(a) The board shall establish the following types of licenses:
(1) A basic level installer license.
(2) An advanced level I installer license.
(3) An advanced level II installer license.
(4) A manufacturer's license.
(5) A pumper license.
(6) A portable toilet license.
(b) A person shall first obtain a basic level installer license before qualifying for an advanced level installer license. Additional areas of qualification and license levels may be established by the board based on future evaluations of industry needs and technology advancements.
(c) Licenses issued by the board shall be recognized as evidence of qualification and knowledge of the licensee by the Alabama Department of Public Health and county or local health authorities, and no other additional level of qualification or certification or other requirement shall be required by the Alabama Department of Public Health or any county or local health authorities for those persons engaged in the manufacture, installation, or servicing of onsite sewage systems.
(d) A license shall be issued for the current calendar year and the license shall be valid only for that calendar year. All licenses shall expire on December 31 of each calendar year.
(e) No individual, business, partnership, or corporation shall engage in the manufacture, installation, servicing, cleaning, or maintenance of an onsite sewage system installed in the State of Alabama unless the individual, or the person in responsible charge for the business, partnership, or corporation, has received the required specific license from the board. Persons engaged in the installation or servicing of onsite sewage systems shall obtain a basic level installer license for conventional onsite sewage systems or an advanced level installer license for engineered onsite sewage systems. All manufacturers of onsite sewage septic tanks or receptacles for onsite sewage systems shall qualify and obtain a manufacturer's license. Licenses issued under this chapter shall be granted to individuals meeting the criteria for qualification as established by this board. The licensee shall perform no work outside the level of competency stated on the certificate of license. An individual may be licensed in all areas of eligibility.
(f) No individual, business, partnership, or corporation shall advertise, solicit, bid, obtain permit, conduct business, or perform the function of manufacturing, installing, cleaning, servicing, repairing, or maintaining onsite sewage equipment or systems in Alabama unless the person or persons in responsible charge are licensed as defined in this chapter.
(g) No official charged with the duty of issuing business licenses to any individual, partnership, corporation, or other business entity to operate a business performing the function of manufacturing, installing, cleaning, servicing, repairing, or maintaining onsite sewage equipment or systems in Alabama shall issue such a business license unless there is presented for inspection a license certificate as provided herein issued by the board to the individual or to some person in responsible charge with the partnership, corporation, or business entity.
(h) No license shall be issued except to an individual. A firm, partnership, association, or corporation shall not be licensed. Partnerships, corporations, or other business entities shall designate the licensed individual in responsible charge under whose name its business is to operate to the local business licensing authority, the board, and the local health officials. If that designated person ceases to be employed by the business entity, notice shall be made immediately to the board and the local health officials. The partnership or corporation shall then have 45 days to re-designate a licensed individual responsible for work performed by the business entity. During this 45-day period, no work shall be initiated by the business entity without the knowledge and approval of local health officials. Any work performed during this time shall be inspected by local health officials and approved by the officials before being considered complete and put into operation. Under special circumstances, a business entity engaged in the manufacture of septic tanks can petition the board for an extension of time beyond the 45-day period to re-designate a licensed individual in a position of responsible charge under whose manufacturer's license the business is to operate. Under no condition may this extension of time extend more than three weeks past the date of the next examination offered by the board for a manufacturer's license.
(i) License certificates suitable for framing, bearing the licensee's name, level and type of license, license number, and the calendar year in which the license is valid shall be issued to all qualified licensees. Every licensee holding a license issued by the board shall display it in a conspicuous manner at his or her principal place of business.
(j) All licensees shall abide by all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. No license issued by the board may be sold or transferred. Any license misused may be revoked by the board.
(k) Every licensee shall notify the board of the address of his or her place of business, the counties in which he or she does business or performs work, and the name under which the business is carried on. Licensees shall give immediate notice to the board of any change in this information. Service of any process shall be achieved by mailing notice of such information by first class postage, U.S. Postal Service, to the address of record. No further service of process shall be required.
Last modified: May 3, 2021