Ohio EPA outlines licensing programs and long-unchanged fees; lawmakers press on training, PFAS readiness

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency described its occupational licensing programs to the House General Government Committee and said fee levels for several programs have not increased in decades, prompting lawmakers to press agency officials on continuing education, emerging contaminants such as PFAS and program capacity.

Sam Smith, Legislative Liaison for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, told the committee the agency issues certifications and licenses across multiple divisions that undergird water, air, hazardous waste and solid-waste programs. "Since 1972, Ohio EPA has been committed to its mission of protecting the environment and the well-being of Ohioans across the state," Smith said.

The testimony sketched program volumes, fee schedules and revenue contributions. For the operator certification program in the Division of Drinking and Groundwater, Ohio EPA said it administers 14 classifications for water and wastewater operators, runs thousands of exams and training approvals annually and issues roughly 1,000 new certificates and 4,500 renewals each year. Smith said renewal fees "have been unchanged for more than 25 years and range from $25 to $65 for renewals and $45 for a new license," and that the program generated about $250,000 in state fiscal year 2025. He also noted a federal requirement that states maintain an operator certification program or risk losing 20% of State Revolving Fund allocations that support water infrastructure.

The agency described the Voluntary Action Program (VAP), which certifies engineers and scientists to verify cleanups that can receive a legal release from the state. Lisa Shook, assistant chief of the Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization, said the VAP has processed more than 800 sites over its 31‑year history and typically sees 20 to 30 projects a year. Ohio EPA said it issues about 10 new VAP professional certifications annually (the agency charges $2,500 for initial certification) and about 100 renewals at $2,000, generating roughly $270,000 a year.

On hazardous waste permitting, Ohio EPA reported "typically fewer than three new permits and about five renewals" per year. The agency said application fees are $1,500 for new or renewal applications and annual charges range from $500 to $40,000 depending on facility type, producing approximately $270,000 in revenue.

The Division of Air Pollution Control oversees asbestos accreditation and licensing under federal law. Smith said the agency processes about 1,200 new and 3,800 renewal individual asbestos‑related certifications annually, and about 30 new and roughly 215 contractor license renewals a year. Contractor license applications require a $750 fee and documentation of certified staff and recent project history; training providers pay $900 for initial course approval and $300 for refreshers. Smith said asbestos‑related fees have been unchanged since February 2004.

Ohio EPA described the Enhanced Motor Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance program (E‑Check), under which the contractor trains and issues vehicle inspectors while the agency issues repair shop and waiver technician certificates. The agency said it issues about 200 inspector certificates, five repair shop certificates and eight waiver technician certificates annually; repair shop and waiver technician certificates are voluntary and free.

In the Division of Material Waste Management, Ohio EPA said it regulates scrap tire handling (processing more than 16 million scrap tires annually), landfills, composting and transfer stations. The agency said it issues more than 550 operational licenses and registrations annually and that fees vary by facility type. Smith noted that, under House Bill 96, infectious waste generator registration fees will be eliminated at the end of the month. He said solid waste and scrap‑tire fees together deposit over $2 million annually into general revenue and support the scrap tire management fund with roughly $115,000 per year.

Committee members sought clarifications on continuing education and training. Representative Brent asked why training providers for asbestos programs do not appear to receive updated training each year. Josh Coe, manager of the compliance and enforcement section, replied that training providers submit course materials for agency approval and that "they have to provide that—the training course providers that put on the training in Ohio have to submit all their documentation to us so that we can confirm that their training course and agenda meets the requirements..." Coe added that training providers apply initially at $900 and $300 for refresher approvals and that providers must reapply for approval annually.

Representative McLean asked about the VAP's success and use. Lisa Shook said the program is widely used in the state and cited the more than 800 sites with covenants not to sue, noting the program's workload tends to track real estate investment cycles.

Representative Tims raised questions about emerging contaminants such as PFAS and whether operator certification keeps pace. Andy Berenbach, manager of operations resiliency and certification for the Division of Drinking and Groundwater, said the operator certification program is "recognized as... one of the model certification programs out there" and that Ohio EPA encourages courses on emerging contaminants. He said the agency reviews and updates exam question banks and that exams are reviewed on a roughly five‑year cycle to reflect new technology and regulatory changes.

Smith and agency staff repeatedly told committee members that many program fees have not been updated for decades and that fee revenue covers only part of program costs. When asked about fee increases, Smith cited long periods without changes: operator fees unchanged for more than 25 years, hazardous waste fees unchanged since 1986, asbestos fees unchanged since February 2004, and certain material waste fees unchanged for roughly 25–35 years.

After agency testimony and questions, the committee noted that written OEPA testimony was available on members' iPads. Once a quorum was present, the committee reviewed minutes from the Sept. 16 meeting and, "hearing none," approved the minutes without objection. The committee adjourned thereafter.

The hearing did not result in committee votes on policy or fee changes; agency officials described current practice, volumes and revenue and answered questions about training, continuing education and readiness for emerging contaminants.