Sewage Disposal Service Business Licensing

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1. Determine the license type you need:

• Installer only
  
• Pumper only
• Combined Pumper/Installer

2. Complete required pre-license training required for Installer and Pumper/Installer licenses by attending the DEQ Initial Installer Certification course offered by Chemeketa Community College.

3. File your Corporation, LLC, Partnership and/or Assumed Business Name with the Secretary of State Corporate Division.  Read Start a Business guide for information about how to set up your business.

4. Contact your insurance agent to obtain a Sewage Disposal Service Bond for $15,000 for Installer or Pumper/Installer licenses, and $5,000 for Pumper only licenses.  Make sure the bond is issued to the exact business name you registered with the Secretary of State if you needed to do that.

Sign the original bond and assure the bond agent or company has affixed the corporate seal of the surety company. (The bond company will access the DEQ form to issue your bond. You do not need to print it.)

5. For Pumper or Pumper/Installer license applications:

• Print all 3 pages of the Equipment Description/Vehicle Inspection form complete pages 1-2. Contact a local Onsite septic program agent to perform the inspection. The inspector will return the original form to you.
  
• Contact your disposal sites to arrange a documented disposal agreement so they can accept the waste you will pump. Photocopy that disposal agreement.
  

6. Set up a user account in Your DEQ Online​ as a Responsible Official (RO) using instructions on the Your DEQ Online account registration page. This includes a step-by-step user guide, recorded webinars and instructional videos.

7. Once your account is verified & linked to the SDS Program, go to the My Account section of your account and select the Sewage Disposal Service program.  Now you may apply and pay for a new license. During this process, you'll be asked to upload required attachments for the license application.

8. Once you have finished preparing your SDS license application in Your DEQ Online, mail the following items to: DEQ, Attn Onsite, 165 E 7th Ave, Ste 100, Eugene OR  97401

• Original sealed and signed bond (2 pages). Failure to complete this step correctly will delay issuance of your license. Not accepted: Photocopies of bonds or bonds without a Surety seal or your signature.
• Original completed vehicle inspections (3 pages) if applying as a Pumper or Pumper/Installer.

9.  DEQ will process your submittal and contact you for any additional information needed. Processing time is approximately 2-3 weeks but may be longer during renewal season in the summer.​

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To apply for a new license, reinstatement or transfer:

1. Register for a Responsible Official account (RO) in Your DEQ Online.
   Use the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up guide as needed.
   

2. Complete identity verification using the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up Guide.

3. Link to the SDS submittal group using the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up Guide.
   

4. Complete the license application using the instructions in the Apply, Reinstate or Transfer a License Guide.
   

Video: Apply, Reinstate or Transfer a License

​Note: Do not create a new RO account if you have already done so. Use your existing account and create the new application you need.

To renew a license:

1. Register for a Responsible Official (RO) account in Your DEQ Online​ using the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up guide.

2. Complete identity verification using the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up guide.

3. Link to the SDS submittal group and your existing license using the instructions in the Account Registration and Set Up guide and the link to an Existing License video.

4. Complete the renewal application. Instructions for completing the renewal application:

• ​Quick reference guide: Start your License Renewal
• User guide: License Renewal and SMP Inventory guide
• Video: Renew a License
  
• Submit a complete and accurate application by June 1 to ensure your license is renewed without lapse.
  

5. If completing an Septage Management Plan Inventory, see the instructions in the License Renewal and SMP Inventory guide. 

​Note: Do not create a new RO account if you have already done so. Use your existing account and create the renewal application you need.

​After submitting your license application, renewal or SMP inventory through Your DEQ Online,​ you may track the status of your submittal in the Track Submittal Status section of your account. See the Track Your Application guide​ for instructions. ​

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1. E-verification failed, so how do I verify through the ESA form?

If e-verification fails, print out the ESA form. Complete the form, and add your license type (installer, pumper, installer/pumper) in the DEQ permit/license/certificate type field. In the field for DEQ program, add Sewage Disposal Service Licensing.

Mail the completed ESA to:

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Attn: Your DEQ Online Helpdesk
700 NE Multnomah Street, Suite 600
Portland, OR 97232-4100

For expedited processing, you may additionally email the signed and completed form to YourDEQOnline@deq.oregon.gov.

2. Where do I mail the bond form?

Once you have finished preparing your SDS license application in Your DEQ Online​, mail the following items to: DEQ, Attn Onsite, 165 E 7th Ave, Ste 100, Eugene OR 97401

• Original sealed and signed bond (2 pages). Failure to complete this step correctly will delay issuance of your license. Not accepted: Photocopies of bonds or bonds without a Surety seal or your signature.
• Original completed vehicle inspections (3 pages) if applying as a Pumper or Pumper/Installer.

3. How do I add additional vehicles?

To add additional vehicles or disposal sites to an existing license, contact Lisa MacGregor​. 

4. Where is the vehicle inspection form?

For Pumper or Pumper/Installer license applications:

• Print all 3 pages of the Equipment Description/Vehicle Inspection form complete pages 1-2. Contact a local Onsite septic program agent to perform the inspection. The inspector will return the original form to you.
• Contact your disposal sites to arrange a documented disposal agreement so they can accept the waste you will pump. Photocopy that disposal agreement.
• For a license renewal, the renewal vehicle inspection form is in the application, linked in the attachment instructions. Use the renewal form only when renewing a license.
  

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