Drinking Water Operator Certification

Consistent with State policy established in 1977 concerning the provision of safe drinking water and to promote the public health and welfare, the 1991 Nevada State Legislature enacted legislation (Nevada Revised Statutes 445A.875 through 880) that created the public water systemoperator certification program. The program was implemented by the State Health Division and regulations were drafted and approved by the State Board of Health. The implementation and enforcement of the regulations now falls under the authority of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) through the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.

The operator certification regulations apply to all persons who operate community or non-transient non-community public water systems and to persons who operate transient non-community systems that utilize surface water as a source. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment. 

These persons must obtain a fully certified operator certificate issued by the NDEP. Fully certified operators may operate more than one water system. Certified operators must renew their certificates every two years. Continued education training credits are required to renew certificates. Training classes must be approved by the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.

An Operator-in-Training (OIT) certification examination is offered to those persons who want to work in the water industry but do not have the experience for a full certification. Operator-in-Training certificates may be converted to full certificates after the required experience in operating is obtained. Certification through reciprocity with other states or foreign countries is specifically addressed in the regulations and is granted on a case by case basis.

New Certification or Reciprocity Application

• Complete Online
• Downloadable - PDF 

Note: Work experience is dependent on duties performed and the water system(s) operating category. Half experience may be substituted with wastewater experience or college level courses.  Each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Operators who do not meet the education requirement will be certified as Operator-In-Training (OIT). Once the experience has been met, operators may apply for a Full certification staring at Grade 1.

Grade 3 and 4 important note: *College level courses related to water or training must be approved by the International Association of Education Training (IACET). Courses must be at least 36 hours in length and related to drinking water. Documentation required upon application.

Some Post-Secondary Providers (IACET) Acredited 

• American Water College
• Office of Water Programs at the California State University, Sacramento
• University of Florida TREEO Center Water Treatment Plant Operations

Exam Applications

• Completed applications and fees must be received at the NDEP's Carson City office by 5:00 pm on or before the deadline and you are encouraged to submit applications early.  Follow all instructions on the form and ensure your application and attachments are complete.
• Complete Online
• Downloadable - PDF 

Application Fees

• Application review fees may be paid by using E-Pay. When using E-Pay it is important that you follow the instructions on the application. Upon successful payment you will receive a confirmation email that you will submit along with your application. Prior to submitting, please scan all pages of your application and the fee confirmation into one document.  

Computerized Exam: Once application is approved by NDEP. NDEP will coordinate with the test taking company (PSI).Examinees will receive an eligibility email to register for the exam. An additional fee of $69 (paid to PSI) will be required.

Written Exam: 2025 Exams will be on the dates listed below and location will vary depending on applicant. Test takers will be contacted by a proctor with testing schedule details and logistics.

Renewal or Reinstatement Application

• Complete Online
• Downloadable - PDF

Multiple certifications of the SAME classification require continuing education requirements for the highest grade.

• For example, if you had a D2 Full and a D3 OIT, only fourteen (14) contact hours would be required for renewal.

If you have both distribution and treatment certificates, continuing education requirements are required for each type of certificate. 

• For example: if you had a D3 Full and a T1 Full, expiring at the end of the year. You would need fourteen (14) contact hours for the D3 Full and seven (7) separate contact hours for the T1 Full.

NOTE: The renewal period is two (2) years. If you receive a certificate during any time in a given year, it will expire December 31st of the following year. For example, if you receive a certificate on September 12, 2022, it will expire December 31, 2023. The next renewal will then be due December 31, 2025, and every two (2) years thereafter.

Reinstatement of Expired Certificates (Renewal received after December 31st)

• An OIT cannot be reinstated.
• A full certificate can be reinstated within six (6) months after expiration date.
• Proof of the required continuing education units is required.
• To reinstate, the fee is $150.00. 

External Educational Resources

This (alphabetical) listing of approved on-line training and contact hour classes for Operator Certification Renewal and Testing is not exhaustive and does not promote any one vendor over another. If you are a training organization and would like to have your materials reviewed for inclusion, please contact the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, Operator Certification Program at 775-687-9521.

• NDEP Approved Contact Hours - Excel
• NDEP Approved Contact Hours - PDF

For seeking approval of a course not provided please fill out the Application for Course Approval - PDF

Local Contact Hour Providers

• B&L Backflow Prevention
• BAT & Supply LLC Backflow Prevention (ID & UT)
• Rural Community Assistance Corp

Online Contact Hour Providers 

• At Your Pace Online
• CEU Plan
• Indigo Water Group
• Technical Learning College
• Vector Solutions (formerly Target Solutions)
• Water Grades Online
• Water Otter Online
• Zarathom Online

• Study Resources
  • WPI Study Resources Here
• Written Exam Summaries:
  • 2024 Quarter 1 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2023 Quarter 4 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2023 Quarter 3 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2023 Quarter 2 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2023 Quarter 1 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2022 Quarter 4 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2022 Quarter 3 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2022 Quarter 2 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2022 Quarter 1 Exam Summary.ppt
  • 2021 September Exam Summary.pdf
  • 2021 June Exam Summary.pdf
  • 2021 March Exam Summary.pdf
• Current Operator List
  • Current List of Active Certified Operators 02-12-2025