Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Illinois
Septic, IL
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Septic License Requirements in Illinois
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.
More than 25% of Illinois households use on-site sewage treatment systems, according to the Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department in Illinois.
Illinois employs 620 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 2023 to 2033, adding 3,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Illinois, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is at 6% 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 Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses private sewage disposal installation contractors and private sewage disposal pumping contractors. It also licenses or certifies portable sanitation businesses, technicians, and technician trainees who clean and service portable toilets.
The IDPH also regulates the installation of private sewage disposal systems with no surface discharge, such as septic tanks and subsurface seepage fields, and systems that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons a day to the ground surface, such as recirculating sand filters and aerobic treatment systems.
IDPH staff review and approve plans for construction of these systems. More than 90 local health departments act under the authority of a local ordinance or as an agent of IDPH to review property owners’ sewage disposal system permit applications and construction plans.
Laws governing sewage disposal in the state include the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code (Adm. Code Title 77, Part 905), and the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act, which sets out licensure requirements to preserve the water supply and protect public health and safety.
Types of Septic Licenses in Illinois
The state of Illinois licenses private sewage disposal installation contractors and pumping contractors who work on private sewage systems.
Sewage disposal installation contractor license
A private sewage disposal installation contractor license is required for constructing, installing, repairing, modifying, or maintaining private sewage disposal systems. The state’s Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act defines a private sewage disposal system as a sewage handling or treatment facility receiving domestic sewage from less than 15 people with or without ground surface discharge.
Sewage disposal pumping contractor license
A private sewage disposal pumping contractor license is required for those who clean or pump waste from a private sewage disposal system or haul or dispose of human waste.
To receive either of these state licenses, applicants will need to fill out an application for the private sewage disposal program examination, pay a fee, and pass the exam.
Once licensed, septic system contractors also must follow the requirements of individual Illinois counties and cities. For instance, all contractors working in the unincorporated areas of Cook County must register as a contractor with the Department of Building and Zoning.
There are also additional local requirements for private sewage disposal installation or pumping contractors. Many county health departments require private sewage contractors to register and pay an application fee. Some counties also require registration for pumpers and haulers. It’s important to check with the local health department where you plan to work to make sure you meet local registration or licensing requirements.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Illinois
The steps to getting a private sewage disposal installation or pumping contractor license are similar.
Submit a private sewage examination application 30 days before the exam to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Attach your photograph and provide an email on the application.
If you have one, send a copy of your Illinois or City of Chicago plumbing license. It’s not required, but those who have one of these plumbing licenses are exempt from paying the annual private sewage contractor license fee.
Pay the $100 exam application fee.
Renew the license each year after completing three hours of continuing education.
Once you receive your state license, you’ll need to check with the counties and cities where you plan to work to meet any additional registration or licensing requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Illinois?
Getting a private sewage disposal installation contractor or pumping contractor license costs $100. Initially, this fee also covers the examination application. It costs $100 to renew these licenses every year.
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 Illinois?
Since there are no initial training or experience requirements, getting a private sewage disposal installation or pumping contractor license can be accomplished quickly.
Applicants must first pass a private sewage examination, which is offered at least once every month at different locations throughout the state. The IDPH publishes the dates and locations in the exam application. It takes about 10 business days following the exam to receive a result letter by email, according to the IDPH.
The time it takes to register or obtain licensing from cities or county health departments depends on the specific requirements and processing times of the municipalities or agencies.
Illinois Septic Training Programs and Schools
Illinois private sewage disposal installation or pumping contractors are not required to complete initial educational training. To renew these state licenses, contractors must complete three hours of IDPH-approved continuing education.
The Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association, Inc. is one group in the state that provides training and workshops specifically for private sewage disposal contractors.
Illinois Septic Licensing Exam Details
All private sewage disposal installation or pumping contractors, even if they hold a plumbing license, must take and pass an examination.
Private sewage contractor applicants must:
Complete the private sewage examination application PDF 30 days before the exam. A list of exam dates and locations is provided with the application.
Attach a 2-inch-by-2-inch color photograph of the applicant on the application.
Include an email address. The IDPH sends study materials, the letter of admission to the exam, and exam results by email.
Provide court-ordered child support information.
Include a copy of your Illinois or City of Chicago plumbing license, if you have one.
Pay the $100 application fee by check or money order, payable to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Mail exam applications to: Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Environmental Health 525 W. Jefferson St. Springfield, IL 62761
Testers may only bring pencils and a non-programmable calculator to the exam. They may not access study materials.
The IDPH emails result letters 10 business days after the exam.
Do I Need to Renew My Illinois Septic License?
Yes. Illinois private sewage disposal installation and pumping contractor licenses expire annually.
To renew, license holders must complete three hours of IDPH-approved continuing education and pay the $100 license renewal fee. Those who have a valid plumbing license issued under the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320) do not need to pay the annual license fee, according to the state’s Private Sewage Disposal Code.
The IDPH sends out license renewal notices and provides online renewal for private sewage contractors.
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Does Illinois Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, Illinois does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for septic licenses. All private sewage disposal installation contractors and pumping contractors must pass an exam and receive a state license to perform septic installations or provide pumping services in the state. Contractors also must follow the local registration or licensing requirements of counties and cities.
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.
To find local training resources, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists onsite wastewater treatment training centers by state. You can also learn more about private sewage disposal, wastewater treatment systems, and groundwater protection through other governmental agencies and industry associations in Illinois. These include:
Continuing Education
Those with private sewage disposal installation and pumping contractor licenses must complete three hours of IDPH-approved continuing education every year before renewing their licenses.
The IDPH provides a resource tab on its website with course lists for private sewage disposal continuing education. Contractors must submit a certificate of completion for continuing education before their license is renewed.
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 Illinois, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
