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Wastewater Operator Certification Program

Oregon law requires owners of wastewater systems and drinking water systems (public and private) to have their systems under 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.

The Department of Environmental Quality administers the program for domestic wastewater system operators. The Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services administers the certification program for drinking water system operators. 

Program information

Note: DEQ now grants renewal Continuing Education Units for wastewater career outreach and/or passing a WPI (formerly ABC) exam. Please see course #4391 on the Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council web page for career outreach instructions. To obtain 2.0 CEUs for upgrading or becoming dually certified, see the exam information dropdown below.

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DEQ’s Wastewater Operator Certifications program is moving to a new electronic data management system called Your DEQ Online. Starting on March 14, 2023, you can set up your account and start submitting notifications and fees electronically. 

The following notification and application forms are no longer available in PDF or Word formats:​​
  • Collection Exam Application - Grades I through IV                         
  • Treatment Exam Application - Grades I through IV            
  • Combined Collection and Treatment Exam Application - Grade I and Small Wastewater System          
  • Re-examination / Reschedule Exam Form    
  • Reciprocity Application form for Collection Certificate – Grades I through IV
  • Reciprocity Application form for Treatment Certificate – Grades I through IV
  • Post-exam Application Form
  • Document Replacement Request Form
  • Designated Operator Form
​​​​​Approved training for Continuing Education Units credit:
Approved training for Operator in Training and Provisional Grade I (when applicant has less than 12 months experience, see Pathways to entry-level Operator Certification​:             
Wastewater CEU Options

Contact

For questions please contact the Certification Program by email or by phone: 503-229-5349 or 503-229-5161

If you need in-person assistance, please contact us to make an appointment. We cannot accommodate customers without appointments.

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Certification database

Regulations

Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 340, Division 049 - Certification of Wastewater Personnel

Oregon Revised Statutes ORS 448.405 through 448.430 and 448.992 - Operator Certification