Updated
Does South Dakota require a septic license?
Yes. South Dakota requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission. South Dakota licenses septic installers through the State Plumbing Commission.
Who licenses septic contractors in South Dakota?
South Dakota State Plumbing Commission.
South Dakota's septic credentials:
- Individual and small on-site wastewater system installer license
How to check a septic contractor's license in South Dakota
- Open the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission 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 South Dakota
A contractor license says who may do septic work; a permit authorizes a specific system. In South Dakota, 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 South Dakota
The Septic Guide lists 469 septic companies and licensed professionals in South Dakota, 469 matched to the state's published list. Source list: Plumbing Commission small wastewater installer roster. This is what we could match as of October 2026, not an official count.
All septic companies in South Dakota →
South Dakota septic licensing: common questions
Do you need a license to install septic systems in South Dakota?
Yes. South Dakota requires septic installers to hold a state credential issued by the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission. South Dakota licenses septic installers through the State Plumbing Commission.
Who issues septic licenses in South Dakota?
The South Dakota State Plumbing Commission issues South Dakota's septic credentials: Individual and small on-site wastewater system installer license.
How do I check a septic contractor's license in South Dakota?
Open the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission 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 South Dakota?
The Septic Guide lists 469 septic companies and licensed septic professionals in South Dakota, 469 of them matched to the South Dakota State Plumbing Commission 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 South Dakota?
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: South Dakota State Plumbing Commission; state license lists loaded into The Septic Guide. See how we verify licenses.