64E-6.020. Master Septic Tank Contractors

(1) A septic tank contractor or a plumbing contractor certified under Section 489.105(3)(m), F.S., who is eligible under Section 489.553(5)(a) and (b), F.S., may apply to the department on Form DH 4105, 10/96, Application for Master Septic Tank Contractor Registration, hereby incorporated by reference, to take the master contractor examination provided by the contractor:

(a) Has been in “active” status for the three years immediately preceding the date of application. This time period may not be interrupted by more than 60 accumulated days as “inactive” or include any registration probation or suspension imposed by the department through administrative action.

(b) Has not been assessed more than $500 in administrative penalties by the department in the three years immediately preceding the date of application.

(c) Does not have an outstanding fine assessed pursuant to this chapter which is in final order status and judicial reviews are exhausted.

(d) Has successfully resolved any disciplinary action involving septic tank contracting where an administrative action was commenced by the department prior to the filing of the application.

(e) Has not been convicted of, found guilty of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a crime in any jurisdiction which is related to the practice of contracting for the three years immediately preceding the date of application.

(f) Has successfully completed 30 hours of master contractor course work approved by the department. At a minimum, this course work shall include training and testing of soil classification, system design and theory, system material and construction standards, and regulatory requirements.

(2) Completed applications for registration must be received by the department Onsite Sewage Program office at least 21 days prior to examination. In order to be complete, the application must have all appropriate spaces filled, be signed and dated by the applicant, be reviewed by the county health department where the applicant’s primary place of business is located, and include a money order or sufficiently funded check in the correct amount.

(3) Eligible applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive examination administered by the department. Minimum passing score for the examination shall be a 70 percent correct response to the examination questions.

(4) Successful applicants shall be issued a master septic tank contractor certificate after they have paid the registration fee.

(5) Master septic tank contractor certificates shall be renewed only after the contractor has completed 18 classroom hours of approved instruction for each renewal cycle. At least 6 classroom hours must be successfully completed in an approved master contractor course. Instructional time spent by a master septic tank contractor in providing department approved continuing education training shall receive credit as master contractor course hours. Application for renewal shall be made on Form DH 4076, 01/03, Application for Septic Tank Contractor Registration Renewal, herein incorporated by reference, accompanied by the required supporting documentation and fees.

(a) A master septic tank contractor who only completes 12 classroom hours of approved instruction during the renewal cycle shall revert to registered septic tank contractor status and shall apply for renewal under Rule 64E-6.021, F.A.C.

(b) Applications for renewal not submitted in a timely and complete manner shall revert to inactive status. Each application for renewal shall be considered filed in a timely manner if it is postmarked prior to close of business on the date of expiration of the certificate. If that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the date of expiration shall be the first working day after the expiration date of the certificate. Application for renewal of an inactive certificate shall be made on Form DH 4076, Application for Septic Tank Contractor Registration Renewal, accompanied by the required supporting documentation and fees.

(c) The department shall deny an application for renewal for an outstanding administrative penalty with the department where the penalty is final agency action and all judicial reviews are exhausted.

(d) Master contractors with “inactive” certificates shall be reinstated to “active” upon completion of the following:

1. Take sufficient continuing education courses and pay registration fees to cover the inactive period, or

2. Retake and pass the comprehensive examination.

(e) Master contractor certificates not renewed within five renewal cycles of the expiration date shall comply with subsections 64E-6.020(1) through (4), F.A.C., to be reinstated as active.

(6) All materials incorporated herein may be obtained from the Bureau of Onsite Sewage Programs at www.MyFloridaEH.com or 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1713.

Rulemaking Authority 489.553(3), 489.557(1) FS. Law Implemented 489.552, 489.553, 489.554 FS. History–New 2-13-97, Formerly 10D-6.0725, Amended 2-3-98, 4-21-02, 6-18-03, 11-26-06.