Certification Questions

Changes to personal information questions

Registration Questions

Renewal questions

1.  Where do I mail my application for certification, renewal or class registration?

Division of Compliance Assistance
Operator Certification
300 Fair Oaks Lane
Frankfort, KY  40601

Do not mail to the Department of Revenue.  This will delay processing of your application.

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2.  Who do I write my check to?

Make your check or money order payable to "Kentucky State Treasurer".

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3.  Where do I mail my application packet, registration form or renewal application?

Division of Compliance Assistance
Certification and Licensing Branch
Operator Certification
300 Fair Oaks Lane
Frankfort, KY  40601

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4.  What is one of the most common errors found on applications for certification?

One of the most common errors we see on operator certification applications is the failure to have a supervisor sign your application.  Be sure to get that signature before submitting the application to us.  Otherwise your application will be returned to you.

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5.  I sent an application in, but I haven't gotten my approval yet.  Should I just show up for class?

No.  It is safer to call operator certification 800-926-8111.  There may have been a delay in processing, a deficiency in your application, or other problems preventing your enrollment in the class.  Be sure you have your confirmation letter before you attend the course!

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6.  I am sending in my application for certification.  Can I send in a generic job description to complete the request for job experience?

No.  The division wants to know what actual hands on experience you have in operating a facility.  A generic job description will not be specific enough related to what you do in your operations of the plant where your work.  List all of your operational duties and the percentage of time you spend working on these tasks.  This information will be used by the operator certification technical staff to evaluate the experience your have and how it relates to the regulations requiring education and job experience for each level of certification.  Also, be sure to list daytime contact information including e-mail address.  This is helpful if the trainers have any questions about your application.  They will contact you directly to discuss the information on your application if they have questions or need clarification of the information you provided.

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7.  I sent an application in and I want to change the location of the certification class I requested.  What should I do?

Call or e-mail the operator certification staff before the class for which you enrolled begins.  Give us your complete name and Agency Interest Number (if you have one assigned), and the date and location of the class you originally requested.  Then give us the class information (date, location, course code) for the class you would like to attend.  A letter of confirmation will be sent to you when you are set up for the new class.

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8.  If my proof of education (diploma, transcript or certificate) has already been submitted, do I have to send it again with a new application?

No, you do not have to resend your proof of education unless you have completed additional education and it is required for the upgrade in your certification.  Just note that the proof of education is on file with operator certification.

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9.  I have recently changed jobs, do I need to contact Operator Certification?

Yes, according to 401 KAR 5:030 Section 6.1, if information related to the operator’s employment or mailing address changes from the application filed for certification, the certified operator shall provide written notification to the division within 30 days.  You should complete and submit an address/employment change form to Operator Certification at the address listed on the form.  This address/employment change form is available at the Department for Environmental Protection forms page.

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10.  Can I take an test anywhere other than at the certification schools?

Yes, in response to operator requests Operator Certification now offers quarterly exams in Frankfort at the Division of Compliance Assistance.  The list of dates for open exams can be located on the Training and Testing Information page.

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11.  I took a test and didn't pass but would like to try again.  Do I have to wait until the class is offered again to retake the test?  I don't want to go to the whole school.  I only need to retake the test. 

Operator certification offers the option to take a retest for an exam at any class that offers a testing session.  It doesn't have to be for the same program or class description.  For example, you can take a retest for any wastewater certification exam at any drinking water exam site.  This is also true for water.  You may retake the same level of water treatment or distribution exam if you didn't pass the first time, at any wastewater exam site.  The locations and dates of all classes with exams are located in the current copy of the Operator Certification Training Catalog.  The newest catalog is available online at the Division of Compliance Assistance, Operator Certification page.   You will still have to resubmit the testing fee and a registration form with two choices of retest dates listed.  The complete application with proof of education will not have to be submitted again for a retest. 

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12.  I took a certification exam and want to know if I passed.  Can I call in for my score?

Test scores will not be given out over the telephone.  This change has been made to protect the privacy of the individual test applicants. 

You may  review the list of test candidates that have passed exams on the Training and Testing Information page of this site.  You will need to know the location and date of the test site. 

If you would like to receive your test score please wait for approximately five business days after completing your test.  You may then write to Operator Certification and request your score.  You should include the following information in your request:

Name (include initials and any qualifiers such as Jr. or Sr.)
Agency Interest Number (five-digit number)
The date of the test and location
The type of test taken (i.e. Wastewater I, Drinking Water Treatment II-A)

This information may be faxed to Operator Certification at
502-564-9720 or mailed to:

Division of Compliance Assistance
Certification and Licensing Branch
Operator Certification
300 Fair Oaks Lane
Frankfort, KY  40601 

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13.  I took a test and failed – can I take it again?

Yes, you should submit only the "Registration Form for Exams and Training Classes" with the $35 fee made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.  Provide two choices for the date to retake the exam.

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14.  I didn't renew my license by June 30 of the renewal year.  Do I have to retest?

Water treatment and distribution operators have one year from the expiration date of their certificate to renew.  After that time the license will terminate and they must retest before regaining certification.  If a license expires, the operator may not be in "direct responsible charge" of a facility.  Regulations relevant to water treatment and distribution operators are located in 401 KAR 8:030 Section 4.

Wastewater operators have two renewal cycles before their certificate will terminate.  During this time they may renew by completing the required continuing education hours and submitting a renewal fee or renewing online and paying the renewal fee, $35 and associated late fee, $35. The regulations governing wastewater operator renewals are located in 401 KAR 5:010 Section 6. 

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15.  I tried to renew my license online, but my address is different than what is shown.  Can I still renew?

Before you will be able to renew online you will need to notify Operator Certification of the change in your mailing address.  This is necessary because the address on record is where your wallet card will be mailed.  This address/employment change form is available at the Department for Environmental Protection forms page.   Once your address is changed in the database you will be able to renew your license online.

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16.  Where can I get continuing education classes?

The Operator Certification Program offers continuing education classes for wastewater operators and for drinking water treatment and distribution operators.  The available classes are listed in the 2008 Operator Certification Catalog.  You may also take classes from alternate providers that have been approved by the certification board for continuing education credit.  Contact the individual provider to determine what classes are available and which have been board-approved. 

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17.  How many continuing education hours do I have?

Operators can check their continuing education hours online.  They can also check the status of their license, how many hours of continuing education have been earned and verify their license number and agency interest number.  To use this tool go to the department's e-Search Web Site.

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18.  I attended an operator certification preparatory course held by the Division of Compliance Assistance.  Can the hours that I earned in class be used to renew my certificate?

Yes, as long as they meet the guidelines for the use of continuing education hours for renewal purposes. The regulations can be found at 401 KAR 5:010 Section 6.7a for wastewater operators and 401 KAR 8:030 Section 7a for drinking water operators.

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