Hawaii Water Operator Certification Guide

Who regulates water operators in Hawaii?

Hawaii Department of Health: Safe Drinking Water Branch/Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators; Wastewater Branch/Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. administers the credentials covered here.

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Certification types

Public water-system water treatment and distribution Grades 1-4
wastewater treatment Grades 1-4.

Certification levels / grades / classes

Public water-system water treatment and distribution Grades 1-4; wastewater treatment Grades 1-4.

Initial certification requirements

Water: submit Board certification application for the requested treatment/distribution grade and take the WPI examination. Wastewater: Board accepts applications in its announced windows for paper ABC exams in February/August or CBT; Grade 1-4 experience/education requirements apply and passing is required.

Exam information

Water: submit Board certification application for the requested treatment/distribution grade and take the WPI examination. Wastewater: Board accepts applications in its announced windows for paper ABC exams in February/August or CBT; Grade 1-4 experience/education requirements apply and passing is required.

Renewal cycle

Two years. Wastewater certificates expire October 15 of even-numbered years; water renewal is also a two-year CE cycle.

Continuing-education requirements

Water Grades 1-2: 0.8 CEU; Grades 3-4: 1.6 CEU per two years. Wastewater: minimum 2.0 CEU in the 24 months before expiration. One CEU equals 10 contact hours.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Water has a reciprocity application. Wastewater may issue comparable certification without exam if requirements are substantially equivalent, reciprocal privileges exist, the original credential required a written exam, and applicant is employed/seeking employment in Hawaii.

Water vs. wastewater differences