- Plan for a trade exam.
- Every year by January 1, with continuing education: 6 hours for basic, 8 for Advanced Level I, 10 for Advanced Level II.
Do you need a state license in Alabama?
Alabama licenses septic system work at the state level through the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board. Below is what the board asks for, in the order you will run into it.
Alabama license types for septic system work
Alabama splits the work into 4 licenses. Pick the one that matches the jobs you take, since working outside its scope is the same as working without one.
| License | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Basic Level Installer | Conventional and shallow placement systems up to 1800 gallons per day, with simple on demand pumps |
| Advanced Level I Installer | Everything under Basic, plus mound systems, timed dosing simplex pumps and duplex pumps |
| Advanced Level II Installer | All systems, including 1801 gallons per day and above and advanced technology systems |
| Pumper License | Pumping and servicing septic tanks, sewage tanks and grease traps |
Steps to get licensed in Alabama
- Download the eligibility application from the board's forms page and submit it.
- Attend the training and pass the installer exam once approved.
- Get continuing education each year before December 31.
- Renew online starting October 1, before January 1.
Experience and other requirements
Experience. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
The license to apply for. Basic Level Installer license (Advanced Level I or II for larger or advanced systems).
Alabama septic installer exams
Trade exam. Yes. You apply for eligibility to attend the board's training and testing.
Business and law exam. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
What it costs in Alabama
The board lists one fee for this license. These are the state's own numbers. Insurance, any bond, exam prep and your business registration come on top.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Late renewal, per license (after January 1) | $100 |
Insurance and bond
Insurance. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Bond. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Renewal and licenses from other states
Renewal. Every year by January 1, with continuing education: 6 hours for basic, 8 for Advanced Level I, 10 for Advanced Level II.
Reciprocity. The official pages we read do not say. Check with the board (official site).
Good to know in Alabama
- You cannot lend your license. Only you and employees you directly supervise may work under it.
After you are licensed
The license lets you take the work. Getting the work is the next job.
- Register the business. If you work under a name other than your own, register it where your state asks (often the Secretary of State, sometimes the county), and keep the name the same on your license, your truck and your invoices.
- Claim your Google Business Profile. It is the listing people see when they search for septic installation near them. Fill in your service area, hours and real photos of your work.
- Put up a website that shows the license. Customers look for it before they call. Koira builds a contractor website for you and keeps it current.
- See where you stand. The free Koira report checks how your business shows up in search and on maps against shops near you.
Where this comes from
Every fact on this page comes from the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board and the official pages below, checked October 9, 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the board before you file.