Licensing Guides
State Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Missouri
Septic, MO
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Septic License Requirements in Missouri
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.
Approximately 25% of homes in Missouri rely on on-site wastewater treatment systems in areas where public sewers are not available.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 27,900 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Missouri employs 770 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 Missouri, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, the projected growth rate is slightly lower at 6% 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 Missouri?
Licensing and registration for septic professionals in the state of Missouri falls under the authority of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. DHSS has all the information you need on its website, including requirements for registration or licensing, training courses, and registration fees.
The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services sets minimum state standards for OWTS, but delegates authority to local governments for permits. These standards cover new systems and major changes to existing systems, such as replacing a sewage tank and replacing or expanding an absorption field.
Types of Septic Licenses in Missouri
There are three septic registration/license types in Missouri:
Basic Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installer
A basic installer can work on the following systems, components, and projects:
Building sewers and sewer lines
Septic tanks
Septic/sewage tank removal
Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs)
Gravity effluent distribution devices
Gravity laterals
Dosed gravity systems
Lagoons (wastewater stabilization ponds)
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installer
An advanced installer can work on the following systems, components, and projects, in addition to the ones listed under basic installer:
Sand filters
Other media bio-filters
Constructed wetlands
Sand mounds
Low-pressure distribution systems
Drip irrigation systems
Modified shallow-placed gravity lateral trenches
Other advance engineered treatment or distribution systems not specifically mentioned
Licensed Onsite System Inspector/Evaluator
This is for people to become licensed to conduct third-party assessments of existing on-site wastewater systems related to real estate sales.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Missouri
The steps to getting any of the septic licenses listed above are similar, with variations in the required training and tests.
Contact the DHSS on-site sewage program to be put on their mailing list and receive a course application about 30 days before the next installers course is offered.
Apply for the required course, and pay the appropriate application fee.
Complete license-specific training course.
Pass the exam and receive your registration or license ID card.
Renew license every three years after completing continuing education (CE) requirements and pay the renewal fee.
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Missouri
There are many benefits to registering as an OWTS installer in Missouri.
First, and most important, it is illegal to operate as an OWTS installer in Missouri without being licensed or registered.
A license 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 Missouri?
The cost to obtain septic registration or licensing is $200-$600, depending on the credential level:
Basic Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installer: $300
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installer: $200 ($500 total, as you must already have the basic credential)
Licensed Onsite System Inspectors/Evaluator: $400 ($600 total, as you must already have the basic credential)
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 License in Missouri
There are no educational or work experience requirements to get started as a septic professional in Missouri. The training courses required for registration/licensing are intended to teach you everything you need to know to get started. An exam is given at the end of the course to test your knowledge.
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How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Missouri?
The registration/licensing process doesn’t take long. You will have to wait for a course to open up. The DHSS posts the schedule of upcoming classes on its website. These courses aren’t available every month.
The Basic Installer training course is two days, and the Advanced Installer course is an additional two days. The Licensed Inspector/Evaluator course is three days, and requires prior completion of the Basic Installer course. After your course, you must pass a knowledge exam.
Missouri Septic Training Programs and Schools
The Missouri DNR and DHSS host the required training programs in Jefferson City, Missouri. There are no advanced education prerequisites for the required courses.
Missouri Septic Licensing Exam Details
There are exams at the end of the required courses based on the training materials provided. If you wish to receive the training materials prior to the course, you can pay an additional $7.50 when you register to have them mailed to you.
Do I Need to Renew My Missouri Septic License?
Yes, registration/license renewal is required every three years. Approved continuing education units (CEUs) are required for renewal registration. The Basic Installer renewal requires eight CEUs, while the Advanced Installer or Inspector requires 12. DHSS posts approved CEU classes on its website. There is also a $90 renewal fee.
Missouri Septic License Exceptions
There is a permit exemption for small, no-discharge, domestic wastewater treatment facilities that meet the following criteria:
Generates 3,000 gallons per day or less of domestic wastewater that is:
Held within a no-discharge lagoon, followed by:
On-site surface land irrigation, subsurface soil dispersal, or pumped and hauled to a permitted facility.
To qualify for the exemption, the system must have been designed by a Missouri licensed engineer.
Does Missouri Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
Effective 2021, Missouri allows out-of-state septic professionals to skip the required course for licensure if they have an equivalent license in good standing that has been active for at least one year. They will still have to pass the state exam.
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 Missouri through one of the industry associations in the state. They include:
Other Requirements Unique to Missouri
While septic licensing authority in Missouri rests with the DHSS, permitting authority rests with local jurisdictions — cities, counties, towns — and they determine some of the maintenance rules for these sewer systems. In most counties, the local health department issues OWTS construction permits. In other counties, the authority lies with another agency, such as a sewer district, building department, or planning and zoning department.
Continuing Education
Approved continuing education units (CEUs) are required for registration renewal. The Basic Installer renewal requires eight CEUs, while the Advanced Installer or Inspector requires 12. DHSS posts approved CEU classes on its website.
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.
