Water Operator Licensing Program
The Water Operator Licensing Program staff can answer routine
operator inquiries. Below are their phone numbers and other means
for contacting the program:
- Dianna Tillerson, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us,
(512) 239-5638
- Water operator initial license application
processing
- Rule questions and clarification
- Barbara Luther, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us,
(512) 239-3615
- Water operator initial license application
processing
- Class A water operator license exam scheduling
- Barbara Mendieta, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us,
(512) 239-6086
- Water operator, Water Treatment Specialist (WTS), and Customer
Service Inspector (CSI) initial license
application processing
- Out-of-state reciprocity for Water operator, WTS, and CSI
license application processing
- Rule questions and clarification
- Maggie Williams, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us,
(512) 239-6135
- Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT)
initial license application processing
- BPAT and CSI renewal license application
processing
- Out-of-state reciprocity for BPAT license application
processing
- Irene Welsh, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us,
(512) 239-0314
- Water operator and WTS renewal license
application processing
- Water Operations Company initial and renewal registration processing
- Location - The second floor in building A of the TCEQ complex
located at 12100 Park 35 Circle in Austin, Texas.
- Office Hours - 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday (excluding
holidays).
- Fax - 512/239-6272.
- Mailing Address - TCEQ, Water Operator Licensing Program,
MC-178, PO Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.
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Public Water System Operations Companies
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How does an operations company register with the TCEQ?
Submit the registration form (PDF) (Help with PDF)
with the appropriate fee listed below. If an operations
company is bought or sold or a name change occurs, the "new"
company must apply for a new registration.
| Number of Public Water Systems Served | New and Renewal Fees | Validity Period |
| 0 - 4 | $75 | 2 Years |
| 5 - 9 | $150 | 2 Years |
| 10 - 19 | $250 | 2 Years |
| 20 or More | $400 | 2 Years |
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How often must an operations company report to the TCEQ?
Every operations company must submit a report (PDF) (Help with PDF)
within one year and 30 days after each issuance and renewal of the
registration. Governmental entities or quasi-governmental
entities, such as river authorities, that contract to operate a
public water system must also submit a yearly report. The
report must include for each system operated:
- public water system information:
- name,
- ID number,
- location, and
- mailing address.
- name and mailing address of responsible party;
- dates of operation during the reporting period;
- information on each operator employed during the reporting
period:
- name and address,
- license type,
- license class,
- license number, and
- system ID of facility(ies) each operator worked at.
- identify chief operator at each facility; and
- a list of facilities that have been non-compliant during the
reporting period.
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Public Water System Operators
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Why do I need a license?
To assure the public that their drinking water is safe; meets
all drinking water quality standards; and is properly produced,
treated, and distributed by a competent public water system
operator.
Additionally, the law requires it. Please see this link for
facility staffing requirements ( Title 30 TAC, Chapter 290.46(e)(1))
Return to top of Operator Section.
Who will not be issued a license?
Licenses will not be issued to:
- The following support personnel (unless they conduct routine,
on-site operational activities for a public water system):
- secretaries
- utility relations staff;
- meter readers;
- radio dispatchers;
- bookkeepers;
- Administrative officials (unless they conduct routine, on-site
operational activities for a public water system):
- mayors;
- city managers; or
- utility board members.
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How do I become licensed?
To become licensed as a public water system operator, you must
have the required education and experience, complete the related training, pay an application fee, and
pass a qualifying exam.
GED = General Equivalency Diploma
HS = High School Diploma
| To obtain this license class
... | If you have this much education
... | You need this many years of
experience3 ... | You need this much basic training
credit ... | You must pay an application fee of
... | This license remains valid for
... |
A
(waterworks) | Master's Degree2
B achelor's Degree2
H S or GED |
4 Years
5 Years
8 Years (2)* | 160 Hours | $105.00 | 3 Years |
B
(surface water, groundwater, or distribution) | Bachelor's Degree2
H S or GED |
2.5 Years
5 Years (2)* | 100 Hours
Groundwater
and
Distribution
120 Hours
Surface Water | $105.00 | 3 Years |
C
(surface water, groundwater, or distribution) | HS or GED | 2 Years (1)* | 60 Hours | $105.00 | 3 Years |
D1
(water) | HS or GED | None | 20 hours | $70.00 | 2 Years |
1 Class D Water Operator
Licenses are not renewable for surface water treatment plant
operators, operators of groundwater production facilities under the
influence of surface water, operators of groundwater production
facilities with 250 or more connections, operators working as
supervisors in a distribution system with 250 or more connections,
or for individuals who operate multiple systems where the total
number of connections for all systems combined is 250 or
more.
2 Only college degrees with a major in an engineering
discipline eligible for registration as a professional engineer in
Texas, or degrees with a major in chemistry, biology, microbiology,
waterworks utility operation, or similar disciplines are approved
on a case-by-case basis.
3 One year of college (32
semester hours), an additional 40 hours of training credit, or
experience in a related field may be substituted for each year of
experience.
* The number in parenthesis indicates the maximum number of years
permitted for substituting experience.
|
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What type of training must I complete for a license?
All courses listed below are 20-hour courses (except Water
Technology). These training courses may also be applied toward
credit hours for renewal.
R = Required
E = Elective
N/A = Not Applicable
| License Type & Class ---> | D | C
Distribution | C Ground | C
Surface | B
Distribution | B Ground | B
Surface | A |
| Training Course Name |
| Basic Waterworks Operation* | R | R | R | R | E | E | N/A | E |
| Water Distribution* | N/A | R | E | N/A | R | R | R | R |
| Groundwater Production* | N/A | N/A | R | N/A | N/A | R | N/A | R |
| Surface Water Production I | N/A | N/A | N/A | R | N/A | N/A | R | R |
| Surface Water Production II | N/A | N/A | N/A | R | N/A | N/A | R | R |
| Water Laboratory | N/A | E | E | N/A | E | R | R | R |
| Water Utility Safety | N/A | E | E | N/A | R | R | R | R |
| Water Utility Calculations | N/A | E | E | N/A | E | E | N/A | E |
| Water Utility Management*@ | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | E | E | R | R |
| Pump & Motor Maintenance | N/A | E | E | N/A | R | E | N/A | E |
| Valve & Hydrant Maintenance | N/A | E | E | N/A | R | E | N/A | E |
| Chlorinator Maintenance | N/A | E | E | N/A | E | E | N/A | E |
| Water Technology (40 Hours) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | E |
* Course is available by
correspondence. Please call 512/239-6133 for information.
@ Management Training by Correspondence from California State
University - On June 27, 2002, TCEQ notified California State
University at Sacramento that its water and wastewater operator
training course "Utility Management" was re-evaluated and its
approval was changed from 20 hours to eight (8)
hours of general licensing credit. Persons who completed
this course since November 1998 or who registered for the course
before June 27, 2002 and later completed it will still receive 20
hours of management training credit. However, they should be aware
that this course may not have provided them with all the knowledge
and skills necessary for Class A or B operators to adequately
manage a treatment facility. They should consider supplementing
their management training with additional material as needed.
Questions should be directed to Alex Hinz at (512) 239-5638.
|
Return to top of Operator Section.
What do I need to know about an application?
Return to top of Operator Section.
Where can I obtain an application?
Applications are available through the TCEQ's Water Operator
Licensing Program in the Austin central
office or at any TCEQ regional office. The application must be completed in
full, signed, dated, and submitted with the appropriate application
fee (check or money order only). All fees are
non-refundable.
Return to top of Application Section.
What do I need to provide with an application?
In addition to the standard information (name, address, social
security number), you will need to submit supporting documentation
such as:
- copy of certificate of completion for each correspondence
course.
- copy of certificate of completion for
unverified training.
- copy of college transcripts used for experience
substitution.
- copy of current out-of-state license (if applying for
reciprocity).
All statements and qualifications provided by each applicant are
subject to verification.
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When do I pay the application fee?
You must pay the application fee when you arrive to take the
water operator exam. The application fee is valid for one
year.
Return to top of Application Section.
If I qualify for a higher level of licensing, must I apply for
all lower levels first?
No, it is not necessary to apply for a lower level license if
the requirements of a higher level are satisfied. However, to apply
for licensing as a Class A Water Operator, you must be pre-approved
by our Austin central office program staff before taking the exam.
Return to top of Application Section.
What do I need to know for an exam?
Return to top of Operator Section.
What does the exam cover?
Return to top of Exam Section.
What do I need to study?
Study materials for each type and level of licensing
include:
- training manuals for the corresponding required training
courses,
- the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 325 , regulating licensing of public
system personnel, and
- the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 290 , regulating the operation of public
water systems.
Return to top of Exam Section.
What are the special considerations for Class A water operator
exams?
Class A exams must be scheduled by the applicant through the Austin central office after their application for licensing has been approved. Class A exams
are conducted in the Austin central office or at the TWUA annual
and regional schools.
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Where and when are exams held?
Exams are regularly scheduled and administered in the Austin
central office and TCEQ regional offices in accordance with an
established exam schedule.
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What is the minimum passing
score?
All applicants for licensing, except individuals applying for
licensing by reciprocity, must pass the appropriate exam with a
minimum score of 70 percent. Within four weeks of the exam,
applicants can check their exam
results on the web. In six weeks applicants will receive their
examination results by mail.
Return to top of Exam Section.
If I fail, how many times may I retake the test?
You may retake the test a maximum of three times within one year
of the original examination date. To retest, you must wait a
minimum of 60 days between each examination and you must present
your exam analysis to program staff at the exam site as proof of
eligibility to retest. After the fourth test in the one year
period, you will need to submit a new application and fee.
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How long do I have to retake the test?
You must retake the test within one year of the original
examination date before submitting a new application and fee.
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What is acceptable experience?
Return to top of Operator Section.
Class A Experience
- must be in public water system operations
- If you are a college graduate:
- with a masters degree, all four years must be
"hands-on" experience
- with a bachelors degree, all five years must be
"hands-on" experience
- If you are a high school graduate or obtained a GED:
- at least six years of the eight years required must be
"hands-on" experience
- two years of experience may be substituted with:
- additional TCEQ approved water operator training
- college hours
- For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable towards
operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by
the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult
on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator
personnel.
Return to top of Experience.
Class B Experience
- must be in public water system operations
- must be in the same field as the license (e.g., surface water
experience for the surface water field) applied for:
- If you are a college graduate:
- all two and one-half years must be "hands-on"
experience
- If you are a high school graduate or obtained a GED:
- at least three years of the five years required must be
"hands-on" experience
- two years of experience may be substituted with:
- related experience (e.g., groundwater experience for the
surface water field)
- additional TCEQ approved water operator training
- college hours
- For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable toward
operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by
the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult
on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator
personnel.
Return to top of Experience.
Class C Experience
- must be in public water system operations
- must be in the same field as the license (e.g., surface water
experience for the surface water field) applied for:
- at least one year of the two years required must be
"hands-on" experience
- one year of experience may be substituted with:
- related experience (e.g., groundwater experience for the
surface water field)
- additional TCEQ approved water operator training
- college hours
- For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable toward
operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by
the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult
on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator
personnel.
Return to top of Experience.
How will my experience be verified?
You will need to provide references on your application who are
involved with routine, on-site operation of a public water
system.
The following are NOT ACCEPTABLE references
(unless they conduct routine, on-site operational activities for a
public water system):
- secretaries;
- utility relations staff;
- meter readers;
- radio dispatchers;
- bookkeepers;
- mayors;
- city managers; or
- utility board members.
Return to top of Operator Section.
If I hold a license in another state, can I transfer it to
Texas?
Texas issues licenses of reciprocity on a case-by-case basis
with all other states.
To be considered for reciprocity:
- You must hold a current water operator license;
- Your license must have been obtained by exam;
- The license must be mandatory under the other state's laws;
and
- The equivalent education, training, experience, and fee
requirements for the type and class of Texas
license being applied for have been met.
Return to top of Operator Section.
How do I renew my license?
*****IMPORTANT*****
The Eight(8) year Class A Water Licenses issued before
June 1, 2001, must obtain 80 hours of continuing education credit
in order to renew.
The Five(5) year Class B Water Licenses issued before
June 1, 2001, must obtain 50 hours of continuing education credit
in order to renew.
To renew your operator license, you must:
- Submit a completed renewal application and pay the appropriate
fee (no later than 30 days after the license's expiration
date);
- Obtain the appropriate number of continuating education hours
required for renewal between the license's
issue/reissue date and it's expiration date.
A 30-day grace period will no longer be accepted to
obtain the training credit hours required for renewal.
Credit is given for attendance at TCEQ approved training courses, correspondence courses, seminars, and association
meetings on the basis of one credit hour per hour of
attendance.
To check how many credit hours you currently have on file. click here.
| To renew this license class ... | You must obtain this much continuing education ... | You must pay a renewal fee of ... | The license will remain valid for an additional ... |
| A | 30* | $105.00 | 3 Years |
| B | 30* | $105.00 | 3 Years |
| C | 30 | $105.00 | 3 Years |
| D** | 20 | $70.00 | 2 Years |
* Class A or B operators may not
use the "Basic Water" course for renewal credit hours.
** Class D Water Operator Licenses are not renewable for surface
water treatment plant operators, operators of groundwater
production facilities under the influence of surface water,
operators of groundwater production facilities with 250 or more
connections, operators working as supervisors in a distribution
system with 250 or more connections, or for individuals who operate
multiple systems where the total number of connections for all
systems combined is 250 or more. |
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Renewal applications are mailed to the operator's address on
file. The TCEQ is not responsible for undelivered
mail.
What are some of my responsibilities to the TCEQ?
The operator is responsible for:
- Notifying the Austin central office of
any address changes;
- Maintaining personal training records, including:
- Name of training course;
- Location of training course;
- Name of training provider; and
- Date of training course.
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