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Liquid waste pumper/hauler
Certification exam
For on-site sewage/septic pumpers: Washington On-site Sewage System Association (WOSSA) pumper exam (O&M Level 1) and specialist exam (O&M Level 2) are accepted for pumper owner and pumper employee certifications. Those seeking pumper owner or pumper employee certifications in King County should contact WOSSA directly by phone at (253) 770-6594 to schedule the exam.
For all other liquid waste pumper/haulers: Proof of successful completion of a course that includes pathogen awareness is accepted in lieu of pumper exam.
Initial certification
After passing the required exam or training, the applicant must submit an application with proof that all requirements for certification are met along with a certification fee.
Certification application
Submit pumper owner certification (new) or pumper employee certification (new) application on SkipThePaper.com. You can view registration instructions here. Each company must also submit 1 vehicle inspection application (503 KB) with information about all company pump vehicles.
Requirements for certification application
1. Proof of successful completion of exam or course including pathogen awareness. For onsite sewage system pumpers, proof of successful completion of course on basics of onsite sewage systems.
Business owner only:
1. Proof of State of Washington minimum bonding requirements and contractor’s liability
2. Disposal site authorization letter for each disposal site, signed by the disposal site operator. Download the letter blank here (115 KB).
Certification renewal
All certifications expire on December 31 of each year. To renew professional certification for the following year, a certification renewal application and fee must be submitted by December 31.
Submit pumper owner certification (renew) or pumper employee certification (renew) application on SkipThePaper.com. You can view registration instructions here. Each company must also submit 1 vehicle inspection application (503 KB) with information about all company pump vehicles.
Renewal deadline and late fees
View the current fee schedule (86.5 KB)
- All certificates of competency expire December 31 of each year.
- Applications for renewal are accepted annually beginning in November. Exam re-take is not required.
- For liquid waste pumper/hauler: A late fee of 50% of the renewal amount will be charged for a renewal application received after January 15. After January 31, double the renewal fee will be charged. The applicant may be required to re-take the exam if the renewal application is not submitted by February 10.
- All fees are non-refundable.
Requirements for certification renewal application
Business owner only:
1. Proof of State of Washington minimum bonding requirements and contractor’s liability
2. Disposal site authorization letter for each disposal site, signed by the disposal site operator. Download the letter blank here (115 KB).
Liquid waste vehicle inspections
Every vehicle in use for pumping or hauling of liquid waste must be inspected before a pumper business owner certification, or certification renewal, is approved. Pre-scheduled inspections are offered at the Eastgate Environmental Health office.
Call King County Septic for scheduling: 206-477-8050
Please review the inspection checklist (24 KB) to ensure that each vehicle will receive a satisfactory inspection.
Each fall, inspections are also offered at the Renton septage disposal facility and Brightwater treatment plant. Certified liquid waste pumper/haulers will receive a notification via email about these inspection days.
Reference/study materials for certification exams
King County On-Site Sewage Code, Title 13, Code of the King County Board of Health
Chapter 246-272A WAC: On-site Sewage Systems
Basic Principles of On-Site Sewage*
*This document was prepared prior to the adoption of the 1995 on-site sewage rules. For items specific to Washington State rules see Chapter 246-272A WAC
USEPA, Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems-Design Manual
USEPA, The Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Manual