Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon Health Authority logo

DEMO *** Operator Certification for Distribution and Treatment

All community and non-transient non community (NTNC) water systems must be under the supervision of a certified operator. Trained and certified operators are necessary to ensure that the systems are managed in a manner that fully protects public health and the environment.

 Pay Online   FAQs   Contact Us

Distribution and Treatment

Level 1

You must meet one of the education and experience options below, before submitting your application. You will be required to provide proof of experience​ and education with your application. 


Proof of Education = High school diploma, GED, or college diploma. In leiu of a diploma a transcirpt with graduation date can be accepted.

​Option 1

  • Proof of Education
  • 12 months of full time experience in Distribution or Treatment
Option 2
  • Proof of Education
  • 12 months   (45 earned credits), or 
  • Associates degree in Water and Environmental Technology from Clackamas Community College or Linn-Benton Community College. 

​

​

​The two year certification cycle is split up based on the first letter of your last name. Fees are prorated by 50% when applications are submitted 1/2 way through the certification cycle.

​First Initial of
Last Name		 ​
Year​		 ​
Fee
​Exp​ires
A-K    ​​ ​
 ​Even   $45.00​   ​12/31 this year
Odd​ ​$90.00 ​​12/31 next year

​​L-Z    ​ ​
 ​
Even
​$90.00
​12/31 next year
​Odd ​$45.00 ​12/31 this year
  

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

Level 2

You must meet one of the education and experience options below. You will be required to provide proof of experience and education with your application.

Proof of Education = High school diploma, GED, or college diploma. In leiu of a diploma a transcirpt with graduation date can be accepted.

Option 1

  • Proof of Education
  • 36 months of experience
Option 2

  • Proof of Education
  • 24 months of experience and 12 months of education

​​

​

The two year certification cycle is split up based on the first letter of your last name. Fees are prorated by 50% when applications are submitted 1/2 way through the certification cycle.

​First Initial of
Last Name		 ​Year ​Fee ​Expires
​​​A-K     ​ ​Even    ​$62.50    ​12/31 this year
​Odd ​$125.00 ​12/31 next year

​L-Z     ​
Even
​$125.00
​12/31 next year
​Odd ​$62.50 ​12/31 this year
 

​

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

Level 3

​You must meet one of the education and experience options below. You w​ill be required to provide proof of experience and education with your application.

ODM = Operational Decision Making

Proof of Education = High school diploma, GED, or college diploma. In leiu of a diploma a transcirpt with graduation date can be accepted. 

Experience and Education

Option 1

  • Proof of Education
  • 96 months of experience, and
  • 30 months of ODM
Option 2
  • Proof of Education
  • 60 months of experience,
  • 12 months of education, and 
  • 24 months of ODM
Option 3
  • Proof of Education​
  • 48 months of experience,
  • 24 months of education, and 
  • 24 months of ODM
Option 4
  • Proof of Education
  • ​36 months of experience,
  • 36 months of education, and 
  • 18 months of ODM

​

​

The two year certification cycle is split up based on the first letter of your last name. Fees are prorated by 50% when applications are submitted 1/2 way through the certification cycle. 

​First Initial of
Last Name
Year
​Fee		 ​
Expires
​A-K     ​Even    ​$80.00     ​12/31 this year
​ ​Odd ​$160.00 ​12/31 next year

​L-Z    ​
​Even
​$160.00
​12/31 next year
​ ​Odd ​$80.00 ​​12/31 this year
 ​

​

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

Level 4

You must meet one of the education and experience options below. You will be required to provide proof of experience and education with your application. 

ODM = Operational Decision Making

Proof of Education = High school diploma, GED, or college diploma. In leiu of a diploma a transcirpt with graduation date can be accepted. Proof of Education

Experience and Education

Option 1

  • Proof of Education
  • 120 months of experience, and
  • 36 months of ODM
Option 2

  • Proof of Education
  • 84 months of experience,
  • 12 months of educaiton, and 
  • 30 months of ODM
Option 3

  • Proof of Education
  • 72 months of experience,
  • 24 months of education, and 
  • 30 months of ODM
Option 4

  • 60 months of experience,
  • 36 months of education, and
  • 30 months of ODM
Option 5

  • Proof of Education​
  • 48 months of experience,
  • 48 months of education, and 
  • 24 months of ODM​

​​

​

The two year certification cycle is split up based on the first letter of your last name. Fees are prorated by 50% when applications are submitted 1/2 way through the certification cycle. 

​First Initial of
Last Name		 ​
Year
Fee​
​Expires
​A-K     ​Even    ​$97.50 ​12/31 this year
​ ​Odd ​$195.00   ​12/31 next year

​L-Z    		 ​
Even		 ​
$195.00		 ​
12/31 next year
​ ​Odd ​$97.50 ​​12/31 this year
 ​

​

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

OIT

You must meet one of the education and experience options below, adn include proof with your application. 

Option 1

  • High School dipolma or GED​
  • 3 months of full time experience in Distribution or Treatment 
Option 2
  • ​High School dipolma or GED​
  • 30 hours of post high school education​

​​

Required Attachments

  • Copy of high school diploma, GED, or college degree AND
  • Affidavit of 3 months experience; OR
  • documentation of 30 hours post high school education​

​​

Filtration Endorsement (FE)

​In order to apply for a filtration endorsement you need a 
  • Treatment Level 2 certification and 
  • 12 months, or more of Operational Decision Making (ODM) at a treatment plant with conventional or direct filtration

Note: There is no renewal fee for a Filtration Endorsement ​(FE)
​

Reciprocity

​Certification by reciprocity is determined on a case by case basis for individuals who meet the following criteria:

  • ​​have a current valid distribution or treatment certification or licnese in another State or Province,
  • the State or Province must have a recognized certification program, or have Primacy with EPA
  • the exam, experience, and education requirements in the State or Province must be equivalent to Oregon requirements

  • Reciprocity FAQs (attach pdf)

​

​Reciprocity Application & Instructions

Application Attachments
  • Copy of your High School Diploma or GED
  • Copy of your current Distribution/Treatment certificate
  • Copy of the regulation you were certified under

​

Fees

The fee is $100 for each reciprocity certification you are applying for

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

Renewal

Treatment & Distribution Renewal Instructions

  • Renewals forms are mailed out the first week of November
  • You renew for TWO years
  • Document your 2.0 CEUs on the CEU Self Certification form
  • Submit your renewal packet by 12/31
Late Fee (Reinstatement Fee)
Renewal packets received​ after January 31, are late, and a $50 late fee is added to the renewal fee.
​​​​

Can't find your renewal form?
Email dws.opcert@odhsoha.oregon.gov to request a copy. Include your full name and certification #

Need another CEU Self Certification form? 
Download it below:

​

Fees

  • ONE certification (D or T) is $140
  • TWO certifications (D & T) is $210.00
  • There is no fee for your FE (Filtration Endorsement)

​

​​Option 1: Pay by Credit Card
  • Pay online with your credit card (​You will be emailed a reciept), and then
  • Submit your applicaiton packet by mail, fax, or email
​Option 2: Pay by Check
  • Make check out to OHA Cashier
  • Sumbit your application packet by mail to:
    Cashier - DWS OpCert
    PO BOX 14260
    Portland, OR 97293
Questions? Contact the program 
​​

Key Resources