Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Idaho
Septic, ID
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Septic License Requirements in Hawaii
We all need safe, reliable sewage management for our homes and businesses. Those homeowners and businesses that rely on septic tanks, also known as on-site sewage facilities (OSSF), depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems.
About 36% of homes in Idaho use septic systems to treat sewage, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
Idaho has 250 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are 27,900 nationwide, according to the BLS.
The projected growth rate nationally is expected to be 8% from 2022 to 2032, adding 3,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Idaho, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is four times that, at 32% for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.
If you’re thinking about starting a septic business or working in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide will help you determine what you need before you get started.
Who Issues Septic Licenses in Idaho?
Licensing for Idaho septic installers is under the authority of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ posts information about septic and sewage on its website, including requirements for a basic or complex septic installer license, testing, and other technical guidance.
Idaho’s seven public health districts administer these rules under a memorandum of understanding with DEQ. The public health districts license septic installers, view plot plans, issue septic permits for septic tanks and drainfields, inspect septic systems, and conduct site evaluations based on test holes to determine a location’s suitability for a septic system.
The state of Idaho establishes rules governing subsurface sewage disposal systems in the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act (IDAPA). These rules set limitations on the construction and use of sewage disposal systems and outline registration permit requirements for septic system installers. It also requires nutrient-pathogen evaluations for specific systems or when certain conditions may impact surface water or groundwater quality.
Ultimately, these rules work to protect water quality and to prevent public health hazards.
Types of Septic Licenses in Idaho
To operate as a septic system installer in Idaho, you must have a basic or complex septic installer license. After applicants pass an exam, they obtain a septic installer license through the local public health district.
If a septic company employs several employees, only the person responsible for the installations, such as the owner, needs to pass the exam and obtain a license, according to the DEQ FAQ page.
Basic septic installer license
A basic septic installer license allows for the installation of standard and basic alternative systems. An alternative system is defined as a system in which DEQ issues design guidelines or designates as a simple modification of a standard system. A basic septic installer license allows for the installation of individual systems not requiring a complex septic installer license.
Complex septic installer license
A complex alternative system installer license is required for the installation of the following systems:
Evapotranspiration systems
Extended treatment package systems (ETPS)
Lagoon systems
Large soil absorption systems
Pressure distribution systems
Proprietary wastewater treatment systems
Intermittent sand filters or sand mounds
Service provider certification
A service provider certification is required to operate, maintain, or monitor ETPSs, commonly known as aerobic treatment units that provide secondary treatment to septic tank effluent before it discharges into a drainfield. This certification is also required for any other complex alternative systems identified by the DEQ director.
In Idaho, property owners who install their own standard septic systems do not need an installer’s license, but anyone hired to help with the system installation must have a license.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Idaho
The steps to getting the septic installer licenses listed above follow a similar process. You’ll need to check with the public health district in your area to ensure you meet all the requirements, since some health districts require installer applicants to complete a training class before taking the exam.
The steps to get a license include:
Attend an installer training class or watch an installer video, if required by the local public health district.
Obtain a certificate of passing the basic or complex septic installer exam.
Complete a septic installer permit application to the local health district.
Pay a registration permit fee to the local health district.
Show proof of payment to a surety company for a secure bond of $5,000 for a basic installer license or $15,000 for a complex installer license.
Renew your license every year. Installers and service providers must take a state-approved refresher course every three years.
Once you’re licensed, you’ll be listed on the local health district’s licensed installer list and may perform work anywhere in the state.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Idaho?
Getting a septic installer license costs anywhere from $50 to $200. The cost to get a septic installer license depends on the license fees of the specific local public health district.
The septic installer license fees for the seven public health districts are as follows:
Panhandle Health District (District 1): $50 for a basic license; $100 for a complex license
Public Health - Idaho North Central District (District 2): $50 for a basic license; $100 for a complex license
Southwest District Health (District 3): $130 for a basic license; $195 for a complex license
Central District Health (District 4): $125 for a basic or complex license
South Central Public Health District (District 5): $110 for a basic license; $200 for a complex license
Southeastern Idaho Public Health District (District 6): $75 for a basic or complex license
Eastern Idaho Public Health (District 7): $50 for a basic license; $100 for a complex license
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a septic installer license, no matter where technicians are in their licensing journey, takes work. ServiceTitan cloud-based, all-in-one septic business software gives technicians and business owners the technology they need to do the work efficiently, and the data they need to do it smartly.
ServiceTitan features:
SMS communications that keep customers informed about the technician’s visit.
Location-specific service history, including recorded calls, accessible from the mobile app.
Required forms that ensure every job is done right, driving consistency.
The ability to build multi-option proposals with photos, on-site, in minutes.
Sales presentations that make conversations with customers easier and drive the average ticket.
Mobile payment acceptance, eliminating lost checks and increasing cash flow.
To learn more, schedule a demo with a product expert today.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Idaho?
Since there’s no initial training or experience prerequisites for a septic installer license in Idaho, obtaining a license can be accomplished quickly. The specific time it takes to get a license depends on application processing times at the local public health districts.
Applicants must pass an exam, obtain a bond, and submit an application and fee to the local public health district to obtain a license.
Idaho Septic Training Programs and Schools
In Idaho, some local public health districts require prospective septic installers to attend a training class or watch a video before applying for an initial license. The state also requires septic installers to complete one DEQ-approved refresher course every three years, offered by the local public health districts.
Idaho Septic Licensing Exam Details
Septic installers in Idaho must pass either the basic or complex septic installer exam. Those wanting to take the septic installer exam can schedule an in-person exam with their local public health district or take the exam online through the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, according to DEQ.
Some local health districts require applicants to take a training class or watch a training video before taking the examination, so it’s a good idea to first check with your local public health district before taking the exam, to make sure you meet all the requirements.
The DEQ provides installer exam information on its septic page. It provides PDFs regarding septic installer online exam instructions and online exam FAQs. It also provides a link for the Idaho Septic System Installer Exam. Applicants will need to create an account before taking the basic or complex exam, both of which are free.
Exam questions are from Idaho’s Technical Guidance Manual - Individual and Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (TGM), and the Idaho Administrative Procedures Act “Individual/Subsurface Sewage Disposal Rules and Rules for Cleaning of Septic Tanks” (IDAPA 58.01.03).
The exam is an open-book test. Testers must receive a score of 70% or more to pass. There are no time limits and applicants may take the test an unlimited number of times.
Do I Need to Renew My Idaho Septic License?
Yes. Septic installer licenses expire each year on Jan. 1 and require annual renewal with the local public health district.
To renew a license, septic installers must:
Submit a signed bond continuation certificate to the local public health district.
Pay the permit renewal fee, which varies based on specific fees from the local public health district.
Complete a DEQ-approved refresher course every three years.
Does Idaho Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, Idaho does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for septic licenses. Septic installers must pass an exam and obtain a basic or complex septic installer license from a local public health district in order to perform septic installations in the state.
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National Septic Certifications
Other certifications can help you demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers and clients. The National Association of Wastewater Technicians and The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association offer certifications. Those and other professional certifications are not required but add to your marketability by showing your commitment to industry standards and environmental health, potentially increasing your opportunity to make more money. You can also learn more about sewer systems and the wastewater industry through industry associations in Idaho. They include:
Continuing Education
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality requires completion of one course of continuing education for septic installers and service providers every three years. The state’s public health districts provide these DEQ-approved continuing education courses.
Resources
You can stay up to date on all septic industry news several ways:
Check top septic blogs, including ServiceTitan’s blog.
Read about the latest industry trends, and discover ideas on how to grow your septic business.
Listen to top septic podcasts like ServiceTitan’s “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast.
States have licensing requirements for other trades, too. You can find out more about how to get an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical license in Idaho, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
