Professional Licensure

Wastewater Operator

Students are encouraged to reach out to their respective department regarding their enrollment in the program and to explore various professional licensing opportunities.

Brenda Harris
Workforce Training Director
919-209-2595
bkharris1@johnstoncc.edu

Mailing Address: PO Box 2350 Smithfield, NC 27577

The provided table helps in determining if this program fulfills the educational requirements for licensure in the specific states, provinces, or territories listed. In the "Does This Program Meet State Educational Requirements?" column, each state's status is indicated as either “Meets State Educational Requirements” or “Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements.” Each entry in the table is tailored to the particular state corresponding to that row.

It is essential to understand that meeting the program's educational criteria might not be the sole requirement for licensure. Additional prerequisites might include being listed on a registry, passing background checks, or satisfying certain physical standards. Therefore, students should consult the relevant agency to ascertain the full spectrum of requirements beyond educational accomplishments.

Wastewater Operator requirements vary by state and other individual factors; credentials, training, and job experience. It's important to note that not all states have the same reciprocity agreements or requirements. Student applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Requirements vary in each of the 50 states for the Wastewater Operator program.

Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators must be licensed by the state in which they work. Requirements and standards vary widely depending on the state. State licenses typically have multiple levels, which indicate the operator’s experience and training. Although some states will honor licenses from other states, operators who move from one state to another may need to take a new set of exams to become licensed in their new state. In some cases, in order to apply for certification, prospective operators must be currently employed at a state wastewater treatment facility. Some states still require their state exam for reciprocity, so it is suggested a student check with the state in question before taking the program.

State, Province, or Territory Does This Program Meet State Educational Requirements? Agency Contact Information
Alabama Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Alabama Department of Environmental Management Alabama Department of Environmental Management Attn: Operator Certification
PO Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1463
334-271-7796
aemc@adem.alabama.gov
Alaska Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - Division of Water Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811
907-269-7681
dec.commissioner@alaska.gov
American Samoa Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements United States Environmental Protection Agency American Samoa) David Albright
US EPA, Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-3901
415-972-3971
albright.david@epa.gov
Arizona Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Main Office
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602-771-0100
azopcert@azdeq.gov
Arkansas Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment Division of Environmental Quality
5301 Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
501-682-0998
Contact Form
California Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Operator Certification State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 944212
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120
916-341-5819
wwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov
Colorado Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Colorado Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board (WWFOCB) Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Dr.
South Denver, CO 80246
303-692-3467
cdphe.wwfocb@state.co.us
Connecticut
Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wastewater Operator Certification Section
Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
860-424-3704
craig.motasky@ct.gov
Delaware Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Division of Water
Richardson & Robbins Building
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
302-739-9946
Contact Form
Florida Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Florida Department of Environmental Protection Operator Certification Program Division of Water Resource Management
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3506
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
850-245-7500
operator.certification@floridadep.gov
Georgia Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators & Laboratory Analysts Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators & Laboratory Analysts
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
404-424-9966
Contact Form
Guam Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Guam Environmental Protection Agency Guam Environmental Protection Agency
17-3304 Mariner Avenue Tiyan
Barrigada, Guam 96913
671-300-4751
nic.rupley@epa.guam.gov
Hawaii Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements State of Hawaii, Department of Health - Wastewater Branch Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants
c/o Wastewater Branch
919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 309
Honolulu, HI 96814
808-586-4294
webmail@doh.hawaii.gov
Idaho Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Idaho Department of Environmental Quality Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
1410 N. Hilton
Boise, ID 83706
208-373-0502
Troy.Smith@deq.idaho.gov
Illinois Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
1021 North Grand Ave. East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, IL 62794-9276
217-782-3397
Barb.Lieberoff@illinois.gov
Indiana Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Water Quality
100 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-8704
rmcmonig@idem.in.gov
Iowa Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Iowa Department of Natural Resources Iowa DNR Headquarters
Wallace State Office Building
502 East 9th Street, 4th Floor
Des Moines, IA 50319-0034
515-725-0284
Laurie.Sharp@dnr.iowa.gov
Kansas Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Kansas Department of Health and Environment Kansas Department of Health & Environment
1000 SW Jackson St
Topeka, KS 66612
785-296-1500
kdhe.info@ks.gov
Kentucky Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
300 Sower Blvd
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-3410
Contact US Form
Louisiana Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Louisiana Department of Health Louisiana Department of Health
Operator Certification
P.O. Box 4489, Bin 10 Box 6
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4489
225-342-7508
opcert@la.gov
Maine Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Maine Department of Health - Division of Water Quality Management (DWQM) Maine Department of Environmental Protection
Operator Certification Program
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
207-253-8020
info@neiwpcc-jetcc.org
Maryland Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Maryland Department of Health - Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators Maryland Department of Health
1800 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-537-3167
wwso.board@maryland.gov
Massachusetts Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
Wannalancit Mills
650 Suffolk Street, Suite 410
Lowell, MA 01854
978-323-7929
mail@neiwpcc.org
Michigan Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
Constitution Hall
525 West Allegan
P.O. Box 30473
Lansing, MI 48909
800-662-9278
(517) 284-6700
EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov
Minnesota Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd N
Saint Paul, MN 55155
651-757-2103
tracy.finch@state.mn.us
Mississippi Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Mississippi State Department of Health Division of On-Site Wastewater
P.O. Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
601-576-7150
web@HealthyMS.com
Missouri Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Missouri Department of Natural Resources Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Water Protection Program
PO Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
573-751-1600
contact@dnr.mo.gov
Montana Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Montana Department of Environmental Quality Montana Department of Environmental Quality
1520 E 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
406-444-4584
jvandenbos@mt.gov
Nebraska Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy - Wastewater Operator Certification Program Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Wastewater Operator Certification Program
PO Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
402-471-4285
NDEE.moreinfo@Nebraska.gov
Nevada Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
901 S. Stewart Street,
Suite 4001
Carson City, NV 89701
775-687-4670
Division of Environmental Protection
New Hampshire Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03302-0095
603-271-5553
mark.a.kondelis@des.nh.gov
New Jersey Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - Division of Water Supply and Geoscience NJDEP-Division of Water Supply & Geoscience
Mail Code 401-04Q
P.O. Box 420
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-292-2957
www@dep.nj.gov
New Mexico Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements New Mexico Environment Department New Mexico Environment Department
Harold Runnels Building
1190 St. Francis Dr. Suite N4050
Santa Fe, NM 87505
505-827-2855
Contact Form
New York Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements New York State - Department of Environmental Conservation New York State - Department of Environmental Conservation Central Office
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-0001
518-402-8044
contact@dec.ny.gov
North Carolina Meets State Educational Requirements NC Department of Environmental Quality NC Department of Environmental Quality
1601 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1601
877-623-6748
shannon.johnson@ncdenr.gov
North Dakota Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality Department of Environmental Quality
4201 Normandy Street
Bismarck, ND 58503-1324
701-328-5150
deq@nd.gov
Northern Mariana Islands Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Division of Environmental Quality
Gualo Rai Center
Chalan Pale Arnold - Middle Road
P.O. Box 501304
Saipan, MP 96950
670-664-8500
eli.cabrera@becq.gov.mp
Ohio Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
614-644-2752
ddagw@epa.ohio.gov
Oklahoma Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Division Department of Environmental Quality
P.O.Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
405-702-0100
Contact Us
Oregon Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Oregon Department of Environmental Quality DEQ-- Wastewater Operator Certification Program Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
700 NE Multnomah St Ste 600
Portland, OR 97232
503-229-5349
opcert@deq.state.or.us
Pennsylvania Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
208 W 3rd St Ste 101
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-327-3636
RA-epwater@pa.gov
Puerto Rico Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Examination Board of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Department of State
Assistant Secretary of Examination Boards
Examination Board of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
P.O. Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271
787-722-2122 Ext. 232
properadores@pcshq.com
Rhode Island Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management DEM) RI Department of Environmental Management DEM)
235 Promenade Street
Providence, RI 02908
401-222-4700
Suzanne.Amerault@dem.ri.gov
South Carolina Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements SC Department of Health and Environmental Control SC Dept of Health and Environmental Control
DHEC Constituent Services
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-898-3432
info@dhec.sc.gov
South Dakota Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements SD Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources SD Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources
523 E Capitol Ave
Pierre, SD 57501
605-773-5559
DANRmail@state.sd.us
Tennessee Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave
Nashville, TN 37243
888-891-8332
Contact Form
Texas Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Texas Commission on Environmental Quality TCEQ) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512-239-1000
licenses@tceq.texas.gov
Utah Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Utah Department of Environmental Quality - Water Quality Utah Department of Environmental Quality
195 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801-536-4300
deqinfo@utah.gov
Vermont Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - Department of Environmental Conservation Agency of Natural Resources
Department of Environmental Conservation
Watershed Management Division
Davis Building - 3rd Floor
One National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-3522
802-828-5434
kara.shangraw@vermont.gov
Virgin Islands Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority

Virgin Islands Waste Management (Authority St. Croix)
P. O. Box 1689
Kingshill, VI 00851-1689
340-712-4962

Virgin Islands Waste Management (Authority St. Thomas)
3200 Demarara
Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802
340-715-9100

communications@viwma.org
Virginia Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Virginia Department of Health  Virginia Department of Health
P.O. Box 2448
Richmond, VA 23218-2448
804-864-8128
Epi-Comments@vdh.virginia.gov
Washington Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements State of Washington Department of Ecology State of Washington Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
800-633-6193
Opt. 1
opcert@ecy.wa.gov
Washington, DC Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority DC Water
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
Customer Service Department
P.O. Box 97200
Washington, DC 20090
202-787-2000
customer.service@dcwater.com
West Virginia Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources WV Bureau for Public Health
Office of Environmental Health Services
Environmental Engineering Division
350 Capitol Street,
Room 313
Charleston, WV
25301-3713
304-558-2981
Becky.S.Payne@wv.gov
Wisconsin Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
888-936-7463
DNROpCert@wisconsin.gov
Wyoming Does Not Meet State Educational Requirements Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
200 West 17th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
307-777-6128
Wyodeq@wyo.gov