ADEQ's Operator Certification Program establishes guidelines to ensure that only certified operators make decisions about process control or system integrity that affects public health. The program establishes minimum standards for certification and recertification of the operators of community and non-transient non-community public water systems.

Operator certifications are classified into one of four grades by facility type, size, complexity and population served. The grade corresponds with the level of system complexity, with Grade 1 being the most simple and Grade 4 being the most complex. Operators are required to maintain their certification through participation in continuing professional education workshops and must be re-certified every three years.

Operator Certification Examinations
Since August 2007, the Drinking Water Programs Unit has administered all Drinking Water and Wastewater Certification Exams while management reviewed the process and options for proctoring exams for more than 6,000 certified operators statewide. ADEQ has contracted with our educational colleagues at Gateway Community College (GWCC) to proctor Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) operator certification exams for all operator classifications and grade levels. GWCC has the expertise, the testing facilities and the staff to proctor ABC exams that will maintain high professional standards for the Arizona industry.

Please visit the GWCC for registration, exam dates and exam locations. GWCC is charging $70.00 per exam, which is well within the middle range of current national exam fees and within the range of fees that were charged by third-party Arizona entities in 2002-2007.

ADEQ anticipates a smooth transition and an improved long-term approach to certification for water and wastewater operators in Arizona communities.

Effective Oct. 1, 2008, a person sitting for an exam for the purposes of obtaining a certified operators license must present appropriate identification. Such documentation includes, but is not limited to, an Arizona drivers license issued on or after Jan. 1, 1997, a United States Passport or a birth certificate issued in any state, territory or possession of the United States. For any questions concerning proper forms of documentation or other forms of acceptable documentation not previously mentioned, please contact Bill Reed, Operator Certification Coordinator, at (602) 771-4638. In addition to identification please bring a nonscientific/nonprogrammable calculator, pencils and registration confirmation.

Operator Certification Exam Study Guides
View the Association of Boards of Certification for exam study guides and conversion sheets.

Obtaining certificate copies
The Operator Certification Program will provide copies for valid certificates that have been lost or damaged. Because ADEQ no longer charges certificate fees, only one copy on cardstock with the ADEQ logo in the background will be provided during a three year certification term. Requests for additional copies can only be honored based on resource availability. To obtain a certificate copy, please provide the following information in writing:

• Name
• Operator identification number
• Social security number
• Current mailing address
• Arizona county
• Employment information (name and identification number of water and/or wastewater systems that you operate.

Requests for certificate copies will be processed monthly. Current or potential employers may contact the Operator Certification Program directly to verify your certification.

Reciprocity
ADEQ will recognize certifications obtained from other states or jurisdictions. To receive reciprocity, you must:

• Demonstrate that you passed an examination that is substantially equivalent to those administered by ADEQ approved testers,
• Complete the Arizona Request for Operator Certification Reciprocity and
• Submit written evidence that you meet the experience and education requirements of A.A.C R18-5-112.

Certificate Renewal and PDH Tracking Form
To renew an operator certificate, complete and return Certificate Renewal and PDH Tracking Form to the department via fax or regular mail. All renewal requests will be processed in the month certificates actually expire. Please allow four to six weeks from your certificate expiration date for delivery of your new certificates.

Operator Certification Rule and Factsheet

• The administrative rule for the operator certification program is found in the Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 5, Article 1 .
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Operator Certification Program and Career Paths in the Water/Wastewater Industry
  This factsheet contains frequently asked questions about the Operator Certification Program and employment in the Water/Wastewater industry.

Expense Reimbursement Grant (ERG) Drinking Water Workshops
The ERG program provides educational assistance to certified operators of community and non-transient, non-community public water systems serving fewer than 3,300 persons. The ERG program was developed to provide training and benefits to eligible, certified operators. However, any operator or community member may attend department-sponsored technical training at no cost to the attendee.

Attendees will receive PDHs for each session successfully completed.

An eligible operator is certified in Arizona in water distribution or water treatment AND Employed at an Arizona community water system or Arizona non-transient non-community water system that serves fewer than 3,300 persons.

During the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009, any eligible operator is offered:

1. One or two overnight stays at ERG workshops to be held statewide
2. Two technical books
3. Per diem during the workshop attendance
4. Exam proctoring fee for one exam in water distribution or water treatment. Written permission to be obtained by operator from Operator Certification Coordinator PRIOR to exam process.

In addition, operators not eligible for grant reimbursement will be allowed to attend any workshop on a space available, first-come, first-served basis.

• Registration for Expense Reimbursement Grant Workshops

Emergency Management Planning (EMP)
The Drinking Water Section will conduct one and one-half day, twelve hour workshops on emergency management planning for facility owners and operators of drinking water and wastewater systems and for public and industrial and critical infrastructure entities in Arizona communities. The workshops will provide updates on protocols and procedures for all Federal, State, Tribal and Local responders to coordinate emergency response statewide. There is no cost for the training.

• Registration for Emergency Management Planning Workshops

Operator Certification Outreach
For further assistance regarding Operator Certification Workshops and Training please contact Noah Adams at (602) 771-4511.

ADEQ Event Parking (Map)
When attending an event at Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 1110 W. Washington St., please park in one of the following approved areas:

1. Visitor parking on the lower level of the parking garage located on the northwest corner of 10th Avenue and Washington Street. (Enter the garage from Washington Street.) Visitor parking is limited to two hours. Please watch for pedestrians when exiting the garage. Garage parking on the 4th and 5th levels is also permitted. This entrance is on the East side of the garage on 10th Ave. Please drive slow and watch out for pedestrians.
2. Public parking on surface streets is limited and is metered and unmetered.
3. Parking lot on the northwest corner of 12th Avenue and Adams Street and the northwest corner of 13th Avenue and Adams Street.

Operator Certification Database
The Operator Certification Database allows active operators to research the status of their certificates, including expiration dates. You may also use it to run queries on groups of operators, sorting them by type, grade and city. To make corrections or changes to the database contact the Operator Certification Program Coordinator.

Bill Reed
Operator Certification Program Coordinator
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
1110 W. Washington St., 5415B-2
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 771-4638
(602) 771-4634

Contacts
Meetings, Workshops and Training