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Frequently Asked Questions about Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities Exam and Licensing

Information about taking the operator's exam and obtaining a license

Frequent Questions About Taking the Operator's Exam

Drinking Water Operator Exam Information


How can I obtain an application for the Drinking Water Operators exam?

Contact Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at 800-345-6559 or via their website at www.goamp.com.  AMP runs the examination process.

Where and how often are the Drinking Water Operators exam given?

The examinations are given at training centers in a number of communities throughout the state: Auburn, Charlestown, Fall River, Lawrence, West Springfield, and Townsend. There may also be training centers in surrounding states.  The examinations are administered by appointment only Monday through Friday and also on Saturday based on availability.

What qualifications do I need to take the Drinking Water Operators exam?

  • If you are applying for the Very Small Water System examination, there are no education requirements. Anyone can immediately sign up to take the exam.
  • If you are applying for a Grade 1 examination, there are no education requirements. Anyone can immediately sign up to take the exam.
  • If you are applying for a Grade 2 examination, you must have taken and passed the applicable grade 1 examination and meet the education requirements.
  • If you are applying for a Grade 3 examination, you must have taken and passed the applicable grade 2 examination and meet the education requirements.
  • If you are applying for a Grade 4 examination, you must have taken and passed the applicable grade 3 examination and meet the education requirements.

AMP will not provide refunds for candidates testing without meeting these requirements.

What are the education requirements to take an exam?

  • For Distribution examinations for Grades 2-4, you must have successfully completed a Board-approved Distribution training course.  One training course covers Grades 2, 3, and 4.
  • For Treatment examination for Grade 2, you must have successfully completed a Board-approved Basic Treatment training course.
  • For Treatment examinations for Grades 3 and 4, you must have successfully completed a Board-approved Advanced Treatment training course.

What if I feel that I have sufficient education and do not need to take a course?

Fill out the waiver from training requirement to sit for exams application and submit it to the Board.  The application can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/operators-of-drinking-water-supply-facilities-applications-and-forms.  The Board will review the request at its monthly meeting.  Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Where can I find information about the education courses required to take several of the exams?

New England Water Works Association
Attention: Paul Riendeau
Tel. (508) 893-7979 x244

www.newwa.org

Massachusetts Water Works Association
Attention: Daniel Laprade
Tel. (978) 263-1388

mwwa.memberclicks.net

Massachusetts Rural Water Association
Attention: Dave Kaczenski
Tel. (413) 498-5779

massrwa.org

Where can I get training manuals to help me prepare for these exams?

Although the Board does not endorse or recommend any particular training manuals, training manuals are available from the following:

Frequent Questions About Operator's Licensing

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 Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at 800-345-6559 or www.goamp.com.  AMP runs the examination process.
  • After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities: https://www.mass.gov/drinking-water-supply-facility-operator-license
  • 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 Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at 800-345-6559 or www.goamp.com.  AMP runs the examination process.
  • After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities: https://www.mass.gov/drinking-water-supply-facility-operator-license
  • 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 a Grade 2 Treatment exam by contacting Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at 800-345-6559 or www.goamp.com.  AMP runs the examination process.
  • After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities: https://www.mass.gov/drinking-water-supply-facility-operator-license
  • 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 a Grade 3 or 4 Treatment exam by contacting Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) at 800-345-6559 or www.goamp.com.  AMP runs the examination process.
  • After passing the exam, submit an application to the Board of Certification of Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities: https://www.mass.gov/drinking-water-supply-facility-operator-license
  • 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 6 months of passing an exam in order to be considered for licensing.

What if I feel that I have sufficient education and do not need to take the required course for Distribution, Basic Treatment, and/or Advanced Treatment?

Fill out the waiver from training requirement to sit for exams application and submit it to the Board.  The application can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/operators-of-drinking-water-supply-facilities-applications-and-forms.  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: https://www.mass.gov/regulations/236-CMR-4-certification-of-operators-of-public-water-systems.

There is also an education and experience requirements worksheet which can be used to help determine what status you should apply for after successfully passing the examination.  This worksheet can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/lists/operators-of-drinking-water-supply-facilities-applications-and-forms

 

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.

Where can I find information about the required courses to take the Grades 2-4 exams?

Contact:

New England Water Works Association
Attention: Paul Riendeau
Tel. (508) 893-7979 x244

www.newwa.org

Massachusetts Water Works Association
Attention: Daniel Laprade
Tel. (978) 263-1388

mwwa.memberclicks.net

Massachusetts Rural Water Association
Attention: Dave Kaczenski
Tel. (413) 498-5779

massrwa.org

 

 

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