GroundRosterTennessee septic and well contractor license lookup
In Tennessee one agency handles both trades: the Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Division of Water Resources. It issues permits to septic installers and septic tank pumpers, and licenses water well contractors.
Searches our copy of the Tennessee rosters. The state's own lookups, below, are the final word.
Who licenses what
TDEC Division of Water Resources: septic (subsurface sewage disposal) program
| Licenses | Septic installer and septic tank pumper permits |
| Law | Rule 0400-48-01 |
TDEC Division of Water Resources: water well program
| Licenses | Water well drillers and installers |
| Law | Rule 0400-45-09 |
| Renewal | Well driller and installer licenses expire on July 31 every year and must be renewed. Source |
Permits
Installer permits are valid statewide. Nine contract counties (Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby and Williamson) run their own septic programs and may require an additional permit.
Source: TDEC: septic installers and pumpers.
What the license classes mean
Septic System Installer
Builds, installs, alters, extends or repairs septic systems. Every installer holds a conventional permit; some also hold permits for alternative systems such as low-pressure pipe, mounds and drip. Our listings don't show which.
Issued by TDEC Division of Water Resources: septic (subsurface sewage disposal) program. Source: Rule 0400-48-01-.19.
Septic Tank Pumper
Pumps septage out of septic tanks, holding tanks, portable toilets and similar systems.
Issued by TDEC Division of Water Resources: septic (subsurface sewage disposal) program. Source: Rule 0400-48-01-.20.
Water Well Contractor
Our label for every Tennessee well license. TDEC issues eight separate classes: water well driller, monitor well driller, geothermal well driller, geothermal borehole only, closed loop installer, pump installer, water well treatment installer and well closure. Our listings don't show which one a contractor holds. A Tennessee general contractor, electrician or plumber may not install or maintain a well, well pump or water treatment system without one of these licenses.
Issued by TDEC Division of Water Resources: water well program. Source: Rule 0400-45-09-.06; TDEC: well driller or installer license.
Check a license with the state
- Licensed septic installers and pumpers: TDEC's page. Its "Installers & Pumpers DataViewer" button opens TDEC's live report, which searches by name or permit number.
- Well driller or installer license: TDEC's license page. The "Licensed Tennessee Well Drillers and Installers List" link near the bottom opens TDEC's live report, which searches by name or license number.
Good to know
- TDEC's live reports list more active installers, pumpers and well licensees than our copy does. If a contractor isn't in our results, check TDEC before drawing any conclusion.
- Hiring a well contractor for a specific job? Check which of the eight classes they hold in TDEC's report.
- The TDEC pages and rules we reviewed don't state a renewal period for septic permits, so we don't give one. TDEC's report shows who is active now.
Not being in our copy is not evidence that someone is unlicensed. Our copy can lag the state, and a license may be listed under another name, such as the owner's or the company's.