West Virginia Water & Wastewater Operator Certification

Who regulates water operators in West Virginia?

West Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Office of Environmental Health Services, Environmental Engineering Division, Certification and Training Program. administers the credentials covered here.

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Certification types

• Public water: 1D, Class R, Water Distribution System (WDS), OIT and Classes I-IV. Wastewater: Classes H, S, C, OIT and I-IV, with an advanced designation available to qualifying Class IV operators.

Certification levels / grades / classes

Public water: 1D, Class R, Water Distribution System (WDS), OIT and Classes I-IV. Wastewater: Classes H, S, C, OIT and I-IV, with an advanced designation available to qualifying Class IV operators.

Initial certification requirements

Submit the appropriate examination application (EW-102 for water; ES-53 for wastewater), meet rule qualifications, and pass the applicable scheduled examination.

Exam information

Submit the appropriate examination application (EW-102 for water; ES-53 for wastewater), meet rule qualifications, and pass the applicable scheduled examination.

Renewal cycle

Certifications expire two years after issuance; renewal is filed 30-60 days before expiration. Public water CE per renewal: R 1 hour; OIT 6; WDS 6; I 12; II-IV 24; 1D none. Wastewater: S 3; C 6; OIT 6; I-II 12; III-IV 24; H and advanced designation none. Extra hours do not carry over and the same course may not be used in consecutive periods.

Continuing-education requirements

Certifications expire two years after issuance; renewal is filed 30-60 days before expiration. Public water CE per renewal: R 1 hour; OIT 6; WDS 6; I 12; II-IV 24; 1D none. Wastewater: S 3; C 6; OIT 6; I-II 12; III-IV 24; H and advanced designation none. Extra hours do not carry over and the same course may not be used in consecutive periods.

Reciprocity / out-of-state operators

West Virginia Code §16-1-9g requires a sought, offered or accepted West Virginia operator job, completed application, required education and work experience, and a substantially equivalent prior examination; otherwise the applicant must pass the West Virginia examination.

Water vs. wastewater differences

Public water: 1D, Class R, Water Distribution System (WDS), OIT and Classes I-IV. Wastewater: Classes H, S, C, OIT and I-IV, with an advanced designation available to qualifying Class IV operators.