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Water Operator Training and Professional Development

Page Index

Training Contact Hours

Training Calendar

Upcoming or New Training

In-House & Online Training

Free Online Resources

Becoming a Training Provider and Forms

 

Training Contact Hours (TCHs)

License holders must earn continuing education credits for license renewal. The number of training contact hours (TCHs) required for license renewal depends on the classification of the license. Operator training is available in a variety of programs. Self-study programs are also available. Training topics must be relevant to the treatment or distribution licenses held.

Relevant Training topics will:

• Have an influence on water quality, water supply, or public health protection; and
• Be directly related to the operation or maintenance of a water system; or
• Be directly related to managing the operation or maintenance of a water system.

Please review Relevancy Fact Sheet (PDF).

Training Contact Hours Attendance Sheet

Trainers and training providers may use this fillable PDF form to document attendance at training events. This is particualrly useful for in-house training.

Training Contact Hours Attendance Sheet (PDF)

Operator TCH Records

The Drinking Water Program maintains a record of operator contact hours. You can review your TCH record here.

Montana Water Center CD No Longer Allowed

For many years the fb88 Board of Licensure of Water Operators awarded TCHs for reviewing the 2005 Surface and Ground Water Systems Course compact disc from Montana Water Center.  Unfortunately, the Board can no longer grant training contact hours for reviewing this disc, as its content has become outdated.  A list of current, approved training providers is available below.

 

Professional Development Training Calendar

The Drinking Water Program strives to maintain an updated listing of fb88-based training opportunities to meet continuing education requirements for license renewal. Contact the DWP Licensing Clerk for paper copies of the training calendar. Please contact training providers directly to sign up for courses.

 

Upcoming or New Trainings

AWRA Webinars for TCH
Operators needing three or fewer training contact hours for the current licensing cycle may wish to consider taking webinars being offered by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA).  Each webinar is rated for 1.0 TCH and costs $25.00. For more information, visit their website at .

This reference is not an exclusive endorsement by the Board of Licensure of Water System Operators, acknowledging the competing training providers.

EPA Small Systems Monthly Webinar Series: Challenges and Treatment Solutions for Small Drinking Water Systems
Free webinars typically held the last Tuesday of each month from 2:00-3:00 pm ET (optional Q&A sessions continue from from 3:00-3:30 pm ET). Attendees have the option of receiving a certificate for one continuing education contact hour for each live webcast attended.

 

In-House Training

Public water systems may offer training in-house provided by a water training professional. These trainings may need prior approval or may have been previously approved. Safety programs offering training do not need to be preapproved whether offered by an outside provider or in-house trainer. Accurate records must be maintained, and signed attendance sheets should be kept on file in case of audit. Topics may only be used once during a renewal cycle. General safety topics (for example, first aid) do not meet relevancy requirements. Contact the DWP Licensing Clerk for more information.

A Training Contact Hours Attendance Sheet (PDF) must be submitted after each training session.

Online Training

E-learning courses deliver a series of lessons to a web browser or mobile device, to be conveniently accessed anytime, anyplace. They can be offered continuously or for a set duration – 8-10 weeks, on average. An e-learning class is one in which both learners and instructors communicate via their computers. Syllabi, assignments, class lectures, and other course materials are provided on screen, while communication with the instructor and other students in the class is via messaging platforms, personal e-mail, and other media. E-learning classes do not meet in person, and learners work on assignments according to their own time schedules. In many cases there are deadlines for assignments but no set timeframe in which to accomplish them; tests, however, are usually scheduled and most have time restrictions.

Webinars are an important means of getting quick training about topics of interest. Many providers today are producing webinars, some of which are free. In some cases they are one-off presentations, often of relatively short duration; others are presented as a series. Unlike e-learning, webinars generally do not work with textbooks, and there tend to be no assignments or exams. Most webinars are live broadcasts, although some providers will post recordings of their webinars online for future viewing. However, it should be noted that recorded webinars do not offer the opportunity for attendee participation as some live broadcasts will. Webinars that are approved by the Board will be added to the training calendar. In many cases, webinars have little lead time for advertising, so check the calendar regularly.

Very Small Water System Study Guide

From the Association of Boards of Certification: The  provides study guidance for certification to operate a small public water system.

 

WaterOperator.org Free Online Resources

offers a collection of small system manuals and training materials.

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  This course will help owners and operators of public water systems with a groundwater well better understand how to properly care for their water supply. By understanding the basic science of water wells and following best practices to maintain and protect water supplies, well owners will obtain the knowledge needed to extend the life of the well and help ensure the water remains safe to drink

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  This 155-page manual from the Oregon Health Authority provides a series of fact-sheets of essential information and considerations for small system operators in Oregon.

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  This 321-page certification manual from the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection provides operators with the basic knowledge required to manage surface water drinking water systems. This manual provides 15 chapters of the surface water treatment operator certification course.

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  You can find all 13 chapters of this course on the website.

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  This course from includes 19 lessons tracing the flow of water from the source through treatment, storage, distribution, use, waste collection, treatment and discharge back into the environment.

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  This fun website's moto is "turning ordinary water workers into water black belts" and includes 28 free podcasts, a companion guide, YouTube videos, and more. One helpful discusses the six most common mistakes people make that stop them from passing their state water treatment/distribution exam.

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  This manual from the provides study materials up to the Class 4 level of Water Certification.

• 
  Questions on drinking water regulations, pumps, chlorination, and lab procedures almost always appear on the test. This video covers these questions to better prepare you for the exam. The video is for operators in the earlier stages of their career, such as the first two certification levels. Other test prep videos from this include

  • and

For more certification preparation resources, visit WaterOperator.org's and search by the category Certification/Exam Prep.

Training Providers

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  American Water Works Association offers online courses that are self-paced for operators or aspiring operators. Courses vary in operator level and can be used for exam preparation or continued education. AWWA has completely revised Class 1-4 Distribution Guides. Check AWWA’s calendar for upcoming courses.
  
• 
  At Your Pace Online offers web based training in Water Treatment and Water Distribution.  Courses are fully accessible 24/7 and your Certificate of Completion can be printed as soon as you complete each course.
• Sam Elliot (Correspondence)
• Sandra Bolotsky (Correspondence)
• 
  Water Otter is a web-based provider who offers courses to Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators. Operators may find these courses useful as an exam preparation tool. Please note- The formulas used in these series are not the same as the ABC exam taken for licensure.

For mor information, please contact the DWP Licensing Clerk: Email, or phone (207) 287-2070.

 

Becoming a Training Provider

Some organizations wish to become approved training providers. The following information will assist your organization in reviewing the options to provide water operator training in fb88. Contact the DWP Licensing Clerk for further guidance.

• Provider Application (DOC)
• (PDF E-form)
• Policy and directions (DOC)
• ABC Need-to-Know Criteria for Distribution Operators (PDF)
• ABC Need-to-Know Criteria for Water Treatment Operators (PDF)

Updated 12/21/2022