Water Supply & Wastewater Treatment System Operators Licensing
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL LICENSED OPERATOR FAQ’S
Q1. How does an individual become certified?
Q2. How long are licenses valid?
Q3. What is operating experience?
Q4. What is direct responsible charge experience?
Q5. Does New Jersey grant reciprocity to out-of-state license holders?
Q6. Can I pay my renewal fee online?
Q7. How do I notify DEP that I will no longer be serving as the licensed operator in charge at a system or that I
am the new licensed operator at a system?
Q8. How can I look up the license information for a water and/or wastewater system operator?
APPLICATION FAQ’S
Q9. How do I apply for an examination?
Q10. When are the application closing dates?
Q11. Can you apply for more than one exam on the same application?
Q12. Can I apply for more than one exam in the same exam cycle?
EXAM FAQ’S
Q13. How often are the examinations given?
Q14. Can I reschedule my exam?
Q15. After taking an exam, how will I be notified of the results?
Q16. I work at a utility that has multiple water and/or wastewater facility classifications. If I have one year total
operating experience, does that satisfy the experience needed to qualify to take multiple examinations (e.g.,
both treatment and conveyance, or both water and wastewater treatment, etc.)?
COURSES & CONTINUING EDUCATION FAQ’S
Q17. What courses are acceptable for operator license renewal?
Q18. What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal?
Q19. What are the DEP-approved training courses and who provides them?
Q20. What are the California State – Sacramento At Home Correspondence Course Alternatives?
Q21. How can I find out how many Training Contact Hours (TCHs) I have received and how many are needed for
license renewal?
Q22. Who do I contact if I was not credited for Training Contact Hours (TCHs)?
Q23. I have completed the required training course(s) to be eligible to sit for an examination. Am I eligible for
reimbursement by the DEP?
Q24. I want to become a training provider of water/wastewater related courses. How do I obtain approval from
the DEP?
Q25. As a training provider how can I verify my courses and associated rosters have been entered in your
system?
Q26. As a training provider who do I contact if my courses and rosters have not been entered or the information
is incorrect?
General Licensed Operator FAQ’s
Q1. How does an individual become certified?
The candidate must pass a DEP-approved examination for each license. The following minimum
education and experience are required to be eligible for each exam. Please note the following
definitions: "Associates degree" means successful completion of two years of formal education
at an accredited college resulting in an engineering or related science degree or post-secondary
vocational program or a bachelor’s degree in a field that does not meet the requirements of the
bachelor’s degree category. "Bachelor’s degree" means four years of formal education at an
accredited college resulting in an engineering or related science degree.
VSWS
• Minimum of High School diploma or equivalency certificate
• Completion of NJDEP approved training course
• 6 months of operating experience
License Classes S-1, T-1, W-1, and C-1
• Minimum of High School diploma or equivalency certificate
• Completion of NJDEP approved training course
• One year of operating experience
License Classes S-2, T-2, W-2, and C-2
• Completion of DEP approved training course
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate plus 3 years operating experience
• Associate’s degree plus 2 years operating experience
• Bachelors degree plus 1.5 years operating experience
License Classes S-3, T-3, W-3, and C-3
• Completion of DEP approved training course
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate plus 6 years of experience (3
years operating experience and 3 years direct responsible charge experience)
• Associates degree plus 4 years of experience (2 years operating experience and 2
years direct responsible charge experience)
• Bachelors degree plus 3 years of experience (1.5 years operating experience and
1.5 years of direct responsible charge experience)
License Classes S-4, T-4, W-4, and C-4
• Completion of DEP approved training course
• High School Diploma or equivalency certificate plus 10 years of experience (6
years operating experience and 4 years direct responsible charge experience)
• Associates degree plus 7 years of experience (4 years operating experience and 3
years direct responsible charge experience)
• Bachelors degree plus 5 years of experience (3 years operating experience and 2
years of direct responsible charge experience)
License Class N-1
• Completion of DEP approved industrial wastewater training course
• Minimum of High School diploma or equivalency certificate
• One year of operating experience
License Class N-2
• Completion of DEP approved industrial wastewater training course
• High School diploma or equivalency certificate plus 3 years operating experience
• Associates Degree plus 2 years operating experience
• Bachelors degree plus 1.5 years operating experience
License Class N-3
• Completion of DEP approved industrial wastewater training course
• High School diploma or equivalency certificate plus 6 years operating experience
• Associates Degree plus 4 years operating experience
• Bachelors degree plus 3 years operating experience
License Class N-4
• Completion of DEP approved industrial wastewater training course
• High School diploma or equivalency certificate plus 10 years operating
experience
• Associates Degree plus 7 years operating experience
• Bachelors degree plus 5 years operating experience
Q2. How long are licenses valid?
Licenses are valid from the date of issuance to September 30. License holders receive renewal
invoices every August. Renewal and initial invoices are available online here. If a previous
license holder fails to renew a license within one year following the renewal date of the license,
a license will not be issued until the current requirements for the license are met and a new
qualifying exam is passed.
Q3. What is operating experience?
Operating experience is the time spent in the satisfactory performance of operational duties at
a system which is acceptable to the Board of Examiners which reviews Statements of
Qualifications included in every application. For an industrial wastewater treatment system (N)
license, manufacturing and process experience may be acceptable in lieu of operating
experience.
Q4. What is direct responsible charge experience?
Direct responsible charge experience means active, daily, on-site supervision, including
operation and maintenance responsibilities in a system with a classification no less than one
classification lower than the license sought. This experience shall be gained while in possession
of a license no less than one grade lower than the license sought.
Q5. Does New Jersey grant reciprocity to out-of-state license holders?
Individuals holding licenses issued by other State(s) may apply to the Board of Examiners to be
considered for an equivalent New Jersey license. The applicant must meet the minimum
education and experience requirements for the New Jersey license and must have passed an
examination that is considered equivalent to the New Jersey exam. Also, New Jersey may only
grant reciprocity for another State’s license if that State grants reciprocity to New Jersey
licensees.
Q6. Can I pay my renewal fee online?
Yes. Go to DEP Online and select Pay for a License (listed under Non-Registered Services). You
must have your invoice number, license number and credit card/checking account information
available to utilize this service. Renewal and initial invoice numbers are available online here.
Q7. How do I notify DEP that I will no longer be serving as the licensed operator in charge at a
system or that I am the new licensed operator at a system?
Complete and submit the DEP-065 form “Licensed Operator in Charge Employment Notification
Form (Water) or the DEP-065 form “Licensed Operator in Charge Employment Notification
Form (Wastewater) to the Bureau of Licensing & Registration. The form must be completed and
signed by both the licensed operator and the system owner or administrator. Licensed
operators shall notify DEP at least two weeks prior to changing positions or employment. The
owner of a system employing a new licensed operator shall notify DEP within two weeks after
the licensed operator begins his/her employment.
Q8. How can I look up the license information for a water and/or wastewater system
operator?
Click here to get a report all water and wastewater license holders which includes information
on what license(s) they currently hold.
Application FAQ’s
Q9. How do I apply for an examination?
For T, W, S, C, N, or VSWS license(s) complete Examination Application for License to Operate
(Form #ADM-035) and the accompanying Statement of Qualifications (Form #ADM-035A).
Include documentation of High School Diploma and completion of necessary training courses.
The statement of qualifications must include an original signature by the appropriate signatory
which is typically the licensed operator in charge at the system but in some cases may be the
system owner or administrator. The non-refundable $70 application fee must be included with
each individual application. Applications that are received without the appropriate
documentation and/or fee will be returned without Board of Examiner review. Applications
must be postmarked no later than February 1st for the March exam, June 1st for the July exam,
and September 1st for the October exam.
Q10. When are the application closing dates?
The application closing dates are February 1st for the March examination, June 1st for the July
examination and September 1st for the October examination. Applications must be posted-
marked by the closing dates.
Q11. Can you apply for more than one exam on the same application?
No, you must submit a separate application for each license type applied for, you must have an
updated Statement of Qualifications for each license type.
Q12. Can I apply for more than one exam in the same exam cycle?
You may apply for multiple exams in the same exam cycle. However, a separate exam
application and a separate $70 fee must be submitted for each license type, and all individual
applications and fees must be sent together in one package.
The same Statement of Qualifications, each with an original signature (no copies), must be
provided for each exam application indicating the appropriate percentage of time for each job
duty. The Board will immediately reject all applications where inconsistent information is
presented on multiple applications.
Exams have a 3-hour time limit therefore applicants may take no more than two exams per day.
If you are approved to take more than two exams in the same exam cycle, third and subsequent
exams will be scheduled on different day(s).
Exam FAQ’s
Q13. How often are the examinations given?
Examinations for Licensed Operators are given three times a year in March, July and October.
Q14. Can I reschedule my exam?
Yes, examinations may be rescheduled but only for emergency situations. Please send a letter
to our office detailing why you could not make the scheduled exam and that you wish to be
scheduled for the next examination. Note that an additional $70 fee will be required for any
rescheduled exam because once the exam booklets are ordered, they cannot be returned or
refunded.
Q15. After taking an exam, how will I be notified of the results?
Approximately 7 to 10 working days following the exams, the names of candidates that Passed
an exam will be posted here. If your name does not appear on the Passed list, then you failed
that exam and you will receive a copy of the exam analysis via email. If you passed an exam,
you will receive a bill for the initial license fee within 2 to 3 weeks or you can check online for
your invoice at any time by clicking here. Candidates that pass an exam will only be provided an
analysis of their test results upon request via email through [email protected]. No one is
permitted to review the actual exams in accordance with the exam vendor’s protocol.
Q16. I work at a utility that has multiple water and/or wastewater facility classifications. If I
have one year total operating experience, does that satisfy the experience needed to qualify
to take multiple examinations (e.g., both treatment and conveyance, or both water and
wastewater treatment, etc.)?
The Board reviews applications to determine if the applicant meets exam admission criteria on
a case-by-case basis. The Board of Examiners may consider the percentage of time documented
for job duties in terms of relevance to each license type, with the understanding that certain
job duties may be specific to one license type and others may overlap. If you have gained
experience in multiple areas (e.g., treatment and conveyance) during the same period of time
while employed in the same position, please specify the appropriate percentages of time in
each area.
Individuals must have the appropriate amount of documented experience in each area in order
to be eligible for each exam. An applicant employed solely in one specific area of operations
who demonstrates little or no experience in the area for which the license is sought will not be
approved for admission to that exam. For this reason, particularly for class 1 and class 2 exams,
an applicant employed at a smaller utility where he is the jack-of-all-trades may be better
positioned to acquire the experience needed to qualify for multiple license types more
expeditiously than an applicant employed at a larger utility with a more specialized job position.
The latter applicant may need to serve in multiple positions in different areas of operations in
order to demonstrate the appropriate amount of experience needed to qualify for multiple
license types.
Courses & Continuing Education FAQ’s
Q17. What courses are acceptable for operator license renewal?
Only water-related courses are accepted for water licenses. Only wastewater-related courses
are accepted for wastewater licenses. Some courses may be valid for both water and
wastewater licenses.
1. Water/wastewater-related Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that adhere to the criteria
set forth by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
are accepted on the basis of 1 CEU = 10 TCHs.
2. Training programs and courses that have been approved by NJDEP are accepted. These
courses will have NJDEP course approval numbers.
3. College credit for courses which are directly relevant to the operation, maintenance or
management of a wastewater or water system and which address influences on water
quality, public health or environmental protection will be issued 15 TCHs for each credit
hour.
Q18. What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal?
License holders must acquire Training Contact Hours (TCHs) in order to meet continuing
education requirements for license renewal. The minimum number of TCHs specified for each
license must be acquired within fixed three-year cycles. An individual that is licensed for less
than the full three-year cycle is not required to obtain TCHs for license renewal during that
initial three-year cycle. For new licensees, the TCH requirement does not take effect until the
following three-year cycle. If a license upgrade is acquired during the same three-year cycle, the
TCH requirement for the lesser license classification is required. For example, a licensee that
holds a T-2 license at the start of the three-year cycle and upgrades the license to a T-3 within
the same three-year period, will be required to obtain 18 TCHs, NOT 36 TCHs.
The fixed three-year cycles are:
• October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2021 and every three years thereafter
The number of TCHs required every three-year cycle for license types:
• C-3, C-4, N-3, N-4, S-3, S-4, T-3, T-4, W-3, W-4
36 hrs (maximum of 12 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
• C-1, C-2, N-1, N-2, S-1, S-2, T-1, T-2, W-1, W-2
18 hrs (maximum of 6 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
• VSWS
12 hrs (maximum of 4 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
All Licenses
• 7 TCHs are awarded for passing an examination in the appropriate field
• 3 TCHs are awarded for any Red Cross conducted or sponsored First Aid or CPR Class
• 1 TCH is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in the NJ Section of the
American Water Works Association (NJAWWA) for water licenses. (maximum of 3 TCHs
may be applied for memberships for each applicable license per cycle)
• 1 TCH is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in the NJ Water
Environment Association (NJWEA) for wastewater licenses (maximum of 3 TCHs may be
applied for memberships for each applicable license per cycle)
• 0.5 TCH is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in any other
water/wastewater professional association recognized by the Advisory Committee
(maximum of 3 TCHs may be applied for memberships for each applicable license)
• • hour-per-hour (maximum of 36 hrs) is awarded to Instructors of the initial certification
courses (Intro to Water/Wastewater, Advanced Water, Advanced Wastewater,
Collection Systems, Industrial Wastewater Treatment, and VSWS training) toward the
appropriate license
Q19. What are the DEP-approved training courses and who provides them?
The following required training courses are provided by several academic institutions, click here
• Introduction to Water/Wastewater Course for T1, W1, S1, C1
• Advanced Water Course for T2, W2
• Advanced Wastewater Course S2
• Collections Course for C2
• Industrial Wastewater Course for N1, N2, N3, N4
• Very Small Water System Course for VSWS
Q20. What are the California State – Sacramento At Home Correspondence Course
Alternatives?
The CA State At Home Correspondence courses are DEP-approved alternatives to the classroom
training courses discussed in previous FAQ#6. The correspondence courses are NOT online
courses and require material purchases at www.owp.csus.edu.
Please be aware that any person holding a college degree (related/non-related) and seeking an
advanced course is REQUIRED to complete ALL the course volumes for that classification unless
they hold the Class 1 license and completed the NJ classroom Introduction to Water and
Wastewater course. There is an EXCEPTION for W2 licenses which require completion of all CA
State courses.
Water Treatment
T1 License:
NJ classroom course - Introduction to Water and Wastewater
OR
CA State course - Water Treatment Plant Operations Volume I
T2 License:
NJ classroom course - Advanced Water
OR
CA State courses - Water Treatment Plant Operations Volume I
Water Treatment Plant Operations Volume II
Utility Management
______________________________________________________________________________
W1 License:
NJ classroom course - Introduction to Water and Wastewater
OR
CA State course - Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance
W2 License:
NJ classroom course - Advanced Water
OR
CA State courses - Water Distribution System Operation & Maintenance
Utility Management
______________________________________________________________________________
Wastewater Treatment
S1 License:
NJ classroom course - Introduction to Water and Wastewater
OR
CA State course - Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume I
S2 License:
NJ classroom course - Advanced Wastewater Treatment
OR
CA State courses - Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume I
Operation of Wastewater Treatment Plants Volume II
Advanced Waste Treatment
Utility Management
_____________________________________________________________________________
C1 License:
NJ classroom course - Introduction to Water and Wastewater
OR
CA State course - Operation & Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems Volume I
C2 License:
NJ classroom course - Advanced Collection
OR
CA State courses - Operation & Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems Volume I
Operation & Maintenance of Wastewater Collection Systems Volume II
Utility Management
N1, N2, N3, and N4:
NJ classroom course - Industrial Wastewater
OR
CA State Courses - Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume I
Industrial Waste Treatment, Volume II
Utility Management
Q21. How can I find out how many Training Contact Hours (TCHs) I have received and how
many are needed for license renewal?
Click here to get a report of the training contact hours that have been recorded for your
license(s).
Q22. Who do I contact if I was not credited for Training Contact Hours (TCHs)?
Please contact your course provider who is responsible for supplying and verifying all training
credits to NJDEP. See our list of known course providers
at https://www.nj.gov/dep/exams/docs/TCH Course Providers List.pdf
Q23. I have completed the required training course(s) to be eligible to sit for an
examination. Am I eligible for reimbursement by the DEP?
Please refer to either the fact sheet for water or wastewater to see if you meet the eligibility
requirements. If you do, then complete the appropriate application form BSDW-OC-01 or DEP-
125 to submit the reimbursement request.
Q24. I want to become a training provider of water/wastewater related courses. How do I
obtain approval from the DEP?
Complete and submit the TCH provider application package.
Q25. As a training provider how can I verify my courses and associated rosters have been
entered in your system?
Click here to get a report of the training contact hours that have been recorded for your
organization.
Click here to get a report of the training contact hours that have been recorded for your
organization with the rosters.
Q26. As a training provider who do I contact if my courses and rosters have not been entered
or the information is incorrect?
If your course is not listed or the information is incorrect please contact us at [email protected]
