Exam Information

Exam results

The complete list of exam results can be found in the Exam Results tab. 

Exam Dates and Deadlines

• 2013 Class A
• 2013 Class I, II and III

Application Information for Water and Wastewater Certification

• 2013 exam application (Class I, II, and III) 
• Class IV exam application (Class IV only)
  
  Important exam application reminder:
  All currently certified operators must include their supervisor's information and signature in the "Supervisor Information" portion of the exam application.  Any applications received without this information will automatically be considered for an operator in training (OIT).

Class IV Certified Operator Exam Information

• Class IV exam application
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Policy statement, guidance and application
  
  • Additional guidance on wastewater plant section

• Advisory Council Class IV exam review checklists
  
  • Drinking water
  • Wastewater
• Class IV Stakeholders Meeting Summary

Training Courses and Experience Credit

• Courses and Experience Credit
• Free Class A Water Operator Training
• Free Class I Water Operator Training

Study Materials

Need to Know Criteria

The following documents provide "Need to Know Criteria" test-takers will be expected to know for each type certified operator exam.

• Water
• Wastewater
• Wastewater Collection

Formulas

Those taking the certified operator exam will be expected to know the formulas provided in the appropriate document below (e.g., those taking the wastewater operator certification exam should consult the "wastewater formulas" document).

• Water
• Wastewater
  

References

A number of helpful references have been compiled to assist those studying for Ohio EPA operator certification exams.  These references are only intended as a resource and are not required to be purchased in order for individuals to pass their exams. 

•  References

Anyone Can Submit an Exam Question Suggestion

The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters accepts exam question suggestions.  Complete and submit the Ohio EPA Operator Certification Exam Question Submittal Form provided below.  Instructions for submitting the form are included in the document.

• Ohio EPA Operator Certification Exam Question Submittal Form [PDF] or [Word]

Operator Certification Exam Results

Click on a date below to see that month's operator certification exam results, high scorers list, and pass list. Individual scores will be mailed approximately 30 days after the exam. The overall results, high scorers list, and pass list will be posted below approximately five to six weeks following the exam.  

Important Reminder: No scores will be provided over the phone at any time.   

Contact Hours Information

Important reminder: At least half of the contact hours for renewals of certificates must be directly related to operations and maintenance (OM).

Contact Hours Forms

• Completed Contact Hour List (Back page of Renewal Form)
  
• Course Approval Forms
  
  • Contact Hour Application
  • Example Course Completion Certificate (Form E) [Word]

Approved Courses

A number of courses have been pre-approved by Ohio EPA.  Certified operators may count these courses towards their total contact hours. 

• Water
  
• Wastewater

Training Providers

Approved Contact Hour Training Providers (ACHTPs) have received authority from Ohio EPA to conduct contact hour courses without having to submit a Contact Hour Course Approval application to the Operator Certification Unit for each course. These ACHTPs have the ability to assign their own unique approval number and contact hours to each course they offer. Training providers who are not included in the List of Approved Contact Hour Training Providers may still provide contact hour courses by getting each individual course approved by the Ohio EPA.

• List of Approved Contact Hour Training Providers
• List of Internet and Correspondence Based Training Providers
  
  • Contact hours can also be earned through internet, correspondence, or CD-ROM based courses.  Examples of these types of training providers are included in the above list.  This list is meant as a resource and is not intended to be exhaustive.
• Application for Approval as an Approved Contact Hour Training Provider
  
  • To request to be added to the list of ACHTPs, complete and submit this form

Contact Hours - Frequently Asked Questions

• Contact Hour Frequently Asked Questions

Operator Lists

Certified and Contract Operator Lists

Ohio EPA keeps lists of certified operators, contract operators, and expired operator certificates across the state.

• List of Active Certified Operators with Valid Certificates (Note: This is a .zip file that will need to be saved to the computer prior to opening)
• List of Contract Operators
• List of Operators Whose Certificates Expired on December 31, 2012

To request to be added to the contract operator list, complete the request form below and submit the completed form via email, fax, or mail to the contact listed in the form.

• Request to be included in Ohio EPA's List of Contract Operators

Operator of Record Lists

Ohio EPA also keeps a list of the operators of record for the following systems:

• Public water systems
• Distribution systems
  
• Wastewater (Excel)

Operator Certification Advisory Council

The Operator Certification Advisory Council (Council) is a group of experts in the fields of water and wastewater treatment established by Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-7-10. The Council provides guidance and input to Ohio's water and wastewater operator certification program. Members of the Council include four Class III or IV operators (i.e., two water supply and two wastewater treatment), two actively employed sanitary or environmental engineers and two Ohio EPA members (i.e., one representing public water systems and one representing wastewater systems).

2013 Meeting Schedule

All Council meetings are held at 9:00am at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Lazarus Government Center, 50 W. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio. The Council meeting schedule is available.

Meeting Minutes

Resources

• Division Programs

Rules and Enforcement

Operator certification rules can be found in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-7.  To view recent operator certification enforcement actions taken by the Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, please visit the Enforcement page. 

Miscellaneous Forms and Resources

• Operator in Training (OIT) documentation form (PDF) (Word) (Word Fill-in)
  • Use this form to document work experience as an operator in training.

• Reciprocity application
  
  • Use this form to apply for reciprocity.  The Director may grant certification by reciprocity to an applicant holding a valid certificate or license from another state or province. 

• Operator of Record (ORC) Notification Form (PDF) (Word)
  
  • Use this form to update Ohio EPA with operator of record information (e.g., hired a new ORC, hired an additional ORC, remove a previous ORC, make changes to an existing ORC's information). 

• Request for public water system (PWS) reclassification

• Minimum Staffing Request Form
  
  • Use this form to request a reduction in minimum staffing hours.

• Fee schedule
  
  • This document includes a variety of fees assessed by Ohio EPA.  The fees related to public water systems, including operator certification fees, begin on page 12.
• Information is available to assist operators in reviewing and optimizing treatment for protection against waterborne diseases

Operator Job Analyses

The following documents include general knowledge and skills that certified operators should have at each classification level.