Office of Drinking Water Quality

Drinking Water Operator Certification Program

Overview

General Guidelines (please see the full regulations)

In Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Health certifies drinking water operators.  There are four levels of certification, in addition to VSS (Very Small System) certification.  For water treatment facility operators, Grade 1T being the lowest level and Grade 4T being the highest-level water treatment operator certification, based on treatment complexity of the system.  There are also four levels of certification for water distribution system operators, based on population served.  Again, Grade 1D being the lowest and Grade 4D being the highest-level water distribution system operator certification. 

Applicants seeking drinking water operator certification must have a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED).  Additionally, applicants for certification must pass a drinking water operator certification examination.

Examinations are held at least three times per year at a time and place designated by the Board.

Full certification will be in effect for three (3) years from issuance and may be renewed in accordance with section 11.0 of these regulations.

Classification and Qualifications of Water Supply Treatment and Water Supply Distribution Operators

A Full Grade 1 Treatment (1T), or Grade 1 Distribution (1D), certification requires:

• A high school diploma (or equivalent) and
• Six (6) months full-time experience as an operator at a Class 1T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility, or Class 1D drinking water distribution facility.

Each higher level of certification has an incrementally more stringent requirement for experience at correspondingly higher rated facilities.
  
For example, a Full Grade 3 Treatment (3T) or Grade 3 Distribution (3D), certification requires:

• Possession of a Full Grade 2T or a Full Grade 2D with full-time experience as an operator at a Class 2T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility or Class 2D drinking water distribution facility for an additional two (2) years after certification; or
• A high school diploma (or equivalent) and four (4) years full-time experience as an operator at a Class 2T (or higher) drinking water supply treatment facility, or Class 2D drinking water distribution facility; or
• An Associate’s Degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and two (2) years full-time experience as an operator at a class 2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility. (Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board); or
• A Bachelor's degree in the physical and/or biological sciences and one (1) year full-time experience as an operator at a class 2T (or higher) drinking water treatment facility. (Degree shall be in the areas of sanitary, civil, chemical, or environmental engineering, public health, biology, chemistry, or other discipline acceptable to the Board).

An applicant seeking certification as an Operator-in-Training (OIT) must meet all of the minimum qualifications outlined in the regulations except for the full-time employment and/or full time experience requirements for the certification type and grade for which he/she is seeking before he/she will be allowed to take the examination.

• If the applicant passes the examination to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board shall issue the applicant a certification as an OIT.
• Upon satisfactory completion of the required full time employment and/or full time experience for the certification type and grade for which the OIT is certified, and upon application to the Board, full certification shall be granted.

Training Requirements

In order to renew a certificate, an applicant must complete the number of continuing training/education contact hours related to drinking supply treatment and/or transmission and distribution specified below.

Note: One (1) continuing education unit (CEU) equals ten (10) training contact hours.
OIT = Operator In Training status 
FULL = Full Certification status

Website Information for Rhode Island Drinking Water Certification:
Water Treatment, Distribution, and Very Small Water System Certifications

Web Site: http://www.health.ri.gov/environment/dwq/operator
Training courses: http://www.health.ri.gov/environment/
dwq/operator/courses.php

Who To Contact Regarding Rhode Island Drinking Water Certification:
Dana McCants Derisier
RI Department of Health
Office of Drinking Water Quality
3 Capitol Hill, Room 209
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: (401) 222-7824
Email: dana.mccants-derisier@health.ri.gov

Who To Contact Regarding Rhode Island Drinking Water Operator Certification Board:
June Swallow, P. E.
RI Department of Health
Office of Drinking Water Quality
3 Capitol Hill, Room 209
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: (401) 222-7787
Email: june.swallow@health.ri.gov