Wastewater Operator Certification Program

Washington State Department of Ecology

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General Application Instructions

Before you complete the application, please review the minimum education and experience requirements for the level of certification you are applying for. You can find those requirements in WAC 173-230-061, "Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants." Certification of Operators of Wastewater Treatment Plants, Chapter 173-230 WAC
Please type or clearly print, using ink.
Submit a fully completed application.
The certification coordinator will place incomplete applications at the bottom of the review pile, which will delay the review process.
Describe in detail your domestic wastewater treatment plant operating experience.
Definition of operating experience: "The routine performance of duties, on-site at a wastewater treatment plant."

Include transcripts or copies of certificates for education requirements.
Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Complete the Affidavit of Employment to include operator and operator in charge signatures.
Documentation of your wastewater experience is recommended. You may be asked to provide documentation of your experience from your employer.
If applying for reciprocity, include a copy of your current certificate.
Mail your completed application along with a check or money order payable to Department of Ecology to:

Mail applications with fees to:
Department of Ecology
Cashiering Section
PO Box 47611
Olympia, WA 98504-7611

Fees

$72 - $50 application fee and $22 exam fee.

$50 - Application fee for: automatic upgrade from an Operator-in Training to a Group I, reciprocity, or temporary certification.

The $22 exam fee is used to purchase the examination from the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). The $50 application fee is non-refundable.

You must submit the exam fee and application fee with a completed application. If the appropriate fees do not accompany an application the certification coordinator may return the application to the applicant.

You can submit one check with the application fee and the exam fee payable to the Department of Ecology.

The completed application must be postmarked on or before the application due date.

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Exams are administered the first Thursday in February, June, and October.

Application Deadlines & Exam Dates

Application Deadline* (Postmarked on or before)	Exam Date
December 15, 2007	February 7, 2008
April 15, 2008	June 5, 2008
August 15, 2008	October 2, 2008

*Note* There is not an application deadline for an Automatic Upgrade or reciprocity. An application for an Automatic Upgrade from an OIT to Group I may be submitted when the required minimum qualifications have been met.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact Poppy Carre, Wastewater Operator Certification Coordinator, at 360-407-6449 or toll free in Washington at 1-800-633-6193, or Email poca461@ecy.wa.gov.

If you have special accommodation needs, please call the Certification Coordinator 360-407-6449 (Voice) or (TTY) at 711 or 1-800-833-6388.

Application for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification

Printable or WORD fill-in version of wastewater application

Attachment - must be submitted with completed application.

For more information please contact Ecology's Wastewater Operator Certification Program Coordinator at 360-407-6449 or toll free within the state at 1-800-633-6193. Click here to send email.

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Last updated on March 19, 2008