New Operator Certification

1. Proof of education: This can be a copy of your high school diploma, high school transcripts, GED, college diploma, or college transcripts.
   Note: if you are submitting a copy of your transcripts, please highlight your graduation date.  
2. Hands on experience working in distribution, treatment, or wastewater.

1. Complete the application:
   
• Social Security number and a signature are required to process the application
  
• Completed work history form (see Prerequisites above)
  
• Proof of education document (see Prerequisites above)
• Completed affidavit of employment form
  
• Payment: If you pay the fee online by using the ‘Pay Online Now’ button below, you will be emailed a receipt. Include that receipt with your application packet. If you pay the fee by check, make the check out to ‘OHA Cashier’ and include the applicants full name in the memo. 
2. Submit completed application packet by mail, email, or fax (please send it only once).
• Mail to OHA Drinking Water Services, Operator Certification, P.O. Box 14450, Portland, OR 97293-0450. 
• Email to dws.opcert@odhsoha.oregon.gov 
  
• Fax to 971-673-0694.
3. Application is received and reviewed by DWS staff.
• If any items are missing, DWS staff will reach out via email or phone.
4. When your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive an email from PSI to schedule your exam. 
5. When you successfully pass your exam (a passing score is 70% or better), DWS will mail you a copy of your Oregon drinking water operator certification card. If you do not pass your exam, DWS will send you an email with next steps.
   Note: You may take the exam twice in a 12-month period. If you need to take it a third time, you will be contacted by DWS; DWS may require you to complete an exam prep course before taking the exam again.
   

Documents 

Reciprocity Certification

Certification by reciprocity may be granted for individuals who have a current valid certification in another state or province with a recognized certification program. The certification may be granted when the examination, experience, and education requirements are equivalent to Oregon requirements and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally, DWS can offer reciprocity to applicants coming from states that hold Primacy with EPA (Wyoming and District of Columbia do not currently have Primacy with EPA).

Prerequisites

1. Proof of education: This can be a copy of your high school diploma, or high school transcripts, GED, college diploma, or college transcripts.
   Note: if you are submitting a copy of your transcripts, please highlight your graduation date. 
2. Active distribution or treatment certification/licenses from another state

Process

1. Complete the reciprocity application:
   
• Social Security number and a signature are required to process the application. 
• Completed work history form
• Completed affidavit of employment form
  
• Proof of education document (see Prerequisites above)
• Payment Receipt. Pay the fee either online (see button below) or by sending a check with the application packet.
• Copy of certification or license from another state (see Prerequisites above)
  
2. Submit completed application packet by mail, email, or fax (please send it only once).
• Mail to OHA Drinking Water Services, Operator Certification, P.O. Box 14450, Portland, OR 97293-0450.
• Email to dws.opcert@odhsoha.oregon.gov.
• Fax to 971-673-0694.
3. Application is received and reviewed by DWS staff.
• If any items are missing, DWS staff will reach out via email or phone.
4. DWS staff reaches out to the reciprocal state with a questionnaire to ensure that you are licensed or certified and you are in good standing.
5. When the questionnaire is received by DWS and if experience aligns with Oregon's experience requirements, an Oregon distribution or treatment certification will be issued.
6. You will receive a copy of your new Oregon drinking water operator certification in the mail.

Documents

Reciprocity application

1. Proof of education: This can be a copy of your high school diploma, high school transcripts, GED, college diploma, or college transcripts.
   Note: if you are submitting a copy of your transcripts, please highlight your graduation date.  
2. Documented Experience: 30 hours of documented water system training, three CEUs or three college credits documented, or three months of water-related experience or operating experience. 

1. Complete the OIT application
• Social Security number and the applicants signature are required to process the application. 
  
• Proof of education document (see Prerequisites above)
• Documented experience (see Prerequisites above)
• Submit completed application packet by mail, email, or fax (please send it only once).
• Mail to OHA Drinking Water Services, Operator Certification, P.O. Box 14450, Portland, OR 97293-0450
  
• Email to dws.opcert@odhsoha.oregon.gov 
  
• Fax to 971-673-0694
  
2. Applications are received and reviewed by DWS staff.
• If any items are missing, DWS staff will reach out via email or phone.
  
3. When you are approved, you will receive an email from PSI  to schedule your exam.
   Note: you can take the exam twice in a 12-month period. If you need to take it a third time, you will be contacted by DWS; DWS may require you to complete an exam prep course before taking the exam again. 
4. When you successfully pass your exam (a passing score is 70% or better), DWS will send you an email with next steps. If you do not pass your exam, DWS will send you an email with next steps.