Septic Tank Contractor Application Requirements | Certificate of Authorization Requirements | Contractor Registration Renewal | Certificate of Authorization Renewal | Continuing Education | Forms List

Septic Tank Contractor Information

Septic Tank Contractor Application Requirements

Individuals wishing to apply to become a new septic tank contractor within the State of Florida should review our Contractor Registration Form DEP 4075, as well as our Frequently Asked Questions. In compliance with section 489.553, F.S., the information below is required for anyone seeking licensure under Part III, "Septic Tank Contracting," of Chapter 489, F.S.:

  • $100 check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

  • Completed DEP Form 4075: Application for Septic Tank Contractor Registration with the following:

    • Type of registration requested and applicant profile sections completed in its entirety (Section 1-3).
    • Verification of at least three years of experience (Section 4 and 5 of DEP Form 4075), as required under Section 489.553(4)(d), F.S., and demonstrated by a total of 6,000 hours of experience received from one or a combination of experience stated in subparagraphs 62-6.019(3)(a)1. through 5., F.A.C. (experience verification signed by person defined in Section 489.105(3)(m), F.S., certification of experience by applicant, certification of experience by employer or supervisor, certification from a regulatory agency for out of state septic tank contracting license held, certification of completion of Department approved coursework for up to 4,000 hours)
    • Moral character Section 6 completed.
    • A certified State of Florida Criminal History Record Check, reviewed and provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, sent by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement directly to the Department of Environmental Protection, Finance and Accounting, Post Office Box 3070, Tallahassee, Florida 32315.

    Mail the completed application, fee and supporting documentation to:

               Department of Environmental Protection

               Post Office Box 3070 

               Tallahassee, Florida 32315

Current registered septic tank contractors wishing to become a master septic tank contractor should review our Contractor Registration Form DEP 4075. 

Per subsections 489.553(9) and (10), F.S., the department has a list of crimes including (1) crimes not related to the practice of the profession or the ability to practice the profession and does not constitute grounds for denial of registration; and (2) crimes that have been used as a basis for denial of registration in the past two years.

Certificate of Authorization Requirements

All septic tank contracting activities must be conducted under the name authorized by the department. The structure of the business determines whether a certificate of authorization is required. If required, mail a completed DEP Form 4077, Application for Certificate of Authorization, supporting documentation and a $250 check or money order payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the address listed above.

The following business structures require a certificate of authorization:

  • An individual offering contracting services under a fictitious name as defined by the Florida Department of State. The individual proprietor or a legal employee must be a registered septic tank contractor to qualify the business.
  • A business that is structured as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association. All individuals who act on behalf of the business as contractors must be registered or master contractors. At least one of the principal officers, partners, or members must be a registered or master septic tank contractor.

Septic tank businesses structured as a sole proprietorship, operating under the owner’s legal name, are not required to obtain a certificate of authorization. To request exemption from the certificate of authorization requirement, please provide a written statement that your business is a sole proprietorship offering septic tank contracting services under the proprietor’s (registered septic tank contractor’s) legal name. 

Section 489.555(1), Florida Statutes, states, in part, “A registered contractor may not be the sole qualifying contractor for more than one business that requests a certificate of authorization.” Any business name change or change of qualifying septic tank contractor change must be accompanied by the appropriate supporting documentation from the Florida Department of State for the fictitious name, partnership, or corporation. 

Contractor Registration Renewal

All septic tank contractor registrations expire annually on Sept. 30. If you wish to renew your registration, please complete DEP Form 4076 Application for Septic Tank Contractor Registration Renewal and return it to the address above along with copies of your continuing education certificates and a check or money order for $100 payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Renewal applications must be postmarked no later than Sept. 30 every year. Registrations not renewed annually, by Sept. 30, will automatically revert to inactive status. If a septic contractors registration becomes inactive, department permitting and inspection services related to septic tank contracting will not be provided.

Registered contractors must include certificates of completion for at least 12 hours of approved continuing education for each 12 month renewal cycle. If you hold a master septic tank contractor registration, you must include certificates for a minimum of 18 hours, at least six of which must be obtained in master level courses. If you have more than the required hours, up to six may be used for next year’s renewal.

Certificate of Authorization Renewal

Certificate of authorizations for septic tank contracting businesses expires March 31 of every odd year. To renew a certificate of authorization, complete the DEP Form 4077, Application for Certificate of Authorization and return it to the address above with a check or money order for $250 payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In order for an authorization to be renewed, the corporation must be "Active" with the Florida Department of State.

Please note, businesses that do not renew their certificate of authorization by March 31 will not be allowed to offer or provide septic tank contracting services and will not receive inspections or other septic-related services.

Continuing Education

The department approves and maintains a list of septic tank contracting course providers and courses approved for continuing education.

New course providers must apply to the department prior to offering courses. Existing approved course providers seeking course approval must apply to the department prior to offering the course.

Forms List

Last Modified: Wednesday, Jul 01, 2026 - 09:51am