What is the Purpose of this Certification?

Inspector certification is required for public employees who inspect and determine compliance of solid waste landfill or incinerator operations. These public employees must successfully complete the same training and examination process as landfill and incinerator operators. Inspectors must also receive training relevant to inspection procedures.

Incinerator inspector certification is a home study program and a written exam. Landfill inspector certification includes training courses and a written examination.

Who Issues this Certification?

Variable: See notes/comments for more information.

What Activities Require this Certification?

Working for a public agency as a solid waste incinerator or landfill facility inspector.

How Much Will this Certification Cost?

Landfill Inspectors: No state fees are required for landfill inspector certification; however, inspectors must pay all the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) fees associated with certification. Check SWANA website for current cost for certification.

Incinerator Inspectors: Incinerator certification fees for inspectors are as follows:

• Application fee $50.00
• Textbook fee $160.00*
• Certification and Recertification fee $0.00

*Textbook fee is waived if applicant already has one.

Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

Incinerator Inspectors: Include $210 payment or if applicant already has a manual include $50 (one-time fee per applicant). No additional payment required for the certificate or for recertification.

Is the Decision on my Certification Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?

Landfill Inspector: Pass the exam, high school diploma or GED, have a minimum of two years experience as a landfill inspector, and be able to issue official citations which require actions of impose penalties. Contact SWANA for specifics.

Incinerator Inspector: Pass exam. No additional testing required for recertification, however a recertification application is required. Incinerator certification is a home study program and a written exam.

How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

Incinerator Inspectors: Ecology reviews applications upon receiving them and schedules exams as needed.

Where do I Submit my Application?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

    SWANA
    Attn: Training & Certification Coordinator
    P.O. Box 7219
    Silver Spring, MD 20907-7219
    Phone: 1 (800) GO SWANA
    Fax: (301) 585-0297
    E-mail: certification@swana.org
    Website: http://www.swananw.org/

Incinerator Inspectors: Contact Ecology.

    Michelle Andrews
    Department of Ecology
    Solid Waste Management
    PO Box 47600
    Olympia, WA 98504-7600
    Phone: (360) 628-7374
    E-mail: mian461@ecy.wa.gov
    Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Certification-for-incinerator-landfill-operator

How Long is my Certification Valid?

Certification must be renewed every 3 years.

What is the Appeal Process for the Certification?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

Incinerator Inspectors: Can retake test at no additional charge.

Notes / Comments:

Note: The Department of Ecology issues the Incinerator Inspector Certification and SWANA issues the Landfill Inspector Certification.

For Landfill Inspectors, SWANA provides required courses by private instructors through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ecology. SWANA issues the certificate.

To obtain copies of the applications contact the following:

Landfill Inspectors SWANA Certification Application: Contact SWANA.

    SWANA
    Attn: Training & Certification Coordinator
    P.O. Box 7219
    Silver Spring, MD 20907-7219
    Phone: 1 (800) GO SWANA
    Fax: (301) 585-0297
    E-mail: certification@swana.org
    Website: https://swana.org/training-certification


Incinerator Inspectors: Contact Ecology.

Incinerator Operator/Inspector Application Form
Incinerator Certificate/Recertification Application Form

    Michelle Andrews
    Department of Ecology
    Solid Waste Management
    PO Box 47600
    Olympia, WA 98504-7600
    Phone: (360) 628-7374
    E-mail: michelle.andrews@ecy.wa.gov
    Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Certification-for-incinerator-landfill-operator

* Permit information last updated 12/21/2022