Licensing Guides
Louisiana Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Louisiana
Septic, LA
September 21st, 2026
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Louisiana?
How Long Does It Take to Get a Septic License in Louisiana?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Louisiana?
Septic License Requirements in Louisiana
We all need safe, reliable sewage management for our homes and businesses. Those homeowners and businesses that rely on septic tanks, also known as onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDS), depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems. Everyone, in every community, needs those professionals to have the expertise to protect the environment and public health from the inherent contaminants.
As of August 2023, a total of 475,299 onsite septic systems have been permitted in Louisiana. Approximately 54,750,000,000 gallons of wastewater per year is treated by onsite wastewater treatment systems in the state of Louisiana, according to the Louisiana Department of Health Bureau of Sanitation Services Onsite Wastewater Program.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 30,650 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Louisiana employs 500 of them. Employment for this occupation is projected to grow 8% nationally from 2024 to 2034, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website. In Louisiana, CareerOneStop projects an even higher growth rate of 10% (2022 to 2032).
Demand for skilled onsite wastewater professionals continues to grow. With hundreds of thousands of septic systems in service across the state, Louisiana homeowners and businesses depend on licensed installers and maintenance professionals to keep those systems working safely, so trained professionals should have steady work to choose from.
If you’re thinking about starting a business in this field or you want a job in it, 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.
Licensing and registration for septic professionals in the state of Louisiana falls under the authority of the Bureau of Sanitation Services’ Onsite Wastewater Program (OSWW). The LDH has information you need on its website for state licensure, including training and insurance requirements.
Types of Septic Licenses in Louisiana
Louisiana issues three types of Installer licenses:
Basic License: Required by the Louisiana Public Health Sanitary Code for the installation and maintenance of septic tanks/field lines, septic tanks/oxidation ponds, septic tanks/sand filters, or limited-use systems.
Combination License: Required by the Louisiana Public Health Sanitary Code for the installation and maintenance of mechanical treatment plants. This license may be obtained only in conjunction with a Basic License, though it is considered to be a separate license.
Maintenance License: Required by the Louisiana Public Health Sanitary Code for the maintenance of mechanical treatment plants, and does not apply to installations.
Each license is issued at the installer level and requires passing the state-approved workshop exam before it will be granted. There is no separate apprentice or journeyperson tier for septic installers in Louisiana. A Combination License can only be held alongside a Basic License, so most installers begin with the Basic License and add the Combination or Maintenance License as their scope of work expands. All licensed installers must carry the required general liability insurance and comply with the applicable chapters of the Louisiana Sanitary Code.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Louisiana
The steps to getting any of the septic licenses listed above are similar with variations in the required endorsements and fees. The process includes:
Attend and successfully complete a training course approved by the Sanitarian Services Section of the Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health, which requires passing the workshop exam.
Obtain general liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 each occurrence/$300,000 aggregate per person. List the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Office of Public Health (OPH), Onsite Wastewater Program (OSWW), Bin 10, Box 11, P.O. Box 4489, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 as a certificate holder.
Complete and submit the license application packet with a $100 application fee paid via check or money order per license type.
Receive your license.
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Louisiana
There are many benefits to obtaining septic licensure in Louisiana:
First, and most important, it is illegal to operate as a septic professional in Louisiana without being licensed.
A license is proof of your experience and skill in the industry.
Only licensed professionals can operate a business and advertise and perform septic services.
Having a license protects your company and customers.
Licensing gives you a competitive advantage in the job market.
It also increases your earning potential.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Louisiana?
The annual mean wage for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in Louisiana is $52,900, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is close to the national annual mean wage of $53,500 for the same occupation.
Pay rises with experience and skill. In Louisiana, the lowest 10% of these workers earn about $39,590 a year, the median wage is $48,900, and the top 10% earn about $76,080.
The terms “mean wage” and “median wage” are easy to confuse. Here is the difference:
The mean wage is the mathematical average of all wages.
The median wage is the point at which half of workers earn less and half earn more, and it is often a better indicator of what a typical worker actually earns.
Salaries can vary depending on the city where you work, your years of experience, the licenses you hold, and whether you own your own business.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Louisiana?
It’s relatively affordable to become a septic professional in Louisiana. The cost to obtain a septic license in Louisiana includes a fee for the required Onsite Wastewater Installers Workshop and an additional $100 licensing fee for each license type, per the Louisiana Department of Health licensing instructions.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a septic professional, no matter where they 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.
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 to Get a Septic License in Louisiana
To recap, obtaining a septic license in Louisiana requires completing a training course, obtaining liability insurance, and filling out the application form. The application packet includes an affidavit you must sign noting you’ve read and will comply with applicable chapters of the Louisiana Sanitary Code.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Louisiana?
The longest wait in the contractor licensing process is waiting for a training course. In 2024, training courses were held in March, May, August, and October. Once you successfully complete a course, you can submit an application.
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Louisiana Septic Training Programs and Schools
Training courses approved by the Sanitarian Services Section of the Louisiana Department of Health Office of Public Health are offered through The Roger Kelley, Water and Wastewater Trainer, LLC in Denham Springs and The Louisiana State University AgCenter Water Quality Extension Lab.
Louisiana Septic Licensing Exam Details
The required training course concludes with an exam. Applicants must pass with at least a 70%. If they don’t pass, the workshop attendee can retake the course exam with a regional OPH representative at no additional cost.
How Can I Prepare for the Septic License Exam in Louisiana?
The exam is given at the end of the required Onsite Wastewater Installers Workshop approved by the Sanitarian Services Section of the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health. The best preparation is to attend the full workshop and study the material it covers.
Focus your studying on the parts of the Louisiana Sanitary Code that govern onsite wastewater systems, including installation and maintenance standards for septic tanks, field lines, mechanical treatment plants, and related systems. You must pass with a score of at least 70%. If you do not pass, you can retake the course exam with a regional Office of Public Health representative at no additional cost, so review any weak areas before you test again.
Do I Need to Renew My Louisiana Septic License?
Yes, licenses expire on Jan. 31 each year. Renewal requires an application and $100 fee per license type, and training must be completed every five years, according to the Louisiana Department of Health licensing instructions.
Louisiana Septic License Exceptions
If there’s no training course offered for 60 days or more, applicants can take a temporary Onsite Wastewater Workshop exam and receive a temporary license. Once the approved training courses are available, it is the installer’s responsibility to register, attend the training, and pass the workshop exam. If they don’t attend the first available training class, their temporary license will no longer be valid.
Does Louisiana Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
Louisiana does not have any reciprocity agreements with other states for septic licensing. Because there is no reciprocity, an installer licensed in another state must complete the same requirements as any new Louisiana applicant: attend an approved Onsite Wastewater Installers Workshop, pass the workshop exam, carry the required insurance, and submit a license application to the Onsite Wastewater Program.
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 can add to your marketability and therefore increase your opportunity to make more money. You can also learn more about certification and the septic business in Louisiana through Clean Water Professionals of Louisiana.
Other Requirements Unique to Louisiana
To service a home system, homeowners must obtain a Homeowner Certification. This requires attending a training class and passing the exam with a 70% or higher.
There are also permitting requirements for installing new septic systems. Sewerage permit applications must be submitted with each local Parish Health Unit.
Are There Septic Scholarships in Louisiana?
Louisiana does not offer a scholarship dedicated specifically to septic installer training, in part because licensure is earned through a short workshop rather than a multi-year degree. There are still ways to offset training and continuing-education costs.
Industry groups such as Clean Water Professionals of Louisiana connect wastewater professionals with training and professional-development resources.
The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association and the National Association of Wastewater Technicians offer education and training that can support your career.
If you pursue related coursework at a Louisiana community or technical college, you may qualify for state and federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
How Can Someone Verify My Septic License in Louisiana?
Homeowners, employers, and inspectors can confirm that a septic installer is properly licensed by contacting the state program that issues the licenses. To verify a Louisiana septic license:
Start at the Louisiana Department of Health Bureau of Sanitarian Services’ Onsite Wastewater Program.
Contact the Onsite Wastewater Program using the details on that page to confirm the installer’s name, license type, and current status.
Ask the installer for their license type — Basic, Combination, or Maintenance — so you can confirm it matches the work being performed.
When Can a Septic License Get Suspended in Louisiana?
A suspended license means an installer is temporarily barred from legally performing onsite wastewater work. Under the Louisiana Sanitary Code administered by the Office of Public Health, common reasons a septic license can be suspended or revoked include:
Fraud or misrepresentation on an application.
Installing or maintaining systems that violate the Louisiana Sanitary Code.
Letting the required general liability insurance lapse.
Failing to complete the required training every five years.
Practicing on an expired or lapsed license.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific rules, refer to the Louisiana Sanitary Code and the Onsite Wastewater Program.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Louisiana?
Installing or maintaining onsite wastewater systems in Louisiana without the proper license is illegal. Only licensed installers may perform, advertise, or contract for this work under the Louisiana Sanitary Code.
Working without a license can lead to enforcement action by the Office of Public Health, which may include orders to stop work, penalties for violating the Sanitary Code, and referral for legal action. Unpermitted or improperly installed systems can also have to be corrected or replaced at the owner’s expense.
Note: The information above should not be considered legal advice. For specific penalties, refer to the Louisiana Sanitary Code and the Onsite Wastewater Program.
Continuing Education
Louisiana septic installers must retake the training course every five years to maintain their license.
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.
The states have licensing requirements for other trades too. You can find out more about how to get an HVAC, Plumbing, or Electrical license in any of the 50 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
