Updated
Does New York require a septic license?
New York has no statewide septic installer license; septic contractors are licensed or registered locally. New York has no statewide septic installer license; some counties license installers.
Who licenses septic contractors in New York?
County health departments (NYSDOH sets standards).
New York's septic credentials:
- County licenses where required
How to check a septic contractor's license in New York
- New York has no public statewide list of septic contractors.
- Ask the contractor for their local license or registration number and which county or town issued it.
- Call that county health department or town office to confirm it is current.
Septic permits in New York
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In New York, 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 New York
The Septic Guide lists 60 septic companies and licensed professionals in New York, 1 matched to the state's published list. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
All septic companies in New York →
New York septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in New York?
New York has no statewide septic installer license; septic contractors are licensed or registered locally. New York has no statewide septic installer license; some counties license installers.
Who issues septic licenses in New York?
County health departments (NYSDOH sets standards). New York has no statewide septic installer license; some counties license installers.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in New York?
New York has no public statewide list of septic contractors. Ask the contractor for their local license or registration number and which county or town issued it. Call that county health department or town office to confirm it is current.
How many licensed septic contractors are in New York?
The Septic Guide lists 60 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in New York, 1 of them matched to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection 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 New York?
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: County health departments (NYSDOH sets standards); state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.