Customer Service Inspector
Information about obtaining a license to inspect for cross connections in water systems.
Texas Small Public Water System Training Program Notice
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) promulgated new and revised rules on September 27, 2007 which will affect many licensing programs.
Please review the URL below to become acquainted with the newly adopted Chapter 30 rules for Title 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 290 
Customer Service Inspector (CSI) Licensing Program
The Customer Service Inspector Licensing Program staff can answer routine operator inquiries. Below is the phone number and other means for contacting the program:
- Location - The second floor in building A of the TCEQ complex located at 12100 Park 35 Circle in Austin, Texas
- Office Hours - 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
- Phone number -512/239-6133. Press #1 for New Applications or Exams
Press #2 for Renewals - Fax - 512/239-6272
- Email address licenses@tceq.state.tx.us
- Mailing Address - TCEQ, Customer Service Inspector(CSI)Licensing Program, MC-178, PO Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087
Customer Service Inspector
- Why do I need a license?
- How do I become licensed?
- What type of training must I complete for a license?
- What do I need to know about an application?
- What if my application is deficient?
- What do I need to know for an exam?
- If I hold a license in another state, can I transfer it to Texas?
- How do I renew my license?
- What are some of my responsibilities to the TCEQ?
- I lost my license or pocket card-how do I replace it?
Why do I need a license?
In accordance with state law, Title 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 290 a customer service inspection certificate shall be completed prior to providing continuous water service to new construction, or on any existing service when the water purveyor has reason to believe that cross-connections or other potential contaminant hazards exist, or after any material improvement, correction, or addition to the private water distribution facilities has occured. Individuals with the following credentials shall be recognized as capable of conducting a customer service inspection certification: Plumbing Inspectors or Water Supply Protection Specialists licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners; or Customer Service Inspectors holding a valid license from the TCEQ.
How do I become licensed?
To become licensed as a Customer Service Inspector, you must have the required education and experience, complete the related training, pay an application fee, and pass a qualifying exam.
| CSI Licensing Information | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License Type | Validity Period | Application or Renewal Fee | Education Required | Experience Required | Training Credit | Exam Required | |||||
| CSI | 3 years | $105
$111 Effective 01/01/2008 |
Highschool Diploma or GED | 2 years(1) | 10 Hours | Yes | |||||
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What type of training must I complete for a license?
Required courses are available as classroom training.
List of Approved Training Providers (PDF)
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What do I need to know about an application?
- Where can I obtain an application?
- What do I need to provide with an application?
- When do I pay the application fee?
- If I qualify for a higher-level of license, must I apply for all lower levels first?
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Where can I obtain an application?
Applications are available through the TCEQ's Customer Service Inspector Program in the Austin central office or at any TCEQ regional office. The application must be completed in full, signed, dated, and submitted with the appropriate application fee (check or money order only). All fees are non-refundable.
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What do I need to provide with an application?
In addition to the standard information (name, address, social security number), you will need to submit supporting documentation such as:
- copy of certificate of completion for unverified training
- copy of college transcripts used for experience substitution
- copy of current out-of-state license (if applying for reciprocity)
All statements and qualifications provided by each applicant are subject to verification.
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When do I pay the application fee?
You must pay the application fee when you arrive to take the Customer Service Inspector exam. The application fee is valid for one year or four exams, whichever comes first.
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What if my application is deficient?
Applicants who are deficient after an initial review by the staff may be asked to submit supplemental information for consideration if the staff determines that the original application did not contain all relevant information. The applicant must submit this information within 120 days of notification of deficiency, or the examination,application and fee will become invalid.
Application fees are not refundable
What do I need to know for an exam?
- What do I need to study?
- Where and when are exams held?
- What is the minimum passing score?
- If I fail, how many times may I retake the test?
- How long do I have to retake the test?
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What do I need to study?
Study materials for each type and level of licensing include:
- training manuals for the corresponding required training courses
- the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 30 , regulating licensing of public system personnel
- the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 290 , regulating the operation of public water systems
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Where and when are exams held?
Exams are regularly scheduled and administered in the Austin central office and TCEQ regional offices in accordance with an established exam schedule.
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What is the minimum passing score?
All applicants for licensing, except individuals applying for licensing by reciprocity, must pass the appropriate exam with a minimum score of 70 percent. Within four weeks of the exam, applicants can check their exam results on the web. In six weeks applicants will receive their examination results by mail.
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If I fail, how many times may I retake the test?
You may retake the test a maximum of three times within one year of the original examination date. To retest, you must wait a minimum of 60 days between each examination and you must present your exam analysis to program staff at the exam site as proof of eligibility to retest. After the fourth test in the one year period, you will need to submit a new application and fee.
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How long do I have to retake the test?
You must retake the test within one year of the original examination date before submitting a new application and fee.
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What is acceptable experience?
Approved areas of work include;
- operation or maintenance of a public drinking water treatment or distribution system
- performing activities requiring a master or journeyman plumbing license
- conducting building or construction inspections or
- performing duties related to this profession approved by the executive director.
- 1 year of college(32 semester hours) or an additional 20 hours of training credits may be substituted for up to 1 year of the experience requirement.
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If I hold a license in another state, can I transfer it to Texas?
Texas issues licenses of reciprocity on a case-by-case basis with all other states.
To be considered for reciprocity:
- You must hold a current Customer Service Inspector license
- Your license must have been obtained by exam
- The license must be mandatory under the other state's laws
- The equivalent education, training, experience, and fee requirements for the type and class of Texas license being applied for have been met.
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How do I renew my license?
You will be mailed a renewal notification to the last known address on file at least 60 days before your license expires. This notification will give you instructions for renewing your license using the Texas Online license renewal process.
If you are unable to renew on-line, please contact our office immediately to receive a printed renewal application. You can contact the TCEQ Licensing Section at licenses@tceq.state.tx.us or phone (512)239-6133. Please be sure to include your full name and license number with your request. Remember it is your responsibility to timely submit a renewal application.
Credit is given for attendance at TCEQ approved training courses, correspondence courses, seminars, and association meetings on the basis of one credit hour per hour of attendance.
To check how many credit hours you currently have on file. click here.
| To renew this license class ... | You must obtain this much continuing education ... | You must pay a renewal fee of ... | The license will remain valid for an additional ... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Inspector(CSI) | 16 Hours | $ 111 | 3 years |
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Renewal applications are mailed to the operator's address on file. The TCEQ is not responsible for undelivered mail.
What are some of my responsibilities to the TCEQ?
The operator is responsible for:
- Notifying the Austin central office of any address changes;
- Maintaining personal training records, including:
- Name of training course
- Location of training course
- Name of training provider and
- Date of training course
I lost my license or pocket card-how do I replace it?
To replace a lost or stolen license, mail a request for a duplicate license, along with a check or money order(made payable to TCEQ)for $20, to:
Customer Service Inspector Licensing(CSI), MC 214
TCEQ
P.O. Box 13088
Austin, TX 78711-3088
Please include the following with your request:
- Name
- TCEQ license number for the license you are requesting
