Official-source tracker

State septic regulation and licensing tracker

Use this as a starting point before hiring for septic pumping, installation, repair, inspection, or OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. work. Each state row is limited to facts observed on official state sources checked on August 8, 2026.

Rhode Island Texas

Methodology

FindSepticPro includes a state only when there is a defensible reason to maintain public coverage and each regulatory row can be tied to an official state agency, statute, or public-registry URL checked directly. If a fact was not observed in the checked sources, it is marked not established instead of inferred from general practice.

Coverage limits

  • This first edition covers Rhode Island and Texas only.
  • County, city, and delegated local health authority rules can add requirements not shown here.
  • Registry links are starting points for verification; homeowners should confirm current credentials and permit steps with the state or local authority before hiring.

RI

Rhode Island

Checked August 8, 2026

Rhode Island is included because FindSepticPro has source-backed Rhode Island professional coverage and active Rhode Island homeowner resources.

Primary state authority

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management publishes the state septic and Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems program.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Installer licensing or registration

RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. describes licensed installers and four septic designer license classes: Class I, Class II, Class III, and Class IV.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Pumper licensing or registration

not established

Sources checked, but this answer was not established from the official pages reviewed.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Inspector licensing or registration

RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. tells homeowners who suspect system failure to hire a private registered septic system inspector for a thorough inspection.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Installation and repair permits

RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. describes New Building Construction, Alteration, and Repair applications. For a failed system, RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. says a licensed OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. Designer prepares a repair plan for DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. review and approval.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Cesspool deadline or phaseout

For a sale or transfer, RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. says the cesspool must be removed from service within one year of closing. A failed cesspool must be replaced within one year of failure, or sooner for an imminent public-health threat. Cesspools in specified 200-foot protected zones had a January 1, 2014 replacement deadline; RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records. says any remaining cesspools there are in violation of the Cesspool Act.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Public registry starting point

RIDEMRhode Island Department of Environmental ManagementThe state agency that oversees Rhode Island septic-system rules, permits, and records.'s professional licensing page is the official starting point checked for OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. professional categories.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Statewide property-sale inspection rule

not established

Sources checked, but this answer was not established from the official pages reviewed.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Sources checked

  • RI DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. septic and OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. program page
  • RI DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. professional licensing page
  • RI DEMDepartment of Environmental ManagementRhode Island's state agency for environmental rules, permits, and protection programs. OWTSOnsite Wastewater Treatment SystemA septic system or another wastewater system that treats and disperses wastewater on the property. cesspool phaseout page

Registry and agency links

TX

Texas

Checked August 8, 2026

Texas is included because FindSepticPro has Texas listing coverage and a Texas provider verification tied to TCEQ public records.

Primary state authority

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality publishes On-Site Sewage Facility information for homeowners and licensees.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Installer licensing or registration

TCEQ directs users to its online licensing or registration search to verify licensed OSSF installers.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Pumper licensing or registration

not established

Sources checked, but this answer was not established from the official pages reviewed.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Inspector licensing or registration

not established

Sources checked, but this answer was not established from the official pages reviewed.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Apprentice registration registry

TCEQ directs users to its online licensing or registration search for registered OSSF apprentices.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Sludge transporter registry

TCEQ points homeowners to an online database for registered sludge transporters.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Installation and repair permits

TCEQ says a permit and approved plan are required to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair an OSSF. Its permit page lists limited exemptions and directs owners to the local permitting authority because local programs may be stricter.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Statewide cesspool deadline or phaseout

not established

Sources checked, but this answer was not established from the official pages reviewed.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Sources checked

  • TCEQ OSSF homeowners page
  • TCEQ OSSF licensees page
  • TCEQ OSSF general information page
  • TCEQ OSSF permit page
  • TCEQ licensing or registration search
  • TCEQ sludge transporter query

Registry and agency links

How to use this before hiring

Start with the state authority and registry links, then ask the provider which license, registration, or local permit path applies to your job.

For installation, repairs, failed systems, and property-transfer questions, confirm the current local health or permitting authority before signing a scope of work.

For routine pumping, confirm disposal practices, truck access, emergency fees, and whether the provider is listed in the relevant state registry when one is available.