Licensing Guides
Michigan Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Michigan
Septic, MI
October 1st, 2026
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Michigan?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Michigan?
Septic License Requirements in Michigan
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 sewage disposal systems, depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems.
Yes, a license is required to work in Michigan's septic industry, and the type you need depends on the work you do. To remove and transport septage waste, you need state licenses issued by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). To install, alter, or repair on-site sewage systems, you need an installer license issued by your county or district health department.
Licensing is handled at two levels. The state licenses septage haulers, while local public health departments license septic system installers. Working without the required license violates Michigan law and can result in fines and other penalties, so confirm which credential applies to your work before you begin.
According to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan's residents rely on over 1.3 million septic systems to treat the wastewater generated in their homes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 30,650 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners working nationwide. Nationally, employment is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034, adding about 2,900 job openings each year. In Michigan, employment for these workers is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor's job search website.
If you're thinking about starting a septic business or working in this 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 Michigan.
Types of Septic Licenses in Michigan
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issues two licenses required for the removal and transport of septage waste:
Septage Waste Servicing license — authorizes a business to remove, transport, and dispose of septage waste. Applicants must complete 10 hours of approved education before applying. There is no state exam.
Septage Waste Vehicle license — required for each vehicle used to haul septage. A copy of the license must be carried in the vehicle and displayed on request.
Local public health departments have their own licensing requirements for septic system installers, and installers must pass a written exam to be licensed. For example, Marquette County issues a Septic Installer license. The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, which serves Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties, issues a Sewage System Installer license.
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Michigan
Getting licensed does more than keep you compliant. It positions you to grow a legitimate, profitable septic business. Key benefits include:
Meeting the legal requirement to remove and transport septage or install on-site sewage systems in Michigan.
Proof of your skill and knowledge of Michigan's septage and sewage rules.
The ability to operate and advertise a septic business under your own name.
The ability to pull permits and pass inspections.
Access to more contracts and customers who require a licensed professional.
Higher earning potential as you build experience and reputation.
Protection for your customers and the environment through work that meets code.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Michigan?
Nationally, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn an annual mean wage of $53,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Michigan, pay for this occupation ranges from a low of $40,900 to a high of $62,460, with a median annual wage of $51,680.
The mean is the average of all wages, while the median is the midpoint, where half of workers earn more and half earn less. Your actual pay depends on your experience, the region of the state you work in, the certifications you hold, and whether you own the business or work for someone else.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Michigan?
A Septage Waste Servicing license costs $200, and the Septage Waste Vehicle license is $350 per vehicle. The cost to become a Septic Installer in Marquette County is $75. There's a $195 license fee to obtain a Septic Installer license from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
Beyond license fees, budget for the 10 hours of approved education required before applying for a state septage license, as well as permit fees for individual septage site or land-application permits. Installer candidates should also plan for the time and materials needed to study the county code before sitting for the exam.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Michigan
To obtain a Septage Waste Servicing or Septage Hauler Vehicle license, follow these steps:
Receive written approval from all receiving facilities you intend to use for sewage disposal.
Complete 10 hours of approved education courses in the two-year period prior to applying.
Fill out an application.
Pay required fees: $200 for septic waste servicing and $350 per septic waste vehicle.
To obtain a Septic Installer license in Marquette County, follow these steps:
Schedule an appointment with the Environmental Health Division to sit for a presentation regarding septic system installation, as well as the major elements of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its associated Technical Manual.
Pass an exam.
Pay a $75 license fee.
To obtain a Septic Installer license from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, follow these steps:
Contact your local health department office to schedule an exam.
After passing the exam, submit an application.
Pay a $195 license fee.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Septic License in Michigan?
Timing depends on the license. For a Septage Waste Servicing or Septage Waste Vehicle license, you must complete 10 hours of approved education in the two years before you apply, then allow time for EGLE to process your application. There is no multi-year apprenticeship ladder as with some other trades.
The Installer licenses in Marquette County and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department require scheduling and passing a written exam, so your timeline depends largely on when the county can schedule your presentation and test.
Michigan Septic Training Programs and Schools
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy maintains a list of approved septage training courses. EGLE-approved providers on the current schedule include the Michigan Septic Tank Association and organizations such as Wastewater Education, which offer classroom, conference, and virtual sessions that satisfy education and continuing-education requirements.
Michigan Septic Licensing Exam Details
Exams are required for the Installer licenses in Marquette County and the Western Upper Peninsula, and the state septage licenses do not require a state exam. In Marquette County, the Environmental Health Division administers a written exam after a presentation on the county code, and you can schedule it by calling (906) 475-4195. The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department administers a written exam scheduled through its office.
Septic Installer exams are based on the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its associated Technical Manual, which include information on water wells, soil evaluation, drainfields, site evaluation, surface water supply, groundwater, and more. No specific passing score is published on the health department pages.
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How Can I Prepare for the Septic License Exam in Michigan?
To prepare, study the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code and its Technical Manual, since both installer exams are drawn directly from them. Focus on the core subject areas covered in the code, including water wells, soil evaluation, drainfields, site evaluation, and groundwater protection.
Where a county offers a code presentation, attend it before testing, and review the septage program materials published by EGLE so you understand the rules that govern the work.
Septic licensing is overseen by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) with the assistance of participating county health departments and district health departments.
Does Michigan Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
No. EGLE does not offer out-of-state reciprocity for the state septage hauler license, so a license from another state will not transfer to Michigan. Within Michigan, Marquette County recognizes installers who are already licensed and in good standing under the Upper Peninsula Environmental Health Code in other participating counties, allowing them to be licensed without retaking the exam. This is intra-Michigan recognition, not out-of-state reciprocity.
Septic-Specific Requirements in Michigan
Septage servicing carries requirements unique to the trade under Part 117 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act:
Written approval from all receiving facilities must be included with your license application.
Before applying septage to land, you must obtain an EGLE site permit and either own the site or have written approval from the landowner.
You may never dispose of septage waste in a lake, pond, stream, river, or other body of water.
Each licensed vehicle must carry its license and display it on request.
You must keep records of the volumes hauled, disposal locations, and any complaints for at least five years and report this information to EGLE annually.
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.
Are There Septic Scholarships in Michigan?
Several programs can help offset the cost of training for a career in the septic trade:
Michigan Reconnect offers tuition-free in-district community college for state residents 25 and older who do not already hold a college degree, and it can be applied to Pell-eligible skills certificates.
Employers can apply to the Going PRO Talent Fund for grants that cover employee training. This is an employer grant rather than an individual scholarship.
The NOWRA Emerging Professionals Scholarship supports students in wastewater-related programs, and the National Association of Wastewater Technicians also offers a scholarship program.
How Can Someone Verify My Septic License in Michigan?
State septage haulers can be confirmed through EGLE's online hauler directory, which is available on the EGLE septage program page. County installer licenses can be verified through the public lists posted by the licensing health departments, such as the Marquette County Health Department and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
When Can a Septic License Get Suspended in Michigan?
Under Part 117, EGLE can summarily suspend a septage license when the servicing of septage waste presents an imminent or substantial threat to public health, safety, welfare, or the environment, and the license holder is given a hearing within seven days. EGLE can also revoke a land-application site permit for violations and can revoke its approval of a training course.
This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, consult EGLE or a qualified attorney.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Michigan?
Unlicensed or non-compliant septage work is taken seriously. Under Part 117 of Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, violations tied to servicing, transporting, or disposing of septage are misdemeanors punishable by up to 90 days of imprisonment or a fine of up to $5,000, or both. Other Part 117 violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days or a fine of $1,000 to $2,500, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Knowingly making a false statement on a license application or required record is a felony punishable by up to two years of imprisonment or a fine of $2,500 to $25,000, or both. EGLE may also ask the attorney general to seek an injunction to stop unlawful septage activity.
This information is provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. For questions about your specific situation, consult EGLE or a qualified attorney.
Do I Need to Renew My Michigan Septic License?
Yes. Septage Waste Servicing and Hauling licenses must be renewed every five years, though they incur an annual fee of $200 and $350 per vehicle, respectively. The Western Upper Peninsula Installer license must be renewed every three years for $195. The Marquette County Installer license must be renewed every three years for a $75 fee.
Continuing Education
Septic Servicers and Haulers must complete 30 hours of continuing septic education (CSE) every renewal period.
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.
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.
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 Michigan, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
