PSMA CERTIFICATION & TRAINING

PSMA offers training in a variety of subject areas.  (View currently scheduled training courses.)

  • Onlot Wastewater Treatment System Inspection (Basic and Advanced)
  • Vacuum Truck Training
  • Confined Space Entry
  • Installing Onlot Sewage Disposal Systems

PSMA/NOF-101
Basic Onlot Wastewater Treatment System Inspection

This basic course covers the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards. Subjects covered include: septic system permitting & operations history, septic system components, location of septic systems, recognizing problems, analysis of inspection results and evaluation report writing. This 15 hour course includes a field practicum with hands-on application of the inspection processes.

Individuals who complete the course work and achieve a passing grade on the post-training exam become Certified PSMA Inspectors who are eligible to apply the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards.

Certification is valid for two years.  No continuing education requirement.

Course 101 Outline – Click here

PSMA/NOF-102
Advanced Onlot Wastewater Treatment System Inspection

This advanced course is available to PSMA/NOF Certified Septic Inspectors. This course builds upon PSMA/NOF-101 and covers subjects which include inspecting “alternate” septic systems, advanced problem solving techniques and case studies focusing on difficult septic systems. Participants should have experience inspecting onlot systems through the application of the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards.

This 15 hour course includes a field practicum with hands-on application of the inspection processes.

Individuals who complete the course work and achieve a passing grade on the post-training exam become Certified PSMA/NOF Inspectors who are eligible to apply the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards.

Certification is valid for two years.  No continuing education requirement.

Course 102 Outline – Click here

PSMA/NOF-103
Experienced Onlot Wastewater Treatment System Inspection

This course is available to experienced PSMA/NOF102-certified inspectors. This course does not re-teach the Inspection Stanards, but rather it helps students apply those Standards in various scenarios. The course is divided up into one full day of classroom instruction (no field visits) and the equivelent of eight hours of online education: students will select two approved online topics from the PSMA course catalog to complete at home. The certification exam will also be taken online (via the online SR1 course). Participants should have at least six years experience inspecting onlot systems through the application of the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards. Participants must have completed & held a PSMA/NOF-102 certification for at least four years.

Certification is valid for two years (once all online components are completed).  No continuing education requirement.

Course 103 Outline – Click here

PSMA/NOF-SR1
Standards Refresher

This half-day course is an intensive exploration of the PSMA/NOF Inspection Standards. SR1 focuses on amendments to the Inspection Standards, understanding and interpreting field observations and data, and drawing conclusions. Class discussion and participant questions are also key components. Only experienced inspectors are eligible to participate. An inspector must have successfully completed PSMA/NOF-101 and PSMA/NOF-102, and must have entered the Continuing Education Program prior to an inspector’s 102 certification expiration date. There are additional prerequisites; contact PSMA for additional details.

During each and every two-year CE cycle, every inspector must successfully complete PSMA/NOF SR 1 (Standards Refresher) and earn 16 CE credits by the second-year anniversary date. CE credits do not carryover between CE cycles.

PSMA offers both classroom-based and online SR1 courses for inspectors.

Certification is valid for two years.  16 hours of approved continuing education is required – read more about PSMA Continuing Education.

DRIP Irrigation System
Inspection Certification Program

Upon successful completion of this 1-day course, you will obtain a PSMA endorsement to inspect and sign reports for the inspection of American Manufacturing’s Perc-Rite® Drip Dispersal System. You will become familiar with all drip system components and their proper operation. After inspection of a Drip System, you will be able to evaluate and reach a conclusion about each component, as well as the entire system, to write and sign a certification report. You must be a current PSMA-certified inspector to take this course.

PSMA offers both classroom-based and online Drip courses for inspectors.

Drip certification is added as an endorsement to an exiting inspector certification (101/102/103/SR1) and remains valid so long as the inspector certification is valid.   No continuing education requirement.

Vacuum Truck Technician
Training and Certification

If you own or operate a Vacuum truck to clean Septic tanks, Aerobic Treatment units, Holding tanks or Grease traps, this one day training session is for you or your employees.

Topics of instruction include…

  • Truck equipment and components
  • Drive and control mechanisms
  • Basic pump truck operation
  • Pumps
  • Basic science of vacuum and pressurization
  • Basic and Advanced pump out skills and procedures
  • Materials to pump and avoid
  • Loading and unloading
  • Reasons to manage these materials
  • Manifests and reports
  • Government regulations
  • Safety, Spills and Emergency Response plans
  • Customer interaction and eductaion

Individuals who complete the course work and achieve a passing grade on the post-training exam become Certified NOF/NAWT/PSMA Vacuum Truck Technicians.

PSMA offers both classroom-based and online NVTTT courses for its members.

For additional Vac truck training in other states go to www.nawt.org and click on training

Certification does not expire.  No continuing education requirement.

Confined Space Entry
Training and Certification

This course gives participants an in-depth understanding of permit-required confined space entry procedures, safety requirements and permitting system. It will also provide you with an understanding of saftey requirements and issues regarding entry into permitted spaces. Identification and minimization of confined space hazards will be stressed.

This 6 to 8 hour course includes a hands-on segment with participation in the preparation for a complete permitted-space entry and perform simulated rescues. Participant interactions and discussion will reinforce these concepts and skills.

PASEO/PSMA Installation of Onlot Wastewater Systems

This course was developed by PSMA is conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers (PASEO). It was designed to aid both the regulatory SEO as well as those firms actively installing onsite systems in Pennsylvania.

This two-day course will educate installers in proper design and installation of septic systems in a manner so the systems operate effectively upon startup and are accessible for regular service over the life of the system.

Topics covered will include:

  • Industry Integrity
  • Installation Safety
  • Soils and Site Evaluation
  • Materials and Techniques
  • Installation Planning
  • Distribution Pressure and Gravity Systems
  • Tanks, Installation Piping
  • Pumps & Controls

Successful completion of this course will result in the individual being listed on DEP’s website as having completed this DEP-approved installation course (#12-0001). Also, the course has been approved for 12 SEO continuing education credits. This course is open to any interested trainee.

Installation Course Objectives Outline – Click Here

Optional: This course will strive to build the knowlege of the participant and raise the skill level in order to improve the ability to install onsite wastewater systems. It will also prepare the participant for taking the NEHA test. The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has developed the NEHA Certified Installer of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (CIOWTS) exam. The participant may choose to take the basic level or the advanced level exam. Those that pass the exam will be posted on a national list at the NEHA web site. For additional information about the NEHA exam go to www.neha.org/onsite. This exam is optional and not offered in conjunction with Installation of Onlot Wastewater Systems training course. You must register directly with NEHA.

Training at YOUR LOCATION

Any of the classes listed above can be presented at your location or, if you have a training topic which is not listed, call the PSMA office at (717) 763-7762.  You can view the current procedures for private training by clicking here.  Available only to current PSMA members.