System Inspectors & Soil Evaluators: Training, Licensing, and Renewal

Individuals become approved Soil Evaluators or System Inspectors by taking a designated class and passing a written examination. The New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission administers classes and examinations on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For information about upcoming classes you can:

• Email the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (training@NEIWPCC.org) and write "MA Title 5 training" in the subject line;
• View their website directly where they advertise the trainings; or
• Contact NEIWPCC at:
  Wannalancit Mills
  650 Suffolk Street, Suite 410
  Lowell, MA 01854
  978-323-7929

When NEIWPCC schedules training sessions, they will notify people already on the waiting list.

You will need to supply proof that you qualify to take the classes. See "Proofs of Qualification for System Inspector Classes", below.

Massachusetts Professional Engineers (PEs) with a concentration in civil, sanitary or environmental engineering automatically qualify as System Inspectors under Title 5. However, they must provide documentation of their status to NEIWPCC, e.g., a photocopy of their license. Send proof to NEIWPCC at the address above.

Under Title 5, all System Inspectors and Soil Evaluators must renew their approvals on a 3-year cycle. In addition, they must obtain 10 hours of approved continuing education training (training contact hours, or TCHs) during this 3-year renewal period if this is a subsequent (2nd, 3rd, etc.) renewal. TCHs are not required for 1st- time renewals.

In order to maintain their approvals, System Inspectors and Soil Evaluators must submit a renewal form, proof of 10 TCHs (if subsequent renewal), and a fee of $100 by or before the current approval expiration date.

A reduced renewal fee of $75 has been authorized for System Inspectors and Soil Evaluators who are Board of Health employees. Eligibility is limited to municipal employees who serve as Board of Health inspector, health agent, or director. Volunteer Board members and private contracted agents/inspectors are NOT eligible.

For more information visit NEIWPCC's website or contact their Massachusetts Certification Hotline at 978-323-7929 x105, or email title5@neiwpcc.org. 

NEIWPCC maintains lists of approved system inspectors and soil evaluators. To update your information in NEIWPCC's lists, please contact them directly:

Paul Spina
Information Officer, Wastewater and On-Site Programs
NEIWPCC
650 Suffolk Street, Suite 410 
Lowell, MA 01854
Phone 978-323-7929 x105
pspina@neiwpcc.org