Operator Certification

ALERT!  You can now renew your operator certification and pay electronically on-line. Late fees apply after certification expiration: $30.00 late fee applies from Jan. 1st - March 31st; $50.00 reinstatement fee applies between Apr. 1st - Dec. 31st. For electronic renewal instructions and on-line renewal link, click HERE.

Oregon law requires owners of drinking water and wastewater systems (public and private) to have their systems under the responsible control and direction of certified operators. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment. Department of Human Services Drinking Water Program (DHS-DWP) administers the certification program for drinking water system operators. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) administers the program for domestic wastewater system operators. All Community and NonTransient-NonCommunity water systems must be under the supervision of a certified operator. Drinking Water Program classifies water distribution systems and treatment plants according to their complexity or size and establishes minimum certification standards for personnel responsible for operating these systems. Oregon offers two separate types of certification based on the system size. Systems with 149 and fewer connections, using groundwater as their only source or purchasing all their water from another public water system without adding any additional treatment, require a small water system "S" certification; those with 150 or more connections require certification at "Levels 1-4" in either treatment and/or distribution.

Small Water Systems
These systems need an operator with an "S" certification which can be obtained by attending our free training.  No fees are associated with the "S" certification. The only requirement is to attend a free Small Water System Training Course once every 3 years and submit a new Small Water System Operator Application with proof of training attendance. No other courses are required or will substitute for this requirement.  An operator who is certified at Levels 1-4 can be the operator in charge of an "S" system.  The system still needs to complete a new Small Water System Operator Application form every 3 years and inform the Drinking Water Program of any change in operator.

• Small Water System Operator Application
• Small Water System Training Course Schedule
• Rules for Small Water System Certification
• Small Water System FAQ Sheet 

Distribution and Treatment Systems Levels 1-4
Larger water systems are classified requiring persons to be certified as Distribution Levels 1-4 according to the population served by the system. Treatment plants are classified as 1-4 by assigning points for each unit process and then totaling these points (see the Water Treatment Worksheet ). These systems need operators certified at the corresponding Levels 1-4.  Each system is required to submit a DRC form (i.e. Direct Responsible Charge) to the Drinking Water Program within 30 days of any change of DRC operator. Certification requires applying for and passing a written exam, yearly certification fees, and attendance at approved continuing education. See Oregon Education Services Advisory Council (OESAC) web site for a list of approved classes. Experience and education requirements must be met before acceptance to an exam (see Grade Level Requirements ).

Continuing Education Information

Renewal Requirements Information 

Levels 1-4 Operator Renewals:

• Renewal Form (generic form to print, complete, & mail)
• Continuing Education Worksheet 
• The Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council (OESAC) evaluates non-credit educational programs for continuing education and assigns CEUs. Only OESAC-approved courses are accepted for CEU credit.
• Document Replacement Application Form

Levels 1-4 Operator Exams:

• Certification Exam Application NEW
• Certification Reciprocity Application 
• Application Instructions (for regular exams, special exams, & reciprocity)
• Affidavit of Employment
• Exam Schedule and Deadlines  
• Grade Level Requirements
• Exam Search Results - a list of individuals who passed the exam

• AWWA Operator Certification Study Guide (link to AWWA Bookstore)
• ABC Water Distribution Need-to-Know (link to ABC Criteria for Distribution Operators)
• ABC Water Treatment Need-to-Know (link to ABC Criteria for Water Treatment Operators)
• Filtration Endorsement Need-to-Know
• ABC Exam Formulas (link to ABC Formulas for Water Treatment, Distribution and Lab Exams)
• Water System Security (link to DWP security information)
• Safe Drinking Water Act (link to EPA's SDWA)

• DRC form (Direct Responsible Charge Operator Designation)
• Water Treatment Worksheet (Lists the various points assigned for each unit process, and is used to determine the treatment classification of the system. A higher point total requires an operator with a higher certification grade)

• Biennial Report to the Legislature 2007-2008 NEW (A joint report by the DWP and DEQ on certification of water and wastewater operators.)
• Water Personnel Certification Rules (OAR 333-061-0205 through 333-061-0295)

Additional Web Links:

      American Water Works Association (AWWA) 
      Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) 
      Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) 
      Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council - Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
      U.S. EPA Operator Certification

Contact Information:

      Dottie Reynolds  Operator Certification Coordinator (ph. 971-673-0426)
      Lee Keyes  (ph. 971-673-0413)
      Fax: 971-673-0694
      Correspondence:  PO Box 14450, Portland, OR  97293-0450

DEQ certifies personnel for Wastewater Treatment and Collection. Contact Steve Desmond 
at ph. 541-298-7255 (ext. 32), or visit their website at http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/opcert/opcert.htm for information.