Updated
Does Minnesota require a septic license?
Yes. Minnesota requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program). Minnesota licenses septic (SSTS) businesses and certifies the individuals who work for them. The MPCA search shows each business's license, insurance and bond status.
Who licenses septic contractors in Minnesota?
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program).
Minnesota's septic credentials:
- SSTS business license (installer, maintainer, service provider, designer, inspector)
- Individual SSTS certifications
How to check a septic contractor's license in Minnesota
- Open the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program) 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 Minnesota
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In Minnesota, 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 Minnesota
The Septic Guide lists 1,256 septic companies and licensed professionals in Minnesota, 1,253 matched to the state's published list. Source list: MPCA SSTS licensed business search. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
- St. Louis County (99)
- Crow Wing County (52)
- Stearns County (46)
- Otter Tail County (45)
- Anoka County (40)
- Cass County (40)
- Becker County (34)
- Pine County (32)
All septic companies in Minnesota →
Minnesota septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program). Minnesota licenses septic (SSTS) businesses and certifies the individuals who work for them. The MPCA search shows each business's license, insurance and bond status.
Who issues septic licenses in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program) issues Minnesota's septic credentials: SSTS business license (installer, maintainer, service provider, designer, inspector); Individual SSTS certifications.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in Minnesota?
Open the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program) 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 Minnesota?
The Septic Guide lists 1,256 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in Minnesota, 1,253 of them matched to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 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 Minnesota?
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: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (SSTS program); state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.