Updated
Does Rhode Island require a septic license?
Yes. Rhode Island requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Rhode Island DEM, OWTS program. Rhode Island licenses septic (OWTS) installers for three-year terms after an exam.
Who licenses septic contractors in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island DEM, OWTS program.
Rhode Island's septic credentials:
- OWTS installer license (3-year, exam)
How to check a septic contractor's license in Rhode Island
- Open the Rhode Island DEM, OWTS 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 Rhode Island
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island
The Septic Guide lists 495 septic companies and licensed professionals in Rhode Island, 485 matched to the state's published list. Source list: DEM licensed OWTS installer list (July 2022). This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
- Providence County (172)
- Washington County (161)
- Newport County (72)
- Kent County (70)
- Bristol County (14)
All septic companies in Rhode Island →
Rhode Island septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the Rhode Island DEM, OWTS program. Rhode Island licenses septic (OWTS) installers for three-year terms after an exam.
Who issues septic licenses in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island DEM, OWTS program issues Rhode Island's septic credentials: OWTS installer license (3-year, exam).
How do I check a septic contractor's license in Rhode Island?
Open the Rhode Island DEM, OWTS 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 Rhode Island?
The Septic Guide lists 495 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in Rhode Island, 485 of them matched to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management 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 Rhode Island?
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: Rhode Island DEM, OWTS program; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.