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Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Operator

Information to obtain a Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor license.

Please review the URL below to become acquainted with the new and revised rules for Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 30, Subchapter F: relating to Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisors, Rules 30.201 - 30.214. Exit the TCEQ effective September 27, 2007.

Why do I need a Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor license?

In accordance with state law, Texas Water Code Chapter 37 Exit the TCEQ, Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 361.027 Exit the TCEQ, and Title 30 Texas Administrative Code, Chapters 30 and 330 rules Exit the TCEQ, by permit and registration, the licensing of a Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor may be mandatory for the operation of a municipal solid waste facility in the State of Texas, to include landfills, transfer stations, processing facilities, and recycling and resource recovery operation facilities. TCEQ is responsible for Licensing Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisors. The responsibilities of a Licensed Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor includes the proper acceptance of waste, processing, storage, and proper disposal of municipal solid waste.

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How do I become licensed?

To become licensed as a Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor, you must have the required education and experience, complete the related training, submit an application with the appropriate application fee, and pass a qualifying exam.

GED = General Equivalency Diploma
HSD = High School Diploma


MSW Facility Supervisor Licensing Information
MSW License Class Validity Period Application Fee- New & Renewal Exam Required Education Required Experience Required New License Training Course Required
A 3 years $111 Yes HSD or GED*
No HSD or GED		 4 years
6 years**		 MSW "A" Course
B 3 years $111 Yes HSD or GED*
No HSD or GED		 2 years
4 years**		 MSW "B" Course
C 3 Years $111 Yes N/A N/A MSW "C" Course
D(1) 3 Years $111 N/A N/A N/A N/A
*HSD or equivalent may be substituted by completing an additional 20 hours of MSW training.
**An individual who applies for a Class B, or A license, and relies on college credit hours as a substitute for meeting the experience requirements, must have those hours in chemistry, biology, engineering, soil science, geosciences, environmental science, or other similar discipline approved by the executive director.
Class B- College credit hours obtained from an accredited institution may be substituted for experience on the basis of 32 hours of credit for one year of experience, up to a maximum of one year.
Class A- College credit hours obtained from an accredited institution may be substituted for experience on the basis of 32 hours of credit for one year of experience, up to a maximum of two years.
(1) Current Class D supervisor licenses shall remain in effect until their expiration date. No applications for Class D supervisor will be accepted after September 1, 2008.

No applications for provisional or solid waste facility supervisor in training letters will be accepted after September 1, 2008. Provisional or solid waste facility supervisor in training letters that were issued before the effective date of these rules shall remain in effect until their expiration date.

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Where do I get training for the Initial MSW license?

TCEQ's Compliance Support Division is seeking Training Providers to develop training courses for the newly implemented MSW Title 30 TAC Chapter 30 Licensing Rules

Review the TCEQ regulatory guidance document RG-373: Approval of Training for Occupational Licensing and the curriculum guidance documents

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Am I allowed to have more than one license?

Yes, an individual may hold more than one class of license. The licensing requirement for each license must be met. To operate a facility or facilities of multiple types then you must have the appropriate class of licenses.

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How do I renew my license?

You will be mailed a renewal notification to the most recent address provided to the executive director at least 60 days before your license expires. This notification will give you instructions for renewing your license using the Texas Online license renewal process. You must also complete the required continuing education credit hours (12 hrs - C, 16 hrs - B, 20 hrs -A) prior to the expiration of your license.

If you are unable to renew on-line, please contact our office immediately to receive a printed renewal application. You can contact the TCEQ Licensing Section at licenses@tceq.state.tx.us or phone (512) 239-6719. Please be sure to include your full name and license number with your request. Remember it is your responsibility to timely submit a renewal application.

MSW Facility Supervisor Licensing Information
To renew this license class... You must obtain this much education... You must pay a renewal fee of... The license will remain valid for an additional...
A 20 Hours $111 3 Years
B 16 Hours $111 3 Years
C 12 Hours $111 3 Years
D** 12 Hours $111 3 Years
**Current Class D supervisor licenses shall remain in effect until their expiration date. No applications for Class D supervisor will be accepted after September 1, 2008.

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Where do I get training for MSW renewals?

  • Institute for Infrastructure and Environmental Development (IIED) Exit the TCEQ (Provider Code: 0304)
    Area served: Statewide
    For more information call 210/520-1905
    Fax 210/520-1915
    E-mail fskiol96@aol.com

  • Amarillo College Exit the TCEQ (Provider Code: 0215)
    Area served: Amarillo area, "C" Class course only
    For more information call 806/335-4350
    Fax 806/335-4351
    E-mail rlfaulkner@actx.edu
    Ron Faulkner
    Director, Technical Training Solutions
    Amarillo College
    East Campus, Bldg M, Room 209
    PO Box 447, Amarillo, Tx 79178

  • Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) (Provider Code:0255)
    Area served: National Conferences, primarily out-of-state, only for approved topics
    For more information call 240/494-2257
    Fax 301/589-7068

  • Texas Solid Waste Association of North America (TxSWANA) (Provider Code:0416)
    Area served: Statewide Conferences and Association Meetings
    For more information call 216/671-8065
    E-mail sheila.overton@dallascityhall.com

  • TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair (Provider Code:0496)
    Area served: Austin Attendees
    For more information e-mail licenses@tceq.state.tx.us

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    Are different classes of licenses required for the different classifications of MSW facilities?

    Each classification of a municipal solid waste (MSW) facility shall employ at least one licensed individual who supervises or manages the operations of a MSW facility. The class of license required for the different classifications of facilities is as follows:

    Type of MSW Facility Class of License Required
    Type I Landfill Facilities Class A
    Type IX Landfill Mining Facilities Class A
    Type IAE Landfill Facilities Class A
    Type IV Landfill Facilities Class B
    Type V Storage and Processing Facilities not otherwise specified Class B
    Type IX Energy or Material Recovery Facilities (other) Class B
    Permitted Compost Facilities Class B
    Registered Compost Facilities Class B
    Type VI Demonstration Facilities Class C
    Type VII Land Application Facilities Class C
    Type VIII Used or Scrap Tire Facilities Class C
    The class of license required for the different classifications of facilities described above are applicable unless the facility's permit or registration specifies that the facility be supervised by a class of supervisor different from that required in the above table. The facility's permit supersedes the requirements listed above.
    All MSW facilities that are required to have a licensed supervisor may operate that facility with its current licensed supervisors until August 31, 2009. Beginning September 1, 2009, all MSW facilities required to have a licensed supervisor who holds a certain license class must meet the requirements of this subchapter.
    MSW facilities that have a supervisor who holds a provisional or solid waste facility supervisor in training letter may continue to operate with that letter until the provisional or solid waste facility supervisor in training letter expires. The facility shall then ensure that at least one individual who supervises or manages the operation of a MSW facility meets the requirements listed in the above table.

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    Are any of MSW facilities exempt from the requirements to have a licensed MSW facility supervisor?

    The following municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities do not require a licensed supervisor;

    • Type IX Beneficial Landfill Gas Recovery Facilities;
    • Animal Crematories, dual chamber incinerators, and air curtain incinerators operating in accordance with an MSW permit by rule; and
    • MSW facilities exempt from permitting or registration, unless otherwise described in §30.210 of this title (relating to Qualifications for Initial License).

    The Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor program can provide you with: license applications, instructions, and general information; training course schedules; training course lists; training, licensing, and renewal records; duplicate and provisional certificates; information on reciprocity; and licensed municipal solid waste facility supervisor lists.

    Remember to notify us of any address or telephone number changes to ensure your timely receipt of licenses, training records, and renewal notices.

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    Contact Information

    For more information regarding licensing, please contact the Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor licensing program at 512/239-6133.

    The MSW Facility Supervisor licensing program is located on the 2nd floor in Building A of the TCEQ complex, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.

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Last Modified Thu, 24 Sep 2009
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