The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) promulgated new and revised rules on September 27, 2007 which will affect many licensing programs.

Please review the URL below to become acquainted with the newly adopted Chapter 30 rules for Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 30, Subchapter K: Public Water System Operators and Operations Companies, Rules 30.381 - 30.402.

• Operation Companies for Public Water Systems
  Every operations company for a public water system must hold a valid registration.
• Public Water System Operators
  All public water system operators who perform process controls when producing, treating, or distributing drinking water must possess a license. Any operator employed by a public water system operations company must hold a license.
• How to Contact the Water Operator Licensing Program

Water Operator Licensing Program

The Water Operator Licensing Program staff can answer routine operator inquiries. Below are their phone numbers and other means for contacting the program:

• Tamara Calhoun, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us, (512) 239-2262
  • Workgroup Leader
  • Water operator initial license application processing
  • Rule questions and clarification
• 
  
• Barbara Luther, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us, (512) 239-3615
  • Customer Service Inspector (CSI) initial and renewal license application processing
  • Water Treatment Specialist (WTS) initial and renewal license application processing
  • Class A water operator application review and license exam scheduling
  • Out-of-state reciprocity for Water operator, WTS, and CSI license application processing
• 
  
• Barbara Mendieta, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us, (512) 239-6086
  • Water operator initial license application processing
  • Rule questions and clarification
• 
  
• Maggie Williams, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us, (512) 239-6135
  • Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) initial and renewal license application processing
  • Out-of-state reciprocity for BPAT license application processing
  • Water Operations Company initial and renewal registration processing
• 
  
• Irene Welsh, licenses@tceq.state.tx.us, (512) 239-0314
  • Water operator renewal license application processing
  • Water Operator initial license application processing
• 
  
• 
  
• Location - The second floor in building A of the TCEQ complex located at 12100 Park 35 Circle in Austin, Texas.
• Office Hours - 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
• Fax - 512/239-6272.
• Mailing Address - TCEQ, Water Operator Licensing Program, MC-178, PO Box 13087, Austin, TX 78711-3087.

Return to top.

Public Water System Operations Companies

• How does an operations company register with the TCEQ?
• How often must an operations company report to the TCEQ?

Return to top.

How does an operations company register with the TCEQ?

Submit the registration form (PDF) (Help with PDF) with the appropriate fee listed below. If an operations company is bought or sold or a name change occurs, the "new" company must apply for a new registration.

Number of Public Water Systems Served	New and Renewal Fees	Validity Period
0 - 4	$75 $122 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3 Years Effective 01/01/2008
5 - 9	$150 $240 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3 Years Effective 01/01/2008
10 - 19	$250 $399 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3Years Effective 01/01/2008
20 or More	$400 $636 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3 Years Effective 01/01/2008

Return to top of Companies Section.

How often must an operations company report to the TCEQ?

When a public water system operating company submits an application to obtain or renew a registration, it must submit a report (PDF) (Help with PDF) to the executive director. Governmental entities or quasi-governmental entities, such as river authorities, that contract to operate a public water system must also submit a yearly report. The report must include:

• the public water system operating company name, registration number, location, and mailing address;
• the public water system identification number and name for each ststem operated;
• the dates of operation during the reporting period;
• the names and license numbers of all licensed operators employed by the operations company;
• the names of the licensed chief operators and licensed supervisors; and
• any additional information required by the executive director.

Return to top of Companies Section.

Public Water System Operators

• Why do I need a license?
• How do I become licensed?
• What type of training must I complete for a license?
• What do I need to know about an application?
• What do I need to know for an exam?
• What is acceptable experience?
• What is not considered as acceptable experience?
• How will my experience be verified?
• If I hold a license in another state, can I transfer it to Texas?
• How do I renew my license?
• What are some of my responsibilities to the TCEQ?

Return to top.

Why do I need a license?

To assure the public that their drinking water is safe; meets all drinking water quality standards; and is properly produced, treated, and distributed by a competent public water system operator.

Additionally, the law requires it. Please see this link for facility staffing requirements Title 30 TAC, Chapter 290.46(e)(1)

Return to top of Operator Section.

Return to top of Operator Section.

How do I become licensed?

To become licensed as a public water system operator, you must have the required education and experience, complete the related training, pay an application fee, and pass a qualifying exam.

GED = General Equivalency Diploma
HS = High School Diploma

To obtain this license class ...	If you have this much education ...	You need this many years of experience3 ...	You need this much basic training credit ...	You must pay an application fee of ...	This license remains valid for ...
A (waterworks)	Master's Degree2 B achelor's Degree2 HS or GED	4 Years 5 Years 8 Years (2)*	164 Hours	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
B (surface water, groundwater, or distribution)	Bachelor's Degree2 HS or GED	2.5 Years 5 Years(2)*	100 Hours Groundwater and Distribution 124 Hours Surface Water	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
C (surface water, groundwater, or distribution)	HS or GED	2 Years(1)*	60 Hours Groundwater and Distribution 64 Hours Surface Water	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
D 1 (water)	HS or GED	None	20 hours	$70.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3 Years Effective 01/01/2008
1 Class D Water Operator Licenses are not renewable for surface water treatment plant operators, operators of groundwater production facilities under the influence of surface water, operators of groundwater production facilities with 250 or more connections, operators working as supervisors in a distribution system with 250 or more connections, or for individuals who operate multiple systems where the total number of connections for all systems combined is 250 or more. 2 Only college degrees with a major in an engineering discipline eligible for registration as a professional engineer in Texas, or degrees with a major in chemistry, biology, microbiology, waterworks utility operation, or similar disciplines are approved on a case-by-case basis. 3 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. Individuals may substitute college credits or additional approved training for work experience. (1) For Class C licenses, 32 semester hours of college, or 40 additional hours of approved training may be substituted for one year of work experience, approved by the executive director. (2) For Class C licenses, 16 semester hours of college, or 20 additional hours of approved training may be substituted for six months of work experience, approved by the executive director. (3) For Class B and A licenses, 64 semester hours of college, or 80 additional hours of approved training may be substituted for two years of work experience, approved by the executive director. (4) For Class B and A licenses, 32 semester hours of college, or 40 additional hours of approved training may be substituted for one year of work experience, approved by the executive director. * The number in parenthesis in the table above indicates the maximum number of years permitted for substituting experience.

Return to top of Operator Section.

What type of training must I complete for a license?

All courses listed below are 20-hour courses, except Water Technology, which is a 40-hour course.

R = Required for initial license
E = Elective for initial license
N/R = Not Required for initial license, but will apply toward total training hours

These training courses may also be applied toward continuing education (CEU's) credit hours for renewal, except for the Basic Water Operations course, which will not apply toward renewal continuing education (CEU's) credit hours for Class A and Class B operators.

License Type & Class --->	D	C Distribution	C Ground	C Surface	B Distribution	B Ground	B Surface	A
Training Course Name
Basic Waterworks Operation*	R	R	R	R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R
Water Distribution*	N/R	R	E	N/R	R	R	R	R
Groundwater Production*	N/R	N/R	R	N/R	N/R	R	N/R	R
Surface Water Production I	N/R	N/R	N/R	R	N/R	N/R	R	R
Surface Water Production II	N/R	N/R	N/R	R	N/R	N/R	R	R
Water Laboratory	N/R	E	E	N/R	E	R	R	R
Water Utility Safety	N/R	E	E	N/R	R	R	R	R
Water Utility Calculations	N/R	E	E	N/R	E	E	N/R	N/R
Water Utility Management*@	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	E	E	R	R
Pump & Motor Maintenance	N/R	E	E	N/R	R	E	N/R	N/R
Valve & Hydrant Maintenance	N/R	E	E	N/R	R	E	N/R	N/R
Chlorinator Maintenance	N/R	E	E	N/R	E	E	N/R	N/R
Water Technology (40 Hours)	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R	N/R
* Course is available by correspondence. Please call 512/239-6133 for information. @ Management Training by Correspondence from California State University - On June 27, 2002, TCEQ notified California State University at Sacramento that its water and wastewater operator training course "Utility Management" was re-evaluated and its approval was changed from 20 hours to eight (8) hours of general licensing credit. Persons who completed this course since November 1998 or who registered for the course before June 27, 2002 and later completed it will still receive 20 hours of management training credit. However, they should be aware that this course may not have provided them with all the knowledge and skills necessary for Class A or B operators to adequately manage a treatment facility. They should consider supplementing their management training with additional material as needed. Questions should be directed to (512) 239-6133.

Return to top of Operator Section.

What do I need to know about an application?

• Where can I obtain an application?
• What do I need to provide with an application?
• When do I pay the application fee?
• If I qualify for a higher-level of license, must I apply for all lower levels first?

Return to top of Operator Section.

Where can I obtain an application?

Applications are available through the TCEQ's Water Operator Licensing Program in the Austin central office or at any TCEQ regional office. The application must be completed in full, signed, dated, and submitted with the appropriate application fee (check or money order only). All fees are non-refundable.

Return to top of Application Section.

What do I need to provide with an application?

In addition to the standard information (name, address, social security number), you will need to submit supporting documentation such as:

• copy of certificate of completion for each correspondence course.
• copy of certificate of completion for unverified training.
• copy of college transcripts used for experience substitution.
• copy of current out-of-state license (if applying for reciprocity).

All statements and qualifications provided by each applicant are subject to verification.

Return to top of Application Section.

When do I pay the application fee?

You must pay the application fee when you arrive to take the water operator exam. The application fee is valid for one year or four exams, whichever comes first.

Return to top of Application Section.

If I qualify for a higher level of licensing, must I apply for all lower levels first?

No, it is not necessary to apply for a lower level license if the requirements of a higher level are satisfied. However, to apply for licensing as a Class A Water Operator, you must be pre-approved by our Austin central office program staff before taking the exam.

Return to top of Application Section.

What do I need to know for an exam?

• What does the exam cover?
• What do I need to study?
• What are the special considerations for Class A water operator exams?
• Where and when are exams held?
• What is the minimum passing score?
• If I fail, how many times may I retake the test?
• How long do I have to retake the test?

Return to top of Operator Section.

What does the exam cover?

• Class A Water Operators
• Class B Water Distribution Operators
• Class B Groundwater Operators
• Class B Surface Water Operators
• Class C Water Distribution Operators
• Class C Groundwater Operators
• Class C Surface Water Operators
• Class D Water Operators

Return to top of Exam Section.

What do I need to study?

Study materials for each type and level of licensing include:

• training manuals for the corresponding required training courses,
• the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 30 , regulating licensing of public system personnel, and
• the rules, Title 30 TAC Chapter 290 , regulating the operation of public water systems.

Return to top of Exam Section.

What are the special considerations for Class A water operator exams?

Class A exams must be scheduled by the applicant through the Austin central office after their application for licensing has been approved. Class A exams are conducted in the Austin central office or at the TWUA annual and regional schools.

Return to top of Exam Section.

Where and when are exams held?

Exams are regularly scheduled and administered in the Austin central office and TCEQ regional offices in accordance with an established exam schedule.

Return to top of Exam Section.

What is the minimum passing score?

All applicants for licensing, except individuals applying for licensing by reciprocity, must pass the appropriate exam with a minimum score of 70 percent. Within four weeks of the exam, applicants can check their exam results on the web. In six weeks applicants will receive their examination results by mail.

Return to top of Exam Section.

If I fail, how many times may I retake the test?

You may retake the test a maximum of three times within one year of the original examination date. To retest, you must wait a minimum of 60 days between each examination and you must present your exam analysis to program staff at the exam site as proof of eligibility to retest. After the fourth test in the one year period, you will need to submit a new application and fee.

Return to top of Exam Section.

How long do I have to retake the test?

You must retake the test within one year of the original examination date before submitting a new application and fee.

Return to top of Exam Section.

What is acceptable experience?

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C

Return to top of Operator Section.

Class A Experience

• must be in public water system operations
  • If you are a college graduate:
    • with a masters degree, all four years must be "hands-on" experience
    • with a bachelors degree, all five years must be "hands-on" experience
  • If you are a high school graduate or obtained a GED:
    • at least six years of the eight years required must be "hands-on" experience
    • two years of experience may be substituted with:
      • additional TCEQ approved water operator training
      • college hours
• For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable towards operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator personnel.

Return to top of Experience.

Class B Experience

• must be in public water system operations
• must be in the same field as the license (e.g., surface water experience for the surface water field) applied for:
  • If you are a college graduate:
    • all two and one-half years must be "hands-on" experience
  • If you are a high school graduate or obtained a GED:
    • at least three years of the five years required must be "hands-on" experience
    • two years of experience may be substituted with:
      • related experience (e.g., groundwater experience for the surface water field)
      • additional TCEQ approved water operator training
      • college hours
• For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable toward operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator personnel.

Return to top of Experience.

Class C Experience

• must be in public water system operations
• must be in the same field as the license (e.g., surface water experience for the surface water field) applied for:
  • at least one year of the two years required must be "hands-on" experience
  • one year of experience may be substituted with:
    • related experience (e.g., groundwater experience for the surface water field)
    • additional TCEQ approved water operator training
    • college hours
• For laboratory experience to be fully acceptable toward operator licensing, the laboratory must be owned and operated by the public water system and the laboratory personnel must consult on a daily basis with a public water system's licensed operator personnel.

What is not considered as acceptable experience?

Experience will not count for:

• The following support personnel (unless they conduct routine, on-site operational activities for a public water system):
  • secretaries
  • utility relations staff;
  • meter readers;
  • radio dispatchers;
  • bookkeepers;
• Administrative officials (unless they conduct routine, on-site operational activities for a public water system):
  • mayors;
  • city managers; or
  • utility board members.

Return to top of Experience.

How will my experience be verified?

You will need to provide references on your application who are involved with routine, on-site operation of a public water system.

The following are NOT ACCEPTABLE references (unless they conduct routine, on-site operational activities for a public water system):

• secretaries;
• utility relations staff;
• meter readers;
• radio dispatchers;
• bookkeepers;
• mayors;
• city managers; or
• utility board members.

Return to top of Operator Section.

If I hold a license in another state, can I transfer it to Texas?

Texas issues licenses of reciprocity on a case-by-case basis with all other states.

To be considered for reciprocity:

• You must hold a current water operator license;
• Your license must have been obtained by exam;
• The license must be mandatory under the other state's laws; and
• The equivalent education, training, experience, and fee requirements for the type and class of Texas license being applied for have been met.

Return to top of Operator Section.

How do I renew my license?

You will be mailed a renewal notification to the last known address on file at least 60 days before your license expires. This notification will give you instructions for renewing your license using the Texas Online license renewal process.

If you are unable to renew on-line, please contact our office immediately to receive a printed renewal application. You can contact the TCEQ Licensing Section at licenses@tceq.state.tx.us or phone (512)239-6133. Please be sure to include your full name and license number with your request. Remember it is your responsibility to timely submit a renewal application.

_*****IMPORTANT_*****

The Eight(8) year Class A Water Licenses issued before June 1, 2001, must obtain 80 hours of continuing education credit in order to renew.

A 30-day grace period will no longer be accepted to obtain the training credit hours required for renewal.

Credit is given for attendance at TCEQ approved training courses, correspondence courses, seminars, and association meetings on the basis of one credit hour per hour of attendance.

To check how many credit hours you currently have on file. click here.

To renew this license class ...	You must obtain this much continuing education ...	You must pay a renewal fee of ...	The license will remain valid for an additional ...
A	30 Hours*	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
B	30 Hours*	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
C	30 Hours	$105.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	3 Years
D**	20 Hours 30 Hours Effective 01/01/2008 for licenses issued on or after this date	$70.00 $111 Effective 01/01/2008	2 Years 3 Years Effective 01/01/2008
* Class A or B operators may not use the "Basic Water" course for renewal credit hours. ** Class D Water Operator Licenses are not renewable for surface water treatment plant operators, operators of groundwater production facilities under the influence of surface water, operators of groundwater production facilities with 250 or more connections, operators working as supervisors in a distribution system with 250 or more connections, or for individuals who operate multiple systems where the total number of connections for all systems combined is 250 or more.

Return to top of Operator Section.