification will be developed and administered by the Department.


008.05B Examinations for certification will be designed to test the general knowledge of the applicants regarding onsite wastewater construction standards, soils and geology of the state, rules and regulations of this Title, and any other knowledge the Department deems essential to the successful practice of the profession for which certification is requested.


008.05C The examinations will be by open book testing. The Department will make available to each examinee at the test site a copy of this Title and other documents which cover the subject matter tested in the exam. Any materials brought by examinees to the examination site for use in completing the examination may be subject to inspection by examination proctors and subject to confiscation or exclusion from the examination area for the duration of the exam without advance notice to examinees.


008.05D The Department may provide for special arrangements in administering the examinations to accommodate special circumstances without compromising the examination purposes or integrity. Such special circumstances may include but not be limited to reading difficulties, physical skills limitations or absence from the state during regular examination dates. Accommodations may include special proctors or readers, oral examination, dictation of answers or use of non-resident proctors.


008.05E Applicants must show photographic identification at the examination site to be admitted for examination.

008.05F All applicants will be notified in writing regarding examination results. Results will be reported as either pass or fail.



008.05G Applicants who pass an examination in any category will be issued a certificate in that category. A passing grade of 80 percent will be required for certification in any category.

009 Professional Development Hours (PDH)


009.01 Required PDHs for Certificate Renewal. A certified professional will successfully complete a minimum of 12 PDHs of continuing education during every two-year certificate period.

009.01A For a certificate issued in the first or even numbered year of the two-year certificate period a certified professional will successfully complete a minimum of 12 PDHs of continuing education during the first certificate period.



009.01B For certificates issued in the second or odd numbered year of the two-year certificate period there are no PDH requirements until the next 2-year cycle.


009.01C PDHs completed within 30 days prior to obtaining initial certification by examination will be accepted for the purposes of complying with the PDH requirement for certificate renewal.

009.02 A PDH is to be recorded to the nearest quarter-hour (15 minutes).

009.03 A maximum of six PDHs acquired in excess of the minimum hours required during any certificate cycle may be carried over into the next two-year certificate cycle. If a certificate has expired and the late renewal period has lapsed there can be no carryover of PDHs.

009.04 All PDHs for certificate renewal will be from courses or programs approved by the Department. These courses or programs must be appropriate, directly associated with the onsite wastewater industry or related workplace safety, cover topics related to the responsibilities carried on by the certified professional, and provide information or training that serves to enhance a certified professional’s knowledge of and ability to perform activities that protect the public health and the environment.


009.04A Any person may submit to the Department a proposed program or course for approval to be counted as PDHs. The submission of a proposed course or program is to be at least 60 days prior to the date the proposed program or course is offered for presentation. The Department may request additional information as determined necessary to fully evaluate the proposed course or program. The Department will evaluate and determine the number of professional development hours that a certified professional can claim for successful, documented completion of the course or program.

009.04B A maximum of two professional development hours in each two-year certification cycle may be from pre-approved courses peripheral to the actual activity of the onsite wastewater industry such as business tax law, accounting, insurance, or first aid training. For the purposes of PDHs, work place safety and protection of work activities will be considered directly related to the actual activity of the onsite wastewater industry.

009.05 Continuing education records are to be maintained by the certified professional and submitted to the Department as part of application for certificate renewal. Continuing education records including evidence of participation are to be retained by the certified professional for a minimum of three years and are to be submitted to the Department upon request.
009.06 The Department may waive or exempt a certified professional from continuing education requirements or extend the period for completion of the required continuing education, in whole or in part, for any period for which the certified professional submits documentation supporting an exemption for circumstances beyond his or her control which prevented completion of such requirements.

010 Certification Endorsement


010.01 An endorsement may be issued, upon successful completion of examination, authorizing the certified professional so endorsed to engage in special activities or procedures that require advanced training or skills identified in this Title as requiring an endorsement to perform.

010.02 An endorsement to engage in a special activity or procedure will only be issued to a person holding a valid certificate in the appropriate category.


010.03 Application and Examination for Endorsement. Application for endorsement is to include submittal of a completed form provided by the Department and submittal of the endorsement application fee and the examination fee in accordance with the fee schedule (Appendix A). A separate application and examination fee will be required for each endorsement examination.
010.03A Any application received less than five days prior to a scheduled examination date may be held for the next scheduled examination date.


010.03B Applicants will be required to show photographic identification at the examination site to be admitted for examination.


010.03C Applicants will be notified in writing regarding examination results. Results will be reported as either pass or fail.


010.03D Applicants who pass an examination for endorsement will be issued an endorsement to their certificate.

010.03E Applicants who fail and desire to be re-examined for endorsement are to submit an application and the examination fee as specified in 010.03 above.

010.04 An endorsement will automatically renew upon the renewal of the certificate to which it is attached.

010.05 An endorsement expires upon the expiration, suspension, or revocation of the certificate to which it is attached, except that an endorsement may be late renewed in conjunction with late renewal of the certificate to which it is attached. An individual whose endorsement has expired who desires to obtain a new endorsement is to re-apply and meet all requirements for endorsement by examination in accordance with requirements of this section.


011 All fees are nonrefundable.

0012 A certified professional may only practice in the categories in which they hold a valid certificate.



013 Notice of a disciplinary action taken in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-15,249 will be issued by the director through certified mail to the affected certificate holder at that individual's last known address. That notice will state the reason(s) for the action, the effective date of the action, and the steps the certificate holder may take to contest the action.


Enabling Legislation: Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-15,244; 81-15,247; 81-15,248; & 81-15,252.