Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Michigan
Septic, MI
Table of Contents
Septic License Requirements in Michigan
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 disposal systems, depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan’s residents rely on over 1.3 million septic systems to treat the wastewater generated in their homes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 27,900 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Michigan employs 1,430 of them. The projected growth rate nationally is expected to be 8% from 2022 to 2033, adding 3,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In the state of Michigan, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is 4% for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.
If you’re thinking about starting a septic business or working in this 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 in Michigan.
Who Issues Septic Licenses in Michigan?
Septic licensing is overseen by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) with the assistance of participating county health departments and district health departments.
Types of Septic Licenses in Michigan
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issues two licenses required for the removal and transport of septage waste:
Septage Waste Servicing license
Septage Waste Vehicle license
Local public health departments have their own licensing requirements for septic system installers. For example, Marquette County issues a Septic Installer license. The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, which serves Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties, issues a Sewage System Installer license.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Michigan
To obtain a Septage Waste Servicing or Septage Hauler Vehicle license, follow these steps:
Receive written approval from all receiving facilities you intend to use for sewage disposal.
Complete 10 hours of approved education courses in the two-year period prior to applying.
Fill out an application.
Pay required fees: $200 for septic waste servicing and $350 per septic waste vehicle.
To obtain a Septic Installer license in Marquette County, follow these steps:
Schedule an appointment with the Environmental Health Division to sit for a presentation regarding septic system installation, as well as the major elements of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its associated Technical Manual.
Pass an exam.
Pay a $75 license fee.
To obtain a Septic Installer license from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, follow these steps:
Contact your local health department office to schedule an exam.
After passing the exam, submit an application.
Pay a $195 license fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Michigan?
A Septage Waste Servicing license costs $200, and the Septage Waste Vehicle license is $350 per vehicle. The cost to become a Septic Installer in Marquette County is $75. There’s a $195 license fee to obtain a Septic Installer license from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
There will also be costs associated with permit fees for septic permit applications.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a septic installation technician, 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.
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 Michigan?
Applicants must complete 10 hours of education before applying for a Septage Waste Servicing or Septage Waste Vehicle license. The Installer licenses in Marquette County and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department require passing an exam.
Michigan Septic Training Programs and Schools
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy maintains a list of septage training courses.
Michigan Septic Licensing Exam Details
Exams are required for the Installer licenses in Marquette County and the Western Upper Peninsula. Septic Installer exams are based on the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its associated Technical Manual, which include information on water wells, soil evaluation, drainfields, site evaluation, surface water supply, groundwater, and more.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
Do I Need to Renew My Michigan Septic License?
Yes. Septage Waste Servicing and Hauling licenses must be renewed every five years, though they incur an annual fee of $200 and $350 per vehicle, respectively. The Western Upper Peninsula Installer license must be renewed every three years for $195. The Marquette County Installer license must be renewed every three years for a $75 fee.
Does Michigan Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, Michigan does not have septic license reciprocity agreements with any other state.
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.
Continuing Education
Septic Servicers and Haulers must complete 30 hours of continuing septic education (CSE) every renewal period.
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, electrical, or general contractor license in Michigan, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
