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Septic System Installer
Septic system installation is regulated at the state level through departments of health and environmental quality. Requirements include training, examinations, experience, insurance, and continuing education. Compare requirements across all 50 states.
51
Total States
50
Require Exam
14
Require Experience
50
Require Insurance
Septic system installer licensing ensures proper installation of onsite wastewater treatment systems to protect public health and the environment. Here are the key requirements.
Most states require completion of a state-approved training course (8-40 hours) covering system design, soil evaluation, percolation testing, and installation techniques. A written examination must be passed to demonstrate competency.
Some states require documented field experience installing septic systems under a licensed installer. Experience requirements range from 6 months to 4 years depending on the state and license level. Apprenticeship programs may be available.
Nearly all states require general liability insurance (typically $300,000 minimum) and some require a surety bond. All installations must comply with EPA Clean Water Act regulations, state environmental standards, and local health department requirements.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityBrowse approved programs by state — compare costs, requirements, and timelines.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | License Req | Exam Req | Training | Exp Req | Total Fees | CE Hours | Renewal | Confidence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $850 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Yes | Yes | 8 hours | No | $200 | 4 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $175 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| California(CA) | Yes | Yes | Varies by county | No | $650 | Varies by county | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Yes | Yes | Varies by county | No | Varies | Varies by county | Annual (confirmed across multiple counties) | medium | March 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Yes | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | $300 | 6 hours/year | Annual — renewed in the first birth month immediately following issuance, and annually thereafter | medium | March 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | No | No | — | No | Varies | — | N/A | medium | March 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours | Yes | $75 (application + exam fee combined in single payment) | 8 hours/year | Annual (expires Sept. 30 each year) | medium | March 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual (expires January 1 each year) | medium | March 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $175 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $175 | 6 hours of approved maintenance training per certification year | Annual (certification year runs April 1 – March 31) | medium | March 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual (February 1 – January 31) | medium | March 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Yes | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | $275 | 8 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Yes | Yes | 18 hours | Yes | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Yes | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | $375 | 10 hours/2 years | Biennial (2 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Yes | Yes | 18 hours basic / 36 hours advanced | Yes | $275 | 18 hours/3 years | Triennial (3 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $175 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual (confirmed for DEQ Pumper license and county installer licenses) | medium | March 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual fees are referenced on the OSDS page, consistent with an annual renewal cycle | medium | March 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours | Yes | $275 | 6 hours/2 years | Biennial (2 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $275 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Yes | Yes | Varies by county | No | Varies | Varies by county | Varies by county | medium | March 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours Grade I / 40 hours Grade IV | Yes | $375 | 12 hours/year | Annual (expires December 31 each year; renewals due by November 15) | medium | March 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual (expire January 31 each year) | medium | March 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours | Yes | $275 | 8 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours Installer I / 40 hours Installer II | Yes | $375 | 8 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Yes | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | $275 | 8 hours/2 years | Biennial (2 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Yes | Yes | 24 hours | Yes | $275 | 8 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Yes | Yes | 32 hours | Yes | $375 | 12 hours/2 years | Biennial (2 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $200 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Yes | Yes | 20 hours | Yes | $275 | 12 hours/2 years | Biennial (2 years) | medium | March 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Yes | Yes | 16 hours | No | $175 | 6 hours/year | Annual | medium | March 2026 |
Septic system installers often work alongside other licensed construction and environmental professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
Study guides for septic system installation and onsite wastewater licensing exams.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
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See which states have reciprocity for Septic Installer licenses and what's required to transfer.
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