Guide for Vermont Wastewater Operators: Getting Your Grade I–V Domestic Wastewater Certification

Do you know how many credits you'll need to renew your wastewater license?

In Vermont, domestic Wastewater licenses are now regulated through the Office of Professional Regulations (OPR). Many operators have expressed frustration when communicating with OPR and that the information on the Vermont State website is lacking -- and we feel for you!

Read on to learn the details about obtaining and maintaining your Vermont domestic wastewater operator license.

What Are the Wastewater Operator Grades?

Vermont classifies domestic wastewater operators into Grades I through V based on facility complexity and level of capacity:

• Grade I: Simple systems, low capacity

• Grade II: Moderate complexity or capacity

• Grade III: More complex treatment or medium capacity

• Grade IV: High complexity/capacity

• Grade V: Most complex systems, highest capacity

   [dec.vermont.gov], [newea.org]

Step 1: Check Your Experience & Education Requirements

You must work at a plant classified at or above the grade you're applying for. Required experience:

• Grade I: 2 years operational experience at wastewater treatment facility and successfully pass Grade 1 Exam

• Grade II: 2 years operational experience at Grade II facility or higher and successfully pass Grade 2 Exam

• Grade III: 3 years operational experience at Grade III facility or higher and successfully pass Grade 3 Exam

• Grade IV: 4 years operational experience at Grade IV facility or higher and successfully pass Grade 4 Exam

• Grade V: 5 years operational experience at Grade IV facility or higher and successfully pass Grade 5 Exam

To qualify, you must be employed as an operator at a Vermont wastewater facility.

[newea.org] [newea.org] [dec.vermont.gov], [newea.org]

It is possible to substitute a portion of experience with higher education. Substitution of education for experience is as follows:

• a technical school or college certificate is equivalent to no more than 6 months experience

• an associate's degree is equivalent to no more than 1 year of experience

• a bachelor's degree is equivalent to no more than 2 years of experience

• a master's degree is equivalent to no more than 3 years experience

Step 2: Pass the Certification Exam

• Administered at least once annually by Vermont DEC/OPR

• Available to book exams any time of year through PSI Exams website

• Applicants must apply through the OPR licensing system and then schedule with PSI/AMP

• Exams are grade-specific

  [newea.org], [dec.vermont.gov]

Step 3: Apply for Certification

1. Visit OPR’s Pollution Abatement Operators page

2. Complete initial or renewal application

3. Upload supervisory experience verification

4. Include transcripts if using education substitution

Pay applicable application fee

[dec.vermont.gov], [sos.vermont.gov]

Step 4: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education

After passing the exam, you need Training Contact Hours (TCHs) every 3 years to renew. Table below shows how many credits are needed to renew each Grade level:

Grade	Total TCHs
I	8
II	10
III	12
IV	12
V	16

*Info in table above is cited from page 5 of the Administrative Rules for Pollution Abatement Facility Operators from the Vermont State Office of Professional Regulation, accessed on 12/21/2025.

Note: Verify with OPR for DEC approved courses [dec.vermont.gov], [dec.vermont.gov]