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Permit Handbook -> Water Quality Permits -> Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification |
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Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification
What is the Purpose of 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.
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 twice a day, five days a week, in Bellevue, East Wenatchee, Everett, Kennewick, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima.
Who issues this Certification?
Department of Ecology
What Activities Require this Certification?
Required for being the operator in responsible charge of a domestic wastewater treatment plant or the lead operator of each shift at a domestic wastewater treatment plant.
How Much Will this Certification Cost?
- Application Fee: $50
- Exam Fee: $29
- Exam Administration Fee: $61 ($140 total)
- Annual Renewal fee: $30
Where Can I Get the Application for this Certification?
The application which is called 'Application for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification', is online and can be downloaded at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/ecy0402131.html.
Do I Need to Include Anything with my Application?
- 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.
Is the Decision on my Certification Dependent on Anything Besides the Information in my Application?
The certification is not a permit. Certificates may be revoked when the Department of Ecology (Ecology) director finds:
(a) Fraud or deceit in obtaining the certificate.
(b) Gross negligence in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
(c) 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.
How Long Will it Take to Review my Application?
The application submittal process allows Operator Certification staff up to 60 days to review and approve the application for testing.Where do I Submit my Application?
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
How Long is my Certification Valid?
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.
What is the Appeal Process for the Certification?
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.
Notes / Comments:
No revocation will be made unless the operator has been notified that revocation is proposed, been advised of the reason and been given an opportunity to appear before the Ecology director and be heard on the matter.A certificate will be suspended immediately when 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 a written examination to become certified.
Temporary certificate request must be made in writing to the wastewater certification 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.
Except for a temporary certificate, a certificate is valid from January 1 until December 31 of the same year or the year designated by Ecology. Except for a temporary certificate, 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.
Legal Authority:
Links:
Statewide Contact:
Water Quality Program
Headquarters
300 Desmond Drive
PO Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Telephone: (360) 407-6400
Fax: (360) 407-6426
Website: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/wqhome.html
* Permit information last updated 12/18/2012.
Department of Ecology Environmental Permitting Project Questionnaire © ORA