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Sewage Disposal Service Business Licensing

your deq online login link
Please note: Continue to use your “Responsible Official" user account to renew your Sewage Disposal Services license through the Your DEQ Online system. If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot password?" link on the login page. If this is your first time using Your DEQ Online, see the Account Registration page.

Do you need a Sewage Disposal Service license?

Oregon law requires that you must have a license if intending to work on a subsurface sewage disposal system, also known as a septic system, and before you advertise or represent yourself in the business of providing sewage disposal services. The license is a Sewage Disposal Service or SDS license. 

Sewage Disposal Services include:

  • Constructing any kind of septic systems, or any part of it. This includes grading, excavating and earthmoving work connected with these activities.
  • Pumping, transporting and disposing of contents from any kind of septic system, including graywater tanks or systems and non-water-carried sewage disposal facilities such as portable toilets.
  • Advertising or offering to perform any of the services mentioned above.

​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.​

​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. Log in to your account on the Your DEQ Online login page and navigate to your license in the PLC tab.  Select renew as the action you wish to take.

​2. Complete the renewal application. Instructions for completing the renewal application:​

  • Log in to your DEQ Your DEQ Online account​ with your Username and Password.

  • Navigate to the Permit/License/Certification icon on the left of the screen and select that button

  • Your license will display on the screen, navigate to the circle with three dots named “more actions", select the down arrow called the “activity picker" and select Renew, then click on the gold “Execute" button.

  • Enter the requested information for each tab of the Renewal Submittal.  Use the pink “Save" button to save your work periodically.  If you need to close the application before you are complete, you can come back and edit your application by selecting the blue “edit" pencil in the Pending Submittals box on your dashboard.

  • Submit a complete and accurate application by June 1 to ensure your license is renewed without lapse.  Use your PIN and an answer to a security question to complete the submit tab of your renewal.

3. ​If completing an Septage Management Plan Inventory, navigate to the “Upcoming Obligations" box on your Dashboard and click.  Select the Pink “Edit Submittal" button.  Enter the requested information for your annual report.  Use your PIN and an answer to a security question to complete the submit tab of your report.

Important note: If you have previously set up a Responsible Official user account, also called an RO account, do not create a new one. Use your existing account to create the renewal application.


​​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. ​

​​

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.

For help, visit the Your DEQ Online Help page or submit your ticket to:

Your DEQ Online Helpdesk

Contact

For questions about Sewage Disposal Services licenses, contact: