Official-source review: August 25, 2026
Georgia septic installer certification: Georgia DPH certifies individual septic installers and the companies through which they work. County Environmental Health offices administer examinations and issue project construction permits.
What the Georgia septic installer certification covers
Georgia DPH certifies individual septic installers and the companies through which they work. County Environmental Health offices administer examinations and issue project construction permits.
- Residential onsite sewage installation after passing the residential exam.
- Additional commercial, drip or mound work only after the applicable exam.
- Employment through a certified installer company.
- Project construction under a county health permit.
Well construction is governed by the separate Georgia water well contractor license.
Georgia septic installer certification requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Current rule or route |
|---|---|
| Route | Certified Installer plus certified Installer Company |
| Eligibility | Be at least 18 and employed by a certified company; DPH does not publish a multi-year experience minimum for the basic residential installer exam route. |
| Exam | Residential installer exam with at least 70 points; additional exams for commercial, subsurface-drip and mound systems. |
| Fees | $50 per examination; 2026 installer-company certification $400. Additional specialty exams, training and county permits may apply. |
| Education | 8 approved continuing-education hours per two-year installer cycle. |
| Renewal | Every two years on even-numbered years; the current cycle expired February 28, 2026. |
Do not treat this table as an approval notice. The agency, certification organization or local jurisdiction makes the final eligibility decision and may request additional evidence.
How to complete the Georgia septic installer certification process
- Review the DPH manual and select the required exam categories.
- Schedule the $50 exam with County Environmental Health.
- Score at least 70 and submit the contractor application.
- Join an existing certified company or submit a company application and fee.
- Obtain the county construction permit before installation.
- Complete eight CE hours and renew in the even-year cycle.
Keep copies of every experience certificate, examination result, bond or insurance filing and payment receipt. Names and business entities should match across the application and supporting documents.
Important Georgia rules and boundaries
- Out-of-state certification does not replace Georgia certification.
- An individual cannot operate independently outside a certified company.
- Commercial, subsurface-drip and mound work require additional examinations.
- The county construction permit is separate from contractor certification.
Georgia may separate the credential held by a worker from the contractor license held by the business, while preserving local authority over permits and inspections. Confirm every applicable layer before bidding, advertising or beginning regulated work.
Georgia septic installer certification cost and renewal
Add training, examination, insurance, equipment and local costs.
Renew by the published deadline and retain supporting records.
Government charges are only part of the expected cost. Training, examination preparation, fingerprints, surety premiums, insurance, equipment calibration and local permits can add to the total.
Georgia septic installer certification checklist
- Confirm that this credential matches the exact work you will perform.
- Check whether the applicant is an individual, sole owner or separate business entity.
- Collect experience and training records before submitting the application.
- Use the current official form and fee schedule.
- Complete every required examination or approved certification route.
- File bonds, insurance and fingerprints when applicable.
- Check county, city, water supplier and building-permit rules.
- Save the expiration date and renewal requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is this credential statewide?
State certification; each project requires county Environmental Health approval.
Is an exam required?
Residential installer exam with at least 70 points; additional exams for commercial, subsurface-drip and mound systems.
When does it renew?
Every two years on even-numbered years; the current cycle expired February 28, 2026.
Are local approvals separate?
Yes.
Official sources used
Verified licensing details
- Licensing authority
- Georgia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health
- Fees
- $50 per examination; 2026 installer-company certification $400. Additional specialty exams, training and county permits may apply.
- Experience
- Be at least 18 and employed by a certified company; DPH does not publish a multi-year experience minimum for the basic residential installer exam route.
- Exams
- Residential installer exam with at least 70 points; additional exams for commercial, subsurface-drip and mound systems.
- Insurance or bond
- Maintain required business insurance and local filings.
- Continuing education
- 8 approved continuing-education hours per two-year installer cycle.
- Renewal period
- Every two years on even-numbered years; the current cycle expired February 28, 2026.
Official sources
Official sources last checked August 24, 2026.
Requirements can change and local rules may apply. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority before paying a fee or beginning work.