Requirements for an Initial Water License

To become licensed as a public water system operator, an applicant must have the required education, experience, complete the required core training, pay an application fee ($111), and pass an exam (minimum score of 70 percent).

Requirements for an Initial License

GED = General Equivalency Diploma
HS = High School Diploma

License	Education*	Work Experience**	Training Credits***
Class A (waterworks)	Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree HS or GED	4 Years (0) 5 Years (0) 8 Years (2)	164 Hours (view courses)
Class B (surface water, groundwater, or distribution)	Bachelor's Degree HS or GED	2.5 Years (0) 5 Years (2)	100 Hours Groundwater and Distribution 124 Hours Surface Water
Class C (surface water, groundwater, or distribution)	HS or GED	2 Years (1)	60 Hours Groundwater and Distribution 64 Hours Surface Water
&Class D Water (renewal restrictions)	HS or GED	None	20 Hours Basic Water

*Education: For Master's and Bachelor's degrees, only college graduates with a major in chemistry, biology, engineering, microbiology, bacteriology, or another similar discipline as approved by the executive director.

**Work Experience: Individuals may substitute college credits or additional approved training for work experience for some licenses. The number in parentheses indicates the years permitted for substitution. One year of college (32 semester hours), an additional 40 hours of training credit, or experience in a related field may be substituted for each year of experience. View Acceptable Experience for details.

***Training Credits: See required core training courses for a list of specific required courses for each license type.

Note: it is not necessary to apply for a lower level license if the requirements of a higher level are satisfied.

Specific Required Training Courses

All courses listed below are are at least 20-hour courses. Visit the Water Operator Courses and Providers webpage for a list of providers approved to offer the training listed in the table below.

License	Core Training Courses each course = 20 hours	Elective Training Courses each course = 20 hours
Class A	Surface Water Production I Surface Water Production II Groundwater Production Water Distribution Water Laboratory Water Utility Management Water Utility Safety	Plus additional training to meet the 164 hour requirement
Class D (20 hours required)	Basic Waterworks Operations	None
Class B Surface Water	Surface Water Production I Surface Water Production II Water Distribution Water Utility Safety Water Laboratory Water Utility Management	None
Class C Surface Water 60 Hours Required fro groundwater and distribution 64 hours required for surface water	Basic Waterworks Operation Surface Water Production I Surface Water Production II	None
Class C Groundwater	Basic Waterworks Operation Groundwater Production Plue one elective course	Water Distribution Water Laboratory Water Utility Safety Water Utility Calculations Chlorinator Maintenance Pump and Motor Maintenance Valve and Hydrant Maintenance
Class C Water Distribution	Basic Waterworks Operation Water Distribution Plus one elective course	Water Laboratory Water Utility Safety Water Utility Calculations Chlorinator Maintenance Pump and Motor Maintenance Valve and Hydrant Maintenance
Class B Groundwater	Groundwater Production Water Laboratory Water Distribution Water Utility Safety Plus one elective course	Water Utility Management Water Utility Calculations Chlorinator Maintenance Pump and Motor Maintenance Valve and Hydrant Maintenance
Class B Water Distribution	Water Distribution Water Utility Safety Pump and Motor Maintenance Valve and Hydrant Maintenance Plus one elective course	Water Utility Management Water Utility Calculations Chlorinator Maintenance Water Laboratory