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Occupational Licenses: Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

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

State Regulations:

Each Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) facility must employ at least one licensed individual who supervises or manages the operations of that MSW facility. MSW facilities include landfills, transfer stations, processing facilities, and recycling and resource recovery operation facilities.

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MSW A Licensing Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

Option 1

  • Education: High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma (GED).
  • Work Experience: four years of experience.

Option 2

    • Education: Without High School diploma or GED.
    • Work Experience: six years of experience.
Acceptable Education and Work Experience Substitute
    • High School diploma or GED may be substituted by completing an additional 20 hours of approved 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.

Eligible experience includes work 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, must complete a TCEQ recognized or approved specialized training course that is applicable to that facility.

Application and Examination

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MSW B Licensing Requirements

Education and Work Experience Requirements

Option 1

  • Education: High School diploma or General Equivalence Diploma (GED).
  • Work Experience: two years of experience.

Option 2

    • Education: Without High School diploma or GED.
    • Work Experience: four years of experience.
Acceptable Education and Work Experience Substitute
    • High School diploma or GED 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.

Eligible experience includes work 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, must complete a TCEQ recognized or approved specialized training course that is applicable to that facility.

Application and Examination

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Provisional Licensing Requirements

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

  • has completed the required training, met the minimum education requirements, and only lacks the required experience; or
  • has met the education and experience requirements, and only lacks one of the required training course(s).

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

Application and Examination

  • Provisional applicants MUST submit a paper application and fee ($74) to the TCEQ. To obtain a paper application please submit your request via email to licenses@tceq.texas.gov.
  • Applicants who have an APPROVED MSW PROVISIONAL application, or those who need to RETEST, will register to take a computer-based test (CBT).

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MSW Licensing Exemptions

Visit 30 TAC §30.214 for a listing of all exemptions.

Applicants who hold a current "Manager of Landfill Operations" (MOLO) certification issued by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA); and complete the Class 'B' MSW Facility Supervisor Course and a TCEQ- approved 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 in order to receive a Class ‘A’ MSW License. However, applicants must meet the required education and experience requirements outlined above.

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Renewal Requirements

Occupational licenses and registrations are valid for three years. Renewal applicants must complete the Continuing Education (CE) requirements, submit a renewal application and criminal history attestation, and pay the renewal fee. Detailed information can be found on the renewal webpage.

Provisional licenses are valid for two years and are not renewable.

The Class ‘A’ and Class ‘B’ 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 active cycle of the license. Search the License Information webpage to view current CE hours earned.

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