What is the process for getting a Drinking Water Operator license?
There are slightly different processes depending on the license.
Very Small Water System (VSS), Grade 1 Distribution (1D), Grade 1 Treatment (1T):
- Apply to take an exam by contacting PSI at 833-256-1420 or via their website at Tests | PSI Online (psiexams.com). PSI runs the examination process.
- After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities online via the ePLACE Portal.
- The Board will review the application and grant a full license if all criteria are met, or an Operator in Training (OIT) license if experience or education requirements are not met.
Grade 2 Distribution (2D), Grade 3 Distribution (3D), Grade 4 Distribution (4D):
- Register and complete a Board-approved Distribution Training Course.
- Apply to take an exam by contacting PSI at 833-256-1420 or via their website at Tests | PSI Online (psiexams.com). PSI runs the examination process.
- After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities online via the ePLACE Portal.
- The Board will review the application and grant a full license if all criteria are met or an Operator in Training (OIT) license if experience or education requirements are not met.
Grade 2 Treatment (2T):
- Register and complete a Board-approved Basic Treatment Training Course.
- Apply to take an exam by contacting PSI at 833-256-1420 or via their website at Tests | PSI Online (psiexams.com). PSI runs the examination process.
- After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities online via the ePLACE Portal.
- The Board will review the application and grant a full license if all criteria are met or an Operator in Training (OIT) license if experience or education requirements are not met.
Grade 3 Treatment (3T), Grade 4 Treatment (4T):
- Register and complete a Board-approved Advanced Treatment Training Course.
- Apply to take an exam by contacting PSI at 833-256-1420 or via their website at Tests | PSI Online (psiexams.com). PSI runs the examination process.
- After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities online via the ePLACE Portal.
- The Board will review the application and grant a full license if all criteria are met or an Operator in Training (OIT) license if experience or education requirements are not met.
Note: you must submit an application to the Board within 12 months of passing an exam in order to be considered for licensing.
Is there a waiver if I feel I have sufficient education for all aspects of water treatment?
Fill out the waiver from training requirement to sit for exams application and submit via email at DrinkingWaterBoard@mass.gov it to the Board. The application can be found here. The Board will review the request at its monthly meeting. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
How many Drinking Water Operators classifications are there?
For each grade, there are two classifications for Certification: full status and operator-in-training (OIT).
How does the Board evaluate what classification I should receive?
Upon passing the exam and submitting a complete application, the Board will evaluate your qualifications such as your education and work experience and determine if you are eligible for a full or operator in-training status certificate. The necessary qualifications are described in the Board regulations here.
Note the following:
- Full-time experience is calculated based on one year of full-time work equaling 2,000 hours and a 40-hr work week. Overtime hours do not count.
- For VND and VSS grades, experience is calculated based on a method that counts any amount of time per day spent working on the system as equaling one full day of work.