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.
On November 22, 2020, Governor DeWine signed HB 404 which revises the expiration date of all licenses expiring between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021. Therefore, certificates due to expire on December 31, 2020 will now expire and become invalid on July 1, 2021.
Operators who did not renew their certificates by November 30, 2020 will not need to request an extension as indicated in their renewal notice. The extended expiration date is available to all operators who have not renewed certificates that expire in 2020.
This legislation did not change other provisions in the operator certification rules. Therefore, Ohio EPA is still encouraging operators to renew as soon as possible and use this provision only if necessary.
If you have any questions about your renewal or are having trouble obtaining continuing education credit, feel free to contact the operator certification unit at opcert@epa.ohio.gov or the operator certification hotline at 866-411-OPCT(6728).
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 will not be holding May 2021 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.
On November 22, 2020, Governor DeWine signed HB 404 which revises the expiration date of all licenses expiring between March 9, 2020 and April 1, 2021 to July 1, 2021. Therefore, certificates due to expire on December 31, 2020 will now expire and become invalid on July 1, 2021.
Operators who did not renew their certificates by November 30, 2020 will not need to request an extension as indicated in their renewal notice. The extended expiration date is available to all operators who have not renewed certificates that expire in 2020.
This legislation did not change other provisions in the operator certification rules. Therefore, Ohio EPA is still encouraging operators to renew as soon as possible and use this provision only if necessary.
If you have any questions about your renewal or are having trouble obtaining continuing education credit, feel free to contact the operator certification unit at opcert@epa.ohio.gov or the operator certification hotline at 866-411-OPCT(6728).
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.