Help/Assistance

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification

Description/Purpose

When wastewater treatment plants are properly operated, public health and the state's waters are protected. This certification program is working to help ensure that operators meet the established requirements and are competent to operate and maintain wastewater treatment plants.

Triggers and activities which would require this certification

Wastewater operator certification is required for (1) the operator in responsible charge of a domestic wastewater treatment plant and (2) the lead operator of each shift at a domestic wastewater treatment plant.

Explanation/Description of costs/fees, including statutory, regulatory, or other legal authority for fees

2016 – 2017 fees are as follows. To see the most current fees, visit: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Wastewater-operator-certification

  • Computer Based Exam Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $31
    • Exam Administration Fee: $67 ($148 total)
  • Web Based Exam Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $41
  • Department of Corrections Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $42.50 ($92.50)
    • Exam Retake Fee: $42.50
  • Annual Renewal fee: $30

2018 fees are as follows. To see the most current fees, visit: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Wastewater-operator-certification

  • Computer Based Exam Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $31
    • Exam Administration Fee: $69 ($150 total)
  • Web Based Exam Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $43
  • Department of Corrections Fees:
    • Application Fee: $50
    • Exam Fee: $44.50 ($94.50)
    • Exam Retake Fee: $44.50
  • Annual Renewal fee: $30
Application Information

The application is called 'Application for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification' is online and can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/publications/SummaryPages/ECY0402131.html.

  • Certificates of training and continuing education courses.
  • Transcripts or unaltered copies of all college credits.
  • If applicable, a copy of your valid out-of-state Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.

The certification is not a permit. Certificates may be revoked when the Department of Ecology (Ecology) director finds:

  1. Fraud or deceit in obtaining the certificate.
  2. Gross negligence in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
  3. Violation of the requirements of this Chapter 173-230 WAC or the statute it implements or of any lawful rule, regulation or order of Ecology.

For more details see the Notes/Comments section.

You can complete the application online or print it out and complete it by hand. Then mail the completed application and $50 application fee to:

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

Except for a temporary certification, a certificate is valid from January 1 until December 31 of the same year or the year designated by Ecology. Except for a temporary certification, a certificate is renewable only when the certificate holder demonstrates and provides documentation to Ecology of continued professional growth in the field. Ecology will mail renewal notices to all certificate holders eligible to renew before the certificate expires.

Maintaining a valid certificate requires paying an annual renewal fee and meeting a professional growth requirement every three years.

A wastewater treatment plant owner may request a temporary certificate for an individual when the designated certified operator unexpectedly vacates the position.

For more details see the Notes/Comments section.

Decisions of the Ecology director under this Chapter 173-230 WAC may be appealed within thirty days from the date of notice to the Pollution Control Hearings Board as required by Chapter 43.21B RCW and Chapter 371-08 WAC.

To appeal you must do both of the following within 30 days after the date of receipt of a notice of revocation:

  • File your appeal and a copy of the notice of revocation with the Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB) during regular business hours.
  • Serve a copy of your appeal and the notice of revocation on Ecology in paper form, by mail or in person. E-mail is not accepted.

Physical Addresses

    Department of Ecology
    Attn: Appeals Processing Desk
    300 Desmond Drive SE
    Lacey, WA 98503

    Pollution Control Hearings Board
    1111 Israel Road SW, Suite 301
    Tumwater, WA 98501

Mailing Addresses

    Department of Ecology
    Attn: Appeals Processing Desk
    P.O. Box 47608
    Olympia, WA 98504-7608

    Pollution Control Hearings Board
    P.O. Box 40903
    Olympia, WA 98504-0903

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

Ecology will not revoke a certification unless the operator has been notified that revocation is proposed, has been advised of the reason, and has been given an opportunity to appear before the Ecology director and be heard on the matter.

A certificate will be suspended immediately if the Ecology director is notified by the Department of Social and Health Services that a person is not in compliance with a support order or a residential or visitation order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, the certificate will be reissued when the Ecology director is notified by the Department of Social and Health Services that the person is in compliance with the order.

If a certificate is revoked, the individual must meet all conditions of certification including application, fees, and passing an examination to become recertified.

Temporary certificate requests must be made in writing to the wastewater operator certification program coordinator and must include an application and fee. Ecology may issue a temporary certificate at its discretion. A temporary certificate may not exceed a one-year period, is nonrenewable, and cannot be transferred to another individual.

To become certified, the applicant must meet minimum education and experience requirements and pass an exam. The exam is computer based and administered by Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) twice a day, five days a week, in Bellevue, Bellingham, East Wenatchee, Everett, Kennewick, Kirkland, Lakewood, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Spanaway, Vancouver, and Yakima. Note: Test locations are added and removed at discretion of AMP.

Contacts
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Website: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Our-Programs/Water-Quality
Fax: (360) 407-6426
Telephone: (360) 407-6600
* Credential details last updated 2/6/2018
[v3]