Tiered Installer Licensure

Transition to Tiered Licensure

Effective July 1, 2022, all installers licensed as master contractors with the Department became Tier 3 installers. Installers who were licensed but not as master contractors became Tier 2 installers.

All installers who will become Tier 2 installers and plan to install Standard 610, Specialized Onsite Wastewater Systems, will have 30 days, starting on July 1, 2022, to obtain their Tier 3 licensure. During this period, they may continue to install engineered systems while working to obtain the requirements necessary to be granted a Tier 3 license. After July 31, 2022, any installer who has not obtained a Tier 3 license will no longer be allowed to install Standard 610, Specialized Onsite Wastewater Systems. 

Tiered Licensing System for Onsite Wastewater (Septic) System Installers

As with the septic system pumper/hauler license, to become licensed as a septic system installer an examination must be taken and passed with a score of 80% or better. To schedule the in-person exam, please contact your local SCDES office.

The Department licenses the following tiers of installers:

• Tier 1 Installer:
  • Can install all gravity-fed and fill-cap residential systems.
  • Must obtain 8 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.*
  • May self-inspect systems they have installed when directed by the Department.
• Tier 2 Installer:
  • Can install all Tier 1 systems in addition to systems that require pumps, grease traps, curtain drains, elevated infiltration systems, mounded systems, and all commercial systems.
  • Must obtain 12 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.*
  • May self-inspect systems they have installed when directed by the Department.
• Tier 3 Installer:
  • Can install all Tier 1 and 2 systems in addition to Standard 610, Specialized Onsite Wastewater Systems.
  • Must obtain 18 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.*
  • May self-inspect systems they have installed.
  • Must be bonded and insured.
  • To qualify for eligibility, you must be licensed as a septic system installer and actively installing in South Carolina for the previous 3 years with no pending or prior disciplinary or enforcement action involving onsite wastewater systems OR licensed as a septic system installer and actively installing out of state for 5 years with no pending or prior disciplinary or enforcement action involving onsite wastewater systems.

South Carolina Act No. 37: Passive Soil-Based Onsite Disposal Systems

• South Carolina Act No. 37 of 2015 is a law that was passed detailing the installation of passive soil-based onsite disposal systems. These systems consist of non-gravel, non-mechanical, soil absorption trenches utilizing manufactured products such as Infiltrator, EZ Flow, etc., that have been approved for use in South Carolina. These systems must be installed per the manufacturer requirements. Only licensed septic system installers certified by the trench product manufacturer can utilize the soil absorption area reduction. For more information on the Act, click here.