Alabama Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Alabama?

Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Operator Certification Program administers the credentials covered here.

Visit the official agency →

Certification types

• Water treatment Grades I-IV
• wastewater Grades IC, I-IV. Division 10 also covers water distribution systems and public wastewater collection systems.

Certification levels / grades / classes

Water treatment Grades I-IV; wastewater Grades IC, I-IV. Division 10 also covers water distribution systems and public wastewater collection systems.

Initial certification requirements

High school diploma/GED, 70% or higher on a standardized PSI computer-based exam, and required same-or-higher grade/classification facility experience; a passing intern has five years to obtain experience.

Exam information

High school diploma/GED, 70% or higher on a standardized PSI computer-based exam, and required same-or-higher grade/classification facility experience; a passing intern has five years to obtain experience.

Renewal cycle

Three-year certification renewal cycle; renewal is processed through OpCert Online.

Continuing-education requirements

24 CEH for one water or one wastewater certificate; 15 CEH in the proper field for each certificate when holding both; up to 10 CEH per certificate may carry over.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

A reciprocal application exists for equivalent Alabama water Grades I-IV and wastewater Grades IC-IV.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Water treatment Grades I-IV; wastewater Grades IC, I-IV. Division 10 also covers water distribution systems and public wastewater collection systems.