Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Minnesota
Septic, MN
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Septic License Requirements in Minnesota
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 while protecting public health.
According to the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center Onsite Sewage Treatment Program (OSTP), around one third of Minnesotans rely on septic systems to treat their wastewater.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 27,900 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Minnesota employs 380 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 Minnesota, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is 12% 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 Minnesota.
Who Issues Septic Licenses in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) oversees Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) licensing for businesses and certifications for individuals. All Minnesota businesses that design, install, repair, maintain, operate, or inspect septic systems must be licensed with the MPCA. Licensed businesses are required to employ at least one certified individual for each specialty offered (maintainer, installer, service provider, designer, inspector).
Types of Septic Licenses in Minnesota
There’s one SSTS business license and several individual certifications depending on the SSTS work you intend to do, which include:
Maintainer: Required for sewage tank evaluation, cleaning, and repairs of existing systems, as well as portable toilet and septage management.
Installer: Required for SSTS installation.
Service Provider: Required for SSTS operational assessment, adjustment, sampling, and interpretation of operational performance, repair, groundwater monitoring, and collection system maintenance, as well as operation of systems less than 10,000 gallons per day (GPD).
Basic Designer: Required for the design of Type I – Type III new systems less than or equal to 2,500 GPD.
Intermediate Designer: Required for the design of Type I – Type V systems less than or equal to 2,500 GPD.
Advanced Designer: Required for the design of Type I – Type V systems less than or equal to 10,000 GPD.
Basic Inspector: Required for the inspection of Type I – Type III systems less than or equal to 2,500 GPD.
Intermediate Inspector: Required for the inspection of Type I – Type V systems less than or equal to 2,500 GPD. Advanced Inspector: Required for the inspection of Type I – Type V systems less than or equal to 10,000 GPD.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Minnesota
To obtain an SSTS business license, follow these steps:
Obtain a surety bond and general liability insurance.
Fill out an application.
Mail application form with required documents, including proof of employment for an SSTS certified individual per specialty, to SSTS Licensing Coordinator, Certification and Training Unit, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. Include a payment of $200 per specialty ($400 maximum).
The steps to obtain an individual certification are roughly the same, though the required training, experience, and exam vary. The process includes:
Enroll in the required training with the University of Minnesota.
Maintainer: Introduction to Onsite Systems and Maintaining Onsite Systems
Installer: Introduction to Onsite Systems and Installing Onsite Systems
Service Provider: Introduction to Onsite Systems and Service Provider
Basic Designer: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, and Soils Pre-certification
Intermediate Designer: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, Soils Pre-certification, and Intermediate Design and Inspection
Advanced Designer: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, Soils Pre-certification, Intermediate Design and Inspection, and Advanced Design and Inspection
Basic Inspector: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, Inspecting Onsite Systems, and Soils Pre-certification
Intermediate Inspector: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, Inspecting Onsite Systems, Soils Pre-certification, Service Provider, and Intermediate Design and Inspection
Advanced Inspector: Introduction to Onsite Systems, Installing Onsite Systems, Basic Design of Onsite Systems, Inspecting Onsite Systems, Soils Pre-certification, Service Provider, Intermediate Design and Inspection, and Advanced Designer and Inspection
Pass the required exam. Each certification has a designation exam.
Obtain the required experience.
Maintainer: 15 pump-outs and disposal with a Maintainer
Installer: 15 SSTS installations (at least one above-ground and one below-ground) and observe five pump-outs and disposal with a Maintainer
Basic Designer: 15 individual sewage treatment system (ISTS) site and soil evaluations, designs, and management plans (at least one above-ground and one below-ground), and observe four installations and five pump-outs and disposal with a Maintainer
Basic Inspector: 15 ISTS site and soil evaluations, designs, and management plans (at least one above-ground and one below-ground), observe five site and soil evaluations, designs, and management plans, and five installations and five pump-outs and disposal with a Maintainer
Apply for certification.
For more information on license issuance, MPCA offers a certification and licensing FAQ on its website.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Minnesota?
A business license requires $200 per specialty area with a $400 maximum. For individuals, it depends on the courses required for the certification type:
Maintainer: $915
Installer: $885
Service Provider: $1,125
Basic Designer: $1,955
Intermediate Designer: $2,595
Advanced Designer: $3,235
Basic Inspector: $1,745
Intermediate Inspector: $3,665
Advanced Inspector: $4,305
There will also be costs associated with the required insurance and 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 Minnesota
The University of Minnesota lists dates for the required courses on its website. The time it takes to obtain licensure varies based on course availability, whether you pass the exam on the first try, and how long it takes to complete the experience requirement.
Minnesota Septic Training Programs and Schools
The required training courses are all hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension Water Resources Center Onsite Sewage Treatment Program.
Minnesota Septic Licensing Exam Details
There is a required exam for each certification type. The questions are based on information from class discussions, Minn . R. 7080-7083, the Manual for Septic Professionals in Minnesota, and MPCA design guidance. The exam is open book and calculators are allowed. A score of 70% is required to pass.
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Do I Need to Renew My Minnesota Septic License?
Yes! Business licenses must be renewed annually, but you can pay for up to three years at a time. The cost is $200 per specialty per year. Individual certifications must be renewed every three years.
Does Minnesota Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, there is no septic license or certification reciprocity with other states.
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
Continuing education is required for individual certification renewal. Maintainers, installers, and service providers must complete 12 hours, while designers and inspectors are required to complete 18 hours, with at least six devoted to soils education. Continuing education courses are hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension Water Resources Center Onsite Sewage Treatment Program.
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 Minnesota, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
