TRAINING: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Q: I am interested in becoming a Wastewater operator in NC. What do I need to do?
​    ​    Visit this link for more information on experience requirements

Q: When are exams offered to become a certified WASTEWATER operator in NC?

• Offered 4 times per year by the State of NC:  March, June, September, December

• Always the second Thursday of the exam month and given in several locations

  • Application and a certificate of school completion are due to the State a minimum of 30 days before the exam date

  • Exam fee:  $101

  • The Wastewater application has to be filled out online, then printed and signed by a supervisor.

  • A person gets 3 chances to pass the exam with completion of 1 school.  If the exam is failed 3 times, the school must be repeated

  • If a person holds certification from another state, they must contact State personnel for reciprocity procedure – NCRWA cannot approve (See contact information below)

Q: What are the experience requirements to take the Certified WASTEWATER Operator Exams?

 

 

 

 

 

Q: Whom can I contact to find out more about Wastewater Certification?
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Q: When are WATER Certification School Exams held?

• Offered 4 times every year by the State of NC:  February, May, August, and October

• Always the last Thursday of the exam month

• Applications are due to the State a minimum of 30 days before the exam

• Exam fee:  $50

• First-time examinees: must provide copy of HS Diploma or GED

• Refer to this link for specific instruction on mailing application with course certificate 

• C-Distribution requires a separate Trenching and Shoring class and certificate to take exam – NCRWA offers this class in conjunction with the C-Distribution school

• The operator gets 3 chances to pass the exam with completion of 1 school.  If he or she fails 3 times, the school must be repeated

Q: What are the Required Experiences for WATER Certifications Exam Eligibility?

• 15A NCAC 18D .0201 GRADES OF CERTIFICATION (a) Applicants for certification shall be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or general educational development equivalent (GED), and meet the following educational and experience requirements:

• GRADE C-DISTRIBUTION applicants shall hold a certificate of completion of trench shoring training from a school approved by the Board and shall:

  • (A) be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the physical or natural sciences or be a graduate of a two-year technical program with a diploma in water and wastewater technology, have three months of acceptable experience at a Class C or higher distribution system, and have satisfactorily completed a C-Distribution school approved by the Board; or

  • (B) have six months of acceptable experience at a Class D or higher distribution system and have satisfactorily completed a C-Distribution school approved by the Board.

• GRADE B-DISTRIBUTION applicants shall:

  • (A) be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the physical or natural sciences or be a graduate of a two-year technical program with a diploma in water and wastewater technology, have six months of acceptable experience at a Class B or higher distribution system, have satisfactorily completed a B-Distribution school approved by the Board, and shall hold a certificate of completion of trench shoring training from a school approved by the Board; or

  • (B) have one year of acceptable experience at a Class C or higher distribution system while holding a Grade C-Distribution certificate and have satisfactorily completed a B-Distribution school approved by the Board.

• GRADE A-DISTRIBUTION applicants shall have one year of acceptable experience at a Class B or higher distribution system while holding a Grade B-Distribution certificate and have satisfactorily completed an A-Distribution school approved by the Board​

• GRADE C-WELL applicants shall:

  • (A) be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the physical or natural sciences or be a graduate of a two-year technical program with a diploma in water and wastewater technology, have three months of acceptable experience at a well water facility, and have satisfactorily completed a C -Well school approved by the Board;

  • (B) have six months of acceptable experience at a well water facility and have satisfactorily completed a C-WELL school approved by the Board; or

  • (C) hold either a Grade A-Surface certification or a Grade A-Distribution certificate and have satisfactorily completed a C-Well school approved by the Board.

• GRADE B-WELL applicants shall:

  • (A) be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the physical or natural sciences or be a graduate of a two-year technical program with a diploma in water and wastewater technology, have six months of acceptable experience at a well water facility, and have satisfactorily completed a BWELL school approved by the Board; or

  • (B) have one year of acceptable experience at a well water facility while holding a Grade C-Well certificate and have satisfactorily completed a B-WELL school approved by the Board.

• GRADE A-WELL applicants shall have one year of acceptable experience at a well water facility while holding a Grade B-Well certificate and have satisfactorily completed an A-WELL school approved by the Board

• GRADE C-SURFACE applicants shall have six months of acceptable experience at a surface water facility and have satisfactorily completed a C -Surface school approved by the Board.

• GRADE B-SURFACE applicants shall:

  • (A) be a college graduate with a bachelor's degree in the physical or natural sciences or be a graduate of a two-year technical program with a diploma in water and wastewater technology, have six months of acceptable experience at a surface water facility, and have satisfactorily completed a B-Surface school approved by the Board; or

  • (B) have one year of acceptable experience at a surface water facility while holding a Grade C-Surface certificate and have satisfactorily completed a B-Surface school approved by the Board.

• GRADE A-SURFACE applicants shall have one year of acceptable experience at a surface water facility while holding a Grade B-Surface certificate and have satisfactorily completed an A-Surface school approved by the Board.

Q: What if I have no experience, what are my next steps?

 

Q: Do I have Reciprocity?