Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Ohio
Septic, OH
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Septic License Requirements in Ohio
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 wastewater treatment systems (OSWT), 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.
An estimated 1 million homes in Ohio use home sewage treatment systems, according to the Ohio Health Department.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 27,900 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Ohio employs 920 of them. 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 Ohio, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is 7% for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.
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.
Who Issues Septic Licenses in Ohio?
Licensing and registration for septic professionals in the state of Ohio falls under the authority of the Ohio Department of Health, as well as the local health departments where companies conduct business. The ODH has all the information you need on its website for state registration, including testing information and bond requirements.
Types of Septic Licenses in Ohio
There are three types of state-level contractor registrations:
Installer: Per Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-29-01, an installer is “any person who engages in the business of installing or altering or who, as an employee of another, installs or alters any sewage treatment system or gray water recycling system.”
Service provider: OAC defines registered service provider as “any person who services, monitors, evaluates or samples, but does not install or alter, sewage treatment systems or gray water recycling systems.” This includes homeowners servicing their own equipment.
Hauler: A septic pumper or hauler is “any person who engages in the collection, transportation, disposal, and/or land application of domestic septage. A septage hauler may also evaluate and report on the condition of any tank they are pumping,” per OAC.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Ohio
The steps to become a registered septic professional in Ohio include:
Fill out the required surety bond information packet for each type of work you wish to complete. Mail to Ohio Department of Health or email to sewage@odh.ohio.gov.
Pass the required exam, which incurs a $65 fee.
Once state registration is complete, register with the local health department in which you plan to conduct business.
In Darke County, you must fill out an application for each type of work (installer, service provider, hauler), and pay the $200 application fee for each. You also must obtain liability coverage of $500,000 or more.
Perry County requires you to fill out an application and pay the appropriate fee:
Hauler: $31 registration fee, plus $66 per truck
Installer: $34 registration fee
Service provider: $57 registration fee
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Ohio
There are many benefits to registering as a septic professional in Ohio
First, and most important, it is illegal to operate as an installer, service provider, or hauler without being registered.
Registration 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.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Ohio?
It’s relatively affordable to become a septic professional in Ohio. The required statewide exam is $65, then you’ll have to pay registration fees to the local health district for each county in which you intend to conduct business.
Darke County charges a $200 application fee for each license type. In Perry County, the fee structure is:
Hauler: $31 registration fee, plus $66 per truck
Installer: $34 registration fee
Service provider: $57 registration fee
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’s 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 to Get a Septic License in Ohio
To recap, registration in Ohio requires filling out the appropriate paperwork, obtaining a surety bond, then registering with the local departments of health where you intend to operate. There are also bond and general liability insurance requirements, which vary based on the county.
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Ohio?
Because there are no higher education or experience requirements, it doesn’t take long to obtain a septic license in Ohio. The state exam is offered online on-demand. Processing time may vary by county.
Ohio Septic Training Programs and Schools
Continuing education courses are offered online through the Operator Training Committee of Ohio, (OTCO) or in-person at various conference centers and meeting spaces throughout the state.
Ohio Septic Licensing Exam Details
Registering as a sewage treatment system installer, service provider, or septage hauler requires passing a test on sewage treatment systems rules. The test is open book and includes 75 questions, which must be completed within three hours.
The STS test can be taken through a local department of health, online through the OTCO, or via the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health, Residential Water and Sewage by appointment.
The exam fee is $65.
Do I Need to Renew My Ohio Septic License?
Yes, state-level registrations must be renewed annually, which requires six continuing education units (CEUs). It varies at the county level. Darke and Perry counties also require annual renewal.
Ohio Septic License Exceptions
In 2014, Ohio enacted new septic tank rules that require regular inspections, operation and maintenance records, operation permits, and modern designs for new systems. However, working household sewage treatment systems (HSTS) that were installed prior to the rules taking effect were grandfathered in and don’t have to meet modern update requirements for their existing systems.
Does Ohio Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
Ohio does not offer septic license reciprocity agreements 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. You can also learn more about certification and the septic business in Ohio through one of the industry associations in the state. They include:
Other Requirements Unique to Ohio
Ohio's climate and soil conditions play a significant role in the design and installation of septic systems, making local expertise critical. For example, areas with heavy clay soil or high water tables require site review by soil evaluators and specialized system designs that meet state-specific guidelines. Furthermore, Ohio’s regulations emphasize the use of effluent filters and regularly scheduled maintenance to extend the life of septic systems, which might not be as strictly enforced in other states.
Continuing Education
State-level registrations require sewage contractors to earn six continuing education units each year. OTCO offers courses that grant CEUs.
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.
