Operator Certification
The Water Operator Certification Program has been in operation as a mandatory requirement for operators of public water systems since 1957. Prior to 1957, a voluntary certification program existed. The purpose of certification of water operators is to help ensure that the citizens of Arkansas receive ample supplies of safe, potable water from any public water system. A person desiring to work as a water operator must pass a series of exams and have a specified amount of experience. The amount of experience and the difficulty of the exams are based on the size of the community being served by the water system and the type of treatment being provided. These categories are used to reflect the difficulty of operation as well as the potential consequences of improper action on the part of the operator.
A seven-person Drinking Water Advisory & Operator Licensing Committee oversees the operation of the program. The committee members are made up of one engineer from the Department of Health, one consulting engineer who designs water system projects, one engineer who is active in teaching at a state university, and four Class A operators. Except for the Department of Health representative, each member serves a single term of seven years. Candidates for the committee are nominated by any of the various industry groups active in drinking water. All candidates are presented to the Board of Health, who determines which candidate is selected.
Resources
- Water Operator Hiring and Contracting – Guide
- Water Operator Hiring and Contracting – Forms
- Exam Registration
- Obtaining a License
- Operator Certification, Forms, and Training Documents
- Check your Renewal Hours
- Check your Mandatory Training
- Operator Certification Training Schedule Links
- Operator Certification Exam Schedule
- List of Certified Operators, Operators in Training and Application Pending Operators
Contact Information
Operator Certification
4815 West Markham, Slot 37
Little Rock, AR 72205-3867
Phone: 501 661-2623
Fax: 501 661-2032
[email protected]
