Q. What are the responsibilities that DEQ and IBOL have regarding wastewater system classification and operator licensing?

 A. DEQ - Wastewater System Owner Responsibilities. DEQ administers the Wastewater Rules, IDAPA 58.01.16, which require all public wastewater systems to be classified and the individuals (operators) operating the public wastewater system to be appropriately licensed with respect to the system classification.   (Note: Operators obtain licenses through application to IBOL and the WWP Board. No operator licenses are issued by DEQ.)

IBOL - Licensed Operator Responsibilities.  The Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (IBOL) serves as an umbrella agency, maintaining contracts with multiple state professional and occupational licensing boards (IDAPA 67.26.02) including the WWP Board for wastewater operator licensure. The WWP Board establishes the rules for operator license applications, exams and license renewal, exam and license fees, review of applications, issuing licenses, and education and continuing education requirements for license renewal (IDAPA 24.05.01) while IBOL carries out the day-to-day activities associated with the WWP Board rules.  

The DEQ and IBOL Connection. DEQ has regulatory authority for wastewater systems and through the WWP Board, IBOL has regulatory authority to license operators. The public wastewater systems that DEQ has authority for are required to employ or contract only with licensed wastewater operators. The only place an operator can get a license is through IBOL and the WWP Board.

 A.

1. Submit classification information for each wastewater treatment system and each wastewater collection system using the DEQ approved classification worksheets.  Mail the completed worksheet(s) to the DEQ State Office at the address listed on the form. Make sure to include current owner and facility contact information when completing a system classification worksheet. An owner information form is located at the same Web site address as the system classification worksheets.
2. Employ, retain or contract with licensed wastewater operating personnel (operators), and

 A. Yes.  All public wastewater systems are required to have a licensed substitute responsible charge operator (also called a backup operator) for such times when the responsible charge operator is not available.

 A. No.  The responsible charge operator and the substitute responsible charge operator cannot be the same person.

 A. DEQ makes all wastewater system classification determinations.  The owner of each wastewater treatment and each wastewater collection system submits a classification worksheet to DEQ. DEQ then verifies the information and assigns the system its official classification.  Once the owner has the official classification of the system, the owner must ensure that both the responsible charge operator and the substitute responsible charge operator hold licenses that are equal to or greater than the system's classification.

Classification worksheets are available for both wastewater treatment systems and wastewater collection systems to assist owners in determining their system classification.  The DEQ approved worksheet must be filled out by the owner or owner's designee and submitted to DEQ for verification of the system's official classification.  Classification worksheets must be submitted every five (5) years or anytime a substantive change or upgrade is made to the treatment or distribution system.

 A.

1. IBOL maintains a list of licensed operators that can be searched for the type of operator needed by the system.  From the "Profession" pull down menu on IBOL's Web site, select "DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROFESSIONALS".  Next, in the "Type" pull down menu, select the type of license required for your system.
2. System owners may choose to contract with a licensed wastewater operator or with another wastewater system that has licensed operators. If contracting, be sure the licensed operator holds a license of the same type and class as your wastewater system since that person will also be the responsible charge operator.

 A. DEQ maintains a list of licensed operators interested in contracting their services for wastewater systems.  This list is provided as a courtesy since DEQ does not endorse or recommend any particular licensed operator.

 A. Yes.  To assist systems in finding and hiring independent licensed contract operators, DEQ has prepared a summary of contract issues for the system owner to use when interviewing potential contract operator candidates in the booklet, Recommendations for Hiring a Contract Operator. 

 A. DEQ has a wide range of actions it can take to achieve compliance with the rules.  This range starts with providing technical assistance over the phone, in person or on the DEQ Web page.  Warning letter may be sent to remind system owners to employ licensed operators and may escalate to fines.  DEQ's goal is not to enter into such disciplinary tracks but rather to facilitate the safe operation of wastewater facilities.  DEQ's actions will depend upon what action you, the system owner, have taken towards compliance with the system classification and operator licensure requirements.

If you, the system owner, are making a good faith effort to comply with the rule requirement, then inform DEQ of your efforts.  Write or email DEQ with an explanation of what is being done to comply.  The best way to avoid enforcement is to keep DEQ informed by submitting the operator record form with who is licensed and a written explanation of those who are not.

 Q. What is a responsible charge operator at a wastewater system?

 Q. Where can I get a copy of the operator licensing rules?

 A. For specific operator licensure rules and requirements such as education, fees, exams, operator classifications, etc., go to Rules of the Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals.  For information regarding which public wastewater systems are required to have a licensed operator, go to Idaho Rules for Public Wastewater Systems.

 Q. Who must be licensed?

 A. All "operating personnel" must be licensed.  According to the Idaho Rules for Public Wastewater Systems (IDAPA 58.01.16.203). Operating personnel include any person who is employed, retained, appointed, or contracted with to conduct the tasks associated with the day-to-day operation and maintenance of a public wastewater system, AND who makes system control or system integrity decisions about water quantity or water quality that may affect public health.

 Q. Who does not need to be licensed?

 A. Not all people working at a public wastewater system are "operating personnel," and only operating personnel must be licensed (see definition above).  Janitors and grounds maintenance personnel would not have to be licensed as long as they do not perform any day-to-day operator's tasks.

 Q. What are the education requirements necessary to apply for a license as a

 wastewater operator?

 A. See the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses (IBOL) licensure application process for the application requirements.  For entry level licensing, you must possess a high school diploma, or a GED( General Educational Diploma), "or the equivalent" according to the Idaho State Board of Drinking Water and Wastewater Professionals (WWP). 

 Q. How do I become licensed?

 A. Contact the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for specific information.  Three general steps must be taken to be licensed.

1. Submit an application.  Each applicant for licensure shall submit a completed application to IBOL together with the required fees to be evaluated by the WWP Board.  The applicant must provide any supplemental third party documents that may be required.  The Board will not review an application until all required information is furnished and the required fees are paid.
2. Pass a written exam.  Once the WWP Board has approved an applicant's application, the applicant is notified of the date and location of the exam based on the license classification.  Wastewater collection and treatment license exams are typically given three times a year.  Exams for all treatment and collection license classifications are given at the same time at several locations throughout the state.
3. Receive License.  If you receive a score of 70 or higher, IBOL issues you a license for the type and class of exam for which you tested.  The license is good until the licensee's birthday the following year at which time the license must be renewed.

 Q. What is an operator-in-training permit and how do I get one?

 A. Contact the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses for specific information. You may get an operator-in-training permit from IBOL by completing an application, paying a license fee and taking and passing the examination appropriate to the operator classification.

 Q. Is there a general operator license for all types of wastewater systems?

 A. No. Wastewater operators must be licensed at a class appropriate to their education and experience. Additionally, those wastewater operators functioning in the role of responsible charge operator must be licensed at a class equal to or greater than the classification of the system they are operating. Click here for a list of classifications.

 Q. If I am licensed as a wastewater treatment operator, does that also make me licensed as a collection operator at the same level?

 A. No.  Treatment operator licenses and collection operator licenses are independent of each other. 

 Q. As a licensed operator, can I serve as operator for both the collection system and the treatment system of a facility?

 A. Yes.  A wastewater operator may work for both a treatment system and a collection system if the operator holds two license — one for treatment and one for collection.

 Q. What do I have to do to maintain my operator license?

 A. For details, see WWP Board license renewal requirements.  In general, to maintain a license, an operator must:

1. Successfully complete a minimum number of approved continuing education units annually for license renewal.
2. Submit an annual license renewal application form to IBOL; together with the required fee certifying by signed affidavit that compliance with the continuing education requirements have been met.

 Q. Who do I notify about a change in my mailing address?

 A. Notify IBOL, in writing, within 30 days of a change of address.  Notification can be made by going to the IBOL Web site and filling out and submitting an "Address Change Affidavit" form to IBOL.

 Q. How long does it take to receive my license after the exam?

 A. Contact IBOL for specific information.  In general, it takes two to three weeks after taking the exam for the results to be known and licenses to be mailed to recipients.

 Q. If I lose my original operator's license, can I get a new one?

 A. Contact IBOL for specific information. According to the IBOL Web site, if your license becomes lost or destroyed, you may obtain a duplicate. Print out the Application for Duplicate from the IBOL Web site, complete and sign it (signature must be notarized), and send it with the required fee to IBOL.

 Q. My wastewater operator license has expired, can I get reinstated?

 A. Possibly.  In order to reinstate a canceled license, an operator must meet continuing education and reinstatement fee rule requirements which vary depending on the length of time your license has lapsed.  See IBOL's online renewal for more details.

 Q. Does Idaho have operator licensure/certification "reciprocity" with other states?

 A. Yes, contact IBOL for specific information.  Licensure by reciprocity (known as "endorsement" in Idaho) is an option if you have a valid license or certification in another state whose qualifications for licensure are not lower than Idaho's qualifications.  Click here to see details for applying for a license by reciprocity (endorsement).

Q. What is continuing education?

 Q. What is a CEU?

 A. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are one way to measure and assign learning credits for education or training.  CEUs are not college credits, but provide the participant with the means to measure the amount of advanced or post-high school training he or she needs to take.  One (1) CEU equals ten (10) classroom hours of qualified instruction that is relevant to the operation of a water system. 

 A. Yes.  If a licensed operator exceeds the annual requirement (0.6 CEUs) in any renewal period, a maximum of 0.6 CEU units may be carried forward into the next renewal period.  Those same units, however, may not be carried forward for more than one renewal cycle.  See the IBOL section on continuing education or the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Water and Wastewater Professional Board Web page.

 A. Contact IBOL for specific information. In general, the transfer of CEUs earned in other states depends on the other state's qualifications for assigning CEUs not being lower than Idaho's qualifications.

Classroom style exam preparation classes called "Certification or Licensure Reviews" are offered by trainers listed on IBOL's approval list. A number of places to obtain study materials are provided on IBOL's Web site at "Training and Information Links" and "Independent Study Materials: Wastewater."

In addition, to assist those who are unable to attend a training class, the Associated Boards of Certification (ABC) has identified a number of suggested study manuals to help prepare applicants for the wastewater operator licensure exam