How do I become a certified Wastewater Operator?

Introduction

When wastewater treatment plants are properly operated, public health and the state's waters are protected. This certification program is working to help ensure that operators meet the established requirements and are competent to operate and maintain wastewater treatment plants. More and more water is becoming polluted and must be treated before it can be used safely. If you're interested in protecting Washington's water and want to become certified, you've come to the right place.

Email, fax, or mail all correspondence and professional growth documents to:
Department of Ecology
Wastewater Operator Certification
P.O. Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696
Fax: 360-407-6426
Email Poppy Carre
Email Melinda Wilson

Mail all payments to:
Department of Ecology
Cashiering Section
P.O. Box 47611
Olympia, WA 98504-7611

Qualification Requirements for Operator Certification

There are five levels of wastewater certification in Washington - Operator in Training (OIT) - Group IV. Each level of certification has minimum education and experience requirements and requires the applicant to take and pass an exam. All require a high school diploma or GED, in addition:

  • OIT - requires 3 months of domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience, 3 college credits or continuing education units (CEU) in something relevant to wastewater can be substituted for the operating experience.
  • Group I - requires 1 year of domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience, there is no substitution for the operating experience.
  • Group II - requires 3 years of domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience, up to half (one year six months) can be substituted with relevant experience or education.
  • Group III - requires 90 credits or CEUs relevant to wastewater and 4 years of domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience with at least 2 years at a Class II or higher plant. Excess operating experience can be used to substitute for the education at a rate of 1 year of excess experience for the first year of education and 3 years of excess experience for the second year of education. Up to half (two years) of the operating experience can be substituted with relevant experience or excess education relevant to wastewater.
  • Group IV - requires 180 credits or CEUs in education that's relevant to wastewater and 4 years of domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience with at least 2 years at a Class III or higher plant. Excess operating experience can be used to substitute for the education at a rate of 1 year each of excess experience for the first two years of education and 3 years each of excess experience for the second two years of education. Up to half (two years) of the operating experience can be substituted with relevant experience or excess education relevant to wastewater as long as 2 years of operating experience is at a Class III or higher plant.

Who to Contact for Assistance

For more information please contact Ecology's Wastewater Operator Certification Program:
Poppy Carre
Phone: 360-407-6449
Toll-Free Within the State: 800-633-6193
Fax: 360-407-6426
Email Poppy Carre

Melinda Wilson
Phone: 360-407-6889
Email Melinda Wilson

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