Septic Tank Contractor Registration

Report Unlawful Septic Tank Contracting
 

Please make check or money orders payable to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

All septic tank contractor registrations expire annually on Sept. 30. If you wish to renew your registration, please complete a renewal application 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.

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.

Note: 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.

Certificate of authorizations for septic tank contracting businesses expires March 31 of every odd year. To renew a certificate of authorization, complete the 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.

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 county health department services. 

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. 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.

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. 

• In order for an authorization to be renewed, the corporation must be "Active" with the Florida Department of State.

Exemption to the Certificate of Authorization

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. 

Individuals wishing to apply to become a new septic tank contractor within the State of Florida should review our Septic Tank Contractor Registration Packet, as well as our Frequently Asked Questions.

In compliance with section 498.553, F.S., the information below is provided for anyone seeking licensure under Part III, "Septic Tank Contracting," of Chapter 489, F.S.

List of crimes committed that do not relate to the practice of the profession or the ability to practice the profession and do not constitute grounds for denial of registration (updated March 2021)

None to report to date.

List of crimes that although reported by an applicant for registration, were not used as a basis for denial in the past two years (updated March 2021)

List of crimes that have been used as a basis for denial of registration in the past two years (Updated March 2021)

• None to report to date.

Active and Inactive Contractors

• Active Septic Tank Contractors and Contracting Businesses:
  • Search for a Contractor (updated daily).
  • Complete Current Contractor Listing (static listing updated every 10 minutes).
• Septic tank contractors who are NOT currently registered.
• Septic Tank Contractor Enforcement.

Links and Forms

• Approved Continuing Education Course Schedule.
• Map to the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association Training Center.
• Frequently Asked Questions.
• Septic Tank Contractor Registration Packet.
• Septic Tank Contracting Business Authorization Application and Renewal Form.