Wastewater Operator Certification Program

Several updated Oregon Administrative Rules for wastewater operator certification have been approved by the Environmental Quality Commission, DEQ’s policy and rulemaking board. The updated rules will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Learn more about the updated rules.

Applications for wastewater operator certification will be evaluated using the rules that are in place on the date submitted in the online application system, Your DEQ Online. Applications submitted through the end of 2024 will use the current rules, which became effective March 1, 2013. Applications submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2025 will be evaluated using the updated rules.

Oregon law requires owners of wastewater systems and drinking water systems (public and private) to have their systems under responsible control and direction of certified operators. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment.

The Department of Environmental Quality administers the program for domestic wastewater system operators. The Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Services administers the certification program for drinking water system operators.

Program information

Note: DEQ now grants renewal Continuing Education Units for wastewater career outreach and/or passing a WPI (formerly ABC) exam. Please see course #6188 on the Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council web page for career outreach instructions. To obtain 2.0 CEUs for upgrading or becoming dually certified, see the exam information dropdown below.

Begin by establishing a Your DEQ Online Account:

Video: Account Registration and Set Up
User guide: Account Registration and Set Up

Apply for a Wastewater Operator Certificate:

Video: Apply for a Wastewater Operator Certificate
User guide: Apply for a Wastewater Operator Certificate

Renew or Reinstate a Wastewater Operator Certificate:

Video: Renew or reinstate a Wastewater Operator Certificate
User guide: Renew or reinstate a Wastewater Operator Certificate

Supervisory Wastewater System Operator Designation Form

Video: Supervisory Wastewater System Operator Designation Form
User guide: Supervisory Wastewater System Operator Designation Form

DEQ’s Wastewater Operator Certifications program is moving to a new electronic data management system called Your DEQ Online. Starting on March 14, 2023, you can set up your account and start submitting notifications and fees electronically.

The following notification and application forms are no longer available in PDF or Word formats:

Collection Exam Application - Grades I through IV
Treatment Exam Application - Grades I through IV
Combined Collection and Treatment Exam Application - Grade I and Small Wastewater System
Re-examination / Reschedule Exam Form
Reciprocity Application form for Collection Certificate – Grades I through IV
Reciprocity Application form for Treatment Certificate – Grades I through IV
Post-exam Application Form
Document Replacement Request Form
Designated Operator Form

Pathway Qualifications Tables for Collection and Treatment
Disability Accommodation Request Form
Affidavit Form for Work Experience from Supervisor
Supplemental CEU Table
Use this for listing multiple courses in applications and renewals.

Approved training for Continuing Education Units credit:

Visit the Oregon Environmental Services Advisory Council home page
CEU Lookup: Select the “Courses" tab at the top to view DEQ-approved wastewater continuing education units
Wastewater Operator CEUs for Your DEQ Online Training

Approved training for Operator in Training and Provisional Grade I (when applicant has less than 12 months experience, see Pathways to entry-level Operator Certification: