(A) The department shall promulgate regulations for the licensure of persons who contract or advertise to offer or provide services for installation, repair, modification, or final inspection and approval of onsite wastewater systems. These regulations must include:

(1) eligibility criteria to be licensed as an Onsite Wastewater Systems Contractor;

(2) a tiered licensing program defining various levels of competency and skill, including licenses that allow different combinations of installation, repair, modification, and final inspection and approval of onsite wastewater systems;

(3) a system for the department to monitor the quality of contractor installation, repair, modification, and final inspection and approval of onsite wastewater systems;

(4) minimum standards for training and continuing education for Onsite Wastewater Systems Contractors;

(5) bonding and insurance requirements for Onsite Wastewater Systems Contractors;

(6) the establishment and collection of administrative and licensing fees to cover the costs of this program; and

(7) enforcement guidelines and penalties for violations of the provisions of these regulations.

(B) The department shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the requirements for licensure of an Onsite Wastewater Systems Contractor, as provided for in subsection (A), items (1) through (7).

(C) Nothing in this chapter or regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter affect the department's authority, under Section 44-1-140 and regulation, to issue permits for the installation and construction of individual onsite wastewater systems.

HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 106, Section 1, eff January 1, 2008.