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Drinking Water Operator Certification

You need to know which exam or exams you would like to take. The exams available are based on the classifications and requirements explained in our "Exam Applications and Study Guides" section. After you know which test you want to take you need to get a copy of an exam application. You can do that by contacting us or by printing the application available on this web site. The rest of the process follows.  

Rules:  The Safe Drinking Water Act 399 contains information for Supplying Water to the Public, and consists of 27 parts.  The Rules for Drinking Water Operator Certification are included in Part 19 .

REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION:           PDF  or  Word
Certification RENEWAL Status                PDF  or  Word    

The Drinking Water Training Information Booklet contains course listings, descriptions, exam dates, and fees associated with courses.

HOW TO BE CERTIFIED:

1.   Apply by the deadline:  Applications received after the deadline will not be processed.
2.  Application Review:   We will review your application to make sure you have the required operating experience and education requirements for the certification(s) you are applying for.
3.  Eligibility:  You will be notified whether or not you have been approved to take an exam approximately two weeks prior to the exam date. If approved, you will be notified of the time and place you will be taking the exam.
4.  Exam time:  The next step in the process is taking the exam itself.
5.  Immediately after the exam, the grading process is started. You will be notified of your score within 45 days of the exam date for levels 1-4 and 20 days for level 5. If you pass, you will receive a certificate.
6.  Certifications have a renewal requirement that involves completion of drinking water Advisory Board approved courses. Within three years from the issue date on your certificate, you will need to earn Continuing Education Credits (
CEC's) for your certification(s) to be renewed.  Certificates that expire can be renewed if the pro-rated continuing education requirement is satisfied within one year of the certification expiration date.  A certification "Renewal" postcard is mailed to all individuals 8 weeks prior to their expiration date detailing steps necessary to renew current certification(s).  Use the chart below to determine renewal requirements for each certification level.  The CEC's required are based on the highest certification level held.

Certification Level Held

Renewal CEC's needed

1 to 90 days expired

91 to 180 days expired

181 to 270 days expired

271 to 365 days expired

1, 2, or 3

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

4

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

5

0.9

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

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Related Content
 •  Exam Applications and Study Guides
 •  Training Courses, Conferences, Seminars, Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education Credit Information

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