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Certification Exams:
Wastewater Operator Certification Program

New fees

Effective July 1, 2024–new certification fees

About the exam

Each wastewater exam is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions covering the Need-to-Know Criteria as itemized on WPI’s Website. The current version of the wastewater treatment and collection exams has 110 questions, but only 100 pre-selected questions will be scored. The additional ten questions are interspersed and being pre-tested for future incorporation. All questions should be answered as if they were being scored, since no one knows which are the “real” questions. For more information on content of exams, see the exam preparation information.

Computer-based exams

  • Offered year-round
  • Administered through PSI Exams
  • Four testing locations in Utah

Orem – Global Testing Center

Salt Lake City – Maleko Salt Lake City

Cedar City – Southwest Technical College

St. George – Dixie State University/Utah Tech University

Computer-based exams before July 1, 2024

How to register

1. Submit an application

  • Submit an exam application to wwopcert@utah.gov.
  • Include your personal email on the application since you will be contacted by PSI that way.
  • Pay the $100 exam fee for each exam requested
Pay online

or pay by check to Division of Water Quality

2. Register with PSI after getting a confirmation email from them

  • Once your eligibility has been confirmed by the Division of Water Quality, we will send your info to PSI.
  • You will get a registration email from PSI that will allow you to create an account with them.
  • You will only be able to register for the exams that have been requested via exam application. You will be eligible to schedule the approved exam for a date prior to July 1, 2024, before your eligibility expires.
  • If you allow your eligibility to expire, or you wish to retest, you will be required to reapply by submitting a new exam application and fee to the Division of Water Quality.

3. Schedule your exam

  • You can register for an exam with PSI 6 weeks in advance.
  • To get your preferred date and location, register 4 to 6 weeks before you want to take it.

Taking the exam

Before testing, read the Candidate Handbook to prepare.

After the exam

  • After you take the exam, you will receive your scores immediately from the test center supervisor.
  • If you would like to retake the exam, you will have a 30-day waiting period before you may take that exam again.
  • To take the exam again before July 1, 2024, you will need to submit a new application and pay the $100 exam fee to the Division of Water Quality.
  • For testing dates on or after July 1, 2024, the new testing policy and procedures will be in effect.
  • Once we receive a passing score from PSI, we will issue and mail your certificate to the preferred mailing address currently on file with us.

Computer-based exams starting July 1, 2024

How to register

1. Submit an application

  • Submit an exam application to wwopcert@utah.gov
  • Include your personal email on the application since you will be contacted by PSI that way.
  • Pay the $50 exam fee for each unique classification and grade exam requested
Pay online

or pay by check to Division of Water Quality

2. Register with PSI after getting a confirmation email from them

  • Once your eligibility has been confirmed by us (the Division of Water Quality), we will send your info to PSI.
  • You will get a registration email from PSI that will allow you to create an account with them. 
  • You will only be able to register for the exams that have been requested via exam application to the us (the Division of Water Quality). 
  • You will be eligible to schedule and pay the current testing fee to PSI for the approved exam within the original 6 months before your eligibility expires, with the exception of a 30-day block-out period before and after the scheduled dates for paper-based exams. 
  • If you allow your eligibility to expire, you must reapply by submitting a new updated exam application and fee to us (the Division of Water Quality).

3. Schedule your exam

  • You can register for an exam with PSI 6 weeks in advance.
  • To get your preferred date and location, register 4 to 6 weeks before you want to take it.

Taking the exam

Before testing, read the Candidate Handbook to prepare.

After the exam

  • After you take the exam, you will receive your scores immediately from the test center supervisor.
  • If you want to retake the exam, you will have a 30-day waiting period before you may take the exam again.
  • To take the exam again (after June 30, 2024) within the original 6-month eligibility period
    • You will NOT need to submit a new application and fee to the Division of Water Quality,
    • You WILL need to pay PSI’s current testing center fee.
  • Once we receive a passing score from PSI, we will issue and mail your certificate to the preferred mailing address currently on file with us.

Paper-based exams

  • Offered twice a year at RWAU Conferences
  • The paper exam fee increases to $200 on July 1, 2024
  • Registration for this exam is separate from the RWAU Conference Registration

Dates

March 1, 2024 – St. George

August 29, 2024 – Layton

Bring to the exam
  • Two sharpened #2 pencils with good erasers
  • Photo ID
  • Non-programmable calculator (not a cell phone!)
  • Leave everything else behind

How to register

1. Submit an application

  • Submit an exam application to wwopcert@utah.gov
  • Don’t forget the Citizenship/Alien ID form, notarized with copy of your ID (see application page for instructions)
  • Pay the $200 exam fee BEFORE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE (4 weeks before exam date)
Pay online

or pay by check to Division of Water Quality

2. Verify your information is correct

Refunds or cancellations

  • We are charged for every exam ordered and/or corrected.
  • If you cannot attend, your exam fee cannot be refunded nor credited for the next exam if it is canceled after the application deadline.
  • However, if someone can be found to take your place, you will be refunded the exam fee.
  • Call if you cannot attend the test.

Need help?

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday

Mail Us

Wastewater Operator Certification
Division of Water Quality
P.O. Box 144870
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4870

Visit Us

Division of Water Quality
Multi-Agency State Office Building (MASOB)
195 North 1950 West, DEQ 3rd Floor
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

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