TRAINING - Frequently Asked Question
Q: I am interested in becoming a Wastewater operator in NC, what do I need to do?
Visit this link https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/operator-certification/wastewater-operator-certification for more information on experience requirement
Q: When are exams offered to become a certified WASTEWATER operator in NC?
- Offered 4 times per year by State of NC: March, June, September, December
- Always 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: $85
- Wastewater application has to be filled out online, then printed and signed by supervisor.
- A person gets 3 chances to pass the exam with completion of 1 school. If 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?
A person wishing to take a state exam must complete the respective school before being eligible for examination
YOU CANNOT SKIP A GRADE LEVEL!
All certification requirements include, at a minimum, HS Diploma or GED
Visit this link https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/operator-certification/wastewater-operator-certification for more information on experience requirement
Entry level wastewater certifications (Collections, Biological, Physical-Chemical Grade One levels) do not require actual experience. That is, anyone interested in becoming an operator can enter the field with no experience, as long as the minimum education and age requirements are met.
Q: Who can I contact to find out more about Wastewater Certification?
North Carolina State Wastewater Certification Staff
Jenee Williamston, Processing Assistant, Exam Info
919-707-9089
[email protected]
Maureen Kinney, Education & Training Specialist
919-707-9106
[email protected]
Q: When are WATER Certification School Exams held?
- Offered 4 times every year by State of NC: February, May, August and October
- Always last Thursday of the exam month
- Computer based exams are offered 3 times each year. Refer to link above to find out when and where
- 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 link above 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?
Individuals with no experience may apply for the lowest level certifications as an Apprentice. Once the experience requirement is met, the Apprentice Certification can be converted.
Q: Do I have Reciprocity?
Anyone from another state that wants to transfer their certifications into NC must talk to the following people to get guidance on the process.
Water Certification Staff contact:
Chris Jones-Brown, ORC Coordinator/NCWTFOCB Secretary
919-707-9041
[email protected]
Also visit this website for Reciprocity water application: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/operator-certification/drinking-water-operator/dw-operator-certification-reciprocity
Wastewater Certification Staff contact:
Maureen Kenny - Education & Training Specialist
919-707-9038
[email protected]
Also visit this website for Reciprocity wastewater application: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/operator-certification/wastewater-operator/reciprocity-ww
