Licensing Guides
North Carolina Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in North Carolina
Septic, NC
April 15th, 2026
Joanne Bratton
Table of Contents
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in North Carolina?
How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in North Carolina?
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.
Almost 50% of homes in North Carolina use septic systems to collect, treat, and disperse wastewater, according to the North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH).
North Carolina employs 890 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 North Carolina, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is more than three times higher at 26% 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 North Carolina?
The North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board (NCOWCICB) certifies septic installers and inspectors.
In North Carolina, businesses that pump, haul, and dispose of septage also must be licensed. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issues permits and regulates septage management businesses.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health’s On-Site Water Protection Branch provides the regulatory oversight of subsurface on-site wastewater treatment and dispersal systems. Local health departments oversee septic site evaluations and site plans, and issue septic improvement permits and construction authorizations.
North Carolina Administrative Code 15A NCAC 18E regulates wastewater treatment and dispersal systems and 15A NCAC 13B sets out septage management rules. These regulations aim to protect the environment and public health, safety, and welfare.
Types of Septic Licenses in North Carolina
Septic installers and septage businesses must be licensed in North Carolina. Two different agencies provide certifications and licensing.
The NCOWCICB certifies septic installers and inspectors to perform system inspections. For septic installer certifications, the certification holder, company owner, or W2 employees may work under the certification.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Solid Waste Section licenses septage pumping and disposal businesses.
Grade Level II Installer
A Grade Level II Installer certification, issued by the NCOWCICB, covers the following work:
Single septic tank, conventional (gravel) gravity system
Multiple tanks
Grease traps
Single pump or single siphon
Fill systems
Sand-lined trench
Systems up to 1,499 gallons per day (GPD)
Any approved gravity or single pump dispersal system not specified in Grade Level IV
To receive this certification, applicants must take a board-approved introductory on-site wastewater course and pass an exam.
Grade Level IV Installer
A Grade Level IV Installer certification, issued by the NCOWCICB, covers the following work:
Systems equal to or greater than 3,000 GPD
Multiple off-site systems
Industrial process wastewater
Residential wastewater treatment systems (RWTS)
TS-I and TS-II systems
Drip dispersal systems
Wastewater reuse systems or any pretreatment component
Those seeking a Grade Level IV installer certification must have held a Grade Level II Installer certification for a minimum of two years. Applicants also must complete a six-hour, board-approved class and pass an exam.
(Note: Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the state does not offer Grade Level I or Grade Level III installer certifications, according to the NCOWCICB regulations and laws page. Those with Grade Level I certifications are grandfathered into Grade Level II, and those with Grade Level III certifications are grandfathered into Grade Level IV.)
Septage Management Firm Permit
Septage pumping, hauling, and disposing businesses must obtain a Septage Management Firm Permit from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality before starting operations. This permit requires operator training and pumper vehicle inspections.
Steps to Get a Septic License in North Carolina
The NCOWCICB provides all the information about getting a septic installer license, including initial educational and exam requirements, on its website.
To get a Grade Level II Installer certification, follow these steps.
Complete a board-approved introductory on-site wastewater course. You’ll include a copy of your on-site wastewater introductory class completion certificate with the application.
Download and complete the Grade Level II Installer application. This information includes personal contact information and company information.
Download and complete the exam application.
Pay the $200 application fee by company check, personal check, cashier’s check or money order. The name of the applicant must be printed in the memo section.
Application packages must be received by the NCOWCICB a minimum of 15 business days before the exam. Mail the application package to: NCOWCICB PO Box 132 Lawsonville, NC 27022
Pass the exam.
Renew the license annually after completing continuing education requirements.
The NCOWCICB lists all forms on its form page. For additional information, visit the board’s FAQ page.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in North Carolina?
To obtain a septic installer certification, it costs between $200 to $300 for the application fee, depending on the certification grade level. Applicants also will need to pay for initial and continuing education courses, which vary in cost based on the provider.
What Business Owners Need to Know
Getting the most out of a septic operator 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 North Carolina?
Getting a septic installer certification can be accomplished fairly quickly. Applicants must take an initial educational course, complete an application packet, and apply to take an exam. Board-approved providers offer education classes several times each month. The NCOWCICB offers five exam dates throughout the year.
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North Carolina Septic Training Programs and Schools
The NCOWCICB lists upcoming classes from board-approved educational providers on its class information page. These providers include the North Carolina Septic Tank Association (NCSTA), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and Onsite Wastewater Professionals (OWP).
North Carolina Septic Licensing Exam Details
To take a septic installer certification exam, you must first complete initial educational requirements and submit an application package and an exam application to the NCOWCICB. The board must receive this information a minimum of 15 business days before the exam date.
The board emails applicants an exam confirmation of approval and the exam location seven days before the exam.
The exam tests the applicants’ knowledge in the following areas:
Principles of environmental health associated with on-site wastewater systems
Principles of construction and safety
Technical and practical knowledge of on-site wastewater systems typical of the specific grade level
On-site wastewater system laws and rules
For a list of exam dates, visit the NCOWCICB exam information page. The board also provides an exam FAQ PDF.
Do I Need to Renew My North Carolina Septic License?
Yes. Septic installers must renew their certification each year. To renew certification, follow these steps:
Complete the required continuing education for the grade level certification.
Download and complete the renewal invoice form.
Include a copy of your continuing education attendance certificate.
Pay the $75 renewal fee for Grade II or Grade IV Installer.
Mail invoice and fee to: NCOWCICB PO Box 132 Lawsonville, NC 27022
Those with renewals postmarked after Dec. 31 must pay an additional $25 late fee.
Does North Carolina Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, North Carolina does not have reciprocity agreements with other states for septic installer certifications. Septic installers must complete initial education, apply to the NCOWCICB, and pass an exam before receiving certification.
National 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 wastewater management, disposal systems, and groundwater protection through other governmental agencies and industry associations in North Carolina. This includes:
Continuing Education
North Carolina requires those with septic installer certifications to obtain continuing education every year before renewing certification. The amount of hours depends on the certification grade level.
Continuing education requirements include:
Grade Level II Installer: Three hours of board-approved continuing education annually
Grade Level IV Installer: Six hours of board-approved continuing education annually
The NCOWCICB lists approved educational providers on its class information page.
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 North Carolina, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia, through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
