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Wastewater Operator Certification Program

DEQ’s Wastewater Operator Certification Program now grants continuing education units for operators that mentor or train Operators-in-Training. Please see the DEQ-approved training dropdown below for details.


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 #6188 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.

​DEQ’s Wastewater Operator Certifications program now uses the electronic data management system called Your DEQ Online for managing all operator certificate applications and renewals. ​​

​​​​​​​​​​​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​:        ​

Treatment: 

Collection: 

Water technology coursework from an Oregon community college is DEQ-approved to meet Operator-in-Training and Provisional certification requirements. (If you have a similar water technology degree from another state, please contact our program for review)

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To qualify for a Wastewater Operator Certification Program in Oregon via reciprocity, you must:

  • Hold a valid wastewater certification in good standing from another state or Canadian province, or a Professional Operator certification from Water Professionals International.

  • Meet Oregon DEQ education and experience requirements. View the requirements.

  • Register and apply online through Your DEQ Online and pay the application fee. Use the Wastewater System Operator Certificate application and select YES when asked if it is for reciprocity. You will need to attach a copy of your current certificate. Learn how to do this in Your DEQ Online.

Once your complete application is received, we will verify your out-of-state certification is in good standing and that you took the standardized exam.

NOTE: If you have passed a standardized ABC exam, we can give you a waiver from the exam at the same grade. If you took a state-specific (non-standardized) exam, we can give you a waiver from the exam at one grade lower than the corresponding Oregon grade.

If you have additional questions, please email OpCert@deq.oregon.gov​.​



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

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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