Certified Operators

Most operator functions, including exam and renewal applications, are completed through the eBusiness Center. Please ensure you have a valid email as all eBusiness Center correspondence is sent by email. Please click the links below to see instructions for the available services:

• Obtaining an eBusiness Center Account
• Obtaining a Personal Identification Number (PIN) — Required for application submittals 
• Requesting Operator Service
• Ohio EPA Paper and Pencil Examination Application (Video) 
• Certification Application (Video) — NOTE: This for Third-Party Examinees ONLY
• Reciprocity Application (Video)
• Renewal Application (Video) (eBiz is the only accepted application starting in 2018) 
  • Webinar 
  • FAQ 
• Operator contact hour application (Video) — Applications must be submitted within 30 days of course completion.
• Update Contact Information

• Learn how to become a certified water or wastewater operator
• Education and Experience Requirements 
• FAQ (coming soon) 
• Hierarchy Chart – Clarification on holding more than one certificate.
• An applicant holding a valid certificate or license from another state or province can apply for Reciprocity. More information about reciprocity can be found in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3745-7-13.
• Class A Certification Fact Sheet
• Class III Certification Fact Sheet

Interested in becoming a water or wastewater operator but don’t have enough time or experience? If you pass an approved exam (Ohio EPA or third party) prior to obtaining the required operating experience, you will be considered Operator-in-Training* (OIT).

If you pass an Ohio EPA examination, when you obtain the required operating experience you will need to fill out the OIT documentation form (PDF or Word).

If you pass a third-party examination, you will need to submit an application for certification through the eBusiness Center when you have completed the required operating experience. There is a $45 fee for the third-party certification application and the required operating experience must be documented.

* This excludes class III and IV examinations.

Ohio’s certified operators are required to complete contact hour training to renew their certificates. Online renewals will become available on August 1 of your renewal year. It is your responsibility to update your contact information to ensure you receive all correspondence.

• NEW! Training Calendar - Click here for information about upcoming approved contact hour training events.
• Frequently Asked Questions for eBusiness Center Renewals 
• Renewal Palm Card 
• Contact Hour Requirements
• Below is a complete list of approved courses separated for water and wastewater. All training dates must be scheduled to be considered approved. Please ensure with the provider that the date has been scheduled. Internet and correspondence courses are not scheduled. 
  • Water (as of Nov. 15, 2019) 
  • Wastewater (as of Nov. 15, 2019) 
• Note: As of April 21, 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) courses approved through Ohio EPA DDAGW Central Office that were taken after April 21, 2017 will no longer be accepted for Operation & Maintenance (OM) hours. These courses will still be accepted for Other (X) hours. Please refer to the above lists for the new approval numbers for the associated courses.
• Internet and Correspondence providers — To be added to the list, please contact the Operator Certification Unit at (614) 644-2752. 
  • Water Internet and Correspondence Courses
  • Wastewater Internet and Correspondence Courses
• Greenleaf Training Providers
• De-activated Internet Courses

Ohio EPA maintains lists of certified operators and contract operators across the state.

• Active Certified Operators with Valid Certificates
• Contract Operators

Operator of Record Lists

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

Operator of Record (ORC) Notification Form

• ORC forms (Word) must be submitted within three days of the change. This is the responsibility of both owner and operator.
• For questions regarding the ORC Notification Form, please contact the following: 
  • Water Supply or Distribution: Contact DDAGW at (614) 644-2752 and ask for the Operations Unit. 
  • Wastewater and Collection: Contact the Division of Surface Water at (614) 644-2001.

The eBusiness Center is required for all training provider functions. Please click the links below for instructions on how to get started.

• Obtaining eBusiness Center Account
• Obtaining a Personal Identification Number (PIN) — Required for application submittals
• Activate Training Provider Service
• Apply for Ohio EPA Contact Hour Course Approval (Video)
• Schedule Training Dates for “OEPA” Prefix Courses (Video) — The first and any subsequent training dates must be scheduled. 
• Uploading Attendance (Video) — Attendance must be uploaded within 60 days of course completion. The operator’s Core ID is required. The Core ID is the digits between the dashes of the operator’s license number.
• Update/Change Contact — Do not deactivate PIN if you are only updating information.  

Green Leaf providers have received authority from Ohio EPA to issue their own unique course approval numbers without submitting course approval applications. If you meet the minimum requirements in Ohio Administrative Code 3745-7-15, you can apply for the Green Leaf program. Green Leaf providers must submit training by the first of the month for each month they are conducting training.

• Green Leaf Provider Application
• Green Leaf Provider Course Upload (Video) 
• Green Leaf Provider Attendance Upload (Video) — Attendance must be uploaded within 30 days of course completion. The operator’s Core ID is required. The Core ID is the digits between the dashes of the operator’s license number

• Example Sign-In Sheet
• Example Course Completion Certificate
• Training Provider Guidance

• Exam Dates and Deadlines 2019 (PDF), 2020 (PDF) — Applications must be submitted electronically with PIN and payment by the exam deadline. The final step of the process is to mail in a hardcopy of your application with your supervisor’s signature. If you have any questions, please call our office at (866) 411-6728.
  • After you obtain approval to take an examination you will need to print your exam entrance letter. This will be emailed to you and can be found in your Operator Service. You must bring this to the exam.
• Operator in Training (OIT) Documentation form (Word)

Need-to-know Criteria

The following documents provide need-to know criteria that test-takers will be expected to know for each type of 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]

As an alternative to Ohio EPA’s paper and pencil examination, Ohio EPA has approved the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) as an approved examination provider. Operators may now choose to take ABC examinations and then seek Ohio certification for all levels of certification except Class IV.

Ensure you meet the requirements prior to taking the Class III exam. Operator-in-Training is not available at the Class III level. 

Third-party exams can be taken in Ohio or any other location around the country. Ohio testing locations: Cleveland; Cincinnati; Columbus; Akron; Cambridge; Troy; and Toledo. Locations are subject to change, please click here to find current and out-of-state testing locations. 

• Schedule an Examination through ABC
• ABC’s Ohio EPA information page — Study material for the ABC exam can be found in the orange box on the left side.
• Apply for certification after passing a third-party examination — Ensure you have met the experience requirements prior to applying. No refunds will be awarded for the $45 application review fee.

• Class IV Eligibility Requirements
• Class IV Exam Application
  • Be sure to indicate classification of plant when filling out experience information.
  • Be sure to include Table of Organization and an official Position Description signed by supervisor. 
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Policy statement, Guidance and Examination 
  • Additional guidance on wastewater plant section 
• Advisory Council Class IV exam review checklists
  • Drinking water
  • Wastewater

• Courses and Experience Credit — These courses can be taken to reduce operating experience requirements. Only courses which are in the field for which you are applying can used for experience credit. Please contact the Operator Certification Unit with any questions. 
• Free Class A Water Operator Training
• Free Class A Wastewater Operator Training — Note: This course is not approved for contact hours. This course can be used to assist in preparing for the Class A Wastewater exam.