Wastewater operator certification

In addition to the study guides, wastewater operators can borrow technical manuals from the UW Water Library.

Certification must be renewed every three years. This continuing education requirement is designed to help operators keep current on new requirements and technical innovations. Continuing education also helps operators acquire additional knowledge and skills.

• Operator–in–training and basic level operators require 18 hours of continuing education.
• Advanced level operators require 24 hours of continuing education.

Credits must be earned within the three-year license period. For example: If November 1, 2028, is the expiration date of the certification, continuing education credits must be earned between November 1, 2025, and November 1, 2025, to be valid for renewal.

Continuing education must be relevant to the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Continuing education credits may be obtained in several different ways, including attendance at professional organization meetings or conferences, wastewater related courses (such as those offered at technical schools, colleges, or non-profit organizations), or approved online wastewater courses. Please refer to our training webpage for an extensive list of relevant courses and events.

The following criteria determine credit for courses or training:

1. Each hour spent in course learning constitutes one credit hour of continuing education credit (minus time spent for registration, breaks and lunch).
2. A maximum of six hours of health and safety-related training may be used per renewal period. Examples of health and safety-related training include first aid/CPR, confined space entry, excavation safety, personal protective equipment, Hazwoper, RCRA, and bloodborne pathogens.
3. Operators-in-training and basic wastewater treatment plant operators may use up to 3 hours of supervisor or management training per 3-year renewal period. Advanced wastewater treatment plant operators may use up to 6 hours of supervisor or management training per 3-year renewal period.

If an operator takes training that was not pre-approved but is relevant to wastewater operations, the operator may complete the Operator Training Report Form (4400-190) available on the training webpage to document the training.

Operator certifications come up for renewal every three years. DNR sends courtesy renewal reminder letters to operators six weeks before their certification expiration date. It is important for operators to keep their address current by notifying their reginal coordinator of any changes. The letter serves as a courtesy reminder only; it is the operator's responsibility to keep track of their certification expiration date. When the operator is ready to renew, they should mail in the courtesy reminder letter, their continuing education documentation, and the $45 renewal fee to:

Wisconsin DNR
Operator Certification Program - EAS/7
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921

The renewal materials must be postmarked on or before the expiration date on the certificate. Any renewal postmarked after the expiration date should also include the $25 late penalty fee.

Once a certification expires, an operator has one year from their expiration date to reinstate their lapsed certification. An operator is not considered a certified operator during this lapse of certification. If a certification is not renewed within that one year, the operator will need to retake the exams as a new operator.

Online

• Environmental Licensing and Certification Online Renewal Portal

Ten points total is required to obtain advanced level certification. At least 4 of the points must be obtained through hands-on experience; the operator must have at least four years of hands-on experience to apply for advanced certification. A maximum of 6 years of hands-on experience can be used towards points. An Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Application must be submitted, along with the $100 application fee.

Advanced coursework must be from the approved advanced coursework list to be eligible for advanced certification points.

There are numerous combinations to obtain 10 points. At least four years of hands-on experience is a requirement for all. See these example combinations.

For questions on the advanced certification application process, please contact DNROpCert@wisconsin.gov

Exams

Where can I obtain the application to take an exam?

Applications can be found on the exams webpage under the "Exam Applications" tab.

How much does it cost to take an exam?

Each basic exam is $25. The advanced exam is $50. Exam fees are non-refundable.

Can I pay for the exams with a credit card?

We can only accept payment by check or money order at this time.

When will I be notified of my exam results?

Exam results letters are sent within 30 days after the exam day. A list of missed objectives is printed on the exam results letter to help an operator determine focus areas of the study guide.

Continuing Education

What classes can I take to get continuing education credits?

Check our training calendar for a current list of training opportunities, as well as a list of online training providers.

When should I submit my continuing education documentation?

Courtesy renewal reminder letters are mailed six weeks before your expiration date, provided that we have a current address for you on file. At that time, mail in your reminder letter, credit documentation, and the appropriate fee before the expiration date on your certificate.

What if I earn more credits than I need?

That's great!! Those credits become a part of your record. However, credits cannot be carried over to the next renewal period. They must be earned within your license period printed on your certificate.

What if I don't have enough credits to renew?

Send in the required continuing education documentation when you have accumulated enough credits and a $70 fee ($45 renewal fee and $25 late fee) to the department to get your certification renewed. You have one year after the expiration of your certificate to renew. If you do not renew your certification within that one year, you will need to retake exams and be assigned a new operator certification number.

I took a class a few days before my certification expiration date, and it is not showing up yet on my training history report. What do I need to do to renew my certification on time?

Print your Training History Report and hand-write in the missing class. Mail in your renewal. Once the DNR Operator Certification Program receives the attendance roster from the training provider, we will verify your attendance.

Advanced Certification

What courses are considered "Advanced" and can be used towards advanced certification points?

Advanced coursework must be from the approved advanced coursework list to be eligible for advanced certification points.

What is considered "wastewater related" courses in regard to the 240-hour requirement to use a bachelor's degree for advanced points?

The following is a list of courses considered to be "wastewater related" topics. Still, it is not all-inclusive: Aquatic Toxicology, General Chemistry, Water Chemistry, Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Microbiology, Soil Science, Water Resources, and Water Quality Modeling

How many classes is 240 hours?

240 contact hours are equivalent to 15-16 college semester credits.

I have advanced level certification in one or more subclasses already. I want to add a new subclass to my license. Do I have to apply for advanced level certification to advance in that new subclass?

No. If you are advanced in any subclass, you have your 10 points towards advanced level certification. To add a subclass, you must pass that subclass exam. Once you document at least a year of experience in that specific subclass, it will automatically bump up to the advanced level.

Collection System Certification

Do I need to take the new collection system exam?

If the treatment plant owns the sanitary sewer collection systems associated with it, then at least one person will need to be certified in the collection system subclass. For satellite sewerage collection systems, this certification will be voluntary. However, the department highly recommends that satellite systems have a certified operator in collection systems.
To become certified, the person will need to take the 50-question multiple-choice collection systems exam. No operator certification will be converted into the collections system subclass since it is an entirely new certification type.

Do I need to pass the basic general wastewater exam, too, to become certified in collection systems?

The basic general wastewater exam is not required for collection system certification.

By when does the collection system certification need to be obtained?

The collection system study guide and exam have not yet been developed and will tentatively be complete in 2018. Once the collection system study guide and exam have been developed by the department, and at the time of WPDES permit issuance, collection system operators will have a permit term of 5 years to obtain collection system certification.

If the treatment plant is classified as advanced, does the collection system operator need advanced certification?

No, basic level certification is the only level required for all collection systems.

New Subclasses: Nutrient Removal - Total Nitrogen and Anaerobic Treatment of Liquid Waste

I operate a treatment plant that has total nitrogen limits and acts to remove total nitrogen. Will I need to take the new Nutrient Removal - Total Nitrogen exam?

The designated operator-in-charge will need to pass the new Nutrient Removal - Total Nitrogen exam. This exam will be 25 questions, multiple-choice. There is a grace period of 12 months to obtain this new certification once the subclass is added to a facility's classification.

I operate a treatment plant that has an anaerobic treatment of liquid waste. Will I need to take the new Anaerobic Treatment of Liquid Waste exam?

The designated operator-in-charge will need to pass the new Anaerobic Treatment of Liquid Waste exam. This exam will be 25 questions, multiple-choice. There is a grace period of 12 months to obtain this new certification once the subclass is added to a facility's classification.

You may also refer to this PowerPoint presentation regarding the new subclasses and the advanced point system.

Contact your regional coordinator for any questions regarding your certification. Wastewater experience forms should be mailed or emailed to your regional coordinator.

If no regional coordinator is listed, send questions and the wastewater experience form to the statewide coordinator (contact information listed below).

Regional coordinators

Statewide Coordinator

Jordan Schutz
PO Box 7921, EAS/7
Madison WI 53707-7921
DNROpCert@wisconsin.gov
608-261-6300

Program Assistant

Tillt Bieganek
DNROpCert@wisconsin.gov