Virginia Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Virginia?

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals; Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water supports the waterworks program. administers the credentials covered here.

Visit the official agency →

Certification types

• Waterworks operator Classes 1-6 and wastewater works operator Classes 1-4
• Class 1 is the highest classification.

Certification levels / grades / classes

Waterworks operator Classes 1-6 and wastewater works operator Classes 1-4; Class 1 is the highest classification.

Initial certification requirements

Apply to DPOR for the requested class, meet the education/training and experience standard in 18VAC160-30, receive approval, and pass the applicable board-approved examination.

Exam information

Apply to DPOR for the requested class, meet the education/training and experience standard in 18VAC160-30, receive approval, and pass the applicable board-approved examination.

Renewal cycle

Licenses expire on the last day of February in odd-numbered years. Per the rules effective January 16, 2026, each renewal cycle requires 18 CPE hours for Classes 1-3, 16 for Class 4, 6 for waterworks Class 5 and 4 for waterworks Class 6; Class 1-2 operators must include at least four utility-management hours.

Continuing-education requirements

Licenses expire on the last day of February in odd-numbered years. Per the rules effective January 16, 2026, each renewal cycle requires 18 CPE hours for Classes 1-3, 16 for Class 4, 6 for waterworks Class 5 and 4 for waterworks Class 6; Class 1-2 operators must include at least four utility-management hours.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Universal License Recognition applications exist for both categories. Applicant must have held a substantially equivalent out-of-state license for at least three years, be in good standing, and have obtained it through a licensing process that included a closed-book examination.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Waterworks operator Classes 1-6 and wastewater works operator Classes 1-4; Class 1 is the highest classification.