• Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals

    The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals (WWWOOSSP Board) licenses individuals who operate water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as onsite soil evaluators, onsite sewage system installers, and onsite sewage system operators. The 11-member board is composed of licensed practitioners, the director of the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Water Programs, the executive director of the State Water Control Board, and one citizen.

    Licensing Section  (804) 367-8595
    Board Office  (804) 367-0362
    FAX  (866) 350-5354
    Email  WaterWasteOper@dpor.virginia.gov    
    • ATTENTION Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operator exam candidates: As a result of feedback from applicants for the class 1 through 4 waterworks and wastewater works operators examinations, the class 1 through 4 exams will be extended from three (3) to four (4) hours effective September 1, 2019. The fee for the examinations will be $119, also effective September 1, 2019. 

  • Forms & Applications

    Onsite Sewage System Professionals | PROVISIONAL Waterworks/Wastewater Works Operators | Waterworks/Wastewater Works Operators | Education-Related Forms 

    • Go to: Most Requested Forms (address change, criminal conviction reporting, certification request, etc.) 

    Applicants must read and understand the Waterworks/Wastewater Works Operators Regulations and Onsite Sewage System Professionals Regulations. Application fees are not refundable.

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    Onsite Sewage System Professionals

    Installers:
    Operators:
    Evaluators:

    NOTE FOR WATERWORKS AND WASTEWATER WORKS APPLICANTS:

    Make sure you are applying for the class of license for Virginia, not the classes established by ABC. Once you are approved, you will register on the AMP site for Virginia and take the class of license exam for Virginia. The AMP website for Virginia candidates includes a candidate handbook with links that will take you to ABC’s Need-to-Know criteria based on Virginia’s license classes. The classes established by ABC are not applicable to Virginia licenses.

    Provisional Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators

    Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators

    Education-Related Forms 

    Laws & Regulations

    Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here 

    Statutes

    Regulations

    Learn about REVISED Regulations (effective Jan. 1, 2018)
     

    Meetings & Minutes

    Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here. 

    The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.

    Visit the Town Hall: http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/viewboard.cfm?boardid=17&display=meetings 

    Education & Exams

    Examinations | Education | Continuing Professional Education (CPE) 

    Applicants must submit forms directly to the Board at DPOR. Applications submitted to the exam vendor will be returned to the applicant and require re-submission to the Board for processing. 

      Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators   Onsite Soil Systems Professionals 
    Exam Administrator  AMP | A PSI Business
    (800) 345-6559     		 PSI Exams
    (800) 733-9267
    Frequency and Dates of Exam  Daily Daily
    Deadline for Application   No application deadline. Applications are reviewed by WWWOOSSP Board staff on a continuous basis. No application deadline. Applications are reviewed by WWWOOSSP Board staff on a continuous basis.
    Exam Fees  
    Waterworks Operators  Wastewater Works Operators   
    Virginia Class  Virginia Class  Exam Fees 
    6 -- $80
    5 -- $80
    4* 4* $100*
    3* 3* $100*
    2* 2* $100*
    1* 1* $100*
    *As a result of feedback from applicants for the class 1 through 4 waterworks and wastewater works operators examinations, the class 1 through 4 exams will be extended from three (3) to four (4) hours effective September 1, 2019. The fee for the class 1 through 4 exams will be $119, also effective September 1, 2019.  
    Examination  Exam Fee 
    Onsite Soil EVALUATOR
    (Alternative or Conventional)     		 $80
    Onsite Sewage System INSTALLER
    (Alternative or Conventional)     		 $80
    Onsite Sewage System OPERATOR
    (Alternative or Conventional)     		 $80
     
    Exam Locations  Alexandria, VA
    Charlottesville, VA
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Harrisonburg, VA
    Richmond, VA
    Roanoke, VA
    Vienna, VA
    Virginia Beach, VA    		 Charlottesville, VA
    Richmond, VA
    Roanoke, VA
    Vienna, VA
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Salisbury, MD
    Johnson City, TN
    Exam FAQs 
    Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)    		 Candidate Information Bulletins:
         		 Candidate Information Bulletin:
     
    Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration?  Only applicants already approved by the Board should contact AMP with exam questions at: (800) 345-6559. (AMP will not schedule an applicant for the exam until it receives Board verification of the applicant’s eligibility.)   Only applicants already approved by the Board should contact PSI with exam questions at: (800) 733-9267. (PSI will not schedule an applicant for the exam until it receives Board verification of the applicant's eligibility.)
    Other Questions?  To check on application status, contact the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8595 or waterwasteoper@dpor.virginia.gov. To check on application status, contac the Board's Licensing Section at (804) 367-8595 or waterwasteoper@dpor.virginia.gov 

     

     

    Education

    Training Credits

    First-time applicants for licensure as Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators may apply some training to the experience requirements necessary to qualify. The list of specialized training programs/courses provides information about the specific amount of training credits (TCs) that may be used to substitute for up to half of the required experience for Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 Waterworks or Wastewater Works Operator licenses.

     

    Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

    Existing licensees (waterworks operators, wastewater works operators, and onsite sewage system professionals) are required to complete continuing education courses as a condition of license renewal. Board regulations outline the number of hours required depending on the type of license.

    • Waterworks & Wastewater Works Operator Regulations PDF | online 
    • Onsite Sewage System Professionals Regulations PDF | online 
     

    News & Publications

    Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.
    • IMPORTANT NOTICE: Upcoming Exam Changes (updated 4/24/18)
    • Learn about REVISED Regulations effective Jan. 1, 2018 
    •  NEWS RELEASE | Wastewater Works Operator License Revocation | July 25, 2019
    • Information about VDH Stakeholder Facilitation (SHIFT): Overview, meetings, and documents related to transition and private-sector participation in onsite sewage program administration and oversight. 

    For DPOR news, visit the Press Releases page.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How do I contact the Board office? Will I be able to speak directly to a Board member?  
    2. Where can I find information about how the board interprets a specific regulation? 
    3. How do I become a waterworks/wastewater works operator apprentice? 
    4. I need to renew my license, but I haven't received my renewal form. What do I need to do? 
    5. My renewal payment was one day late and I have always paid on time. Can you waive the late fee? 
    6. I did not renew on time because I didn't receive my renewal card. Do I still have to pay a late fee or reinstate my license? 
    7. Does the Board office use the date of receipt or the postmark date to determine whether an application or renewal was received on time? 
    8. My address and/or name has changed. What do I need to do to notify the Board? 

    How do I contact the Board office? Will I be able to speak directly to a Board member? 

    You may reach us by phone at (804) 367-8595 (Licensing Section) or (804) 367-2648 (Board Office), by FAX at (866) 350-5354, or by e-mail at WaterWasteOper@dpor.virginia.gov. Additionally, if you have information that you would like to mail to the Board, please send it to:
    Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals
    Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
    9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
    Richmond, VA 23233

    The Board members do not work in the Board office. They come into the Board offices for Board meetings and hearings, but are not here on a daily basis. Board office staff members can answer your questions and are trained to process all information that comes into the Board office. Please do not contact Board members directly.

    Where can I find information about how the board interprets a specific regulation?

    Guidance documents, including Board Interpretations and Policies, are available at the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall: http://www.townhall.virginia.gov/L/GDocs.cfm?boardid=17.

    How do I become a waterworks/wastewater works operator apprentice?

    The apprenticeship program, conducted through the Department of Labor and Industry, provides an opportunity for high school students age 16 or older to become eligible for the Class IV waterworks and wastewater works operator exams. You must contact the Department of Labor and Industry directly to receive information regarding becoming an apprentice.

    I need to renew my license, but I haven't received my renewal form. What do I need to do?

    Send in the renewal fee, make checks payable to the Treasurer of Virginia, and include your license number on your check. If you have had a change of address, include a letter with your new address. Mail this information to:
    Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals
    Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
    9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
    Richmond, VA 23233

    You CANNOT continue to practice a regulated profession in Virginia after your license has expired.

    My renewal payment was one day late and I have always paid on time. Can you waive the late fee?

    No. The Board's regulations allow a 30-day grace period in which a license may be renewed without penalty (therefore, your payment is actually 31 days late). Staff cannot waive the fee.

    I did not renew on time because I didn't receive my renewal card. Do I still have to pay a late fee or reinstate my license?

    Yes. Board regulations state that failure to receive the renewal notice does not relieve the licensee of the obligation to renew.

    Does the Board office use the date of receipt or the postmark date to determine whether an application or renewal was received on time?

    The date the application or renewal was received in the agency determines whether it is on time, not the postmark date. If the renewal fee is received after the due date, you will be required to pay the reinstatement fee. If the reinstatement fee is received after the due date, you will be required to apply as a new applicant, meeting all current requirements.

    My address and/or name has changed. What do I need to do to notify the Board?

    Many Boards allow you to update your ADDRESS using Online Services, so login to your personal profile to see if this is an option for your license type. The alternative is to complete, print, sign, and submit an Address Change Form to the Board office by mail. Unless updated online, all Address Change Forms must be received by the Board in writing. When providing a post office box as the mailing address, it must be accompanied by the physical address.

    To report a NAME CHANGE: complete, print, sign, and submit a Name Change Form to the Board office. All name changes must be received by the Board in writing. Individual name change requests must be accompanied by a copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official documentation that verifies the name change.

    Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals

    Board Executive Director

    Trisha Henshaw

    Board Administrator

    Paul G. Saunders, III

    Board Member Roster

    James N. Brockwell
    First term ends June 30, 2019
    Licensed Alternative Onsite Sewage System Operator    		 Dwayne Roadcap
    Indefinite Term
    Dept. of Health Designee
    Don Riggleman
    Unexpired term ends June 30, 2019
    Wastewater Works Owner     		 D. Perry Greene 
    Second term ends June 30, 2019
    Wastewater Operator
    John Ewing
    First term ends June 30, 2019
    Licensed Alternative Onsite Sewage System Installer    		 Kristen Lentz
    Second term ends June 30, 2019
    Waterworks Owner
    W. Jordan Evans 
    First term ends June 30, 2019
    Citizen Member    		 Pamela M. Pruett | BOARD CHAIR
    First term ends June 30, 2019
    Licensed Onsite Soil Evaluator
    Rosa-Lee Cooke 
    First term ends June 30, 2019
    Faculty Member     		 D. Wayne Staples 
    Indefinite Term
    Dept. of Environmental Quality Designee 
    Thomas Wayne Fore | BOARD VICE CHAIR
    First term ends June 30, 2021
    Waterworks Operator

     

    Board members are appointed by the Governor. To learn more about the gubernatorial appointment process, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. 

    Military and Veterans Services

    DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

    Active-duty military personnel and their spouses having served outside the U.S., as well as certain diplomatic service members and veterans, may be eligible to receive up to a five-year extension for meeting license renewal requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-117 of the Code of Virginia).

    Spouses of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia are eligible for expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application (PDF). A temporary, non-renewable 12-month license for certain military spouses licensed in another state who need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements is also an option if necessary. [Section 54.1-119] 

    • NEW! Military spouses can now get help covering the costs of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent-change-of-station move with their service member spouse.

    For honorably discharged veterans, “substantially equivalent” military training, education, or experience may be credited toward certain license requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-118). In addition, the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs may reimburse veterans for the cost of license or certification exams. See the VA Pamphlet 22-02-1 for more information.

    Available Online Services

    (Please check back periodically as we modify transactions in the future.)

    Address change

    ALL license types  

    Renew a license

    ALL license types  

    • Except interim licenses 

    Go to Online Services