All persons desiring to obtain a license should request from the Executive Director instructions for obtaining any license issued by the Board. Persons desiring to be licensed must satisfy all the eligibility requirements for licensure. The Executive Director has the authority to Investigate backgrounds of prospective licensees and forward any questionable applications to the Board; Eligibility requirements to obtain a license for basic installer, pumper, portable restroom, manufacture are as follows: Contact the Executive Director or designee and request eligibility license application or it may be obtained off of the boards official website. Qualifications shall include: (1) Business Experience. (2) 12 months of work experience in the area of onsite sewage in the requested area of licensure to include company name and address, telephone number, position held, supervisor for the basic installer applicant. (3) 6 months of work experience in the area of onsite sewage in the requested area of licensure to include company name and address, telephone number, position held, supervisor for the pumper, portable restroom and manufacturer applicants. (4) other areas of eligibility may be required. Approved applicants will be notified via first class mail as well as a list of exam procedures to contact a sponsor of Board approved training to register for the initial training. Board approved sponsors shall be posted on the Boards web site in January of each year. The exam shall be given at the administrative office of the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board located in Montgomery, Alabama. Testing dates will be posted on the Boards website. An application for testing must be completed and returned with the appropriate testing fees to the office of the Executive Director. Testing fees may also be paid online via the Boards website. The minimum passing grade of all licensing examinations is 80 percent. 2 (two) hours shall be given to take any licensing exam. Successful candidates shall have 1 year (12 months) to obtain a license after exam, if a license is not obtained within said 12 months, candidates shall begin the licensing process anew. Successful candidates will receive information on completion of the licensure process along with their test results. Any person who fails an examination will be provided with information on reapplying. Those testing unsuccessfully can re-test two times with a minimum of fourteen days lapsing between each test. If a passing score is not achieved with the second re-test, the applicant must begin the licensing anew. Application packets containing licensing application for current year, and the bond along with all applicable fees shall be received and reviewed for accuracy by the Executive Director or designee of the Board. The Board's Executive Director or designee shall approve all complete applications for licensing; The minimum application requirements shall include, but are not limited to, the applicant's business experience, work experience, company name and address, business license number, business phone, email address, evidence of bond; citizenship status and being of the legal age of 18 in the State of Alabama. In the building trades, except that individuals 14 or 15 years of age who are members of the immediate family of the licensee may be employed in trades involving nonhazardous duties or occupations. Persons must first obtain an Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board (AOWB) Basic Level Installer License before qualifying for an AOWB Advanced Level I Installer License. To qualify for an AOWB Advanced Level I Installers License, an AOWB Basic Level Installer licensee, who has held the AOWB Basic Level Installer License for less than 10 years (of continuous active license service) shall complete a minimum of five (5) conventional onsite sewage systems as defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health and have held the AOWB Basic Level Installer License for not less than twenty-four (24) months and have obtained the Board required education. Documentation verifying these qualifications have been met must be submitted for an Advanced Level I Installers License. Persons must first obtain an AOWB Advanced Level I Installer License before qualifying for an AOWB Advanced Level II Installer License. To qualify for an AOWB Advanced Level II Installer License an AOWB Advanced Level I Installer License holder, (with less than 10 (ten) years of continuous active license service service) as an AOWB Advanced Level I Installer License, shall complete a minimum of 5 (five) engineered systems as defined by the Alabama Department of Public Health, have held the Advanced Level I Installer License for no less than twenty-four (24) months, and have obtained the Board required education. Documentation verifying these qualifications have been met must be submitted for an Advanced Level II Installer License.

Author: Melissa Hines

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§34-21A-1, et seq.

Editor’s Note: Rule .03 was renumbered to .04 per certification published October 31, 2019; effective December 15, 2019.

History: New Rule: Filed May 19, 2000; effective June 23, 2000. Amended: Filed September 28, 2004; effective November 2, 2004. Amended: Filed April 27, 2006; effective June 1, 2006. Amended: Filed April 24, 2009; effective May 29, 2009. Amended: Filed November 18, 2009; effective December 23, 2009. Amended: Filed June 14, 2010; effective July 19, 2010. Amended: Filed January 13, 2011; effective February 17, 2011. Amended: Filed August 1, 2012; effective September 5, 2012. Amended: Published October 31, 2019; effective December 15, 2019. Amended: Published September 30, 2020; effective November 14, 2020. Amended: Published December 31, 2025; effective February 14, 2026.