Training for Septic System Installers and Inspectors

In the news: Septic Systems: The Underground Cost of North Carolina’s Growth

For complete requirements for certification, visit www.ncowcicb.info , click on how to receive certification.

Septic System Installer and Inspector Certification Updates

The NCOWCICB has updated the requirements for Installer and Inspector certification. Please review the changes below:

Installer Certification

  • Effective 1/1/2025:
    • Moving forward there will only be Level II and Level IV certifications.
      • Grade Level I certification holders will be grandfathered into Grade Level II and Grade Level III certification holders will be grandfathered into Grade Level IV.
    • Certification as a Level IV Installer will require a minimum of two years as a Level II Installer.
    • An exam is now required for both Level II and Level IV certifications.
  • Effective 1/1/2026:
    • Level II installers seeking to become Level IV installers will no longer be able to take a random 6-hr continuing education class for Level IV certification. Instead, they will be required to take Advancement to GL IV which is a 6 hour class designed to address systems specific to GL IV. 

Inspector Certification

  • Effective 1/1/2025:
    • Certification as an Inspector will require a minimum of two years as a Level IV Installer or Evaluator or Subsurface Operator.
    • In lieu of the 2 year requirement, applicants will need to take all of the education required for GL IV certification (Introductory Installer Training + Advancement to GL IV class).
  • Effective 1/1/2026:
    • The Inspector School for Time-of-Sale Inspections will be a 30 hour class. In making this change the applicant will no longer be required to take a 6 hour class in addition to the inspector class.

Septic System Installer and Inspector Certification Process

Steps for Certification as a North Carolina Installer or Inspector

Installer Certification

  1. Register and take the Introductory Installer Training.
  2. For Level II certification – proceed to application. For Level IV certification – hold Level II Installer Certification for 2 years + complete Advancement to GL IV class prior to application.
  3. Submit your application to NCOWCIB. Application forms and instructions are found at https://ncowcicb.info/.
  4. Take the NCOWCICB Septic Installer Exam. Both Level II and Level IV applicants must take the exam. Exam dates are found at https://ncowcicb.info/.
  5. Keep up with your continuing education for renewal. All certifications require continuing education training each year prior to Nov 15, in order to renew the certification for the next year. Level II certifications require 3 hours of continuing education training and Level IV certifications require 6 hours of continuing education training. Continuing education opportunities can be found on our website: go.ncsu.edu/wastewater-ce.

Inspector Certification

  1. Hold a current Grade Level IV Installer Certification/Authorized On-site Wastewater Evaluator/Subsurface Operator Certification for a minimum of two years OR complete all of the education required for GL IV certification (Introductory Installer Training + Advancement to GL IV class) prior to application.
  2. Register and take the Inspector School for Time-of-Sale Inspections.
  3. Submit your application to NCOWCIB. Application forms and instructions are found at https://ncowcicb.info/.
  4. Take the NCOWCICB Septic Inspector Exam. Exam dates are found at https://ncowcicb.info/.
  5. Keep up with your continuing education for renewal. All Inspector certifications require 6 hours of continuing education training each year prior to Nov 15, in order to renew the certification for the next year. Continuing education opportunities can be found on our website: go.ncsu.edu/wastewater-ce.

Introductory
Installer Training

Inspector School
for Time-of-Sale Inspections
 

Additional Training Options
Introduction

This course introduces students to the basics of onsite wastewater and illustrates how septic systems function. You will learn the most important points about installing gravity distribution septic systems and how to use Best Management Practices for system installation to increase the lifespan of your clients’ septic systems.

2026 Schedule
February 16-18 (Mills River) – Click here to register
 
May 4-6 (Raleigh) – Click here to register
 
August 17-19 (Mills River) – Click here to register
 
November 2-4 (Raleigh) – Click here to register
 
Registration Fee:

$750  – Due within 2 weeks of registering.

Make Check Payable to NCSU

If the above classes are full, we use a waiting list to help fill upcoming classes.
Click here to join the WAITING LIST

Agenda
8:00am-5:00pm
Day 1
  • Septic system function and operation
  • Understanding conventional systems
  • Septic systems in the environment
  • Permitting
  • State rules and enforcement
  • Planning and site preparation
  • Tanks, trenches, outlet filters, & risers
  • Field demonstrations
Day 2
  • Distribution devices
  • Conventional, accepted, & innovative systems
  • Layouts and elevations
  • Safety
  • Field demonstrations
Day 3
  • Modifications to systems
  • Local health department inspections
  • Layout problems
  • Drain field and trench media
  • Field demonstrations
  • Functioning as a team with the local health department
Introduction

Proper inspections are key to ensuring an onsite system is acceptable for property transfer or adding on to an existing structure. This school was designed specifically to teach individuals how to properly perform property transfer inspections and prepare them for the certification exam offered by the NCOWCICB.

2026 Schedule
May 26-29 (Raleigh) – Click here to register

Registration Fee:
$750  – Due within 2 weeks of registering.

Make Check Payable to NCSU

We use a waiting list to help fill upcoming classes.

Click here to join the WAITING LIST

Agenda
8:00am-5:00pm
Day 1

  • Principles of wastewater
  • Types of onsite wastewater systems used in NC
  • Basic rules of onsite systems
  • Inspector rules  
  • How to get certified
  • Safety
  • Preparation prior to site visit/logistics
  • Field instruction
  • Inspection Practicum-actively in use onsite wastewater system
Day 2
  • Onsite wastewater system components
  • Site/source review
  • Tankage inspection
  • Controls and Pumps
  • Distribution and dispersal
  • Field instruction
  • Pumping of Septic Tank
  • Inspection Practicum-actively in use onsite wastewater system
Day 3
  • Advanced pretreatment
  • Disinfection
  • Field Instruction
  • Final report
  • Special Conditions
  • Protecting the Industry
  • Inspection Practicum-actively in use onsite wastewater system
  • Onsite Inspector Review
Advancement to GL IV

Effective 1/1/26 Level IV installer applicants will need to take the Advancement to GL IV class to upgrade to level IV.

Please note: The Advancement to GL IV class is only required for Level II installers who are advancing to a Level IV. The Advancement to Level IV class does not count towards continuing education credits so it cannot be taken by anyone other than Level II installers seeking to become Level IV installers.

Classes must meet a 5 person minimum. In the event that a class does not meet this requirement, the class will be cancelled. If this occurs, you will receive a notification at least 3 days prior to your class and your payment will be refunded.

2026 Schedule
February 20 (Mills River) – Click here to register

May 18 (Raleigh) – Click here to register

Sept 22 (Mills River) – Click here to register

Dec 11 (Raleigh) – Click here to register

 

Registration Fee:
$200  – Due within 2 weeks of registering.

Make Check Payable to NCSU


Continuing Education Options:
3-hour and 6-hour courses can be found on this webpage:

 

NCOWCICB Exam Information
Visit the NCOWCICB website for exam dates and the exam registration form.
www.ncowcicb.info

 

Registration Information

NOTE:  Your course fee must be paid in full upon acceptance to a course.  No refunds, transfers, or cancellations will be allowed.

Registration fees include course materials, bottled water, lunch each day, and a certificate of attendance.

Raleigh Classroom Address:

Booth Field Learning Lab
4000 Chi Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

Mills River Classroom Address:

Mountain Horticultural Crops Ext Ctr
455 Research Dr
Mills River, NC 28759

Contact:

Jamie Luther
919-513-3321

Jazmin Garcia-Lawson
919-513-3224

soils_training@ncsu.edu