Washington Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in Washington?

Washington State Department of Health administers waterworks operator certification; Washington State Department of Ecology administers wastewater operator certification. administers the credentials covered here.

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Certification types

• Waterworks: Water Distribution Manager and Water Treatment Plant Operator Grades 1-4, Water Distribution Specialist, Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Assembly Tester, with operator-in-training pathways where authorized. Wastewater: full and operator-in-training certifications in Groups I-IV.

Certification levels / grades / classes

Waterworks: Water Distribution Manager and Water Treatment Plant Operator Grades 1-4, Water Distribution Specialist, Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Assembly Tester, with operator-in-training pathways where authorized. Wastewater: full and operator-in-training certifications in Groups I-IV.

Initial certification requirements

Waterworks applicants document WAC education/experience and pass the applicable approved exam. Wastewater applicants meet WAC 173-230 education/experience, apply for the applicable Group exam and pass; OIT is available where experience is incomplete.

Exam information

Waterworks applicants document WAC education/experience and pass the applicable approved exam. Wastewater applicants meet WAC 173-230 education/experience, apply for the applicable Group exam and pass; OIT is available where experience is incomplete.

Renewal cycle

Both programs renew annually. Waterworks operators must also complete 3.0 CEUs during each three-year professional-growth period. Wastewater operators maintain certification with the annual renewal fee and 3.0 wastewater CEUs during the professional-growth cycle (or qualifying upgrade examination as the rule permits).

Continuing-education requirements

Both programs renew annually. Waterworks operators must also complete 3.0 CEUs during each three-year professional-growth period. Wastewater operators maintain certification with the annual renewal fee and 3.0 wastewater CEUs during the professional-growth cycle (or qualifying upgrade examination as the rule permits).

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

Waterworks reciprocity requires a valid unrestricted credential from another state/province, substantially equivalent education/experience/professional growth and an ABC or equivalent exam score of at least 70%, with documentation and fee. Wastewater reciprocity is evaluated against Washington requirements, an approved standardized exam from the current or preceding cycle, valid good standing and fee; Ecology publishes full, conditional and non-reciprocal jurisdiction lists.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Waterworks: Water Distribution Manager and Water Treatment Plant Operator Grades 1-4, Water Distribution Specialist, Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Assembly Tester, with operator-in-training pathways where authorized. Wastewater: full and operator-in-training certifications in Groups I-IV.