Maine Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Maine?

Maine Department of Health and Human Services Drinking Water Program and Maine Department of Environmental Protection Wastewater Operator Certification Program administers the credentials covered here.

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Certification types

• Public water-system operators
• wastewater treatment operators including SITS-1

Certification levels / grades / classes

Drinking water: Very Small Water System and Classes I-IV in treatment and distribution, with Full and OIT statuses. Wastewater plant classifications and operator grades are administered under 06-096 CMR Chapter 531, including SITS-1.

Initial certification requirements

Drinking-water applicants pass the Board-approved class/discipline exam and document education and experience; insufficient-experience applicants may receive OIT status for up to six years. Wastewater operators qualify by examination or reciprocity through Maine DEP/NEIWPCC-JETCC.

Exam information

Drinking-water applicants pass the Board-approved class/discipline exam and document education and experience; insufficient-experience applicants may receive OIT status for up to six years. Wastewater operators qualify by examination or reciprocity through Maine DEP/NEIWPCC-JETCC.

Renewal cycle

Both programs are biennial. Wastewater is due March 1; even-numbered certificates renew in even years and odd-numbered certificates in odd years. Drinking-water renewal is for two years.

Continuing-education requirements

Wastewater: 18 approved TCH per two-year period, except SITS-1 requires 6. Drinking water: VSWS 6 TCH; Class I 12; Class II 18; Classes III-IV 24 per two-year period; highest license governs and dual treatment/distribution holders complete one category's total.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Wastewater certification is available by reciprocity with other state programs. For drinking water, the Board may license without examination in a comparable class when an out-of-state or foreign jurisdiction's requirements are judged equivalent; application is required.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Public water-system operators; wastewater treatment operators including SITS-1.