Updated
Does Hawaii require a septic license?
Partly. Hawaii credentials some septic work at the state level, but not every septic trade. Hawaii has no license named for septic work; cesspool and septic jobs fall under general and plumbing-related contractor classes.
Who licenses septic contractors in Hawaii?
Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board.
Hawaii's septic credentials:
- Contractor classes A, C-9, C-37, C-37a and C-43 (no septic-specific license)
How to check a septic contractor's license in Hawaii
- Open the Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board 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 Hawaii
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In Hawaii, 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.
Hawaii septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in Hawaii?
Partly. Hawaii credentials some septic work at the state level, but not every septic trade. Hawaii has no license named for septic work; cesspool and septic jobs fall under general and plumbing-related contractor classes.
Who issues septic licenses in Hawaii?
The Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board issues Hawaii's septic credentials: Contractor classes A, C-9, C-37, C-37a and C-43 (no septic-specific license).
How do I check a septic contractor's license in Hawaii?
Open the Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board 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.
Do you need a permit for a septic system in Hawaii?
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: Hawaii DCCA Contractors License Board; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.