Occupational Licenses: On-Site Sewage Facilities (Septic Systems)

Information about how to obtain an on-site sewage facility license as a Designated Representative, a Site Evaluator, an Installer I and II, an Apprentice, a Maintenance Technician, or a Maintenance Provider.

On-Site Sewage System (OSSF) Information and Requirements

On this page:

• OSSF Licensing and Registration Overview
• OSSF Designated Representative License Requirements
• OSSF Site Evaluator License Requirements
• OSSF Installer I License Requirements
• OSSF Installer II License Requirements
• OSSF Apprentice Registration Requirements
• OSSF Maintenance Technician Registration Requirements
• OSSF Maintenance Provider Requirements
• OSSF Licensing Exemptions
• Renewal Requirements

OSSF Licensing and Registration Overview

To operate as an OSSF installer, apprentice, maintenance provider or maintenance technician in Texas, you must be licensed or registered by the TCEQ.

• Designated Representative License: must be licensed by the TCEQ and work for an authorized agent of the TCEQ. They perform site evaluations (when it is part of their job duties), complaint investigations, system evaluations, and inspections of OSSFs that have been issued an authorization to construct to ensure the installation of the OSSF meets the criteria established by the TCEQ, or by the Authorized Agent Order approved by the TCEQ, whichever is more stringent.
• Site Evaluator License: must be licensed by the TCEQ or hold a Texas Professional Engineer license. They are authorized to perform preconstruction site evaluations to determine a site's suitability for a particular OSSF system and identify all features, within or near the location where an OSSF is to be installed, that could be contaminated by the OSSF or could interfere with the proper operation of the system.
• Installer I License: authorized to install standard OSSF systems (septic tanks, absorptive drainfields, unlined ET drainfields, leaching chambers, gravel-less pipe, and pumped effluent drainfields).
• Installer II License: authorized to install all types of OSSF systems.
• Apprentice Registration: Authorized to represent the supervising installer at the job site. However, they may only perform OSSF installation services under the constant, direct supervision of a licensed installer, either on-site or by radio or other means of direct communications. If supervision is not on-site, the license installer must visit the job site at least once each workday to verify the work of the apprentice is being performed in accordance with State or Authorized Agent requirements.
• Maintenance Technician Registration: authorized to perform services associated with OSSF maintenance but only under the direct supervision and direction of the maintenance provider either on-site or by direct communication with the maintenance provider.
• Maintenance Providers License: authorized to provide service or maintenance to on-site disposal systems using aerobic treatment.

OSSF Designated Representative License Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

• Education: no minimum educational requirements.
• Work Experience: no work experience requirements.

Training Course

• Designated Representative Basic Training

Applicants must complete the course with TEEX

(800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

Application and Examination

• Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.
• Applicants who have an approved Designated Representative application or those who need to retest may:
  • Register to take a computer-based test (CBT)

  Note
  Licensed Individuals shall not perform any Designated Representative duties until they are employed by an Authorized Agent.

  OSSF Site Evaluator License Requirements

  Education and Work Experience Requirements

  • Education: no minimum educational requirements.
  • Work Experience: no work experience requirements.
  • Applicants must possess one of the following:
    • Current Installer II license.
    • Designated Representative license.
    • Texas Professional Engineer license.
    • Texas Professional Sanitarian license.
    • Certified Professional Soil Scientist; or
    • Texas Professional Geoscientist license in the soil science discipline.

    Training Course

    • Site Evaluator Basic Training
    • Pass the Soil Analysis Exam

    Application and Examination

    • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.
    • Applicants who have an approved Site Evaluator application or those who need to retest may:
      • Register to take a computer-based test (CBT)

      OSSF Installer I License Requirements

      Education and Work Experience Requirements

      • Education: no minimum educational requirements
      • Work Experience: no work experience requirements

      Training Course

      • Installer I Basic Training

      Applicants must complete the course with TEEX

      (800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

      Application and Examination

      • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.
      • Applicants who have an approved Installer I application or those who need to retest may:
        • Register to take a computer-based test (CBT)

        OSSF Installer II License Requirements

        Education and Work Experience Requirements

        • Education: no minimum educational requirements
        • Work Experience:

        Applicants with an OSSF Installer I license must have held the license for at least one (1) year and submit either:

        Applicants with an Apprentice Registration must have held the registration for at least two (2) years and submit either:

        Training Course

        • Installer II Basic Training

        Applicants must complete the course with TEEX

        (800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

        Application and Examination

        • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.
        • Applicants who have an approved Installer II application or those who need to retest may:
          • Register to take a computer-based test (CBT)

          OSSF Apprentice Registration Requirements

          Education and Work Experience Requirements

          • Education: no minimum educational requirements
          • Work Experience: no work experience requirements

          Training Course

          Application

          • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.

          OSSF Maintenance Technician Registration Requirements

          Education and Work Experience Requirements

          • Education: no minimum educational requirements
          • Work Experience: no work experience requirements

          Training Course

          • Basic Maintenance Provider Course

          Applicants must complete the course with TOWA

          (409-718-0645) prior to submitting an application to TCEQ.

          Application

          • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.

          OSSF Maintenance Provider License Requirements

          Education and Work Experience Requirements

          • Education: no minimum educational requirements
          • Work Experience:
            • Possess an OSSF Installer II license.
            • Possess a Class C or higher Wastewater Treatment Operator license.
            • Have three (3) years of experience as a registered Maintenance Technician; or
            • Registered as a Maintenance Provider prior to September 1, 2009.

            Training Courses

            • Basic Maintenance Provider (BMP) Course
            • Advanced Aerobic Maintenance Provider (AMP) Course

            Applicants must complete both courses with TOWA

            (409-718-0645) prior to submitting an application to TCEQ.

            Application and Examination

            • Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ.
            • Applicants who have an APPROVED Maintenance Provider application, or those who need to RETEST, may:
              • Register to take a computer-based test (CBT)

              OSSF Licensing Exemptions

              for a listing of all exemptions.

              Renewal Requirements

              Occupational licenses and registrations are valid for three years. Renewal applicants must complete the CE requirements (if applicable), submit a renewal application and criminal history attestation, and pay the renewal fee. Detailed information can be found on the renewal webpage.

              All On-Site Sewage Facility licenses, except for the Apprentice and Maintenance Technician registrations, require 24 hours of Continuing Education (CE) to be eligible for renewal. CE hours are given for successful completion of TCEQ approved training courses.

              CE hours must be acquired prior to the expiration of the license and may be obtained any time during the active cycle of the license. Search the License Information webpage to view current CE hours earned.

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