accelerated certification training
(also known as Master 1, 2 and 3)
by approval only.
These courses have limited seating. You cannot automatically enroll in them.
If you would like be added to the wait list for these courses please contact Brit with your purpose for attending.
WHO WOULD TAKE THESE COURSES?
ACT Classes are a grouping of Master 1, 2 and 3 courses.
There are a variety of reasons for taking these courses. Click on the links to the right to explore your options.
Those who are seeking certification as a CEHP to do their job
Individuals not affiliated with the DOH seeking a CEHP license
To become certified to do private provider inspections.
Successful completion of Master 2 will allow a person to do soil evaluations under a PE’s license & passing all 3 classes will allow a person to do private provider inspections under a PE’s license.
If you are working toward a Master Septic Tank Contractor license then you must successfully complete Master 1, 2, and 3 classes. (Master 4 is also required, but it is not part of the ACTs)
enjoy our clean, easy to use learning platform
a quick run down.
The ACT classes are a mix of pre-recorded sessions that are available online and then two days of field exercises at the FOWA Training Center. The online portions would have to be completed one week prior to the field exercise dates.
Upon completion of the online material and the field exercises, you would then be scheduled for your exams. The testing portion is handled by testing centers contracted by the DEP and more information regarding testing will be provided to you during in-field exercises.
Did you know?
The ACT classes are a joint effort between FOWA, the Florida Department of Health, and the Florida DEP.
Explore the role that each organization plays in your certification process.
Find out who to contact for what information!
Working toward a CEHP license?
You are required to get approval from the DOH before registering for the ACT courses.
The DOH handles licensing for all Certified Environmental Health Professionals (CEHPs). You must fill out and submit an application to the DOH before you can be signed up.
Ready to register for an ACT Session?
Contact FOWA and we will let you know if there’s space available.
FOWA hosts the online class sessions on the MyFOWA website and is now teaching the in-person field exercises at the FOWA Training Center.
Questions about Testing?
…questions about the testing process and retakes can be directed to the DEP.
The DEP holds the contract with the testing centers and can provide the most detailed information. Please explore the information on this page fully before contacting them.
UPCOMING 2026 COURSE DATES:
FEBRUARY
Online sessions to be completed by:
January 30th
In-person field exercises:
Feb 9 & 10 or Feb 11 & 12
Enrollment begins Nov. 10
You can reach out prior to that date
April
Online sessions to be completed by:
March 27th
In-person field exercises:
April 7 & 8 or April 9 & 10
Enrollment begins Feb. 16
You can reach out prior to that date
June
Online sessions to be completed by:
May 29th
In-person field exercises:
*June 8 & 9 or June 10 & 11
Enrollment begins Apr. 13
You can reach out prior to that date
October
Online sessions to be completed by:
September 25th
In-person field exercises:
Oct 5 & 6 or Oct 7 & 8
Enrollment begins Aug. 10
You can reach out prior to that date
COST TO ATTEND:
NON-MEMBER PRICE
Master I – $560
Master II – $1067.50
Master III – $577.50
Total Non Member ACTs = $2,205
*2025-2026 Licensing Period
MEMBERSHIP
$350
1st member in a company
$185
2nd + member in a company
2025-2026 Prices Listed:
Membership runs from October 1 – September 30
(just like the licensing periods)
MEMBER PRICE
Master 1 – $320
Master II – $610
Master III – $330
Total Member ACTs = $1,260
Total + Membership = $1,610
*2025-2026 Licensing Period
TESTING PROCESS:
STEP 1:
at the in-person class:
You will complete your exam registration in class with the FOWA instructors.
AFTER CLASS:
You will email (DOH/DEP) or mail in (all others) your payment for the examinations.
Ea exam costs $50 (DOH/DEP fee covered by state)
STEP 2:
FL DEP OSP
The DEP Onsite Sewage Program receives the roster from FOWA the Friday of in-person classes.
Once they receive payment form (FROM YOU) you will be put on a list that gets sent to the FL DEP OCP (Operator Certification Program) department
(list is only sent once per week)
STEP 3:
FL DEP OCP
Sends your info onto the testing facility (PSI)
(list is only sent once per week)
PSI Testing
Will send you an email to schedule your exams
Testing Facilities (click Continue)
Testing Guidelines
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR MASTER 2:
The auger must be capable of reaching a full 72-inch depth, either with a fixed shaft or attachable extension pieces. A 3¼-inch bucket is recommended.
Complete book required (do not bring individual pages!). The book should be in reasonably good condition, with chips that are clean and free of cracks or discoloration.
A 12″ or longer blade is recommended. This will be used to dig soil plugs for examining hydric soil indicators.
A rigid, self-locking tape measure with a minimum length of 6 feet is required.
Choose a spray bottle that provides a gentle, even mist without dripping or inconsistent spray pressure.
A 6-inch blade is recommended. It will be used to clean and split soil samples while preserving an undisturbed representation. Avoid serrated or thick blades, as they can alter the soil sample.
To keep your hands clean between sample evaluations.
You will be taking notes outside.
CANCELLATION POLICY
These classes are limited and many people are often waitlisted, therefore a strict cancellation policy exists to ensure as many committed students as possible can attend.
You must notify us if you cannot attend. Notification must be given by end of business on the Friday before the online sessions are required to be completed. If you do not give notice and/or do not (1) finish the online sessions by the expected date and/or (2) not attend your scheduled field exercises and/or (3) not complete the exams, then all fees that you have paid toward the course will be forfeited.
Payment Policy
Payment is due within 2 weeks of the invoice date or one week prior to the online due date (whichever is sooner).
If not paid, you will be removed from the class roster and will need to reach back out to us if you are interested in attending a future session.
FAQs
CEHP – YES. If you are working toward a Certified Environmental Health Professional (CEHP) license you must be approved by the DOH to attend.
Florida PE & Staff – NO. Engineers and their staff working toward a Private Provider Inspector (PPI) license can start by contacting FOWA.
SR# or CFC working toward Masters – NO. Registered septic tank contractors and FL CFC plumbers working toward a master license can start by contacting FOWA.
An engineer who successfully completes the ACT classes will be considered certified as a private provider inspector. If you would also like to obtain a CEHP license, then you will need to be approved by Michael Lawhorn of the DOH before registering for the course.
Yes. In addition to your registration you will need to send us a letter from the engineer you are working for. It needs to be on company letterhead, needs to state that the engineer accepts full responsibility for your work, and it needs to have the engineer’s signature and seal.
Access is given once your course fees have been paid in full AND you have created a MyFOWA account. You will find the courses on your MyAccount page (when logged in) listed as Master I, II and III. If you have paid and made an account and don’t see the courses on your page, email Brit to let her know!
*special for October 2026 – since we are transition to the new material for this session, you will be given links to the existing DEP material but will be required to watch the new material once it is available on August 14th.
Only the Master II (Soils) requires specific equipment.
THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT IS REQURIED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SOILS COURSE (Master II):
Six-foot soil auger, with appropriate soil auger bucket (capable of reaching 72 inch soil depth),
Munsell Soil Color Book (pages clean, complete set of hue pages present, not reproduced, all color chips intact and not cracked or discolored, front not laminated, includes all gley charts, most current version).
Sharpshooter shovel, (12” or longer blade recommended)
Tape measure that’s a minimum of 6 foot long by 1 inch wide steel, rigid, self – locking, and reaches 72 inches long or similar measuring device
Water bottle with a spray nozzle
Knife or similar for cleaning soil sample (6″ non-serrated suggested)
- Hand towel
The auger needs to reach a minimum depth of 6 feet and have a recommend 3 1/4-inch auger bucket. To reach 6 feet you will need extension pieces. Make sure that the extension pieces match the rest of your auger (ie quick-connect or thread-on). You can order soils augers from Forestry Suppliers or other online retailers.
If you ordered your soil book and are thinking about laminating it to protect it from the dirty, dirty outside world – DON’T!!!
It’s okay, you’re not the first person that thought about it. You will learn in the class that laminating your soils book will render it useless.
At the FOWA Training Center located at:
5115 State Road 557
Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Map to Training Center
The agenda for field exercises are sent to you one week prior to the field exercises. However, you can use these agendas if you need it earlier: Group 1 and Group 2
*for October 2026, the times of the linked agendas will remain the same, however, the material covered will be different (this will be updated soon)
DEP and DOH employees can email Brit to request access to the previous DEP ACT material.
The DEP has written rule language regarding the capabilities of a private provider inspector which can be viewed here.