Certification of Operators of Solid Waste Incinerators and Landfill Facilities

What is the Purpose of this Certification?

The owner or operator in charge must be certified in the operation and maintenance of solid waste incinerators (excluding hog fuel burners and crematoria facilities), municipal waste landfills, problem waste landfills, special incinerator ash landfills or monofills, inert waste and demolition waste landfills, and all limited purpose solid waste landfills such as wood waste landfills.

Certification includes operator training courses and a written examination. Currently, required courses are offered through private instructors for a fee of approximately $600.

Who issues this Certification?

Department of Ecology

What Activities Require this Certification?

Working as the operator in charge of a solid waste incinerator or landfill facility.

How Much Will this Certification Cost?

All landfill operator certifications are provided by SWANA. Fees are determined by Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Incinerator operator certifications are provided by Ecology. Rates are as follows:

• Application fee $50.00
• Textbook cost $160.00
• Exam cost $0.00
• Certification fee $200.00
• Recertification fee $200.00

Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

Incinerator Operators:

• For the Incinerator Operator/Inspector Application, include $210 (one-time fee per applicant).
• For the Incinerator Certificate Application include $200 (one-time fee per applicant).
• For Incinerator Recertification Application include $200 (every three years).

Is the Decision on my Certification Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?

Landfill Operator: Pass the exam, high school diploma or GED, 5 years MSW management experience, and 2 years operating experience. Contact SWANA for specifics.

Incinerator Operator: Pass exam. No additional testing required for recertification.

How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?

Where do I Submit my Application?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

SWANA
Attn: Training & Certification Coordinator
P.O. Box 7219
Silver Spring, MD 20907-7219
Phone: 1 (800) GO SWANA
Fax: (301) 585-0297
E-mail: certification@swana.org
Website: http://swana.org/Education/Educate/Certification/tabid/87/Default.aspx

Incinerator Inspectors: Contact Ecology.

Michelle Andrews
Department of Ecology
Waste 2 Resources Program
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Phone: (360) 407-6113
E-mail: mian461@ecy.wa.gov

How Long is my Certification Valid?

Certification must be renewed every 3 years.

What is the Appeal Process for the Certification?

Landfill Inspectors: Contact SWANA.

Incinerator Inspectors: Can re-take test if not passed once pay applicable fees.

Notes / Comments:

Legal Authority:

• Chapter 173-300 WAC
• Chapter 70.95D RCW

Links:

• SWANA
• Waste 2 Resources Program

Statewide Contact:

* Permit information last updated 12/17/2012.