Updated
Does Oregon require a septic license?
Yes. Oregon requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing. Oregon licenses sewage disposal businesses and certifies the installers who work for them.
Who licenses septic contractors in Oregon?
Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing.
Oregon's septic credentials:
- Sewage disposal service license (installer, pumper)
- DEQ installer certification
How to check a septic contractor's license in Oregon
- Open the Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing 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 Oregon
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In Oregon, 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 Oregon
The Septic Guide lists 1,253 septic companies and licensed professionals in Oregon, 1,230 matched to the state's published list. Source list: DEQ certified onsite installer list. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
- Deschutes County (150)
- Clackamas County (122)
- Marion County (97)
- Lane County (91)
- Linn County (55)
- Jackson County (54)
- Douglas County (51)
- Washington County (51)
All septic companies in Oregon →
Oregon septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing. Oregon licenses sewage disposal businesses and certifies the installers who work for them.
Who issues septic licenses in Oregon?
The Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing issues Oregon's septic credentials: Sewage disposal service license (installer, pumper); DEQ installer certification.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in Oregon?
Open the Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing 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 Oregon?
The Septic Guide lists 1,253 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in Oregon, 1,230 of them matched to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality 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 Oregon?
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: Oregon DEQ, Sewage Disposal Service licensing; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.