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Occupational Licenses: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Operator

Information to obtain a Municipal Solid Waste Facility Supervisor license.

Municipal Solid Waste Information and Requirements

View all Occupational Licensing and Registration Information and Requirements

Municipal Solid Waste Licensing Overview

View the License Level Required for Municipal Solid Waste Facility requirements. Adobe Acrobat PDF Document

State Regulations:

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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MSW A Licensing Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

With a High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Education: High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Work Experience: four years of experience
Without a High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Education: no minimum educational requirements
  • Work Experience: six years of experience
    • Acceptable Education and Work Experience Substitute
    • High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma may be substituted by completing an additional 20 hours of MSW training.
    • 32 college credit hours for one year of experience, up to a maximum of two years. College credits must be in chemistry, biology, engineering, soil science, geosciences, environmental science, or other similar discipline approved by the executive director.

Experience must have been gained from participating as a principal operator, foreman, supervisor, or manager of a solid waste facility appropriate to the respective class of license or other solid waste management experience approved by the executive director.

Training Courses for MSW A

MSW approved training

  • Class "A" MSW Facility Supervisor
  • Class "B" MSW Facility Supervisor
  • Individuals managing or supervising medical waste or compost facilities requiring an MSW registration or permit, shall complete a TCEQ recognized or approved specialized training course that is applicable to that facility before being issued a standard class 'B' MSW Facility Supervisor license. Individuals completing the class 'B' MSW facility supervisor course, passing the examination, but not completing the specialized course will be issued a provisional class 'B' license. The completion of the specialized course must be before the expiration date of the provisional license.

Application and Examination

Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ. Once your application is approved, sign up for an exam at your local TCEQ regional office or your local computer-based testing center.

Exemption

Applicants that hold a current "Manager of Landfill Operations" (MOLO) certification issued by Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA); and complete the Class 'B' MSW Facility Supervisor Course and a TCEQ recognized Texas MSW regulation training course will not be required to complete the Class 'A' MSW Facility Supervisor course or take and pass the Class 'A' MSW Facility Supervisor licensing exam. However, the applicants must meet the required education and experience requirements outlined above.

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MSW B Licensing Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

With a High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Education: High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Work Experience: two years of experience
Without a High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma
  • Education: no minimum educational requirements
  • Work Experience: four years of experience
    • Acceptable Education and Work Experience Substitute
    • High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma may be substituted by completing an additional 20 hours of MSW training.
    • 32 college credit hours for one year of experience, up to a maximum of one year. College credits must be in chemistry, biology, engineering, soil science, geosciences, environmental science, or other similar discipline approved by the executive director.

Experience must have been gained from participating as a principal operator, foreman, supervisor, or manager of a solid waste facility appropriate to the respective class of license or other solid waste management experience approved by the executive director.

Training Courses for MSW B

MSW approved training

  • Class "B" MSW Facility Supervisor
  • Individuals managing or supervising medical waste or compost facilities requiring an MSW registration or permit, shall complete a TCEQ recognized or approved specialized training course that is applicable to that facility before being issued a standard class 'B' MSW Facility Supervisor license. Individuals completing the class 'B' MSW facility supervisor course, passing the examination, but not completing the specialized course will be issued a provisional class 'B' license. The completion of the specialized course must be before the expiration date of the provisional license.

Application and Examination

Submit an application and fee ($111) to the TCEQ. Once your application is approved, sign up for an exam at your local TCEQ regional office or your local computer-based testing center.

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Provisional Licenses

A provisional license may be issued to an individual applying for a Class "A" or "B" license who:

  • has completed the required training, passed the applicable examination and met the minimum education requirements, but lacks the required experience; or
  • has passed the applicable examination, met the education and experience requirements, but lacks the required training.

Provisional licenses have a validity period of two years and are not renewable.

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Exemptions

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

  • Type VII land application facilities;
  • Type VIII used or scrap tire facilities;
  • 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.

See also "Exemption" under MSW Class "A" License Requirements.

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Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements

Continuing Education Requirements

MSW licenses require 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) to be eligible for renewal. CE hours are given for successful completion of TCEQ approved training courses.

CE hours must be acquired prior to the expiration of the license and may be obtained any time during the validity of the license. Search the License Information webpage to view current CE hours earned.

Renewal Requirements

Occupational licenses are valid for three years then must be renewed with the TCEQ. Renewal applicants must have completed the required CE requirements, submit a renewal application and criminal history attestation, and pay the renewal fee. Detailed information can be found on the renewal webpage.

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