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Wastewater Operator Certification Program

 

Please note:  DEQ's Wastewater System Operator Certification Program is moving to a new electronic data management system called Your DEQ Online.  As of March 14, 2023, all Wastewater Operator Certification applicants and operators will use YDO to apply, renew, update or make changes to their certifications.  Learn more about Your DEQ Online.
Wastewater operator certificate applications and check payments received between Feb. 23 and March 13 will be returned to the applicant. Instructions will be provided for how to register an account and complete wastewater operator certificate applications in Your DEQ Online starting March 14, 2023.


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 an 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 not 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 Overview Template 1 (DEQ):             
Wastewater CEU Options


Some documents courtesy of the Association of Boards of Certification


Certification database

Regulations

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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