Septic Installer license requirements by state
Whether you need a septic installer license depends on where the job is. Here is every state and DC, read from each state's own licensing board.
27States with a state license
3Partly, or registration only
4Leave it to cities and counties
Septic Installer licensing in all 50 states and DC
"Partly" means the state covers only part of the trade, such as jobs over a dollar amount or only residential work, or asks for a registration instead of a tested license. "Local only" means no state license, but your city or county may still require one. Pick a state for its full guide.
| State | State license | License to get |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Basic Level Installer license (Advanced Level I or II for larger or advanced systems) |
| Alaska | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Arizona | Yes | R-41 Septic Tanks and Systems (residential), C-41 (commercial) or CR-41 (both) |
| Arkansas | Yes | Septic Tank Installer License (listed as Advanced Septic Installer) |
| California | Yes | C-42 Sanitation System Contractor |
| Colorado | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Installer license |
| Delaware | Yes | Class E groundwater discharge license (system installation) |
| District of Columbia | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Florida | Yes | Septic Tank Contractor registration |
| Georgia | Yes | Certified Installer (contractor certification), working for a certified installer company |
| Hawaii | Yes | C-43 Sewer, Sewage Disposal, Drain and Pipe Laying contractor (or A, C-9, C-37, C-37a) |
| Idaho | Yes | Basic or complex installer's registration permit |
| Illinois | Yes | Private Sewage System Installation Contractor license |
| Indiana | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Iowa | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Kansas | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Kentucky | Yes | Certified onsite sewage system installer |
| Louisiana | Yes | Basic installer license (Combination license for aerobic units) |
| Maine | No, local only | None at state level (voluntary installer certification) |
| Maryland | Partly | Registration with the State Board of On-Site Wastewater Professionals |
| Massachusetts | No, local only | None at state level (local Disposal System Installer's Permit) |
| Michigan | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Minnesota | Yes | SSTS business license (installer specialty), with an SSTS certified individual |
| Mississippi | Yes | Certified Installer |
| Missouri | Partly | Onsite wastewater treatment system installer registration (Basic or Advanced) |
| Montana | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Nebraska | Yes | Master Installer or Journeyman Installer certification |
| Nevada | Yes | C-27 Individual Sewerage |
| New Hampshire | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New Jersey | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New Mexico | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| New York | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| North Carolina | Yes | On-site wastewater contractor (installer) certification |
| North Dakota | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Ohio | Partly | Sewage treatment system installer registration, with each local board of health |
| Oklahoma | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Oregon | Yes | Sewage Disposal Service (SDS) license, Installer |
| Pennsylvania | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | OWTS Installer's License |
| South Carolina | Yes | Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 septic system installer license |
| South Dakota | Yes | On-site wastewater system installer certification |
| Tennessee | Yes | Conventional Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems Installer Permit (plus alternative system permits) |
| Texas | Yes | OSSF Installer I or Installer II license |
| Utah | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
| Vermont | No, local only | None at state level (voluntary WW Installer Certification) |
| Virginia | Yes | Onsite sewage system installer license (master or journeyman, conventional or alternative) |
| Washington | No, local only | None at state level (local health jurisdiction installer certification) |
| West Virginia | Yes | Individual Sewage System Installer certification, Class I or Class II |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Plumber license that covers POWTS (such as master plumber, or master plumber restricted service) |
| Wyoming | Being checked | Not yet confirmed on an official page. Guide coming soon. |
Each state page lists the official pages it was built from and the date they were checked. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.
Other trades
LicensingHVAC license by stateHeating, cooling and refrigeration work. Some states license it through a mechanical board, some leave it to cities.LicensingPlumbing license by stateWater, drain and gas piping. Many states license plumbers through a state board, often in apprentice, journeyman and master steps.LicensingElectrical license by stateWiring, panels and service work. Many states license electricians at the state level, often with journeyman and master levels.LicensingRoofing license by stateRoof replacement and repair. Some states have a roofing license of their own, others fold it into the contractor license or leave it to cities.LicensingGeneral Contractor license by stateBuilding, remodeling and home improvement. The rules swing from a full state exam to a city permit desk.LicensingHandyman license by stateSmall repairs and odd jobs. Most states draw a dollar line, and above it you need a contractor license.LicensingPest Control license by stateBugs, rodents and termites for paying customers. Most states license the business and certify the applicator, usually through the department of agriculture.LicensingLandscaping and Irrigation license by stateLandscape and irrigation work. A few states have a landscape or irrigation license, others fold it into the contractor law or leave it alone.LicensingPainting Contractor license by stateInterior and exterior painting. A few states have a painting class, more cover it under a contractor or home improvement license.LicensingLocksmith license by stateLocks, keys and lockouts. Some states license locksmiths, often through a security or alarm board.