Ohio EPA has developed a new minimum staffing reporting tool. The tool is available through the ebusiness center and can be used in lieu of reporting minimum staffing on your eDMR or eDWR. Directions for using this tool can be found below:
Minimum Staffing Reporting Tool
Ohio EPA recognizes the tremendous challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on Ohio’s water utilities and their dedicated professional operators. Ohio EPA has worked closely with training providers and provided prompt review and approval of new online courses to ensure Ohio certified professional operators have access to as may training options as possible. Ohio EPA acknowledges that some professional operators may need additional time to change from planned in-person training to online or correspondence options.
Ohio EPA encourages all Ohio professional certified operators to make every effort to meet the current renewal deadline of December 31, 2020. Ohio EPA recognizes COVID19 has significantly changed the way operators and training providers are dealing with continuing education. In order to provide an option for professional operators whose current certificates are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020, Ohio EPA will allow professional operators the ability to request a one-time only 90 day extension of the renewal deadline in accordance with provisions in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 3745-7-15(L). If a professional operator feels they cannot submit a completed renewal application by December 31, 2020, the professional operator may submit a request for an extension of the renewal deadline.
This extension falls within Ohio EPA’s current rules and does not permit an operator to maintain their certification beyond the existing grace period. It is a short-term extension designed to allow a small sub-set of operators, who demonstrate an extension need (COVID-19 illness, inability to remote access training), the ability to remain as Operators of Record while they complete and submit their remaining contact hours.
In order to receive this extension a professional operator must do the following:
- Between November 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 submit a written request to the Ohio EPA Operator Certification Unit at opcert@epa.ohio.gov
- The written request shall include the operator’s full name, Core Person ID (the numbers after “OPCT-” above), and a reason why the extension is necessary.
- Upon approval of the extension, instructions regarding steps necessary for renewal will be provided to the professional operator.
- Operators who receive this approval will be allowed to continue to act as operators of record and will not be charged a late fee until March 31, 2020.
Ohio EPA has also worked closely with training providers to expand online training options and all the major training organizations in Ohio have converted to some form of web-based training. Correspondence training (e.g. California State at Sacramento Office of Water Programs) is also an option for obtaining contact hours for those who do not have a computer. These courses generally have a large number of contact hours for a relatively low price. A list of internet and correspondence training providers can be found at the following link.
https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/opcert/Internet_and_Correspondence_training.pdf
Ohio EPA greatly values our partnership with the water utility sector and Ohio professional certified operators across the state.
Ohio EPA has canceled the May and November 2020 paper and pencil examinations at the Ohio EXPO Center due to the following factors:
- Concern regarding Ohio EPA’s ability to ensure your safety and the safety of Ohio EPA staff;
- Continuing uncertainty with the COVID-19 crisis and ability to hold large gatherings;
- Franklin County’s Level 3 Public Health emergency; and
- Concern with The Ohio Expo Center’s ability to reopen by November.
Ohio EPA exams for becoming certified as a professional water or wastewater operator are available through our approved third-party examination provider, the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). ABC is administering water and wastewater examinations to very small groups in 9 locations throughout the state. All applications for examination go directly through ABC’s examination portal.
You can schedule an exam at this weblink http://online.goamp.com/CandidateHome/CandidateInformation.aspx
Examinations are given 5-6 days per week (depending on site) and an examination can be taken once every 30 days.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Ohio EPA’s operator certification unit at 1-866-411-OPCT (6728) or opcert@epa.ohio.gov.
Ohio EPA is receiving inquiries regarding the cancellation of in person trainings due to precautions being taken to address COVID-19. Operators are asking what options are available to receive training necessary in the event they have a certificate that is due for renewal at the end of this year.
There is a large inventory of either correspondence or online training approved for operators to use. We maintain a list of internet and correspondence training providers at the following link: https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/opcert/Internet_and_Correspondence_training.pdf
If you would like to obtain contact hours during the period precautionary measures are being taken, we would suggest contacting the training providers on the above referenced list. If you wish to develop your own internal or internet based courses you may submit an application for approval through the Ohio EPA ebusiness center. Directions for doing this can be found under the ebusiness tab below. Ohio Administrative Code Rule 3745-7-15 contains the criteria for approval of web based course approvals.
Access to any services, lists or forms you may need as an operator, or to become an operator, can be found here. Use the eBusiness Center, to submit a variety of applications, access your profile, update contact information and pay fees online.
NEW REQUIRED TRAINING: Starting Aug. 15, 2018, all applicants will need to review the Operator Certification Required Training document prior to submitting the Ohio EPA exam, third-party exam certification, reciprocity and renewal applications and Operator-in-Training forms.
NEW RENEWAL GRACE PERIOD: The operator renewal application grace period has been reduced to 6 months. All 2019 renewals must be received by June 30, 2020. If a complete renewal application is not received by June 30, 2020, you must re-take the examination to be certified.
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:
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 EPA recognizes the tremendous challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on Ohio’s water utilities and their dedicated professional operators. Ohio EPA has worked closely with training providers and provided prompt review and approval of new online courses to ensure Ohio certified professional operators have access to as may training options as possible. Ohio EPA acknowledges that some professional operators may need additional time to change from planned in-person training to online or correspondence options.
Ohio EPA encourages all Ohio professional certified operators to make every effort to meet the current renewal deadline of December 31, 2020. Ohio EPA recognizes COVID19 has significantly changed the way operators and training providers are dealing with continuing education. In order to provide an option for professional operators whose current certificates are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020, Ohio EPA will allow professional operators the ability to request a one-time only 90 day extension of the renewal deadline in accordance with provisions in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 3745-7-15(L). If a professional operator feels they cannot submit a completed renewal application by December 31, 2020, the professional operator may submit a request for an extension of the renewal deadline.
This extension falls within Ohio EPA’s current rules and does not permit an operator to maintain their certification beyond the existing grace period. It is a short-term extension designed to allow a small sub-set of operators, who demonstrate an extension need (COVID-19 illness, inability to remote access training), the ability to remain as Operators of Record while they complete and submit their remaining contact hours.
In order to receive this extension a professional operator must do the following:
- Between November 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 submit a written request to the Ohio EPA Operator Certification Unit at opcert@epa.ohio.gov
- The written request shall include the operator’s full name, Core Person ID (the numbers after “OPCT-” above), and a reason why the extension is necessary.
- Upon approval of the extension, instructions regarding steps necessary for renewal will be provided to the professional operator.
- Operators who receive this approval will be allowed to continue to act as operators of record and will not be charged a late fee until March 31, 2020.
Ohio EPA has also worked closely with training providers to expand online training options and all the major training organizations in Ohio have converted to some form of web-based training. Correspondence training (e.g. California State at Sacramento Office of Water Programs) is also an option for obtaining contact hours for those who do not have a computer. These courses generally have a large number of contact hours for a relatively low price. A list of internet and correspondence training providers can be found at the following link.
https://epa.ohio.gov/Portals/28/documents/opcert/Internet_and_Correspondence_training.pdf
Ohio EPA greatly values our partnership with the water utility sector and Ohio professional certified operators across the state.
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.
Ohio EPA maintains lists of certified operators and contract operators across the state.
Operator of Record Lists
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.
Contract operators and contract operations companies work to provide operator services to public water systems or wastewater treatment facilities. Any lists or forms you may need as a contract operator, an owner of a contract operating company or a system in need of an operator can be found here.
As of Aug. 15, 2018, all contract operators and contract operating companies must submit a completed application for approval by Sept. 15, 2018. Any new contract operators or contract operating companies must submit a completed registration form at least 30 days prior to initiating contract operations. The completed registration form shall include a sample contract. An example contract is provided below. There is no fee for this application.
All training providers must use the eBusiness Center to apply for course approval, schedule training events, upload attendance and update contact information. Information and instructions regarding all the services available to training providers are provided below. All course approval applications must have a syllabus, agenda and instructor credentials. All approvals must be submitted within 30 days of course completion, and all attendance must be uploaded within 60 days.
- NEW! Training Calendar - Click here for information about upcoming approved contact hour training events.
The eBusiness Center is required for all training provider functions. Please click the links below for instructions on how to get started.
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.
October 15, 2020 Council meeting: This meeting will be held virtually using Microsoft Teams. If you would like to attend the meeting please use the following link Join Microsoft Teams Meeting Or dial 614-721-2972 and enter the Conference ID 324578251#.
The Operator Certification Advisory Council is a group of eight experts in the fields of water and wastewater treatment. The council provides guidance and input to Ohio's water and wastewater operator certification program. More information about the board members and duties, please refer to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 3745-7-10.
2020 Council Schedule (PDF)