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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

View all Occupational Licensing and Registration Information and Requirements

OSSF Licensing and Registration Overview

State Regulations:

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 work day 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.

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OSSF Designated Representative License Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

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

Training Course

OSSF approved training - TEEX

  • Designated Representative Basic Training

Applicants must complete the course with TEEX (800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

Application and Examination

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

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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

OSSF approved training - TEEX

  • Site Evaluator Basic Training

Application and Examination

  • Applicants must register for the course with TEEX (800-723-3811) prior to submitting an application with TCEQ.
  • In order to test at the conclusion of the training course you must submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ at least 30 days prior to the scheduled training course.
  • Applicants who do not wish to test at the conclusion of the training course and have an APPROVED Site Evaluator application, or those who need to RETEST, may:
    • Schedule to test with TEEX .

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OSSF Installer I License Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

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

Training Course

OSSF approved training - TEEX

  • Installer I Basic Training

Applicants must complete the course with TEEX (800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

Application and Examination

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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:

    • a sworn statement for OSSF I to II Microsoft Word Document verifying at least three (3) installations from either a designated representative who approved the installations or from three individuals for whom the applicant performed construction services (statements cannot be provided by individuals related by blood or marriage to the applicant or applicant's spouse); or
    • other documentation of the applicant’s work experience approved by the executive director.

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

    • a sworn statement for Apprentice to Installer II Microsoft Word Document verifying at least six (6) installations from either a designated representative who witnessed the installations or from the installer for whom the applicant performed construction services; or
    • other documentation of the applicant’s work experience approved by the executive director.

Training Course

OSSF approved training - TEEX

  • Installer II Basic Training

Applicants must complete the course with TEEX (800-723-3811) prior to applying with TCEQ.

Application and Examination

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OSSF Apprentice Registration Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

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

Training Course

  • None

Application

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OSSF Maintenance Technician Registration Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

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

Training Course

Texas On-Site Wastewater Association

  • Basic Maintenance Provider Course

Applicants must complete the course with TOWA (409-718-0645) prior to submitting an application to TCEQ.

Application

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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

Texas On-Site Wastewater Association

  • 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

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OSSF Licensing Exemptions

Visit 30 TAC §30.244 for a listing of all exemptions.

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Renewal Requirements

Occupational licenses and registrations are valid for three years. Renewal applicants must have completed 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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