Certification

The PSAI’s certification program for portable sanitation professionals is the only credential in the world designed to recognize the specific skills and knowledge required for success in front-line roles in our industry. The program is approved for licensing requirements in many locations worldwide. Since the program’s inception in 1992, more than 2,000 individuals have successfully become certified.

The program consists of two parts:

  1. The Basic Service Technician Training series, which prepares candidates for certification by teaching basic competencies for portable sanitation operations
  2. A 50- to 60-question examination

The Basic Service Technician Training series is not required by the PSAI for certification, though some states (such as Illinois and Georgia) do require the training series in addition to the exam for licensure. Be sure to check with your state’s licensing body for details.

Certification is current for three (3) years before it must be renewed.

Certification Guy
Levels of Certification

There are two levels of certification based on how many hours of job experience a candidate has:

  • A Certified Portable Sanitation Professional (CPSP) has at least 2,000 hours of front-line experience
  • A Certified Portable Sanitation Apprentice (CPSA) has been on the job for fewer than 2,000 hours. That’s one year of experience working full-time in a role such as service technician, driver, pick-up and delivery worker or similar position
How to Become Certified

Certification is an important milestone on an individual’s career journey. The process requires a few simple steps and successful completion of the exam. Being certified is an impressive distinction of excellence.

To be eligible for certification, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Valid driver’s license
  • Ability to read, speak and write the English language
  • Physical strength and agility to perform the tasks
  • Commitment to upholding the CPSP Code of Ethics

Step 1: Submit the Application & Supporting Documents

To become certified through the PSAI, you must first submit the following documents:

  • An Authorization to Test (ATT) application form
  • A signed attestation form
    • This form must be completed and signed by a supervisor or former supervisor knowledgeable about your work history in the portable sanitation field
    • If you are self-employed and have no one to act in the role of supervisor to you for the attestation, please contact us for information
  • A photocopy of your valid driver’s license

Step 2: Pay the Fee

You can pay the fee for the ATT electronically or by check. To do this:

  • If your company is a PSAI member, sign in to get member pricing. Each person seeking an ATT will need his or her own account under the company’s membership that is linked to a unique email address.
  • Once you have accessed or set up an account, you can check out with a credit card or download an invoice to pay by check.

Once it is determined that you are eligible and you have paid the appropriate fee, you will receive an ATT number that allows you to take the exam. Your ATT will expire one year from the date of approval.

Step 3: Prepare for the Exam

To become certified as either a CPSA or a CPSP, you will need to pass an examination covering five areas of competency that are detailed in the next section.

To prepare for the exam, you can study on your own or take training courses. It is helpful to review the Candidate Handbook and practice exam.

Although most states do not require that you take training before you take the examination, some do (Illinois and Georgia are two examples). Be sure you know whether this training is required by your state for licensure.

Step 4: Arrange for & Pass the Examination

You can take the examination in person or via computer at your company location.

  • In person at an event — If you will be attending a PSAI event, you can take the exam during that time. View our calendar for the date and location of the exam.
  • In person at the PSAI office — If you will be in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, you can arrange to take the exam at the PSAI office. Contact us for details.
  • Virtually or in person at your company — This option requires your company to arrange for a site examiner or proctor at your location. The proctor must not have any business or family connection to your firm and otherwise meet the PSAI’s guidelines. Proctors must also agree to be trained by the PSAI and to follow strict testing protocols. Each person taking the exam will need his or her own computer or workstation.

More information about how the exam is constructed and scored can be found in the Candidate Handbook. You can also review the Program Manual.

If you pass the exam, you will receive your certification, a patch for your uniform, decals and other information in the mail. Your company and your customers can be proud of having you in their midst!

Competencies Required of Certified Portable Sanitation Professionals

There are five knowledge domains in which Certified Portable Sanitation Professionals must be competent to be certified. These are:

Knowledge Domain 1: Transportation & Logistics

  • Preparation for transporting equipment
  • Operation of tank vehicles
  • Site selection and equipment placement
  • Waste disposal
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance protocols

Knowledge Domain 2: Servicing Portable Sanitation Equipment

  • Operation of pumping equipment
  • Maintenance and repairs of portable sanitation equipment in the field
  • Cleaning procedures

Knowledge Domain 3: Safety & Hazard Management

  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Materials handling
  • Spill containment
  • Accident/incident management
  • Infectious diseases

Knowledge Domain 4: Record Keeping

Knowledge Domain 5: Professional Demeanor & Conduct

  • Effective, courteous communication
  • Conduct reflecting positively on the profession

Click here for more details on the competencies required of certified individuals

Certification Program Resources

Candidate Handbook
A resource for individuals interested in becoming certified.

Program Manual
Everything you ever wanted to know about how the certification program works.

Program Development
Background information on how the certification program was created.

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Certification Renewal & Upgrade Requests

Read below to learn how to renew or upgrade your certification.

How to Renew

You will need six (6) Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) from industry-related trainings within the past three (3) years to renew your credential. These trainings could include, but are not limited to, PSAI Virtual Roundtables, PSAI Trainings, PSAI Nuts & Bolts Conference, PSAI Trade Show and other industry educational programs. To do this, you will be asked to submit a list of your CEHs as well as a renewal request. Upon transcript review, CEH approval and payment of appropriate fees, the PSAI will issue a new certificate with your new expiration date.

Fill out the form to begin the process of renewing your certification (CPSP/CPSA) credential.

How to Upgrade

A Certified Portable Sanitation Apprentice (CPSA) who has logged 2,000 hours of front-line experience in the portable sanitation industry may upgrade his/her credential to the Certified Portable Sanitation Professional (CPSP) level at any time.

To do this, you must provide documentation of your front-line experience. If you are self-employed, this documentation must include one or more references who can verify the hours you have spent in the field.

If you have questions about how to provide the proper documentation, please contact us.

Certifying Your Team

PSAI Certification is the approved licensing education for portable sanitation companies and/or their employees in several states.

Some states require that service technicians and company owners take the PSAI’s Basic Service Technician Training courses and pass the certification exam in order to be licensed. Illinois and Georgia are two examples. In other cases, companies like yours have decided that it just makes good sense to train and certify the entire team. We are here to help by offering the following options.

Attend Scheduled Trainings & Examinations

The easiest way to meet this goal is to enroll your team members in our virtual courses or attend face-to-face training when it is offered throughout the year at events offered by the PSAI and allied organizations. If they take the training face to face, team members can take the exam at the same time. If they take the courses virtually, you will need to arrange for our online examination as described in our Program Manual. You can learn more about this in the “How to Become Certified” section above.

Arrange for a Company-Specific Training & Examination

If you have a large group and would like to get everyone trained at once, we may be able to help. Companies or groups of companies with 10 or more team members can work with the PSAI on the following options:

  • In-person training and exam sessions at your site — Your company is responsible for all usual fees plus time and travel costs for the trainer/examiner
  • Virtual training and exam sessions on mutually agreeable dates — Your company is responsible for all usual fees plus time costs for the trainer and any fees charged by the site examiner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Certification

Do you have questions about PSAI Certification? We have the answers!

Q: How long does an individual’s certification last?

A: PSAI Certification is valid for three (3) years after successful completion of the Basic Service Technician Training Series (if required by your state) and passing the certification exam. Renewal is required every three years.

At least six (6) hours of continuing education credit will be required to renew your credential in three years’ time. For more information, please refer to page 9 in the PSAI Professional Certification Program Manual.

Q: My state doesn’t require this. What benefits are there for becoming certified anyway?

A: Successful completion of the certification exam demonstrates exemplary knowledge of laws and best practices that apply to the portable sanitation industry. It puts you and your team at a competitive advantage with other companies. You can leverage this status when you apply for contracts, market your firm and seek insurance coverage.

In general, companies report that certified employees make fewer mistakes, have fewer accidents and do a better job. It reflects well on your company and saves you money. If you reward people for attaining and maintaining their certification, it can help you retain them as workers as well.

Q: How many U.S. States accept PSAI Certification as fulfillment for educational requirements in governmental regulations?

A: Many states recognize PSAI’s training courses for continuing education requirements. Contact us for a list or to request that we work with your state. Presently, Illinois and Georgia recognize PSAI Certification as valid for licensure in those states. If you know that your state now recognizes PSAI Certification, please let us know

Q: Can I host a certification exam at my company?

A: Generally, yes. Depending on whether you want training as well, and whether you want both to be in-person or virtual, there are several options and considerations. Review the information on this page or contact us.

Q: Is training required before taking the certification examination?

A: If it is required for licensure by your state or county (in Illinois and Georgia, for example) then yes, training is a pre-requisite for taking the examination.

If it is not required by your licensing body, then — strictly speaking — no, training is not mandatory. It is, however, wise to make sure anyone taking the examination has had some method of brushing up on the laws, rules, best practices and other areas of competency covered by the examination. Training is a great way to do that.

Q: Can I buy the PSAI training program and deliver it myself at my company?

A: If you need the Basic Service Technician Training series for your employees, we can assist you with finding a qualified instructor or signing up your team for virtual training that is convenient for you. You also have the option of having one of your senior company leaders take the PSAI’s new “Train the Trainer” course so that they can train on your site as well. You cannot buy the curriculum without becoming a credentialed trainer.

Q: Is the certification examination available in Spanish?

A: No. After careful consideration, the PSAI Certification Commission determined that the examination would only be available in English for the foreseeable future.

Q: My question isn’t on this list. Where can I get more information?

A: The PSAI has published three resources about the certification program. They include:

If you have additional questions, please contact the PSAI office.