Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Kentucky
Septic, KY
Table of Contents
Septic License Requirements in Kentucky
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 from the inherent contaminants.
About 40% of homes in Kentucky rely on septic systems, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 27,900 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Kentucky employs 270 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 Kentucky, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is also 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 Kentucky?
In Kentucky, septic regulations are overseen by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department of Public Health’s Environmental Management Branch, within the Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program. However, the Onsite Sewage System Program licensing is administered through local health departments.
The OSDS Program has all the information you need on its website, including requirements for certification, training courses, and registration fees.
According to the website: “The local health department onsite septic system inspectors perform site evaluations and inspections in Kentucky. A certified Kentucky onsite septic installer then must install the onsite sewage system based on the results of the site evaluation. A homeowner who wishes to install his or her own system must obtain a homeowner’s permit through the local health department.”
Types of Septic Licenses in Kentucky
There are four levels of certification within the state of Kentucky:
Probationary: Utilizes/can install gravity distribution, rock trenches/beds, leaching chamber trenches/beds, and lagoons on residential systems only.
Full: Can utilize/install all of the above, plus dosed systems, fill-and-wait systems, and leaching chambers at grade constructed wetlands for residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities.
Advanced: Can utilize/install all of the above, plus low-pressure pipe, drip irrigation, advanced treatment, experimental technology, mounds, and clusters for residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities.
Master: Can do all of the above, and only has to obtain CEUs every other year versus every year in other categories.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Kentucky
The steps to get a Probationary certificate include the following:
Submit a completed application (Form DFS 303) to your local health department.
Provide proof of liability insurance.
Pay a $25 exam fee and schedule an exam.
After passing the exam, send a $45 certification fee to the Cabinet For Health and Family Services Department for Public Health in Frankfort.
Receive certification card.
To advance to a Full Installer, you must submit copies of five completed systems, liability insurance, proof of six continuing education units (CEUs), and the application and $45 fee to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Public Health in Frankfort.
To progress to the Advanced Certified Septic System Installer level, you must obtain six CEUs, complete the required training workshops on advanced level systems, complete the application, submit proof of liability insurance, and pay the $45 level-up fee.
To obtain Master level certification, you must obtain six CEUs, complete the application, provide proof of liability insurance and two completed advanced-level systems signed off by a local health department environmentalist, and pay the $45 fee.
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Kentucky
There are many benefits to becoming a certified Septic Installer in Kentucky:
First, and most important, it is illegal to operate as a septic professional in Kentucky without being certified.
Certification is proof of your experience and skill in the industry.
Only certified professionals can operate a business and advertise and perform septic services.
Having a certification protects your company and customers.
Certification 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 Kentucky?
Septic Installer certification is affordable in Kentucky. To get started, there’s a $25 exam fee and a $45 application fee. For each tier you advance, you’ll have to pay another $45 application 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 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 Licence in Kentucky
To recap, obtaining a probationary septic license in Kentucky requires submitting an application, obtaining liability insurance, passing an exam ($25 fee), and paying a $45 certificate fee. As you gain more experience, you can move up the tiers to Full, Advanced, or Master level.
The #1 newsletter for the trades.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Kentucky?
Since there are no formal education or experience requirements, it doesn’t take long to get started as a Probationary Installer. You just need to apply and pass the exam. Moving up the tiers is based on how quickly you can gain the necessary experience. For example, you need to demonstrate five completed systems to be a Full Installer.
Kentucky Septic Training Programs and Schools
The Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program maintains a list of Septic Installer training opportunities, both for continuing education units and for the required training courses to become an Advanced Installer. The majority of these installer classes are held at local health departments or board of health offices.
Kentucky Septic Licensing Exam Details
The Installer exam, proctored by local health departments, includes questions about Kentucky onsite sewage disposal system regulations. The fee to take the exam is $25. The exam is open book, and you must score at least 70% to pass.
Do I Need to Renew My Kentucky Septic License?
Yes, certifications must be renewed annually by meeting continuing education and training requirements and paying a $45 certification fee.
Kentucky Septic License Exceptions
A homeowner who wishes to install a new septic system can do so without a certification. However, they must obtain a homeowner’s permit through the local health department.
Does Kentucky Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No, Kentucky does not offer septic license reciprocity 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. You can also learn more about certification and the septic business in Kentucky through one of the industry associations in the state. They include:
Other Requirements Unique to Kentucky
Kentucky regulates the design and maintenance of domestic septic systems, including specific requirements for storage facilities, surface and deep incorporation of domestic septage, and soil conditions for disposal. This requires a site evaluation by a certified inspector.
Before installing or altering a septic system, installers must go through the permitting process, which requires a permit application and fee.
Continuing Education
Probationary, Full, and Advanced Certified Septic Installers must complete six hours of continuing education every year. Master Installers must complete six hours every other year. Upcoming training opportunities are posted online at www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/dphps/emb/Pages/training.aspx.
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.
