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Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
The Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Board was created to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public by establishing minimum qualifications for licensees who operate wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, water distribution systems, public water supply systems, or who conduct specific tests of water or wastewater samples along with the operation of public water system or wastewater treatment plants. Under this Board, licenses are mainly categorized into two: Water and Wastewater, which are:
- Public Water Supply System Operator Class I
- Public Water Supply System Operator Class II
- Public Water Supply System Operator Class III
- Public Water Supply System Operator Class IV
- Water Distribution System Operator
- Water Laboratory Analyst
- Biological Wastewater Treatment System Operator Class I
- Biological Wastewater Treatment System Operator Class II
- Biological Wastewater Treatment System Operator Class III
- Biological Wastewater Treatment System Operator Class IV
- Wastewater Collection System Operator
- Wastewater Laboratory Analyst
- Wastewater Industrial
The testing vendor for this Board is AMP/PSI©. This company administers the examination process, but the Water Professionals International (WPI) is the institution that provides applicants with the test subjects and need-to-know criteria for their exam. Georgia's certificates for Water and Wastewater Operators are divided into four classes, with Class I being the highest level and Class IV being the lowest.
Please note that candidates applying for the Water or Wastewater Operator Class I and II must already hold a prior-level license, meaning that to obtain a level II license, the candidate must already have a level III license and for a level I license, the applicant must have a level II license.
How to Get a Water or Wastewater Certificate in Georgia?
- Select the appropriate certification type in the application:
Water Supply System
- Water Operator Class IV
- Water Operator Class III
- Water Operator Class II
- Water Operator Class I
- Water Distribution System Operator
- Water Laboratory Analyst
Wastewater Treatment System
- Wastewater Operator Class IV
- Wastewater Operator Class III
- Wastewater Operator Class II
- Wastewater Operator Class I
- Wastewater Collection System Operator
- Wastewater Laboratory Analyst
- Wastewater Industrial
- Complete the Board-approved course for the certification type chosen. Proof of completion must be attached to the application:
Water Supply System
- Water Operator Class IV: 6-hour basic water operator course
- Water Operator Class III: 40-hour basic water operator course
- Water Operator Class IIIG: 40-hour basic groundwater operator course
- Water Operator Class II: 48 hours of advanced water operator courses
- Water Operator Class I: No additional courses
- Water Distribution System Operator: 27-hour water distribution course
- Water Laboratory Analyst: 27-hour basic wastewater laboratory course or a minimum of an Associate Degree in Biology or Chemistry, or, at the Board's discretion, other degrees containing sufficient courses in biology or chemistry
Wastewater Treatment System
- Wastewater Operator Class IV: 6-hour basic water operator course
- Wastewater Operator Class III: 40-hour basic water operator course
- Wastewater Operator Class II: 48 hours of advanced water operator courses
- Wastewater Operator Class I: No additional courses
- Wastewater Collection System Operator: 27-hour wastewater collection course
- Wastewater Laboratory Analyst: 27-hour basic wastewater laboratory course or a minimum of an Associate Degree in Biology or Chemistry, or, at the Board's discretion, other degrees containing sufficient courses in biology or chemistry
- Wastewater Industrial: 27-hour industrial wastewater operator course
- Meet the experience requirements:
- Water Supply System Operator or Wastewater Treatment System Operator:
Option 1 - High School Diploma, GED:
- Class IV - 1 month of experience
- Class III - 3 months of experience
- Class IIIG - 3 months of experience
- Class II - 24 months of experience
- Class I - 36 months of experience
Option 2 - Accredited Associate Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or, at the Board's discretion, other degrees containing sufficient courses in biology or chemistry:
- Class IV - 1 month of experience
- Class III - 3 months of experience
- Class IIIG - 3 months of experience
- Class II - 18 months of experience
- Class I - 30 months of experience
Option 3 - Accredited Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or, at the Board's discretion, other degrees containing sufficient courses in biology or chemistry:
- Class IV - 1 month of experience
- Class III - 3 months of experience
- Class IIIG - 3 months of experience
- Class II - 12 months of experience
- Class I - 24 months of experience
Industrial Wastewater Treatment System Operator, or Water or Wastewater Laboratory Analyst, or Wastewater Collection System Operator, or Water Distribution System Operator:
- Three months of experience required
- Water Supply System Operator or Wastewater Treatment System Operator:
Gather the necessary documents:
- Proof of Training
- High School/GED/College Transcript
- Experience Dates
- Job Description
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
- Background Check: can be obtained at the local law enforcement office
- Background Consent Form (If applicable)
Coursework:
- Water Distribution System Operator
- Water Operator Class II, III, and IV
- Wastewater System Collection Operator
- Wastewater Laboratory Analyst
- Wastewater Industrial Operator
- Wastewater Operator Class II, III, and IV
- Wastewater Distribution System Operator
Prerequisite Certification:
- Water Operator Class I and II
- Wastewater Operator Class I and II
Disciplinary Action/Sanctions
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Submit the signed and notarized application along with the required documents to the Board at:
Board of Examiners for Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts
237 Coliseum Dr.,
Macon, GA 31217 - Take and pass the trade examination:
Wastewater Treatment System
- Expect the Board’s response regarding the certificate issuance
Useful Links for Water & Wastewater Contractors
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- AMP/PSI©
- Application form for Water and Wastewater Certificate
- Georgia Basic and Advanced Education Providers for the Water and Wastewater Board Treatment Plant Operators
- Georgia Board of Examiners for the Certification of Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts Webpage
- Georgia Rules and Regulations for the Water and Wastewater Board Treatment Plant Operators
- Main Portal to Water Professionals International / Association of Boards of Certification Need-to-Know Criteria
- Need-to-Know Criteria for Wastewater Collection System Operator
- References Wastewater Laboratory Analyst
- Need-to-Know Criteria for Water Operator Class I
- Need-to-Know Criteria for Water Operator Class II
- Need-to-Know Criteria for Water Operator Class III
- Need-to-Know Criteria for Water Operator Class IV
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Wastewater Operator Class I Need-to-Know Criteria
- Wastewater Operator Class II Need-to-Know Criteria
- Wastewater Operator Class III Need-to-Know Criteria
- Water Distribution System Operator Need-to-Know Criteria
- Wastewater Operator Class IV Need-to-Know Criteria
- Water Laboratory Analyst
Helpful Contact Information for the Water & Wastewater Board Treatment Plant Operators
Georgia Board of Examiners for Certification of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon GA 31217
(404) 424-9966
