Montana Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Montana?

Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Operator Certification Program administers the credentials covered here.

Visit the official agency →

Certification types

• 1A–4A Water Distribution
• 1B–4B Water Treatment
• 1C–3C Municipal Wastewater
• 1D–4D Industrial Wastewater
• 2E–4E On-site Wastewater

Certification levels / grades / classes

Classes 1–4, with category suffixes A–E; Class 1 is the highest within the listed series.

Initial certification requirements

Submit the category/class application; meet education and experience requirements; take the applicable Montana/standardized exam. Full-certification experience: Class 4 one year, Class 3 1.5 years, Class 2 two years, Class 1 2.5 years.

Exam information

Submit the category/class application; meet education and experience requirements; take the applicable Montana/standardized exam. Full-certification experience: Class 4 one year, Class 3 1.5 years, Class 2 two years, Class 1 2.5 years.

Renewal cycle

Certificates are renewed annually and are due June 30. Annual fee renewal; CEC compliance is measured every even-numbered-year biennium ending May 31.

Continuing-education requirements

Biennial CEC table: Class 1, 20 hours fully certified/10 hours operator-in-training; Classes 2–4, 10/5; Class 5, 4/2. Training must be DEQ-approved; surplus does not carry to the next biennium.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Available for an active out-of-state certificate with equivalent requirements, Montana experience requirements, responsible charge employment at a Montana system, an approved application, supporting credentials, and fees; DEQ states the applicant must be employed by a Montana water or wastewater system.

Water vs. wastewater differences

1A–4A Water Distribution; 1B–4B Water Treatment; 1C–3C Municipal Wastewater; 1D–4D Industrial Wastewater; 2E–4E On-site Wastewater