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
The Operator Certification Program has developed exams to test the minimum skills and qualifications needed to operate water and wastewater systems.

Exam topics include operations, maintenance, system security, regulations, chemistry, chemical feed rates and safety. The exam has 100 questions.

Operator Certification Exam Dates
ADEQ will be the sole proctor for Arizona Operator Certification exams until further notice.

• In order to take an exam you must complete an application and submit it by email by the posted deadline date. Indicate which date and time requested on the application.
• Only one exam can be taken by an applicant on each day.
• There will be a limit to the number of exams proctored for each exam date. Please apply by email early to ensure admittance.
• After ADEQ receives an email with attached application, an email will be sent to the applicant for permission to take the exam.
• Bring photo identification, a non-programmable, non-graphical calculator that has no text storage capability, and two sharpened soft-lead (#2 or HB) pencils.
• There are no fees for this exam.
• No one will be admitted after the exam start time of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• Registration is at 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
• The exams start at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• The exams will be proctored at ADEQ, Room 3175, 1110 W. Washington St., Phoenix at the following times:
  
  

  Deadline Date	Test Date	Time
  March 14, 2008	March 27, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  April 16, 2008	April 30, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  May 16, 2008	May 30, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  July 1, 2008	July 16, 2008	8 a.m. and noon

  Additional Dates and Locations:

  Location	Deadline Date	Test Date	Time
  Flagstaff	February 29, 2008	March 13 and 14, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  Winslow	April 10, 2008	April 24 and 25, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  Pinetop	May 1, 2008	May 15 and 16, 2008	8 a.m. and noon
  Camp Verde	May 25, 2008	June 9 and 10, 2008	8 a.m. and noon

Application for the Operator Certification Exams
In order to take an exam you must complete an ADEQ Application for the Operator Certification Exams (Word) and submit it by email by the posted deadline date.

• After ADEQ receives an application by email, a return email will be sent to the applicant for permission to take the exam.
• This letter must be presented for admission to the testing site for each exam date.

The following information is provided to testing applicants to help prepare for the exams.

• Exam study guides
  These study guides cover all four classifications and grades of state exams. These documents are free and can be downloaded and reproduced for distribution.
  • Water Treatment Grades 1-4
  • Water Distribution Grades 1-4
  • Wastewater Collection Grades 1-4
  • Wastewater Treatment Grades 1-4
  
  
• Formulas and Conversions
  These formulas and conversions are to be used when taking an exam. During the exam a copy of this document will be provided by the testing poctors. However, no other formula sheets will be allowed during the actual exam.
  
  
• Reference Materials
  This is a brief list of references that may be useful when studying for the operator certification exams. However, there may be other publications, training, workshops, conferences or Web sites that also provide valuable information. The exams were developed from a variety of sources and the department recommends applicants for testing use a variety of sources to prepare for an exam.

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, 2007 through June 30, 2008, 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

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