There are two options for primary operator training: 

Option 1:  Attend a North Carolina Tank School -  Register Here

Receive training by N.C. Underground Storage Tank staff about your specific facility. There is NO cost to you for this option.  You must include your facility ID # when you register.  You can enter more than one facility ID #.  Your facility ID # is found on your permit and has the following format:  ##-#-00000#####


Option 2: Complete an online class with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality

Receive federal and state specific training online from NCDEQ. There is NO cost to you for this option. There are four types of login options to take the training depending on whether you have a North Carolina state government email address or a non-government email and have or have not taken this online training in the past. The training works best using Internet Explorer.  The login instructions can be found here:  NCDEQ Online Instructions

Class C Operator Training
PASS' Class C Operator Training in North Carolina is approved by the NCDEQ  

All of PASS’ UST operator training courses meet and exceed the federal requirements for UST operator training and are offered through our in-house designed and built Learning Management System (LMS). PASS’ state-specific A/B training courses are custom tailored to meet state requirements, and are accepted by more states than any other training provider.  Our courses are available on demand, 24/7 and are accessible from any internet-connected computer, tablet, or phone. The student can complete an entire course in a single session or take the course in segments. The training may be stopped and restarted, allowing for maximum schedule flexibility. PASS also does not impose time restrictions on course access, so students may take as much time as they need to complete their training.  Once training is completed a certificate is available to save and print.

Owners/operators of all USTs must register their USTs with the NCDEQ by submitting one of the following:

Owners/operators must also pay the annual tank operating fee of $420.00 per tank or compartment.  Upon receipt of the registration form and fee(s), the NCDEQ will issue an operating permit for the UST.  The operating permit is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Asheville Regional Office

2090 U.S. 70 Highway
Swannanoa, NC 28778-8211
Phone: 828-296-4500
Fax: 828-299-7043

Fayetteville Regional Office

225 Green Street, Suite 714
Fayetteville, NC 28301-5095
Phone: 910-433-3300
Fax: 910-486-0707

Mooresville Regional Office

610 East Center Avenue, Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115
Phone: 704-663-1699
Fax: 704-663-6040

Raleigh Regional Office

3800 Barrett Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919-791-4200
Fax: 919-571-4718

Washington Regional Office

943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889
Phone: 252-946-6481
Fax: 252-975-3716

Wilmington Regional Office

127 Cardinal Drive Ext.
Wilmington, NC 28405
Phone: 910-796-7215
Fax: 910-350-2004

Winston-Salem Regional Office

450 Hanes Mill Road, Suite 300
Winston-Salem, NC 27105
Phone: 336-776-9800
Fax: 336-776-9797

UST owners/operators in North Carolina may use any of the following methods of release detection:

North Carolina follows the federal financial responsibility coverage amounts found in 40 CFR §280.93 (scroll to page 77 of 119 in the pdf document).  Owners/operators may use any of the following mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility.

Payment of the annual tank operating fee (see the Registration & Fees section below) entitles owners/operators to be reimbursed from the North Carolina UST financial assurance fund, provided all eligibility requirements are met.  For more information, see the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) brochure "Financial Responsibility for Underground Storage Tanks".

An inspector from the Division of Waste Management will periodically conduct a compliance inspection of each UST facility in the state.  Most inspections are scheduled in advance with the owner/operator and take approximately one to two hours to complete.  Inspections may be conducted without prior notice.  Owners/operators can find more information in the FAQs about Preparing for an Underground Storage Tank Inspection.

The inspector will need to review the following records:

During the inspection, the following facility personnel must be on site:

In addition to inspecting all system components for proper operation, the inspector will check that:

If a North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) inspector determines that a UST or UST system is out of compliance with UST regulations, he or she may initiate non-compliance enforcement procedures.  The NCDEQ will send a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the owner/operator that will identify the issues that need to be resolved, and a corrective action schedule to achieve compliance.  If compliance is not achieved within that corrective action schedule or severe violations are found, the UST Section will pursue civil penalties, through enforcement action, as well as placing a hold on the facility's UST operating permit.

UST permanent closure or change in service must be completed in accordance with the latest version of the Guidelines for Site Checks, Tank Closure and Initial Response and Abatement. The guidelines can be obtained at North Carolina's DEQ Website.