Class A/B Operator Training
PASS' Class A/B Operator Training in Washington is approved thru the DOE.
Class C Operator Training
PASS' Class C Operator Training in Washington is approved thru the DOE.

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.

In Washington, owners/operators must contact their regional DEC office regarding reportable spills, overfills, and releases. 

Suspected releases must be reported to the DEC's regional office within 24 hours.  Confirmed releases require the owner/operator to do the following.

For more information see "What to do if you find a leak or spill from your underground storage tank?"

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

Washington 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.

An owner/operator may also utilize the state's Commercial UST Reinsurance Program.  You can find more information in the DEC's "Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Responsibility for Underground Storage Tanks."

The Washington Department of Ecology (DEC) is required to inspect each UST system at least once every 3 years.  The UST owner/operator will usually be notified at least one week prior to the inspection.  In addition to inspecting all equipment, the Department of Ecology inspector will need to review the facility's records.  Owners/operators should have at least the last 12 months of records available for the inspector's review.  The inspector will want to see:

The Department of Ecology's Toxics Cleanup Program has compiled a helpful document on preparing for a UST inspection.

If a DEC inspector determines that a UST or UST system is out of compliance with state or federal storage tank regulations, he or she may issue an on-site Notice of Non-Compliance (NONC) for that UST or UST system.  An NONC details the actions the owner/operator needs to take in order to bring the system into compliance and the deadlines by which those actions need to be completed.  If significant violations are found at the UST site, the inspector may issue a Field Penalty (which involves a fine) and/or a delivery prohibition tag, a red tag identifying the UST as ineligible for delivery, deposit, or acceptance of regulated substances.  See the DEC's "Focus on Delivery Prohibition or 'RedTagging'" for more information.

You must notify Ecology within thirty days of placing your UST into temporary closure. To meet this requirement, a special form must be completed and returned to Ecology within 30 days of tank closure. The form is entitled, “Temporary Closure Notice".  What you are required to do to your UST system during a temporary closure depends on whether or not the tank is empty, what the tanks are made of (steel, fiberglass etc.), and how long the tank will be temporarily closed. Also, in addition to notifying Ecology of your temporary closure, the regulations require that facility compliance tags (the small blue and white license plates) be returned within 30-days after completing closure activities.  Read the DEC's  Requirements for Temporarily Closed Underground Tank Systems for more.

At least 30 days prior to beginning permanent closure activities, a 30-Day Notice must be submitted to Ecology. This form, which includes service provider and owner information, provides the UST inspector advance notice so that he or she may visit the project site while decommissioning work is being conducted. If the exact date of closure is unknown when the 30-Day Notice is submitted, be sure to contact the Ecology inspector at least three business days prior to the project start date. It is your responsibility to contact other local authorities, including the fire marshal, for any additional policies and/or permits.  During the 30-day notice period, the contents of the tank may be pumped from the tank and recycled or disposed of as dangerous wastes. Owner Operator must also complete a Permanent Closure Notice form.

Please see the Summary of Permanent Closure Requirements from the DEC for more detailed information and instructions.

All forms, checklists and reports must be submitted to:
Department of Ecology
Underground Storage Tanks
P.O. Box 47655
Olympia, WA 98504-7655

Owners and operators shall maintain the following information:

Availability and maintenance of records. Owners and operators shall keep the records required either: