Updated
Does Arkansas require a septic license?
Yes. Arkansas requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater. The Health Department licenses installers and septic tank cleaners separately; designated representatives perform site evaluations.
Who licenses septic contractors in Arkansas?
Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater.
Arkansas's septic credentials:
- Advanced septic installer license
- Septic tank cleaner (truck) license
- Certified monitoring personnel
- Designated representative permit
How to check a septic contractor's license in Arkansas
- Open the Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater lookup.
- Search by the contractor's name, the license holder's name or the license number.
- Check the license type covers your job (installation, pumping or inspection) and that the status is active.
- If the contractor's business name doesn't come up, ask which person on staff holds the license: several states license individuals, not companies.
Septic permits in Arkansas
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In Arkansas, permits for new systems, replacements and most repairs come from the local health department or the state agency office that covers the property. Ask your installer to pull the permit and include the fee in the quote.
Licensed septic companies in Arkansas
The Septic Guide lists 1,248 septic companies and licensed professionals in Arkansas, 1,240 matched to the state's published list. Source list: ADH onsite wastewater licensee list. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
- Washington County (125)
- Benton County (115)
- Saline County (62)
- Faulkner County (56)
- White County (54)
- Baxter County (43)
- Craighead County (38)
- Boone County (33)
All septic companies in Arkansas →
Arkansas septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater. The Health Department licenses installers and septic tank cleaners separately; designated representatives perform site evaluations.
Who issues septic licenses in Arkansas?
The Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater issues Arkansas's septic credentials: Advanced septic installer license; Septic tank cleaner (truck) license; Certified monitoring personnel; Designated representative permit.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in Arkansas?
Open the Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater lookup. Search by the contractor's name, the license holder's name or the license number. Check the license type covers your job (installation, pumping or inspection) and that the status is active. If the contractor's business name doesn't come up, ask which person on staff holds the license: several states license individuals, not companies.
How many licensed septic contractors are in Arkansas?
The Septic Guide lists 1,248 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in Arkansas, 1,240 of them matched to the Arkansas Department of Health list (data as of October 2026). This counts what we could match; it is not an official total.
Do you need a permit for a septic system in Arkansas?
New septic systems, replacements and most repairs need a permit before work starts. The permit comes from the local health department or the state agency office that covers your property, and the permit, not the contractor license, is what authorizes a specific job.
Sources: Arkansas Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.