The Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) grants registration to Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) applicants who meet the registration requirements and standards established by the Professional Governance Act and the ASTTBC bylaws. ASTTBC confirms an applicant meets these standards through a careful review and validation of an applicant’s education, training, and work experience as well as requiring a written practice and ethics examination and jurisprudence examination.  The application process is detailed and thorough and ensures ASTTBC ROWP registrants meet the highest standard to protect the public and environment.

Prior to submitting a ROWP application for registration, please read the information below to ensure that you are familiar with ASTTBC’s registration requirements. ROWPs must be registered with one or more endorsements. NOTICE: Educational, experiential, and competency requirements, as well as ASTTBC policies and procedures in place at the time a complete application is submitted will apply.

There are four endorsement categories which an applicant may apply for:

  • Planner – A ROWP Planner (PL) is responsible for the assessment of site and soil conditions, system design, construction review, and certification of system construction. Individuals that are registered as a Planner are also permitted to perform private inspections without the requirement of the Private Inspector endorsement.
  • Installer – A ROWP Installer (IN) is responsible for the physical installation and repair of onsite wastewater systems in accordance with specifications provided by a ROWP Planner or a Professional as defined in the Sewerage System Regulation.
  • Maintenance Provider – A ROWP Maintenance Provider (MP) is responsible for the maintenance of onsite wastewater systems in accordance with the maintenance plan provided by a ROWP Planner or Professional. Individuals that are registered as a Maintenance Providers are also permitted to perform private inspections without the requirement of the Private Inspector endorsement.
  • Private Inspector – A ROWP Private Inspector (PI) is responsible for the assessment of existing systems – typically to support real estate transactions or building permit applications. This endorsement is split into two categories, Private Inspector Residential (PIR) or Private Inspector Commercial (PIC). ROWP Private Inspectors-Residential (PIR) inspect sewerage systems on residential properties whereas ROWP Private Inspectors-Commercial (PIC) inspect sewerage systems on commercial properties. Individuals that are registered as a Planner or Maintenance Provider are also permitted to perform private inspections without the requirement of the Private Inspector endorsements, however, are not authorized to use the Private Inspector designations.

Educational Requirements

A ROWP applicant may have successfully completed a post-secondary program and have worked under the supervision of a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) and/or Authorized Person or have completed self-study and have worked under the supervision of a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) and/or Authorized Person to meet the educational requirements for their endorsement.

Training Programs

Training programs specific to the British Columbia Sewerage System Regulation and Standard Practices are available through:

*Note these programs are not accredited/endorsed by ASTTBC, please contact the training providers directly for information.

Experiential and Competency Requirements

The competency and experiential requirements for entry to practice for each endorsement are the competencies set out at Schedule A Part 5 of the ASTTBC bylaws. In addition, the following is a required competency for each endorsement:  

A ROWP Planner (PL) must be competent in planning a sewerage system for servicing domestic strength type 1 or type 2 treatment methods for daily design flow of domestic sewerage less than 9,100 litres, in accordance with the Standard Practice Manual pursuant to the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) and Public Health Act.

For information on the experiential requirements for the Planner endorsement, please read the Planner endorsement information sheet.

A ROWP Installer (IN) must be competent to install a sewerage system servicing domestic strength sewerage wastewater using a type 1 or type 2 treatment method for daily design flow of domestic sewage less than 9,100 litres in accordance with the Standard Practice Manual pursuant to the Sewerage System Regulation and Public Health Act, and in accordance with the specifications within the Filing documents prepared by an Authorized Person and accepted by the relevant Health Authority

For information on the experiential requirements for the Installer endorsement, please read the Installer endorsement information sheet.

A ROWP Maintenance Provider (MP) must be competent in monitoring and maintain a sewerage system servicing domestic strength sewage wastewater using a Type 1 or Type 2 treatment method for daily design flow of domestic sewage less than 9,100 litres in accordance with the Standard Practice Manual pursuant to the Sewerage System Regulation and Public Health Act.

For information on the experiential requirements for the MP endorsement, please read the Maintenance Provider endorsement information sheet.

A ROWP Inspector – Residential (PIR) conducting residential inspections must be competent in inspecting residential sewerage systems using Type 1,2, or 3 treatment method.

A ROWP Inspector – Commercial (PIC) conducting commercial inspections must be competent in inspecting a commercial sewerage system, using a Type 1, 2, or 3 treatment method

For information on the experiential requirements for the Private Inspector endorsement, please read the Inspector endorsement information sheet.

A ROWP applicant must demonstrate they meet all registration requirements as outlined above for their endorsement.

Examinations

ROWP applicant must successfully complete the Professional Practice & Ethics exam and ROWP Jurisprudence exam. For more information on the required examinations, please see the ASTTBC examinations page.

ASTTBC Guidance and Standards of Practice for Onsite Wastewater

Review the information on the Standards of Practice, Practice Guidelines and Practice Bulletins pages.

BC Government Information on Onsite Sewage Systems

Under the Public Health Act, the BC Ministry of Health provides policy support for onsite sewage disposal which includes the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) and Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual (SPM).  Visit the Government of BC website for more information, including the sewerage system administration process.

How to Submit a ROWP Application

ROWP Applications are submitted through ASTTBC’s online application platform at asttbcapply.ca. Please follow the ROWP Application Instructions to prepare and complete the online application.  

Applying for an Additional Endorsement

A practising ROWP in BC may apply for reclassification to add an endorsement once they have attained the minimum educational, competency and experiential requirements for the endorsement.  Refer to the Education, Competency, and Experiential Requirements section on this page for details on these requirements. The application is completed online.  For information on how to apply, please contact registrations@asttbc.org.

Removing a Limit or Condition or Endorsement

For further information for information on how to remove an endorsement or limit or condition, please contact ASTTBC at registrations@asttbc.org.

Registered/Licensed in another Canadian Jurisdiction

Applicants who are currently registered/licensed in good standing in another Canadian jurisdiction as a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) may apply for a transfer of their certification under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). Applicants are required to submit a completed application through ASTTBC’s online platform. Once a complete application is received (including all applicable fees), a letter of good standing is requested by ASTTBC staff from the jurisdiction in which the applicant practised immediately before seeking admission with ASTTBC.

An applicant must be proficient in the English language, be a person of good character and fit to practice consistent with the responsibilities and standards expected of a registrant, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to work in Canada.

Additionally, the successful completion of the Professional Practice and Ethics (PP&E) examination and the ROWP Jurisprudence examination is required. For more information on the PP&E and the ROWP Jurisprudence examination, please see the Exams page.  

To apply for transfer, please complete and submit an online application at www.asttbcapply.ca.

Find an ROWP/Authorized Person

A current listing of ROWP registrants can be found in the ASTTBC Registrant Directory.

The Application Process

  • Step 1: Gathering, preparing, and requesting the required documentation

    It is recommended that applicants start the process of gathering the required documents before starting the application process and paying any fees. This will assist in making sure your application can be processed as efficiently as possible.

  • Step 2: Submitting your application through the ASTTBC application portal

    ROWP Applications are submitted through ASTTBC’s online application platform at asttbcapply.ca. Please see the How to Submit a ROWP application section above.

  • Step 3: Document Collection

    All applicants will receive an initial email to acknowledge their application, any clarification required, and any outstanding items.  During this phase, ASTTBC requests and/or files documentation received from third arties (e.g., referees, transcripts, letters of good standing, verification of certification etc.) and reminds applicants of any outstanding information required in order to review their file. The onus is on applicants to ensure that all required documentation is sent to ASTTBC.

  • Step 4: File Review

    An applicant is notified their application is ready for file review once all the required documentation has been collected. The application will be reviewed by two qualified individuals (file reviewers) for evaluation and recommendation to the credentials committee. These file reviewers will review and provide an assessment report to the credentials committee that recommends whether an applicant’s education and experience meet the requirements for registration.

  • Step 5: Review by Credentials Committee

    After file review, the Credentials Committee review the application and assessment report provided by the file reviewers and may require clarification, request further information, or determine the applicant has met the basic requirements for registrant and is permitted to proceed to examinations. The Credentials Committee may also reject the application if the applicant has not demonstrated they meet the requirements for registration

  • Step 6: Examinations

    Applicants are required to successfully complete the Professional Practice and Ethics examination and the ROWP Jurisprudence Examination (see the exams page for further information on exams)

  • Step 7: Placement on the Register

    Once all required examinations have been successfully completed, the credentials committee moves to approve the application for registration and place them on the Register. The applicant will be required to complete a stamp application form.  ASTTBC will send an invoice for the required registration fee(s). Upon receipt of the payment, ASTTBC will issue a registration number, certificate and stamp and the applicant will be added to the Register.

ASTTBC Registrant Obligations

Once registered, all registrants are required to adhere to the Professional Governance Act and ASTTBC Bylaws, including Schedule D, Standards of Competence and Code of Ethics. Registrants must also adhere to ASTTBC guidance on practice, policies, and procedures. 

ASTTBC registration must be renewed annually.  Practising registrants are required to complete continuing education and professional development (CPD) credits annually, including credits for Indigenous awareness learning.  For information, visit the CPD page.