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California Water Treatment Operator Certification Overview

The water treatment industry is a noble profession.  If you are reading this guide, you are either already serving in or are considering a career in a field which greatly contributes to the high degree of public health and quality of life we enjoy in this country.  This first section gives you a basic overview of the process you can follow to get and maintain your Water Treatment Operator Certification in the state of California.

California Water Treatment Operator Certification is governed by the following state regulations:

Operator Certification Regulations

Drinking Water Operator Certification Statutes as amended via AB 2890

An individual who makes decisions addressing the operational activities identified in Subsection 63770(c) must possess a distribution operator certificate or possess a treatment operator certificate and have appropriate training to make such decisions. An individual who makes decisions addressing the operational activities identified in Subsection 63770(d) must possess either a distribution operator certificate or a treatment operator certificate.

To become certified as a water treatment operator, an applicant must:

  1. Meet the minimum qualifications to take the exam
  2. Submit the exam application with the applicable fee
  3. Pass the applicable exam (minimum score of 70%)
  4. Meet the minimum qualifications for certification
  5. Submit the application for certification with applicable fee

American Water College offers COURSES to help you meet the education requirements and prepare to pass your certification exams the first time.  Our exam preparation courses cover all the material you need to know.  We use a proven system with the most effective training methods so you will go into your exam with the confidence you need to succeed.  Click HERE to download your FREE copy of Certification Exam Tips.