Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations State Comparison
['Tank Systems']
['Underground Storage Tanks']
09/06/2024
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Each state manages underground storage tanks differently. Use the chart below to determine if additional requirements apply to your operations. State UST regulations must be at least as stringent as the federal regulations. When EPA has approved a state’s UST program, tank owners and operators in that state may follow the state.
Federal regulatory citations
State comparison
State
Adherence to federal regulations
State regulatory citation(s)
State-specific UST requirements
Program approval status
Operator training requirements
Alabama
State
335-6-15
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
Alaska
State
18 AAC 78, Article 1
None
Required annual refresher for Class C. Class A and Class B operators of USTs determined by the department to be out of compliance with this chapter or that failed a third-party inspection under must successfully complete a training program or comparable examination
Arizona
State
ARS Title 49: Chapter 6, Sections 49-1001 to 1093, AAC Title 18, Chapter 12
None
Required retraining for all classes every 3 years
Arkansas
State
AR RST Regulation No. 12
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
At least one Class C operator must be present onsite during all hours of operation of an underground storage tank facility with limited exceptions. Class C training must include “Delivery controls and monitoring of the dispensing or sale of regulated substances.” Training for Class C operators must be documented on forms provided by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Class A or Class B operators must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
California
State
CCR, Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16
None
Class A and B operators are called “designated UST operator” and Class C operators are “facilities employees.” Must submit, to the local agency, the Designated Underground Storage Tank Operator Identification Form” identifying the designated UST operator(s) for the facility. Class A and B operators must pass California UST System Operator exam issued by the International Code Council (ICC). At least one of the facility employees present during operating hours shall have current training.
Colorado
State
CRS Title 8, Article 20, 7 CCR 1101-14
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Connecticut
Federal
UST regulations Sections 22a-449(d)-1 to 113
Some differences
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Class A and B must pass the applicable UST System Operator issued by the International Code Council (ICC) every 2 years. Class C retraining or refresher training at least every 2 years.
Delaware
Federal
DAC, Title 7, 1351
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Required to submit specific state form listing those people designated as Class A and Class B Operator for each UST System.
District of Columbia
Federal
DC Code, Div. 1, Title 8, Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter VII, District Municipal Regulations, Title 20, Chapters 55-70
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Requires the retraining of the Class C operators at least every twelve months.
Florida
State
FAC Chapter 62-761
None
During hours of operation, facilities must have at least one certified operator present at the facility.
Georgia
State
391-3-1
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
All Class A and Class B operators are required to retake and pass the Georgia UST Operator Examination once every seven years.
Hawaii
State
HAR Title 11, Chapter 281
Some differences
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Class A and class B operators shall be retrained every five years. Class C operators shall be retrained every three hundred sixty-five days.
Idaho
State
Idaho Code §39-88, IDAPA 58.01.07
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Illinois
State
UST Rules, Title 41, Chapter 1, Parts 172-177
None
Same as federal
Indiana
State
329 IAC Article 9, IN Statutes 13-23
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Iowa
Federal
IAC Chapters 120, 133-136
Iowa is working to adopt the federal requirements. See federal.
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Class C operator training includes additional requirements, including general overview of the department’s UST program and purpose, groundwater protection goals, public safety, UST system overview, and administrative requirements.
Kansas
Federal
K.A.R. 28-44, KSA 65-34
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Kentucky
State
KAR 401, Chapter 42
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Louisiana
State
LAC Environmental Regulatory Code Title 33, Louisiana Revised Statutes Subtitle II of Title 30
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Class A or class B operators must submit, to the Department of Environmental Quality, a list of all class C UST operators at that facility who have been trained. The Department of Environmental Quality will then send a training certificate back to each Class C operator.
Maine
State
Title 38, Chapter 3, Subchapter 2-B, Waste Management Rules Ch. 691, 692, 693, 695
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Has a 4th class of operator, combining Class A and B. The “Class A/B operator” means the facility owner, employee or agent certified as an operator using the TankSmart program. A Class A/B operator may perform the responsibilities of the Class A and Class B operator. All designated Class A, B and C operators must be retrained and recertified every two years
Maryland
Federal
COMAR 26.10
Maryland has not yet adopted the federal UST rules.
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
Massachusetts
Federal
310 CMR 80.00
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Includes provisions defining how to address temporary transfers of Class C Operators.
Minnesota
State
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 7150
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
Mississippi
State
MS Administrative Code Title 11, Part 5
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Uses the term “UST compliance manager” in place of Class A and B operators. Uses the term “UST operations clerk” in place of Class C operator.
Missouri
State
MO Code, Title 10, Divisions 20, 26
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Accepts operator (Class A, B, or C) certification from only particular other states: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, or Tennessee.
Montana
State
Montana Underground Storage Tank Act 75-11-501 MCA, MT Administrative Rules, Title 17, Chapter 56
Montana is in the process of adopting the federal rules. See federal.
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Nebraska
Federal
Title 159
Some differences
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Class C operator training must include at a minimum: a general overview of the State Fire Marshal’s UST program and purpose; NDEQ’s groundwater protection goals; public safety requirements; and action to be taken in response to an emergency condition or alarms caused by spills or releases from an UST system.
Nevada
State
NRS 459.800 - .856, NAC 459.9921-.9995
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
New Hampshire
State
NH Revised Statutes, Title X, Chapter 146-C, Certified Administrative Rules, Env-Or 400
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
New Jersey
State
NJAC 14B
None
Must notify the Department of Environmental Protection of each designated Class A and Class B operator.
New Mexico
State
NMAC Title 20, Chapter 5
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Must provide the New Mexico Environment Department a list of who the designated class A and B operator(s) are. Must have a class A, class B, or class C operator on-site whenever it is open for business and dispensing any regulated substance. Class A and B operators must be re-certified every five years, but there are no re-certification requirements for Class C operators.
New York
Federal
NY Environmental Conservation Law, Control of Bulk Storage of Petroleum, Article 17, Title 10, 6 NYCRR 612-614
NY has not yet adopted the federal UST rules, but will enforce them.
None
Same as federal
North Carolina
State
NCGS 143.215.94NN - TT, 15A NCAC 2L - 2T
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Uses the term "Emergency response operator" in place of Class C operator. Uses the term “Primary operator" in place of Class A and B operator. Includes requirements specific to facilities with UST systems to store fuel solely for use by emergency power generators.
North Dakota
State
NDAC 33.1-24-08
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Either a class A, or class B, or class C operator must be present onsite during the operation of the tank system, except unattended cardtrol facilities with required posted notifications. Class A and class B operators take annual refresher training.
Ohio
State
OAC 1301:7-9
None
Calls out that only Class B operators must be retrained if they assume responsibilities at another site (Class A and C do not require retraining). A Class C operator shall be present at an attended UST site during the operation of the UST system.
Oklahoma
State
OCC Title 165, Chapter 25, OK Storage Tank Regulation Act §§301 - 319
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Temporary out of use (TOU) tanks must still have a Class A and B designated operator. Class A and Class B operators must be recertified every 3 years. Facilities must provide Petroleum Storage Tank Division (PSTD) with documentation for all operator classes.
Oregon
State
ORS Chapter 466 (Sections 466.706 - .845, .994 and .995), OAR 340 Division 150
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Pennsylvania
State
Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Act, PA Code — Storage Tank Regulations Chapter 245
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Requires facilities that dispense motor fuel for retail sales to the public shall be manned by an onsite Class C operator when open for business. Allows for Class A or B coverage during operation and an unexpected absence of a Class C operator. Specifies that for non-retail facilities, a Class C operator must be available for immediate telephone consultation and shall be able to be onsite within 2 hours when needed. Class C operators shall be retrained at least annually (every 12 months).
Rhode Island
State
DEM-OWM-UST03-11
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Class C operators must be present at the facility during all operating hours or be approved by the Department. Class A and B operators must pass an ICC (International Code Council) exam approved by the Department or pass any other New England State approved exam administered by ICC. Class C operators must be trained every two years, by a Class A or B operator.
South Carolina
State
R. 61-92, Part 280
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
South Dakota
State
SD Codified Law Chapter 34A-2 Water Pollution Control, SD Administrative Rules Article 74:56 Storage Tanks and Remediation
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
Tennessee
State
Rule 0400-18-01
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
All classes of operators must log on to the state Underground Storage Tank Program web-based training database and enter training information.
Texas
State
30 TAC Chapter 334
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
During hours of operation, UST facilities must have at least one certified operator (either a Class A, Class B, or Class C operator) present at the UST facility, except when a UST facility is unmanned. All classes of operators (A, B, and C) must be trained prior to assuming responsibilities at the UST facility.
Utah
State
R311
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Same as federal
Vermont
State
Vermont UST Rules §8
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
During all hours of normal hours of operation, a staffed facility must a Class C operator or equally trained person, present. Class A and B operator information must be submitted to the state and revised within 45 days of any changes. All operators must renew their certifications at least every two years.
Virginia
State
9 VAC 25-580-10 et seq.
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Class C operators shall be retrained at least annually (every 12 months).
Washington
State
Statute: Chapter 90.76 RCW, Rule: Chapter 173-360A WAC
Approved under the 1988 UST regulation
Same as federal
West Virginia
State
UST Act: WVC Chapter 22, Article 17, UST Rule Title 33, Series 30
Approved under the 2015 UST regulation
Class C operator on site during all hours of operation unless the facility is an unmanned facility. However, even for unmanned facilities, Class C Operator must be available at all times to respond immediately to calls and be able to be at the facility within 60 minutes.
Wisconsin
State
Chapter ATCP 93 and 94; Chapter 168
None
Same as federal
Wyoming
State
WY Rules, Chapter 17, Part A
None
Class A operators must pass The International Code Council test on “Wyoming State Specific Storage Tank Laws - ICC Test W-6.” Wyoming includes more specific elements that must be included in a Class C operator training.
['Tank Systems']
['Underground Storage Tanks']
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Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.