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What is Certification?
The Voluntary Certification Program is the result of long and determined efforts by many people. In 1998, the South Carolina Environmental Certification Board appointed a committee composed of AWWA and WEASC members to study water distribution system and wastewater collection system operator certification. That committee, known as the Voluntary Certification Committee, advised the two parent associations to pursue a voluntary program for water distribution system and wastewater collection system operators. With the support of the SC Section of AWWA and the WEASC, that committee embarked on its mission to develop a Voluntary Certification Program.
In 1999 the Voluntary Certification Program was expanded to include biosolids/residual management system operators and two additional members were added to the Voluntary Certification Committee to represent those operators.
In 2000, the South Carolina Legislature made Water Distribution Certification mandatory and the Voluntary Certification Program certified Distribution operators were grandfathered into the State system. Water Distribution System representatives remained on the Committee to assist with the transition and attend to the ongoing business of training utility operators.
The Voluntary Certification Program for Wastewater Collection System Operators and Biosolid System Operators is a tiered professional licensing program much like the mandatory certification program for environmental system operators. A wastewater collection system operator prepares for and takes the appropriate level exam, beginning with the "D" level and is awarded that certification upon successful completion (a score of 70 or above) of the exam. The individual may continue with the process, gaining practical experience and taking exams until the desired certification level is achieved, "A" being the highest possible.
Biosolid system operators must first achieve an "operator in training" (OIT) by completing the WEASC Biosolids and Residual Management Workshop and completing the OIT application form. After one year of working in a biosolids and residual management program, the OIT is eligible to take the licensing exam and upon successful completion (a score of 70 or above) obtains his or her license.
Once an individual is licensed in either Wastewater Collection System or Biosolids, they must obtain six (6) hours of continuing education training annually to maintain their license status along with annually renewing their certification through the Voluntary Certification Program.
Please contact a member of the Voluntary Certification Committee for additional Details!
Click here to view the Rules Governing the Certification of Wastewater Collection System and Biosolids Operators.
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