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WACs > Title 246 > Chapter 246-292 > Section 246-292-060
246-292-055
246-292-070
Agency filings affecting this section
WAC 246-292-060
Minimum education and experience requirements to become a certified operator.
(1) Minimum education and operating experience requirements for a water treatment plant operator are in Table 5.
Table 5
WTPO Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Certification Level Minimum Education Requirement (see Table 7 for equivalents) Minimum Experience Requirement
WTPO - OIT 12 years One of the following:
  ⢠3 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system;
  ⢠3 months water-related experience; or
  ⢠30 hours of relevant water system training (3 CEUs or 3 college credits).
WTPO 1 12 years 12 months experience in a water treatment plant.
WTPO 2 12 years ⢠18 months operating experience in a water treatment plant; and
  ⢠18 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional experience requirement.
WTPO 3 14 years ⢠24 months operating experience in a Class 2 or higher rated water treatment plant; and
  ⢠24 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional water-related experience requirement.
WTPO 4 16 years ⢠24 months operating experience in a Class 3 or higher rated water treatment plant; and
  ⢠24 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional water-related experience requirement.
(2) Minimum education and operating experience requirements for WDS and WDM certification levels are in Table 6.
Table 6
WDS and WDM Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Certification Level Minimum Education Requirement (see Table 7 for equivalents) Minimum Experience Requirement
WDS 12 years 6 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system.
WDM - OIT 12 years One of the following:
  ⢠3 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system;
  ⢠3 months water-related experience; or
  ⢠30 hours of relevant water system training (3 CEUs or 3 college credits).
WDM 1 12 years 12 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system.
WDM 2 12 years ⢠12 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system; and
  ⢠24 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional water-related experience requirement.
WDM 3 14 years ⢠12 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system; and
  ⢠36 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional water-related experience requirement.
WDM 4 16 years ⢠12 months operating experience in a water treatment plant or distribution system; and
  ⢠36 months additional water-related experience.
  ⢠Relevant excess education may substitute for additional water-related experience requirement.
(3) The minimum education and operating experience requirements for a CCS are:
(a) Twelve years of education (refer to Table 7 for equivalent education requirements); and
(b) At least six months operating experience in a public water system's water treatment plant, distribution system, or water-related experience implementing a cross-connection control program for a consumer's water system not subject to WAC 246-290-490.
(4) A BAT shall have at least twelve years of education (refer to Table 7 for equivalent education requirements).
Table 7
Minimum Education Requirements and Equivalent Education and Substitutions
Minimum Education Requirement Equivalent Education and Substitutions
12 years of education ⢠High school diploma or GED;
 ⢠One year of water-related experience may substitute for each year of education through twelfth grade.
14 years of education ⢠High school diploma or GED, and one of the following:
  ⢠A two-year college degree;
  ⢠60 college semester credits;
  ⢠90 college quarter credits; or
  ⢠90 CEUs from relevant water system training.
 ⢠One year of operating experience or water-related experience may substitute for each year of education through twelfth grade.
 ⢠Two years of operating experience or water-related experience may substitute for each year of college education.
16 years of education ⢠High school diploma or GED, and one of the following:
  ⢠A four-year college degree;
  ⢠120 college semester credits;
  ⢠180 college quarter credits; or
  ⢠180 CEUs from relevant water system training.
 ⢠One year of operating experience or water-related experience may substitute for each year of education through twelfth grade.
 ⢠Two years of operating experience or water-related experience may substitute for each year of college education.
(5) Water-related experience used to substitute for the minimum education requirements must exceed the minimum experience requirements for certification in Tables 5 and 6 before the experience is used as an equivalent education substitution in Table 7.
(6) The department may approve an applicant's relevant excess education or water-related experience that meets the requirements in Tables 5, 6, and 7.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.119.050 and chapter 70.119 RCW. WSR 14-01-003, § 246-292-060, filed 12/4/13, effective 1/4/14. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.119 RCW and Safe Drinking Water Act, Public Law 104-182; 64 F.R. 5916 - 5921. WSR 01-02-070, § 246-292-060, filed 12/29/00, effective 1/29/01. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.119 RCW. WSR 94-04-004, § 246-292-060, filed 1/20/94, effective 2/20/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.040. WSR 91-02-049 (Order 121), recodified as § 246-292-060, filed 12/27/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.119.050. WSR 78-10-053 (Order 1343), § 248-55-070, filed 9/22/78.]
