Licensing Guides
Missouri Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Missouri
Septic, MO
October 1st, 2026
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Missouri?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Missouri?
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 30,650 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Missouri employs about 1160 of them. The projected growth rate nationally is expected to be 8% from 2024 to 2034, adding about 2,900 job openings each year. 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.
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). DHSS is a separate state department from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). DHSS regulates smaller on-site systems that serve single-family homes, while DNR handles larger and discharging systems. 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.
These credentials build on one another. The Basic Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Installer credential is the entry point and a prerequisite for both the Advanced Installer and the Licensed Inspector/Evaluator credentials. Each credential requires completing the matching DHSS training course and passing the exam given at the end of it. Missouri does not set prior education or work-experience requirements for the Basic credential, so most people start there and add advanced or inspector qualifications as their career grows.
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.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Missouri?
Septic work pays a solid, stable wage in Missouri. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn a national mean annual wage of $53,500, and in Missouri, it's almost exactly the same at $53,050.
Wages vary based on experience and specialization. According to the BLS, here is the percentile breakdown for septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners in Missouri:
10th percentile: $39,640
25th percentile: $46,940
Median (50th percentile): $51,560
75th percentile: $55,650
90th percentile: $63,770
The mean is the average of all wages, while the median is the middle point, where half of workers earn more and half earn less. The median is often the better guide to typical pay because a few very high earners can pull the mean upward.
Several factors move your earnings up or down, including the region of the state you work in, your years of experience, the credential level you hold, whether you add advanced or inspector qualifications, and whether you own the business rather than work for one.
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.
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.
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 three 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.
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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.
The exams are administered by Department of Health and Senior Services staff at the end of each training course, so there is no separate third-party testing vendor. Because the exam is tied to the course, you schedule it by registering for a class through the DHSS on-site sewage program at OWTScourses@health.mo.gov. DHSS does not publish a passing score or question count online, so contact the program directly if you need those details before your class.
How Can I Prepare for the Septic License Exam in Missouri?
Missouri’s exams are built directly from the material covered in each DHSS training course, so the course itself is your primary study resource. To get a head start, you can request the training materials before class, as noted in the exam details above.
A few practical tips to prepare:
Review the mailed course materials ahead of time and focus on system types, installation standards, and soil and site evaluation.
Take notes during the two- or three-day course, since the exam follows the instruction closely.
Ask the DHSS instructors questions during class, as they administer the exam and know which concepts matter most.
If you are pursuing the Advanced or Inspector credential, make sure you are comfortable with the Basic material first, since it is the foundation for both.
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 My Missouri Septic License Work in Any Other State?
A Missouri OWTS registration or license is issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and applies to work performed in Missouri. Septic and on-site wastewater rules are set state by state, and no formal agreement has been identified that automatically recognizes a Missouri credential in another state. If you plan to work across state lines, contact the licensing authority in the state where you intend to work to confirm its requirements before taking a job there.
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:
Missouri Association of Sewer Districts
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.
Are There Septic Scholarships in Missouri?
Missouri’s septic courses are relatively low-cost, but if you enroll in a broader vocational or technical program to build your trade skills, a few funding options may help.
Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant: A state grant for Missouri adults age 25 and older (or those who have not been enrolled in the past two years) who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree and are training in a high-demand field. Eligibility includes an adjusted gross income of $40,000 or less for single filers, or $80,000 or less for married filers.
A+ Scholarship Program: Covers eligible graduates of designated A+ high schools who enroll at a Missouri public community college or vocational or technical school, at up to $225 per credit hour for the 2025-26 year.
NAWT William Hapchuk Scholarship: Offered by the National Association of Wastewater Technicians for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a wastewater-related field at a four-year university.
Missouri Smallflows Organization Daryel Brock Memorial Scholarship: Available to children and dependents of active MSO members.
Check each program’s current eligibility rules and deadlines before applying, and confirm that your specific program qualifies.
How Can Someone Verify My Septic License in Missouri?
Homeowners and general contractors can confirm that a septic professional is properly registered before hiring. Every registered professional is issued a photo ID card by the Department of Health and Senior Services when they register or renew, so asking to see a current DHSS ID card is the quickest first check.
To verify registration through the state:
Check the DHSS list of registered on-site wastewater treatment system evaluators. Note that listing is optional, so the list is not all-inclusive.
If a professional is not listed, call the DHSS Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program at 573-751-6095 to confirm their status.
DHSS also publishes a separate list of professionals whose registration has been revoked, suspended, or denied, so you can confirm a credential is in good standing.
When Can a Septic License Get Suspended in Missouri?
Under Missouri law (RSMo Section 701.054), the Department of Health and Senior Services may deny, suspend, or revoke a contractor’s registration if the contractor violates the state’s on-site sewage statutes (Sections 701.025 to 701.059) or the rules adopted under them. Common reasons a credential can be disciplined include:
Installing or modifying a system without the required permit or registration
Work that violates state construction standards
Fraud or misrepresentation
Repeated code violations
Letting a registration lapse without renewal
A contractor whose registration is revoked generally cannot reapply for one year. This section is a general overview and is not legal advice; contact DHSS or an attorney for guidance on a specific situation.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Missouri?
Working on someone else’s on-site wastewater system without meeting Missouri’s requirements carries real consequences. State law requires anyone installing on-site sewage disposal systems to be registered with the Department of Health and Senior Services, and it sets tiered penalties for violations under RSMo Section 701.057:
Failing to meet the registration requirement starts as an infraction and becomes a class C misdemeanor if the violation continues after the state or county gives notice.
Presenting yourself as a registered contractor without being registered is a class A misdemeanor.
Constructing or modifying a system without a permit or against state standards is a class C misdemeanor.
In Missouri, a class A misdemeanor can carry a fine of up to $2,000 and up to one year in jail, while a class C misdemeanor can carry a fine of up to $750 and up to 15 days in jail. A contractor found guilty of certain violations must also post a $5,000 performance bond before working on another person’s system again, a requirement that lasts until two consecutive years pass without further violations. This overview is not legal advice. Consult DHSS or an attorney about a specific situation.
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. Note that the first three-year renewal requires 20 CEUs for all credential types, including eight that meet select department criteria. 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.
