Wastewater

Wastewater Licensing & Information

Classification of Operators, Facilities, and SystemsQualifications to Achieve Each Grade or LevelTraining and experience requirements needed to maintain/renew certificationAre there established Need-To-Know Criteria (NTKC)? What is the source?

Collection Systems (C) Based on population served:

C1 --251 to 1,500

C2 --1,501 to 15,001

C3 --15,000 to 50,000

C4 --50,001 or greater

Wastewater Treatment (S)

Based on a system of points, which are assigned in the following areas: design flow, effluent discharge, variations in raw waste, pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, advanced wastewater treatment, solids handling, and disinfection.

The range of points for each classification:

S1 --30 points or less

S2 --31 to 55 points

S3 --56 to 75 points

S4 --76 points and greater

All operators must have at least a HSD or GED, pass an exam, take a course approved by the DEP, and have:

Classes S-1 and C-1-1 year of operating experience.

Classes S-2 and C-2-3 years of operating experience; OR Associate’s degree plus 2 years; or Bachelor’s degree plus 1.5 years.

Classes S-3 and C-3–6 years of experience (3 years operating and 3 years direct responsible charge); or Associate’s degree plus 4 years of experience (2 years operating and 2 years direct responsible charge); or Bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of experience (1.5 years operating and 1.5 years in direct responsible charge)

Classes S-4 and C-4 -10 years of experience (6 years operating and 4 years direct responsible charge); or Associate’s degree plus 7 years of experience (4 years operating and 3 years direct responsible charge); or Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of experience (3 years experience and 2 years of direct responsible charge)

Certification is valid from the date it is received until the next September 30thand must be renewed every year thereafter by September 30. The number of Training Contact Hours (TCHs) required every three years for each license is as follows:

C-1, C-2, S-1, S-2

  • 18 hours (maximum of 6 hours will be accepted in Safety related training)

C-3, C-4, S-3, S-4

  • 36 hours (maximum of 12 hours will be accepted in Safety related training

State administers exams (three times per year) and are not linked to national standardized options.

No NTKC is provided, however, operators are must take required courses before taking the examinations.

Required use of approved training manuals from California State University, Sacramento.


Licensing and Registration Website: Department of Environmental Protection

Source: American Water Works Association