Professional certification can be found in almost every industry in the United States today. Law, construction, auto repair, nursing, accountancy, information technology training, aerobic instructing, social work, engineering, software development, and association management just scratch the surface of the wide range of professions that have voluntary or mandatory certification.

Certification has found its way into almost every industry for a reason: It helps advance the profession. Certification helps employers evaluate potential new hires, analyze job performance, evaluate employees, select contractors, market services, and motivate employees to enhance their skills and knowledge. Certificate holders benefit too. Certification gives recognition of competency, shows commitment to the profession, and helps with job advancement. The wastewater field is no exception to the explosive growth in professional certification. In fact, CWEA led the way offering the watsewater operator certification program in 1937.

Certification in the Wastewater Industry
In the wastewater industry every employer has a general obligation to perform due diligence in ensuring the competency of the personnel providing services at public facilities. Wastewater certification provides employers with evidence that the certificate holder has demonstrated a certain level of job-related knowledge, skills and abilities. It provides a documented level of assurance that employees are competent in safe work practices. Certification provides concrete evidence to board members and citizens that the agency is staffed with people who know what they are doing and is competitive in any comparison of quality of service.

Certification For Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
On October 18, 2002, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) announced that it was discontinuing the Office of Operator Certification and its wastewater treatment plant operator certification program because of budgetary difficulties. CWEA alerted its members via email the same day the announcement was made and began its efforts to keep mandatory certification for operators in place. CWEA members reacted by sending letters and emails to SWRCB and Governor Gray Davis urging them to keep the operator certification program. CWEA also began looking into the possibility of offering its services in response to SWRCB's hope that an industry association might take the program over. Two weeks later SWRCB announced that the program would be saved and that it would consider raising examination and certification fees to make the program fiscally sound. Its clear that the efforts of CWEA members, as well as other concerned individuals and organizations, helped the SWRCB to understand the importance of mandatory operator certification.

To work in a public wastewater treatment plant or a private wastewater treatment plant regulated by the PUC, you must have a valid wastewater treatment plant operator certificate or an operator-in-training certificate. There are three major things that you must do to get certified:

1. You must take courses in wastewater treatment plant operations.
2. You must pass a written exam.
3. You must meet experience requirements and submit a fee and an application for a certificate.

CWEA Wastewater Certifications
CWEA, through the Technical Certification Program (TCP), develops and administers competency tests for wastewater personnel in a number of wastewater professions other than plant operations. The tests are being constantly developed and revised by CWEA member subject matter experts. Tests are given throughout the year in the six specialties, with up to four grade levels per specialty, in California, Michigan, and Alaska. Certificates of competence are issued to successful examinees.

Drinking Water Treatment Plant Operator
Drinking water operator certification is separate from wastewater operator certification. Drinking water treatment plant operator certification is required to work as an operator in a treatment plant that produces water for human consumption in homes and businesses. The California Department of Health Services administers the water treatment plant operator certification program. They take applications, give exams and issue certificates to applicants who meet the requirements.

Successful Certificate Candidates Need Employer Support
Although certain occupations require certification, and some make it voluntary, all certification programs are designed to encourage professionals to expand their knowledge through training and education and ultimately enhance the safe and effective practices in the field. Employers can encourage participation in professional certification by integrating it as a goal in a training program. Most successful certificate candidates have the support of their employers. Employers provide in-house training, pay for relevant college courses or other training events, supply books and other training materials, and sometimes allow time to study at work. Candidates that do not have employer support, other than being required to become certified, often find it difficult to prepare, have a lower pass rate, and feel that professional development is a low priority for the employer.

For More Information

CWEA Technical Certification Program (TCP)
How to get certified
Benefits to Employers
For More Information Email:

Certification offered by CWEA:

• Collection System Maintenance
  
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance
• Electrical/Instrumentation
  
• Mechanical Technologist
  
• Laboratory Analysis
  
• Biosolids Land Application Management
  
• Environmental Compliance Inspection
  
• Industrial Treatment Plant Operations

State Water Resources Control Board
Office of Operator Certification
P.O. Box 944212
Sacramento, CA 94244-2120
http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/cwphome/opcert/

Certifications Offered by SWRCB:

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Department of Health Services
Office of Drinking Water
Certification Unit
PO Box 942732
Sacramento, CA 94234-7320
(916) 327-1140
http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ddwem/publications/opcert/index.htm

Certifications Offered by DOH:

• Drinking water treatment Operator
• Distribution Operator

California Nevada Section American Waterworks Association
10574 Acacia St. Suite D6
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Phone: (909) 481-7200
www.ca-nv-awwa.org/cert/certmn.htm

Certifications Offered by Cal Nevada AWWA:

• Backflow Prevention
  
• Cross-Connection Control
  
• Laboratory Analyst
  
• Water Conservation
  
• Water Distribution