How to Become a Licensed Septic System Contractor

Seeping sewage

Many people do not have city sewers. Instead, they live in the country and have a septic system. It is important that the septic tank does not become full or clogged, because this will cause a backup of the sewage onto the property. A septic system contractor has a variety of tasks, such as cleaning the tank, eliminating clogs from tree roots and fixing broken pipes. Increasing numbers of cities and states are requiring that septic system contractors be licensed (and/or certified).

Instructions

1. Before doing any septic system work, check on necessary licensing. Contact your state's licensing board for contractors, local department of health or department of environmental services. Ask whether or not a license or certification is required in your location for completing septic system contracting. Not all states require the license, and how to obtain the license differs from one state to the next. If you plan on doing work in more than one state, check on all standards. Similarly, some larger cities have their own criteria that may differ from the state regulations. If your state does not have a licensing credential, make sure that you are able to offer potential customers strong references of work done.

2. Call the appropriate town department, if your state mandates licensing for septic system contractors. There will be one department that sets the criteria on how to obtain the license and conduct training and examinations.

3. Ask the proper authorities how many years' experience you need prior to taking the examination for licensing. Some states make the license optional but do not let contractors apply until they have several years' experience. The contractors can still perform the work, but they are competing against more qualified, licensed individuals. Other states do not require experience, but the contractors must be insured for their work.

4. Find out if there are different licenses to obtain depending on the type of septic system work being accomplished. For example, the city of Providence, Rhode Island, has four classes of examination training and examinations. These are: Class I license to repair existing septic systems with use of 900 gallons a day or less; Class II license to make repairs/alterations to some alternative as well as conventional systems having 2,000 gallons daily or less; Class III license to design all forms of septic systems; Class IV to evaluate soil to create new septic systems.

5. Ask if your state has a certification for septic system contractors. Some states certify contractors either in addition to or in place of the licensing. Other states mandate that contractors must be certified; they use this terminology rather than calling it "licensing."

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your location does not mandate a license or certificate, consider obtaining it regardless. It will make you more competitive.

References

• National Contractors.com