Kentucky Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Kentucky?

Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, Certification and Licensing Branch administers the credentials covered here.

Visit the official agency →

Certification types

• Drinking-water treatment
• Water distribution
• Wastewater treatment
• Wastewater collection
• Limited and bottled-water credentials

Certification levels / grades / classes

Limited; Classes I-IV; Operator-in-Training at Classes I-IV; and bottled-water certification.

Initial certification requirements

Applicants register through Kentucky EEC eForms and meet category/class education and experience conditions in 401 KAR Chapter 11.

Exam information

Applicants pass the applicable certification examination after registering through EEC eForms.

Renewal cycle

Drinking-water certificates renew by June 30 of even-numbered years; wastewater certificates by June 30 of odd-numbered years.

Continuing-education requirements

Limited, Classes I-II, OIT I-II, and bottled water: 12 hours. Classes III-IV and OIT III-IV: 24 hours.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Available through the Application for Reciprocity and Equivalency, subject to Cabinet review.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Drinking-water and wastewater credentials use different biennial renewal years.