Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we're only issuing renewal notices electronically. Please update your contact information to make sure we have your current email address. We plan to email notices in mid-October.
*Reminder* The 2021 renewal fee increases to $98. For more information see the fee schedule established in the updated Rule as directed by the Legislature in 2018.
As we respond to the coronavirus outbreak, we are committed to helping you maintain a safe and healthy workplace, provide vital services to your communities, and protect water quality. Below are the answers to some questions related to the Wastewater Operator Certification (OpCert) Program during this time.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve an essential function to protect public health and the environment, including Washington's rivers, lakes, streams, and Puget Sound. The certification of wastewater treatment plant operators helps make sure they are knowledgeable, and that WWTPs are properly operated and maintained.
Electronic renewal notices for 2021
Online Renewal Payment
New for 2021 — pay your renewal online. You will need to know your invoice number, which is your certificate number and the renewal year: 1968–2021 (cert #-renewal year).
There is a 4.2% convenience fee for debit and credit card payments. There is not a convenience fee for eCheck payments. To pay with eCheck, you will need your bank routing number and account number.
Go to EcoEPay to make an online payment.
Renewal Notices Emailed
We emailed renewal notices Oct. 23, 2020. If we did not have your email address, we mailed it. We are emailing the validation cards. Please update your email address.
Frequently asked questions: coronavirus impacts to the OpCert Program (updated July 1, 2020)
Yes. In June, the program state coordinator received authorization to go into the office to get new applications and operator files.
No. Applications must be mailed to Ecology's Cashiering Unit with the appropriate application fee.
The only exceptions are temporary certificates, including those needed on an emergency basis. See Emergency Certificates for more information.
The OpCert program will issue temporary certificates on an emergency basis to fill an operator in responsible charge position or lead operator of a shift position when the designated certified operator unexpectedly vacates the position. We will evaluate the situation and any request based on the requirements in WAC 173-230-320(1).
An operator wanting to help, an owner of a wastewater treatment plant, a public works director, or an operator in responsible charge can all request a temporary certificate.
After you determine that you need a temporary certificate, you will need to submit a letter naming the operator and explaining why you need the temporary certificate; a completed application for the operator named in the letter; and the appropriate application fee. The application is available to download on our certificate information webpage.
Please email the application and letter to opcert@ecy.wa.gov with Request for Emergency Temporary Certificate in the subject line. Then mail the original with the application fee to the address in the upper right hand corner of the application.
No. The exams are secure and confidential and only authorized personnel can administer or proctor the exams. We're complying with the Safe Start approach and will not travel to proctor exams until Phase 3 or 4.
Test centers are starting to open. They have to comply with social distancing and sanitization requirements, which means there are less testing stations and, as a result, less testing availability. The best way to schedule your exam is through PSI's website.
Email opcert@ecy.wa.gov to request an extension.
You will automatically receive a six month extension when you’re approved to take the exam. Instead of having one year to take the exam you will have one year and six months to take the exam.
Yes. Test centers started to reopen and in June and our program state coordinator received authorization to go into the office to get new applications and operator files.
No, we are currently in the 2nd year of the three year professional growth cycle. There are many approved online and correspondence courses. There are also approved WEF and PNCWA webinars. OpCert program staff will shift their priority to review online training course requests ahead of classroom training requests.
The Approved Course List is available on our Professional Growth and Training webpage (see Where can I find approved courses or trainers?). Continue to submit your completion certificates to opcert@ecy.wa.gov.
Yes, we do not have a lot of flexibility to make adjustments to the professional growth requirement. With the online and correspondence courses, and webinars that are available, operators should be able to continue to meet the professional growth requirements. We will follow the closures closely and revisit this decision if necessary.
Yes. We're working with trainers that have approved classroom trainings to modify their courses so they can administer them via webinar or other remote learning methods.
Yes, the OpCert program put together an emergency on-call list of wastewater operators who are willing to help answer questions, or may be able to help with the operations of a wastewater treatment plant, in a time of emergency.
If you are a wastewater operator certified in Washington and are willing to help in this capacity, please send an e-mail to opcert@ecy.wa.gov, and include the following information.
- Name: First, middle initial, last
- City
- Certification number
- Certification level
- Phone number
- Cell phone number
- Primary e-mail address
- Secondary e-mail address
You can find the list on the OpCert webpage. Being on the list does not represent a commitment to an emergency.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification Program Guidance
We adopted changes to chapter 173-230 WAC Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants in 2019. This:
- Established a fee schedule in rule as directed by the Legislature in 2018.
- Included multiple changes, such as:
- Providing for an Operator in Training and respective education and experience qualifications for Groups II-IV.
- Acknowledging new technologies in wastewater treatment.
- Creating stand-alone sections where more information and clarity were needed.
- Clarifying rule language to codify existing program practice.
Find out more about the new fees and Operator in Training Group levels II-IV from our focus sheet.
To learn even more, visit the rulemaking webpage.