Rule 62-6.024. Private Provider Inspectors

(1) Accelerated certification training for private provider inspectors. In order to pass the accelerated certification training a person must successfully complete the pre-certification coursework and achieve a passing score on each of the examinations.

(a) Prior to participating in the pre-certification coursework and taking the associated examinations, a person requesting authorization to take the examinations as part of their qualifications must submit the following to the Department:

1. Account creation and examination fees, for other than Department employees.

2. Contact information:

a. Name (first name, middle, last name, generational suffix if applicable).

b. Firm or business name, if applicable.

c. Mailing address (street address, city, state, zip).

d. Email address.

e. Date of birth.

f. Telephone number.

3. Confirmation of at least one of the following prequalifications, as applicable:

a. Applicants qualifying under subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)1., F.S., and section 381.0101, F.S., as an environmental health professional certified in the onsite sewage program must submit proof of their determination of eligibility to take part in the accelerated certification training in accordance with subsection 64E-18.003(6), F.A.C.

b. Applicants qualifying under subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)3., F.S., must submit proof of their active license issued under Chapter 471, F.S., as an engineer in Florida.

c. Applicants qualifying under subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)4., F.S., or paragraph 381.0101(2)(b), F.S., must submit a signed, sealed, and dated statement from the engineer under whose supervision they work confirming supervisory oversight.

(b) After submitting a complete application, applicants must register for participation in and complete the pre-certification coursework.

(c) After completing the pre-certification coursework eligible applicants must successfully complete each part of the accelerated certification training examination administered by the Department. The minimum passing score for each part of the examination must be a 70 percent correct response to all questions.

1. Examination results for applicants achieving a passing score on each part of their examination will be reported to the appropriate licensing or registration entity and to the private provider inspector registry.

2. Applicants not achieving a passing score on any part of the examination for any part or failing to take a scheduled examination are required to submit an additional examination fee before being authorized to take that part of the examination again.

3. If the applicant is unable to pass any part of the examination within two attempts, the applicant must reregister for the respective pre-certification coursework and examination pursuant to paragraphs 62-6.024(1)(b) and (c), F.A.C.

(d) Examination results are valid for a period of 2 years from the date of examination.

(2) Prohibited inspections. Private provider inspectors are prohibited from conducting an inspection in any of the following conditions:

(a) An onsite sewage treatment and disposal system must not be inspected by the private provider inspector or authorized representative of the private provider inspector who was the installer for that system.

(b) Engineers licensed in Florida and qualified pursuant to subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)3., F.S., or persons working under the supervison of the engineer and qualified pursuant to subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)4., F.S., are prohibited from acting as the private provider inspector on a system when the engineer also serves as the engineer certifying completion for the installation of the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system according to subsection 62-6.003(2), F.A.C., or paragraph 62-6.027(5)(a), F.A.C.

(3) Complaints and Enforcement. A private provider inspector must perform the inspection in compliance with the requirements of this chapter and section 381.0065, F.S.

(a) A private provider inspector who violates the requirements of this chapter, section 381.0065, F.S., Part III of Chapter 489, F.S., or other Department requirements is subject to enforcement pursuant to section 381.0065, F.S. and Part I of Chapter 403, F.S.

(b) A private provider inspector must comply with the requirements of the applicable authority with jurisdiction over their license or certification under Chapter 381, F.S., Chapter 471, F.S., or Chapter 489, F.S. For private provider inspectors who are qualified pursuant to subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)4., F.S., and who may not have an established professional licensing board regulating their profession, enforcement action will include the licensed professional engineer licensed under Chapter 471, F.S., who supervised the private provider inspector. The Department may refer cases for further investigation to the applicable authority with jurisdication over the license or certification.

(4) A private provider inspector hired to perform a construction inspection is authorized to perform one or more construction inspections of an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system during the construction and installation of the system prior to final installation approval by the Department, and shall be subject to the following registration and auditing requirements:

(a) Prior to submitting a construction inspection report for a construction inspection conducted on or after {effective date + 90 days}, a private provider inspector must submit the following registration information to the Department:

1. Private provider inspector name (first name, middle, last name, generational suffix if applicable).

2. Private provider inspector firm or business name, if applicable.

3. Business address (street address, city, state, zip).

4. Business email address unique to private provider inspector.

5. Business telephone number.

6. Qualification statement or resume pursuant to sub-subparagraph 381.0065(8)(d)1.c., F.S.

7. Qualifying professional license or certification number pursuant to paragraph 381.0065(8)(c), F.S.

8. If the private provider inspector is working under the supervision of an engineer pursuant to subparagraph 381.0065(8)(c)4., F.S., a dated, signed, and sealed statement from the engineer which attests to their supervisory oversight.

(b) Upon receiving the registry information required by paragraph 62-6.024(4)(a), F.A.C., the Department will review and verify compliance with subsection 381.0065(8), F.S. If the registry information submitted does not meet the requirements of subsection 381.0065(8), F.S., the Department will notify the private provider inspector within 30 days of such determination. Once the Department confirms the registry information, the Department will assign the private provider inspector an active registry number for identification purposes. To remain active in the registry the private provider inspector must confirm or update their information in writing to the Department by October 31 of each year. However, any change to license, registration, or certification required by paragraph 381.0065(8)(c), F.S., to qualify as a private provider inspector, shall be reported to the Department within seven days of the effective date of the change.

(c) The Department may audit up to 25 percent of the private provider inspectors each year in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 381.0065(8)(e), F.S. The private provider inspector shall provide the required inspection records and documentation during the Department’s normal business hours within 21 days of an audit request. An audit performed pursuant to paragraph 381.0065(8)(e), F.S. will:

1. Consist of an assessment of the tools, methods, and reporting used by a private provider inspector. The private provider inspectors will be audited to confirm compliance with requirements of this chapter, Chapter 381, F.S., Form DEP 4015A, herein adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-6.003(3), F.A.C., and Part 2 of Form DEP 4016, herein adopted and incorporated by reference in subsection 62-6.003(1), F.A.C.

2. Include a field compliance component, during which a Department inspector observes the private provider inspector performing a construction inspection. If the Department inspector identifies deficiencies in the private provider’s inspection, the private provider inspector must not issue a construction inspection approval until the applicable requirements under this chapter have been met.

3. Include a component to assess the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of submitted inspection records and registry information.

4. Generate an audit report that will include an assessment of the performance of the private provider inspector, and requirements for training or other measures to address deficiencies found. The audit report will be given to the private provider inspector within 30 days of completion of the audit. Subject to sections 120.57 and 120.569, F.S., the private provider inspector, after receiving the results of the audit report, shall have 30 days to respond to the audit report and provide a corrective action plan to address any deficiencies that the Department may have identified.

(d) The Department will create and maintain a publicly accessible portal for the public to locate information on a registered private provider inspector.

(5) Private provider inspectors conducting inspections under subsection 381.0065(8), F.S., are responsible for ensuring that their inspections are conducted in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and the system construction permit. Private provider inspectors must determine whether the onsite sewage treatment and disposal system complies with all applicable standards. Failure to properly conduct inspections or determine compliance may result in enforcement action upon the private provider inspector by the Department. Rulemaking Authority 381.0065(3)(a), 381.0065(3)(c), 381.0065(8)(h), 489.553 FS. Law Implemented 381.0065, Part I 386, 489.552 FS. History–New 7-9-25.