Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Oregon
Septic, OR
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Septic License Requirements in Oregon
We all need safe, reliable sewage management to safeguard groundwater and protect public health. Those homeowners and businesses that rely on septic tanks, also known as onsite wastewater systems (OWWS), depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems.
In Oregon, there are approximately 450,000 septic systems in use in the state, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
There are 27,900 septic workers nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and Oregon employs 540 of them. The projected growth rate nationally is expected to be 8% by 2033, adding 3,000 of these skilled workers to the ranks. In Oregon, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is more than double that at 17% 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 in the state of Oregon.
Who Issues Septic Licenses in Oregon?
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for issuing septic licenses in the state.
Types of Septic Licenses in Oregon
According to the Oregon DEQ, “Oregon law requires that you must have a license if intending to work on a subsurface sewage disposal system, also known as a septic system, and before you advertise or represent yourself in the business of providing sewage disposal services. The license is a Sewage Disposal Service license.”
Oregon offers the following license types: Installer, Pumper, and Combined Pumper/Installer.
This license is required to construct or install new septic systems, wastewater treatment systems and drain fields, and maintain existing septic systems. Only licensed system installers can legally obtain septic permits and install septic systems, except in some cases where property owners are permitted to install systems on their own land.
This license is required to pump out or clean septic systems, portable toilets, and other onsite systems not connected to a sewer system. A Pumper license is required for sewage disposal service businesses that haul solid waste.
Allows the license holder to perform both septic installation and pumping.
Oregon also offers a Maintenance Providers certification. According to the DEQ, “a maintenance provider who inspects, maintains, or certifies maintenance of onsite systems using alternative treatment technologies, recirculating gravel filters, or sand filters must be certified as a maintenance provider and certified by the manufacturer of the system.”
Steps to Get a Septic License in Oregon
Complete the following steps to obtain a septic license in Oregon.
Set up a user account with DEQ Online to access the application form.
Choose a license type.
Complete the required pre-license training by attending the DEQ Initial Installer Certification or Maintenance Provider course offered by Chemeketa Community College. The courses include an exam.
File your corporation, LLC, partnership and/or assumed business name with the Secretary of State Corporate Division.
Obtain a Sewage Disposal Service Bond for $15,000 for Installer or Pumper/Installer licenses, and $5,000 for Pumper-only licenses.
Pumper or Pumper/Installer license applicants must submit the Equipment Description/Vehicle Inspection form and pass an inspection by an onsite septic program agent.
For more information, including the application guide and FAQs, visit the septic licensing page at Oregon.gov.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Oregon?
The required training course for the Installer license incurs a $645 fee. The training course for the Maintenance Provider certification is $625.
You will need to purchase a $15,000 bond for the Installer or Pumper/Installer licenses, and $5,000 for the Pumper license.
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 Oregon?
In Oregon, the process for obtaining a septic license or certification is relatively quick. The training course for the Installer or Pumper license is two days, while the course for the Maintenance Provider certification is one day.
Oregon Septic Training Programs and Schools
Chemeketa Community College, located in Salem, provides DEQ-approved training for obtaining an Installer or Pumper license as well as the Maintenance Provider certification.
Oregon Septic Licensing Exam Details
As part of the process to receive your Installer license, or Maintenance Provider certification, you must take an on-site program from Chemeketa Community College in Salem. Both courses include an exam, and you must score at least 70% to pass. You will be mailed a serial-numbered, laminated certification card after passing the exam.
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Do I Need to Renew My Oregon Septic License?
Licenses must be renewed each year by June 1. You can renew your septic Installer or Pumper license, as well as the Maintenance Provider certification, online in the DEQ Online portal.
Does Oregon Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, Oregon doesn’t allow reciprocal agreements for septic licenses with any 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
All license and certification holders must complete 18 hours of continuing education every three years. Courses must be approved by the Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council.
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 Oregon, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
