Licensing Guides
Tennessee Septic License: How to Become a Septic Contractor in Tennessee
Septic, TN
October 1st, 2026
Table of Contents
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Tennessee?
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Tennessee?
Septic License Requirements in Tennessee
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 facilities (OSSF), depend on people who know how to install and maintain those systems.
In Tennessee approximately 30% of residents rely on septic systems, according to the Tennessee Plumbing Authority.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 30,650 septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners nationwide, and Tennessee employs 550 of them. Nationally, employment is projected to grow 8% from 2024 to 2034, adding about 2,900 job openings per year, according to CareerOneStop, the U.S. Department of Labor's job search website. In Tennessee, the projected growth rate is far higher, at 27% from 2022 to 2032.
If you plan to start a septic business or work in the field, you need to know the requirements in your state or local jurisdiction. This guide walks you through what it takes to get started in Tennessee.
In Tennessee, septic installers, pumpers, and dumpers are required to have valid permits. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Water Resources issues these permits.
Types of Septic Licenses in Tennessee
The permit types in Tennessee are:
Conventional Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (SSDS) Installer: Required for installing, altering, extending, or repairing a conventional septic system.
Alternative Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems Installer: Required for installing, altering, extending, or repairing an alternative septic system, such as low-pressure pipe (LPP), mound, oxidation lagoon, or aerobic treatment system. (Note: Permit fee must be paid for each type of alternative system you plan to work on.)
Septic Tank Pumping Contractor: Required for removing and disposing of domestic septage from septic tanks, holding tanks, portable toilets, or other similar sewage treatment or disposal facilities.
Domestic Septage Disposal: Required for land disposal of domestic septage from septic tanks or other sewage treatment or disposal facilities.
Tennessee does not tier these permits by apprentice, journeyman, or master level. Each permit authorizes a specific scope of work, and none require prior licensed experience. You earn each installer permit by passing the exam administered through your local TDEC Environmental Field Office. Pumping and domestic septage permits require a truck inspection rather than an exam.
Steps to Get a Septic License in Tennessee
To obtain a Septic System Installer permit, follow these steps:
Contact your local Environmental Field Office to schedule an exam.
Fill out the application form online.
Pay a $200 fee for a conventional permit and a $100 for each alternative permit you'd like to pursue.
To obtain a Pumping permit, follow these steps:
Contact your local Environmental Field Office to schedule a truck inspection.
Fill out the application form online.
Include written permission from the proper official when contents are to be disposed of at a public wastewater treatment plant or written permission of the property owner and disposal site operator when using a land application site.
Pay $200 fee.
To obtain a permit for domestic septage disposal, follow these steps:
Fill out the required permit application.
Submit it to your local Environmental Field Office, along with a high intensity soil map of the proposed disposal area and a plat with seal and signature of a registered surveyor.
Pay $400 fee.
TDEC also offers an FAQ if you run into any issues in the application process.
Benefits of Getting a Septic License in Tennessee
A Tennessee septic permit does more than keep you compliant. It positions your business to win work and build trust. Key benefits include:
It keeps you legal. You cannot install, alter, repair, or pump subsurface sewage disposal systems in Tennessee without the proper permit.
It proves your skill to homeowners and general contractors who need a licensed installer for a permitted job.
It lets you pull permits, schedule inspections, and receive the Certificate of Completion that closes out a job.
It opens the door to larger residential, commercial, and subdivision projects that require a licensed installer.
It raises your earning potential as you add permit types and take on more complex alternative systems.
What Is the Mean Wage for a Septic Professional in Tennessee?
Nationally, septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners earn an annual mean wage of $53,500, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Tennessee, the median annual wage is $39,480, and the top 10% of earners make more than $60,760.
The mean is the average of all wages. The median is the midpoint, where half of workers earn more and half earn less. Because a few high earners pull the average up, the median often paints a more realistic picture of what a typical installer earns.
Your pay in Tennessee rises with experience, the number of permit types you hold, and whether you own the business. Entry-level installers start closer to the 10th percentile of $29,880, while seasoned installers and business owners reach the upper ranges.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Septic License in Tennessee?
The permit fee is:
$200 for Conventional Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems Installer
$100 for Alternative Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems Installer (must obtain permit for each alternative system type you install)
$200 for Septic Tank Pumping Contractor
$400 for Domestic Septage Disposal
Beyond the permit fees, budget for a few related costs. Alternative-system and subdivision applications require an extra-high-intensity soils map prepared by a soils consultant licensed in Tennessee, who sets the fee privately. Tennessee does not charge a separate exam vendor fee, because your local TDEC Environmental Field Office administers the installer exam directly. You also face no state-mandated tuition or apprenticeship costs, because training is not required.
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.
How to Get a Septic License in Tennessee
Tennessee keeps the path to becoming a licensed septic installer straightforward. There are no age, education, or prior-experience prerequisites beyond the ability to do the work safely and correctly.
To get started, contact your local TDEC Environmental Field Office to schedule the installer exam. Then complete the online application for the permit type you want. Pumping and domestic septage applicants schedule a truck inspection instead of an exam. Once you pass the exam or inspection and pay the permit fee, TDEC's Division of Water Resources issues your permit. On individual jobs, a TDEC Environmental Scientist conducts a site evaluation. After you finish the installation, schedule a final inspection before you cover the system so the field office can issue your Certificate of Completion.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Septic License in Tennessee?
Since there are no experience or education prerequisites, the process of obtaining a permit is relatively quick. According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, permit issuance can take up to 45 days after the date of application.
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Tennessee Septic Training Programs and Schools
Tennessee does not require you to take any classes to become a certified septic installer. However, the Fleming Training Center offers advanced classes in a variety of water and wastewater areas if you want to expand or sharpen your skills.
Tennessee Septic Licensing Exam Details
To become a licensed installer, you must schedule an exam with your local Environmental Field Office. The exam covers installation, operational details, and safety procedures.
Your local TDEC Environmental Field Office administers the exam rather than a third-party testing vendor, so field office staff handle scheduling, location, and format directly. Contact your field office when you are ready to test, and ask what reference materials you can bring, because local staff set the testing rules. Pumping and domestic septage permits require a truck inspection instead of a written exam.
How Can I Prepare for the Septic License Exam in Tennessee?
The installer exam covers installation, operation, and safety, so the best preparation is hands-on familiarity with how Tennessee expects systems to be built. Review the state's subsurface sewage disposal requirements, and ask your local field office which topics the exam emphasizes.
You can also sharpen your knowledge through the Fleming Training Center, which offers courses across water and wastewater subjects. Working alongside an experienced licensed installer before you test is one of the most effective ways to prepare.
Does My Tennessee Septic License Work in Any Other State?
No. A Tennessee septic permit covers only work you perform in Tennessee. States set on-site sewage rules state by state, and often county by county. So in any other state where you want to install or service septic systems, you must apply for the appropriate license or permit. Check with that state's environmental or health agency before you take on out-of-state work.
Does Tennessee Reciprocate Septic Licenses?
Tennessee does not have septic license reciprocity agreements with other states.
Septic-Specific Requirements in Tennessee
A few requirements are unique to septic work in Tennessee. Alternative systems—low-pressure pipe, mound, oxidation lagoon, and advanced treatment systems—require a separate permit for each system type. They also require an extra-high-intensity soils map prepared by a Tennessee-licensed soils consultant. Pumping contractors must pass a truck inspection. Domestic septage disposal requires written permission from the treatment plant or land-application site owner. Advanced treatment systems also carry ongoing operation and maintenance obligations under Tennessee's subsurface sewage disposal law.
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.
Other Requirements Unique to Tennessee
Tennessee administers septic permitting through regional Environmental Field Offices. Some counties run their own approved programs under a contract with TDEC. That means the office you work with, and a few local rules, can vary by county. You also renew permits each year, and you must obtain a permit before any dirt work or building-pad construction begins.
Are There Septic Scholarships in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers no scholarships tied specifically to septic permitting, largely because the state does not require formal schooling to become an installer. You can still tap state workforce funding for related training. Tennessee Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees at the state's community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Both offer plumbing and wastewater coursework that pairs well with a septic career. Trade associations and community foundations also offer scholarships from year to year, so ask your local field office or training center about current options.
How Can Someone Verify My Septic License in Tennessee?
Homeowners and general contractors can confirm that an installer or pumper holds a valid permit through TDEC. Open the Groundwater Protection (Septic) Permits data viewer on the TDEC Data and Map Viewers page, then search by county, property owner, or address to find permit records. If you cannot locate a record, contact the local Environmental Field Office directly, and staff can confirm whether a permit is active.
When Can a Septic License Get Suspended in Tennessee?
Tennessee law gives the commissioner authority to suspend or revoke a permit. This applies to anyone who constructs, alters, extends, or repairs subsurface sewage disposal systems, or removes waste from them, and violates the state's septic law or its rules. Common triggers include installing without a permit, working outside the scope of your permit, repeated code violations, and letting a permit lapse. This overview is not legal advice, so consult TDEC or an attorney for guidance on a specific situation.
What Are the Penalties for Unlicensed Septic Work in Tennessee?
Working without the required permit is illegal in Tennessee. State law makes it an unlawful act to install or operate a subsurface sewage disposal system without meeting the state's requirements. Violators can face civil and criminal penalties, and the state can seek an injunction to stop unpermitted work. This overview is not legal advice, so consult TDEC or an attorney for guidance on a specific situation.
Continuing Education
You must renew Tennessee septic permits each year. To renew, submit a new application or modification request through TDEC's online application. Renewal fees match the original permit fees listed above.
Tennessee sets no continuing education requirements for septic permit renewal. Even so, stay current on industry trends and code changes to keep your work competitive.
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 Tennessee, or in any of the other 49 states and the District of Columbia through the ServiceTitan Licensing Hub.
