OWTS Licensed Professionals
NOTICE
The RIDEM OWTS (Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems) Permitting program licenses 5 different categories of OWTS Professionals. There are 4 types of septic designers (Class-I, Class-II, Class-III, and Class-IV) and licensed Installers. An individual seeking to obtain one of these licenses must apply for and pass a written exam pending they meet the minimum qualifications to apply. Licenses expire every 3 years and must be renewed upon expiration. Each license type requires a different prerequisite and allows the individual to perform differing septic work. An outline of each category can be found below, but for more information visit our Rules and Regulations.
Permitting activities are divided into three main stages: site-suitability, design review, and construction inspection.
- Site-suitability is a preliminary stage which assesses the suitability of a parcel of property for on-site sewage disposal.
- Design review entails a review to determine a design's compliance with State standards, rule, and regulations including setbacks to drinking water wells, water supplies, and sensitive water bodies. Proper design and installation is essential to protect public health and avert the potential adverse impacts of OWTS on water resources.
- Construction inspections are conducted during installation in addition to the inspections conducted by the Designer.
Annually, the program undertakes approximately 2,300 suitability assessments, 5,000 permit reviews, and 11,600 inspections. Additionally, the program has developed a process for approving innovative septic system technology. As a result of 1997 revisions to the OWTS legislation, a licensing program (including training and examination) for private-sector professional designers and installers is being created in order to allow RIDEM staff to concentrate on major projects and proactive planning and policy development.
OWTS Professionals
- List of Licensed OWTS Designers and Soil Evaluators
- List of Licensed OWTS Installers
- BSF Trained Installers & Designers
- Permitted Septage Transporters
- Septic System Inspectors
- Innovative and Alternative Systems Service Provider Registry
- OWTS Licensing Disciplinary Actions
Continuing Education
- Continuing Education Opportunities
- URI Soils Workshops
- New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program
- OWTS CEU Policy and Reporting Form
Study Guides & Exams
- Exam Schedule for OWTS Licensing
- Designer Exam Study Guides:
- Approved Soil Courses (CL-IV Exam Eligibility)
OWTS Licensing Applications and Forms
- Application for Class-III License 2021/2022
- Class-II Renewal Form With and Without Class-IV License 2021
- Class-III Renewal Form With and Without Class-IV License 2021
- Self Reporting CEU Form
- OWTS Installers' Examination and License Application 2022
- OWTS Designers' License Examination (Classes I and II) Application
- OWTS Soil Evaluators' License Examination Application
- Cl-IV Soil Evaluator Exam Eligibility Assessment Request Form
- Approved Soil Courses (Cl-IV Exam Eligibility)
- Application for New Designers’ License (Classes I,II, and IV)
- 2020 CIass I Designer Renewal Application Form
- 2020 Installer License Renewal Application Form
- View all forms
OWTS Rules
Guidance Documents
- Groundwater Table Adjustment Factors
- O&M Service Provider Checklists
- Septic System Checkup Manual
- System Suitability Determination Guide
- Soil Evaluation Guidance
- Guidelines for the Design, Use, and Maintenance of Pressurized Drainfields - November 2013
- OWTS Construction Permit Application Guidance
Fact Sheets:
- Exam Eligibility Fact Sheet
- URI Septic System Fact Sheets
- Water Softener Backwash BMPs
- Financial Assistance for Septic System Repairs
- Obtaining a Permit for a New Home's Septic System
- OWTS Application for Repair
- Home Improvement- Application for Alteration to a Structure
- Home Improvement- Residential OWTS Suitability Determination
- Wet Season Groundwater Table Monitoring
- 2002 EPA Design Manual
- Summary of R.I. Municipal Onsite Wastewater Programs