Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 241 - SUBSURFACE WASTEWATER DISPOSAL RULE › Section 144-241-16 - INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
SCOPE:
This section provides
				the minimum requirements for the Department to certify inspectors to perform
				disposal system inspections when a subsurface wastewater disposal system is
				located in the coastal Shoreland zone, as required in
				30-A
				MRS §
										4216.
B.
DISPOSAL SYSTEM INSPECTIONS IN THE
				SHORELAND ZONE:
Inspections of subsurface wastewater disposal systems
				located in the coastal Shoreland zone are required to comply with
				30-A
				MRS §4216 and must be performed by a
				person certified by the Department.
C.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Commencing on the effective date of this rule, disposal system inspectors must
				be certified by a nationally recognized organization approved by the Department
				that trains and certifies individuals to perform disposal system inspections.
				The Department will maintain a list of approved national certifications and
				update this list, as additional organizations are proposed to the Department
				for review and approval. Commencing on July 1, 2023, certification also
				requires that applicants submit a completed written examination consisting of
				25 questions derived from this rule of which 20 must be answered correctly. The
				examination will be available on the Department's website or by request, is an
				open book exam, and is intended to be completed at home to ensure that the
				applicant has reviewed and is familiar with the standards for disposal system
				design, permitting, installation and proper functioning. This examination is
				required of all applicants for certification, who are not licensed by the
				Department as site evaluators.
D.
PRIOR CERTIFICATION:
All disposal system inspector certifications
				issued by the Department prior to July 1, 2022 will expire on June 30, 2023.
				Holders of certifications issued prior to July 1, 2023 are required to obtain a
				Department approved national certification and pass the written examination
				prior to June 30, 2023, in order to continue certification.
E.
SITE EVALUATORS:
Individuals
				licensed by the Department as site evaluators may be certified upon request as
				disposal system inspectors. No additional certifications or examinations are
				required.
F.
STATE AND
				NATIONAL CERTIFICATION:
The Department may approve any state or national
				certification that it determines as providing training and knowledge regarding
				the inspection of subsurface wastewater disposal systems that meet or exceed
				the standards and practices found in this rule. For additional information
				please see,
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/index.shtml
G.
OPEN BOOK EXAMINATION:
Applicants must complete the open book examination posted on the Department's
				website and submit results with their application for certification. Answering
				20 out of 25 (80%) questions correctly will be considered a passing grade on
				the examination. All questions in the exam will be derived directly from this
				rule. Applicants may utilize this rule to determine correct answers to exam
				questions.
H.
APPLICATIONS
				FOR CERTIFICATION:
Applicants must submit a copy of their current and
				valid approved national certification, a completed open book examination, and a
				completed application for certification to the Department, to receive
				certification. Applicants with a current and valid approved national
				certification, a completed open book exam with a score of at least 80%, and a
				completed application form will be certified as disposal system inspectors by
				the Department.
I.
CERTIFICATION RENEWAL:
Department certification as a disposal
				system inspector is valid for up to three years. Each holder of certification
				as a disposal system inspector must earn a minimum of 12 Department approved
				professional development hours within each certification period, in order to
				obtain certification renewal. Applications for renewal must be made on a form
				provided by the Department and must include evidence that the required national
				inspector certification remains valid and in effect.
J.
RECIPROCITY:
The Department
				may issue a certification after successful completion of the open book exam to
				any person who holds a comparable registration, certification or license in any
				state, territory or possession of the United States or any country, if the
				Department determines that the requirements for registration, certification or
				licensure of wastewater disposal system inspectors under which the person's
				registration, certification or license was issued do not conflict with this
				rule.
K.
FEES:
There
				are no fees associated with Department certification as a disposal system
				inspector.