Certification information

Complete the following:

1. Download application.
2. Fill it out. Type or write clearly in ink.
3. Complete all five pages in full detail.
4. Hand sign and date affidavit (even if you do not have operating experience).
5. Include all supporting documents.
6. Include application fee.
7. Mail completed application, all supporting documents, and application fee to: 

Department of Ecology
Cashiering Unit
PO Box 47611
Olympia, WA  98504-7611

• Ecology will notify you when we complete your application review.
• We will send your exam information to Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP).
  • AMP will email you registration and payment instructions no more than three business days later.
  • Register for the exam through (AMP).
    • You must pass the exam with 70 percent or higher.
      • You have one year to take and pass the exam.

• AMP sends Ecology exam results weekly.
  • If you pass, we will email you a certificate and a validation card. You will need to maintain your certification per WAC 173-230-310.
  • If you do not pass, you can retake the exam after 14 days.

PSI administers the computer-based wastewater treatment exams. PSI has many exam locations, so examinees can take the exam wherever they have a site.

Before you can register or schedule an exam, you must get approval from Ecology and receive an exam notification from AMP. When you receive that, you may register and schedule yourself to take the exam. 
 

• California State University, Sacramento
• Association of Boards of Certification (ABC)
  • Examination study resources
  • Need to Know Criteria (see 2017 Edition Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Need-to-Know Criteria for your Group level)
  • Formula Conversion Table  (see PDF for 2017 Edition Serving the United States & Canada)
• Treatment Plant Operator (TPO) magazine
• Water Environment Federation (WEF)
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)
  • Math
  • WW operator certification

WAC 173-230-200 defines operating experience as the routine performance of duties, onsite at a wastewater treatment plant, that affect plant performance or effluent quality.

Operating experience is the routine performance of duties onsite at a wastewater treatment plant that affect plant performance or effluent quality.

Relevant experience is work that does not meet the definition of operating experience. Relevant experience can be used to substitute for operating experience.

For more education and experience information, please see WAC 173-230-250 Education and Experience requirements for Group I-IV Certifications.
 

Someone who does not have operating experience may apply to take an Operator in Training (OIT) exam. To qualify for the OIT exam you need a high school diploma or GED and 3 months of operating experience.

If you do not have operating experience you can substitute the operating experience with 3 months of relevant experience or 3.0 relevant credits or Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Operators gain the necessary operating experience by working as an operator under the direction or supervision of a certified operator at classified wastewater treatment plants. We classify wastewater treatment plants based on the complexity of the treatment type and quantity of flow.
 

• Pay an annual renewal fee.
• Earn 3.0 wastewater CEUs or upgrade by exam.

To qualify for reciprocity, you must:

• Meet Washington education and experience requirements.
• Have received a Washington state approved passing score on an Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) standardized exam within the current exam cycle or previous exam cycle.
• Hold a valid certification in good standing.
• Pay the application fee.   

We have full reciprocity with:

• Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Massachusetts, Montana, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wyoming

We have conditional reciprocity with:

• Oregon — if certification was received by taking a 2013, or later, standardized ABC exam
• Nevada — if certification was received by taking the 2017 standardized ABC exam
• Colorado — for levels A-D, not for class S
• Utah — if certificate is not a restricted certificate
• New York — if exam score is 70 percent or higher

We do not have reciprocity with:

• California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, or Texas

Note: If your state is not listed above, we have not verified reciprocity with them. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation. Otherwise, you will need to meet Washington’s requirements and pass an exam to become a Washington State Certified Wastewater Operator.