Certification
Portable Sanitation Certification Requirements by State<br
States in GREEN have accessible files listed in state list below.
Levels of Certification
There are two levels of certification based on how many hours of job experience a candidate has:
- A Certified Portable Sanitation Professional (CPSP) has at least 2,000 hours of front-line experience
- A Certified Portable Sanitation Apprentice (CPSA) has been on the job for fewer than 2,000 hours. That’s one year of experience working full-time in a role such as service technician, driver, pick-up and delivery worker or similar position
How to Become Certified
Introducing the Portable Sanitation Association International’s (PSAI) new On-Demand Online Certification Program! Accessible through our cutting-edge Online Learning Center, this program offers industry professionals the convenience and flexibility to enhance their skills and knowledge at their own pace. Whether you’re aiming to advance your career or stay current with industry standards, our comprehensive courses are tailored to meet your needs. Visit our Online Learning Center through the link below and take the next step in your professional development today.
To be eligible for certification, an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Valid driver’s license
- Ability to read, speak and write the English language
- Physical strength and agility to perform the tasks
- Commitment to upholding the CPSP Code of Ethics
The certification process is as follows:
- Submit the application and supporting documents
- Pay the appropriate fees
- Prepare for the exam
- Successfully pass the examination
Join the PSAI Today!
Don't miss out on great member benefits!Certification Renewal & Upgrade Requests
Read below to learn how to renew or upgrade your certification.
How to Renew
You will need six (6) Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) from industry-related trainings within the past three (3) years to renew your credential. These trainings could include, but are not limited to, PSAI Virtual Roundtables, PSAI Trainings, PSAI Nuts & Bolts Conference, PSAI Convention & Trade Show and other industry educational programs. To do this, you will be asked to submit a list of your CEHs as well as a renewal request. Upon transcript review, CEH approval and payment of appropriate fees, the PSAI will issue a new certificate with your new expiration date.
Fill out the form to begin the process of renewing your certification (CPSP/CPSA) credential.
How to Upgrade
A Certified Portable Sanitation Apprentice (CPSA) who has logged 2,000 hours of front-line experience in the portable sanitation industry may upgrade his/her credential to the Certified Portable Sanitation Professional (CPSP) level at any time.
To do this, you must provide documentation of your front-line experience. If you are self-employed, this documentation must include one or more references who can verify the hours you have spent in the field.
If you have questions about how to provide the proper documentation, please contact us.
Certifying Your Team
PSAI Certification is the approved licensing education for portable sanitation companies and/or their employees in several states.
Some states require that service technicians and company owners take the PSAI’s Basic Service Technician Training courses and pass the certification exam in order to be licensed. Illinois and Georgia are two examples. In other cases, companies like yours have decided that it just makes good sense to train and certify the entire team. We are here to help by offering the following options.
Attend Scheduled Trainings & Examinations
The easiest way to meet this goal is to enroll your team members in our virtual courses (live or on demand) or attend face-to-face training when it is offered throughout the year at events offered by the PSAI and allied organizations. If they take the training face to face, team members can take the exam at the same time. If they take the courses virtually, you will need to arrange for our online examination as described in our Program Manual. You can learn more about this in the “How to Become Certified” section above.
Arrange for a Company-Specific Training & Examination
If you have a large group and would like to get everyone trained at once, we may be able to help. Companies or groups of companies with 10 or more team members can work with the PSAI on the following options:
- In-person training and exam sessions at your site — Your company is responsible for all usual fees plus time and travel costs for the trainer/examiner
- Virtual training and exam sessions on mutually agreeable dates — Your company is responsible for all usual fees plus time costs for the trainer and any fees charged by the site examiner.
ALABAMA
Requires Certification for Route Service Technicians? 🚫 NO
Requires Certification for Portable Sanitation Companies? ✅ YES
PSAI Training & Certification fulfills Requirements?
The PSAI regularly applies for AOWB CE Credits for each offering of the Basic Service Technician Series, the Best Practices Series, and for our Conferences.
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Find out More from the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board Here!
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Check-out the PSAI's Basic Service Technician Training Series & Certification Exam
ALASKA
Requires Certification for Route Service Technicians? 🚫 NO
Requires Certification for Portable Sanitation Companies? 🚫 NO
ARIZONA
Requires Certification for Route Service Technicians? 🚫 NO
Requires Certification for Portable Sanitation Companies? 🚫 NO
ARKANSAS
Requires Certification for Route Service Technicians? 🚫 NO
Requires Certification for Portable Sanitation Companies? 🚫 NO
CALIFORNIA
Requires Certification for Route Service Technicians? 🚫 NO
Requires Certification for Portable Sanitation Companies? 🚫 NO
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Certification
Do you have questions about PSAI Certification? We have the answers!
Q: How long does an individual’s certification last?
A: PSAI Certification is valid for three (3) years after successful completion of the Basic Service Technician Training Series (if required by your state) and passing the certification exam. Renewal is required every three years.
At least six (6) hours of continuing education credit will be required to renew your credential in three years’ time. For more information, please refer to page 9 in the PSAI Professional Certification Program Manual.
Q: My state doesn’t require this. What benefits are there for becoming certified anyway?
A: Successful completion of the certification exam demonstrates exemplary knowledge of laws and best practices that apply to the portable sanitation industry. It puts you and your team at a competitive advantage with other companies. You can leverage this status when you apply for contracts, market your firm and seek insurance coverage.
In general, companies report that certified employees make fewer mistakes, have fewer accidents, and do a better job. It reflects well on your company and saves you money. If you reward people for attaining and maintaining their certification, it can help you retain them as workers as well.
Q: How many U.S. States accept PSAI Certification as fulfillment for educational requirements in governmental regulations?
A: Many states recognize PSAI’s training courses for continuing education requirements. Contact us for a list or to request that we work with your state. Currently, Illinois and Georgia recognize PSAI Certification as valid for licensure in those states. If you know that your state now recognizes PSAI Certification, please let us know.
Q: Can I host a certification exam at my company?
A: Generally, yes. Depending on whether you want training as well, and whether you want both to be in-person or virtual, there are several options and considerations. Review the information on this page or contact us.
Q: Is training required before taking the certification examination?
A: If it is required for licensure by your state or county (in Illinois and Georgia, for example) then yes, training is a pre-requisite for taking the examination.
If it is not required by your licensing body, then—strictly speaking—no, training is not mandatory. It is, however, wise to make sure anyone taking the examination has had some method of brushing up on the laws, rules, best practices, and other areas of competency covered by the examination. Training is a great way to do that.
Q: Can I buy the PSAI training program and deliver it myself at my company?
A: If you need the Basic Service Technician Training series for your employees, we can assist you with finding a qualified instructor or signing up your team for virtual training that is convenient for you.
Q: Is the certification examination available in Spanish?
A: No. After careful consideration, the PSAI Certification Commission determined that the examination would only be available in English for now.
Q: My question isn’t on this list. Where can I get more information?
A: The PSAI has published three resources about the certification program. They include:
- The PSAI Professional Certification Program Manual
- The Candidate Handbook for individuals seeking certification as a Portable Sanitation Apprentice or a Portable Sanitation Professional
- Background information on how the certification program and examination were developed and updated
If you have additional questions, please contact the PSAI office.