Wastewater
Step 1 – Determine Level of Certification You Need
The level of certification required is determined by the size and operation of your wastewater treatment facility. In Georgia, all certificates must be obtained sequentially. This means that every operator in Georgia either starts at Class IV or Class III. According to GA Rules for Water Quality Control 391-3-6-.12, the Class IV level is reserved for operators of “Biological, waste stabilization ponds and constructed wetlands”. The Class IV certification does not apply to industrial or industrial pretreatment facilities. If you are working at an industrial or industrial pretreatment facility, please see the “Steps to Obtaining a GA Industrial Operator License”.
The information below summarizes the current certification required prior to taking an examination for the next level of certification.
Certificate Applied for – Class IV Current Certificate – No prior certificate required
Certificate Applied for – Class III Current Certificate – No prior certificate required
Certificate Applied for – Class II Current Certificate – Class III
Certificate Applied for – Class I Current Certificate – Class IIn Experience
Step 2 – Obtain Experience
According to GA Board Rules: 750-3.04, the applicant “must have completed experience in the actual system operation prior to taking an examination.” The amount of experience required for each classification level is listed below.
Certification – Class IV – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 1 month, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 1 month
Class III – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 3 months, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 3 months
Class II – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 2 years, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 1 year
Class I – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 3 years, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 2 years
- Note that regardless of education or current certification, everyone must have 3 months of prior experience before taking the Class III exam
Step 3 – Obtain Training
According to GA Board Rules: 750-3.04, the applicant “must have completed the required course work prior to taking the examination and provide proof of completion of course work when they submit their application for certificate to the Board.” The course work requirements for each classification level are listed below, as well as the GWWI course that will satisfy that requirement.
Class IV – Required Course Work – 6 hours basic water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class IV Wastewater Treatment
Class III – Required Course Work – 40 hours basic water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class III Wastewater Treatment
Class II – Required Course Work – 48 hours of advanced water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class II Wastewater Treatment and either Class II Wastewater Laboratory or Wastewater Laboratory Analyst
Class I – Required Course Work – No required course work
Step 4 – Take and Pass the State Exam
Please note that Georgia law requires that steps 2 and 3 be accomplished prior to taking the exam. While many people accomplish step 2 before step 3, this is not required. The applicant must register for the exam through Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. The application process can be performed at www.goamp.com . All exams are proctored, computer-based exams and are given at many testing centers throughout Georgia and the United States. Check the website for the exam location nearest to you and exam schedules. Exams are not given online. Grades will be given to the examinee, prior to leaving the testing location.
Step 5 – Apply to the Georgia Certification Board
The applicant can find applications for certification online at http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/water/. The applicant must fill out the state application and provide documented proof that steps 1-4 have been completed. The application may take several weeks to process. The applicant can follow the status of their application by visiting https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/PLB_AppStatus/.
Water
Step 1 – Determine Level of Certification You Need
The level of certification required is determined by the size and operation of your drinking water treatment facility. In Georgia, all certificates must be obtained sequentially. This means that every operator in Georgia either starts at Class IV or Class III. According to O.C.G.A. § 43-51-6.1., the Class IV level is reserved for very small ground water systems, serving less than 1,000 people. Most operators in Georgia start at the Class III level. The table below summarizes the current certification required prior to taking an examination for the next level of certification.
Certificate Applied for – Class IV Current Certificate – No prior certificate required
Certificate Applied for – Class III Current Certificate – No prior certificate required
Certificate Applied for – Class II Current Certificate – Class III
Certificate Applied for – Class I Current Certificate – Class II
Step 2 – Obtain Experience
According to GA Board Rules: 750-3.04, the applicant “must have completed experience in the actual system operation prior to taking an examination.” The amount of experience required for each classification level is listed below.
Certification – Class IV – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 1 month, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 1 month
Class III – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 3 months, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 3 months
Class II – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 2 years, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 1 year
Class I – Experience required with HS Diploma or GED – 3 years, With Accredited B.S. Degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or equivalent in Wastewater Treatment – 2 years
* Note that regardless of education or current certification, everyone must have 3 months of prior experience before taking the Class III exam
Step 3 – Obtain Training
According to GA Board Rules: 750-3.04, the applicant “must have completed the required course work prior to taking the examination and provide proof of completion of course work when they submit their application for certificate to the Board.” The course work requirements for each classification level are listed below, as well as the GWWI course that will satisfy that requirement.
Class IV – Required Course Work – 6 hours basic water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class IV Drinking Water Treatment
Class III – Required Course Work – 40 hours basic water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class III Drinking Water Treatment
Class II – Required Course Work – 48 hours of advanced water operator course work – Equivalent GWWI Course – Class II Drinking Water Treatment and either Class II Drinking Water Laboratory or Drinking Water Laboratory Analyst
Class I – Required Course Work – No required course work
Step 4 – Take and Pass the State Exam
Please note that Georgia law requires that steps 2 and 3 be accomplished prior to taking the exam. While many people accomplish step 2 before step 3, this is not required. The applicant must register for the exam through Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. The application process can be performed at www.goamp.com . All exams are proctored, computer-based exams and are given at many testing centers throughout Georgia and the United States. Check the website for the exam location nearest to you and exam schedules. Exams are not given online. Grades will be given to the examinee, prior to leaving the testing location.
Step 5 – Apply to the Georgia Certification Board
The applicant can find applications for certification online at http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/water/. The applicant must fill out the state application and provide documented proof that steps 1-4 have been completed. The application may take several weeks to process. The applicant can follow the status of their application by visiting https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/PLB_AppStatus/.
For more information:
Phone: 770-214-0153
Fax: 770-214-0219
www.gwwi.org
Georgia Water and Wastewater Institute
511 Stadium Drive
Carrollton, GA 30117