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UST Program - Available Local Guidance (LG) Letters

UST Program - Local Guidance (LG) 48-5


LG 48-5 - CONTRACTORS' LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
FOR INSTALLATION, REMOVAL, AND UPGRADE OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS


June 14, 1998

To: Local Agencies and Interested Parties

LG 48-5      CONTRACTORS' LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTALLATION, REMOVAL, AND UPGRADE OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

This letter combines and updates LG 48-4 with LG 75-3, "Licensing Requirements for Hazardous Substance Removal and Remedial Action." Together, this letter serves to provide contractors' licensing and certification requirements for installation, removal, or upgrading of USTs. This update covers:

  1. licenses required to apply interior lining in a UST;
  2. licenses required to install a bladder system in a UST;
  3. licenses required to install corrosion protection systems onto USTs; and
  4. change in policy regarding the hazardous substance certification requirement for interior lining contractors.

Licensing
Any work to upgrade, install, or remove USTs is subject to contractor licensing if the total cost of such work is $300 or more. Under current Contractors State License Board (CSLB) policy only those contractors holding one of the following classifications are properly licensed to contract for such work:

  • General Engineering Contractor (A) - General engineering contractors may work on underground storage tanks for any purpose whatsoever at any location.
  • General Building Contractor (B) - General building contractors may work on an underground storage tank only if such work is performed under contract to construct or remodel a building that houses people, animals or chattels, and the work involves the use of at least 2 or more unrelated trades or is subcontracted to the appropriate license.
  • Plumbing Contractor (C-36) - Plumbing contractors may work on any underground storage tank that provides a service to a building. This includes storage tanks for service stations. Any other type of underground storage tank may only be worked on by a General Engineering Contractor (A).
  • Limited Specialty Contractor (C-61-D-40) - Service station equipment contractors may work on fuel underground storage tanks at service stations or any other site where storage capacity does not exceed 20,000 gallons. This license is not currently being issued by CSLB.
  • A contractor possessing any one of the above licenses may contract to apply interior lining to a UST. In accordance with LG 136-1, "Interior Lining and Cathodic Protection of Underground Storage Tanks," a contractor may also apply interior lining if possessing one of these licenses:
    • Painting and Decorating (C-33)
    • Limited Specialty/Synthetic Products (C-61/D12)
    • Limited Specialty/Protective Coating (C-61/D51)
  • Only those contractors holding one of the following classifications are properly licensed to contract for installation of bladders:
    • General Engineering Contractor (A)
    • Plumbing Contractor (C-36)
    • Limited Specialty/Protective Coating (C-61/D51)

    For information regarding the qualifications necessary to design, certify, install, and test corrosion protection systems see LG 145, "Clarification of Corrosion Specialist and Cathodic Protection Tester."

Summary of Licensing Requirements

 
General Engineering
(A)
General Building
(B)
Painting and Decorating (C-33)
Plumbing (C-36)
Limited Specialty/ Synthetic Products
(C-61/D12)
Limited Specialty
(C-61/D-40)
Limited Specialty/ Protective Coating
(C-61/D-51)
· To upgrade, install, or remove USTs if the aggregate costs of such work is $300 or more
X
X
  
X
  
X
  
· To contract to apply interior lining
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
. To contract for installation of bladders
X
     
X
     
X

Hazardous Substance Certification
In accordance with the provisions of Business and Professions Code (B&P) Section 7058.7, a contractor must possess a Hazardous Substance Certification issued by the CSLB to:
  • install or remove an underground storage tank. However, a contractor who is not certified may bid on or contract for the installation or removal, as long as the work is performed by a contractor who is certified.
  • upgrade an underground storage tank. Upgrading means installation of a bladder system, application of interior lining, and installation of striker plates that are permanent bonded to the tank bottom. A contractor does not need to possess this certification to install spill containment or overfill prevention devices, fill pipes, vapor recovery systems, or leak detection equipment. Again, a contractor who is not certified may bid on or contract for the installation or removal, as long as the work is performed by a contractor who is certified.
  • engage in removing or remedying the release of a hazardous substance at the site or to correct the conditions that threaten the release of a hazardous substance (pursuant to Sections 25355.5 and 25356 Health and Safety Code). Per Section 7058.7, "removal or remedial action" refers to work in which the contractor digs into the surface of the earth and removes the dug material and the work is at a hazardous substance release site as identified in Section 25356 H&SC. These provisions of the Health and Safety Code apply to hazardous substances other than petroleum. Therefore, the hazardous substance certification is not required for corrective action at petroleum UST sites.

If you have any questions, please call the licensing staff of the CSLB at (916) 255-3900, or write to:

P.O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA
95826.

Sincerely,


[ original signed by ]


Allan Patton, Manager
Underground Tank Program

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