Licensure Information
It is unlawful for a person to practice as an environmental systems operator in this State without prior authorization through licensure of the SC Environmental Certification Board, as defined in S.C. Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 23.
(1) How to Apply for Licensure by Examination or Reinstatement:
You must complete an application, and submit it along with a check or money order in the amount of $50 (nonrefundable fee). The Board Cannot Accept Cash. Applications can be submitted online or via mail.
A complete application must include a copy of your social security card, and a valid driver’s license, state issued ID, or passport. If applicable a certified criminal background check from the state of residence (e.g., SLED) and written statement may be included.
(2) How to Apply for Licensure by Reciprocity:
You must complete the application, and submit it along with a check or money order in the amount of $50 (nonrefundable fee). The Board Cannot Accept Cash. Applications can be submitted online or via mail.
A complete application must be include a copy of your social security card, and a valid driver’s license, state issued ID, or passport. If applicable a certified criminal background check from the state of residence (e.g., SLED) and written statement may be included. Board staff will request the appropriate information from the current state of licensure in order to determine eligibility of applicant. Licenses in other states must be active; inactive licenses cannot be used in determining reciprocity.
(3) How to Apply for Well Driller Licensure:
Well drilling licenses will be issued in one of three well drilling categories --environmental, coastal, and rock --
and in one of four classes -- Class 'D', Class 'C', Class 'B', and Class 'A'. A class 'A' licensee is authorized
to practice in all three well drilling categories. No person may engage, or offer to engage, in the drilling of
wells for which he or she does not possess a license of the proper well drilling category and class.
Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age to apply. Applicants must furnish proof of a surety bond in accordance with S.C. Law 40-23-280 in an amount of at least twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
Online Applications:
Online Application: Before starting your online application, you will need to download the forms from the below link to fill out and upload. ***Electronic Applications are only available for first-time applicants. ***
Environmental Online Application Forms
Paper Applications:
- Well Drillers Application
- Water Distribution Operator Application
- Water Treatment Operator Application
- Biological Wastewater Treatment Operator Application
- Physical/Chemical Wastewater Treatment Operator Application
- Bottled Water Operator Application
- Environmental Online Application Forms
Well Driller Bond Information:
License Upgrade Requests:
APPLICATION FEES
Well Drillers, Bottled Water Operators, Water Distribution, Water Treatment, Biological and Physical/Chemical Wastewater = $50.00
RECIPROCITY FEES
Well Drillers, Bottled Water Operators, Water Distribution, Water Treatment,
Biological and Physical/Chemical Wastewater = $50.00
RENEWAL FEES
Bottled Water, Water Distribution, Water Treatment, Biological and Physical/Chemical Wastewater = $30.00
Well Drillers = $50.00
LATE RENEWAL FEES
License is lapsed after June 30 each year, and there will be a $200 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. Late fees are applied to renewals submitted within three hundred sixty-five days of the date on which the license expired. If one year or more has passed, the license may no longer be renewed.
LICENSEE LIST REQUEST
Bottled Water, Well Driller, Water Distribution, Water Treatment, Biological and Physical/Chemical Wastewater = $10.00 each
DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE = $5.00
DUPLICATE POCKET CARD = $5.00
Checks or money orders should be made payable to SCECB and mailed to
SC Environmental Certification Board
110 Centerview Drive
PO Box 11409
Columbia, SC 29211-1409
Payment must be submitted with application. Failure to do so will result in the application being returned unprocessed.
Reciprocity:
- Does South Carolina have a reciprocity agreement with other states? How do I apply for reciprocity? What are the requirements?
No. South Carolina does not have an agreement with any other state; reciprocity is determined on an individual basis. The Board must first receive a complete application with a check or money order for $50. Once your application is processed, a questionnaire form will be submitted to the reciprocating state regarding verification of licensure information. To be considered for certification via reciprocity, your license must be current in that state with no disciplinary actions. - My application has been submitted. How long untill I hear back?
Upon receipt of a reciprocity application, the Board sends out a questionnaire to the licensing agency indicated on the application. Once the questionnaire has been returned, the Board will review and make a determination regarding licensure level. The process may take up to two work weeks, assuming that the other state responds in a timely fashion.
Renewals:
- When will I receive my renewal forms?
“Reminder” cards are mailed the first week of April each year. Reminder cards contain your user ID and password reset instructions for online renewal payments, which are faster and easier. - I'm deployed on active military service. What can I do about the renewal of my license?
Military Policy - I received my username, but I don’t remember my password. How do I recover it?
Usernames are included on the Renewal Notice. To recover your password, visit: LLR eService Portal.
Instructions will be sent to the email address on file. - I only received one renewal notice, but I have multiple licenses. How do I renew the other licenses?
One renewal notice per licensee is sent. Once logged into the online renewal system, all licenses will be listed. Note: you may only renew one license at a time. Once you have renewed one license, you will need to log back in to renew each additional license. The same user ID and password is used for each license possessed by the same licensee.
Trainee License:
Upon receipt of a completed application, a trainee license will be issued. Trainees must pay the annual renewal fee each year by June 30th. Failure to do so will result in a $200 penalty for late renewals.
There is no minimum education requirement for certification as a trainee. However, proof of high school completion or the equivalent must be submitted prior to being promoted to the “D” level of certification. After the trainee has obtained one year of actual operating experience and has passed the “D” exam, the trainee will be eligible for a license upgrade.
Well Driller Licensure:
Upon submitting a completed application to the Board, applicants will be made eligible for the level ‘D’ exam. Applicants will have a period of one year from the application date to take and pass the exam. Failure to pass the exam within the stated year will result in the license being expired. A new application will need to be submitted if licensure is still sought. Once an applicant has passed the ‘D’ exam, proof of a $25,000 Surety Bond must be submitted. An original copy of the Surety Bond (with a raised seal) must be submitted to the Board before licensure will be processed. If the company you are employed with already has a Surety Bond on file with the Board, a Bond Acknowledgement Form must be completed, listing all covered drillers’ names. Sample Bonds and the Bond Acknowledgement form can be found on the Board’s website. Once processed, a letter will be sent to you letting you know a certificate and pocket card will be mailed following the next scheduled Board meeting.
Licensure Upgrade:
After operators have taken and passed the first level of certification exam for their specific license categories, they will need to submit a copy of their High School Diploma or GED. The Board will need this information prior to promoting the operator to the first level of certification.
To request a license upgrade, a completed Experience Verification form must be submitted. The verification form is to provide the documentation for the actual operating experience that is required for each level of progression. This form must be forwarded to the Environmental Certification Board after the operator has met the experience requirements. The form can be found on our website at: llr.sc.gov/env
Work Experience Substitutions: Both degree and non-degree related education credits may be considered by the Board towards the A, B, and C levels of licensure once you have obtained your D level license. For such substitution to be considered, an official copy of the operators’ college transcript must be submitted to the Board of Environmental Certification. The Board will only consider credit for math and science courses. 30 hours of Board approved educational credits = one year of work experience.
Military experience, Board approved Operator Certification programs, and Board approved Apprenticeship programs may also be considered towards work experience credit. Official transcripts and/or course completion documentation must be submitted to the Board for review.
All applicants must complete one year of actual operating experience and pass the appropriate examinations before educational experience will be considered.
POLICY FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSEES DEPLOYED ON ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) has adopted House Resolution 158 of the United States Congress that urges support for the members of the United States military and assistance with their transition into and out of active duty and service. The Department's goal is to avoid imposing the consequences of non-renewal upon the deployed public while ensuring that all statutory requirements for the health and safety of the public are reasonably satisfied.
Licensees are encouraged to advise the Environmental Certification Board (ECB) staff in writing before departing for active military duty. Prior notice will allow staff to accept early renewal appropriately, note the active military duty of the licensee to avoid a break in licensure, and avoid the issuance of notices concerning lapsed licensure status.
If written notice is received at any time during the current licensing period that a licensee in good standing is or has been ordered to active military duty, a notation will be made in the licensee's record. ECB will continue to send a renewal notice to the last known address. No late fees or penalties will be assessed upon failure of the licensee to make a timely response.
Upon written notice that a licensee has returned from active military duty, the licensee will be administratively reinstated upon receipt of the appropriate renewal fees. No late fees or penalties will be assessed. Compliance with any delinquent continuing education or other applicable requirements will be extended for not more than one year from the date of return from active military service or practice under the license, whichever is earlier. At the end of the one-year makeup period, any delinquent requirements from the period of active military duty must be completed. A failure to timely complete any delinquent requirements shall result in cancellation of the license, until such time, if ever, as all requirements have been satisfied.
Upon return from active military duty, no licensed person should reenter practice in South Carolina without first having been reinstated. It is the responsibility of the licensee to notify ECB and to fulfill any continuing education requirements as soon as possible, regardless of whether the license in question has lapsed for non-renewal or has been continued by action of notification of deployment. Resumption of practice in South Carolina without first being reinstated is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
A licensee who has been deployed on military duty may not act as a supervisor for another person. A properly licensed person should assume the role of supervisor.
Another person may not use a power of attorney to renew the license of a licensee. State law requires that individuals demonstrate their personal qualifications for the issuance or renewal of a license.