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Frequently Asked Questions
This is a list of frequently asked questions. If the information you need is not listed here, please Contact Us.
1. In Florida, who is allowed to
do work on a septic system?
a.
A homeowner doing work at his or her owner-occupied single
family home only.
b.
A state plumber, licensed pursuant to section 489.105(3)(m), FS.
c.
A septic tank contractor registered pursuant to Part III of
Chapter 489, FS, and Part III of Rule 64E-6, F.A.C.
2. Is experience under a licensed
plumber equivalent to that obtained under a registered septic
tank contractor?
Yes, provided the
applicant can document that septic tank contracting services
were rendered under the supervision of a state plumber licensed
pursuant to section 489.105 (3)(m), FS.
3. Is a state licensed plumber
exempt from septic tank installation permits, inspections and
other Rule 64E-6, F.A.C., requirements?
No. The state
licensed plumber is only exempt from the septic tank contractor
registration requirement. All other requirements found in
Rule 64E-6, FAC and section 381.0065 - 381.00655, FS, pertaining
to the installation, repair, modification, maintenance, and
septic tank pumping and abandonment, must be met.
4. Is out-of-state septic tank work
experience acceptable to qualify for the septic tank contractor
registration examination?
Out-of-state work
experience shall be accepted on a year for year basis for any
applicant who demonstrates that they hold a current statewide
license for septic tank contracting which was issued upon
satisfactory completion of an equivalent examination and
required continuing education courses for renewal. For purposes
of this section, an equivalent examination means that at a
minimum, the following topics were tested and passed: system
location and installation; site evaluation criteria; system size
determinations; disposal of septage; construction standards for
drainfield systems and U.S. Department of Agriculture soil
textural classification system. A person employed by and
under the supervision and control of such a licensed contractor
shall be granted up to two years of related work experience.
5. Is septic tank work experience
documented with IRS Form 1099 acceptable to qualify for the
septic tank contractor registration examination?
No. IRS Form
1099 specifically documents non-employee compensation for
services rendered. This type of work experience indicates
a possible sub-contractual relationship between a registered
septic tank contractor and an individual who is not allowed
under Florida rules and statutes to offer to contract or provide
septic tank contracting activities.
6. When and where are septic tank
contractor registration examinations offered?
Examinations are
offered in Tallahassee and Orlando on the last Monday of each
month (excluding December and holidays). Examinations are
scheduled from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
7. Is there a course requirement
prior to application for septic tank contractor registration
examinations?
No.
8. Are there any penalties for
individuals or companies who offer or provide septic tank
contracting services without a registration and/or a business
authorization from the department?
Yes.
Individuals and companies may be subject to administrative
actions, citations, fines and other legal actions, if services
are performed or offered without the benefit of a registration
and a business authorization.
9. Can a registered septic tank
contractor authorize more than one business?
No. A
registered septic tank contractor may not be the sole qualifier
for more than one septic tank contracting business requiring a
certificate of authorization.
10. Can an authorized septic tank business
advertise under multiple (more than one) business names?
No. An
authorized septic tank business may only advertise under the
business name authorized with the department.
11. Can an authorized septic tank contracting
business continue to operate after losing its sole qualifying
contractor?
An authorized
business organization which loses its qualifying contractor
shall have 60 days from the date the qualifying contractor left
the business to obtain another qualifying
contractor. During this time, the authorized business may
not undertake any new contracts. Existing and ongoing
(cyclical) contracts executed by the registered septic tank
contractor prior to his or her leaving the authorized business may be completed during this time.
12. Who offers continuing education courses
required for registration renewals?
Continuing education
courses are typically offered by private associations (i.e,
Florida Onsite Wastewater Association, Florida Environmental
Health Association, etc.) You may contact the Bureau of
Onsite Sewage Programs for
listings of approved continuing education courses.
13. Can a registered septic tank contractor be
exempt from the certificate of business authorization?
Yes. A registered contractor offering septic tank contracting
under his given name, as a sole proprietorship, is exempt from the
business authorization certificate. Example: John Doe Septic, with
John Doe as the only owner would not be required for filing. If
John Doe's wife Jane were also an owner, a fictitious name would need to
be filed and a certificate of authorization would be required.
Also, John's Septic or Doe's Septic would require the filing of a
fictitious name and a certificate of authorization.
If you are exempt from filing with the Department of State for a
fictitious name, you are exempt from the certificate of authorization.
14. Do I need to be a
registered septic tank contractor to pump septic tanks?
Yes. Registered septic tank contractors (and state-licensed plumbers) may pump septic tanks
with an appropriate active service permit from their
local county health department.
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