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6. What is operating experience?
Operating experience means the time spent in the satisfactory performance of operational duties at a system which is acceptable to the Board of Examiners, who review exam applications on behalf of DEP. For an industrial wastewater treatment system (N) license, manufacturing and process experience may be acceptable in lieu of operating experience.
7. What is direct responsible charge experience?
Direct responsible charge experience means active, daily, on-site supervision, including operation and maintenance responsibilities in a system with a classification no less than one classification lower than the license sought. This experience shall be gained while in possession of a license no less than one grade lower than the license sought.
8. How do I apply for an examination?
For T, W, S, C, or N license(s), complete Examination Application for License to Operate (Form #ADM-035) and the accompanying Statement of Qualifications (Form #ADM-035A). For VSWS license, complete Examination Application for License to Operate a VSWS (Form #368A) and the accompanying Statement of Qualifications (Form #368B). Include documentation of High School diploma and completion of necessary training courses. The statement of qualifications must have an original signature by the appropriate signatory. The appropriate signatory is typically the licensed operator in charge at the system, but in some cases may be the system owner or administrator. Also include the necessary application fee. Applications submitted without the appropriate documentation and/or nonrefundable fee will be returned without substantive review. Applications must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Examinations & Licensing Unit no later than February 15 for the March exam, May 15 for the June exam, and September 15 for the October exam.
9. After taking an exam, how will I be notified of the results?
Approximately 4 - 6 weeks after taking the exam, you will be notified if you have passed or failed. If you have passed, you will receive a bill for the initial license fee (except for VSWS). All examinees will receive an analysis of their test results. This analysis will show the number of correct/incorrect responses in each area of the exam. No one will be permitted to review the actual exams.
10. Does New Jersey grant reciprocity to out-of-state license holders?
Individuals holding licenses issued by other State(s) may apply to New Jersey’s Board of Examiners to be granted a New Jersey license. The applicant must meet the minimum NJ education and experience requirements for the license sought and have passed an examination that is deemed equivalent to a New Jersey exam. Also, New Jersey may only grant reciprocity for another State’s license if that State grants reciprocity to New Jersey licensees. Please contact the Examinations & Licensing Unit at (609) 777-1013 if you require further information about this process.
11. How long are licenses valid?
Licenses are valid from the date of issuance to September 30. Licenseholders may renew their license by submitting a complete renewal application with the nonrefundable annual license fee to:
N.J. Department of Environmental Protection
Examinations & Licensing Unit
Mail Code 401-04E
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420
Renewal applications are typically mailed out in August each year. If you have not received your renewal application by the end of August, contact the Examinations & Licensing Unit at once at (609) 777-1013.
If a licenseholder fails to renew his license within one year following the renewal date of the license, he will not receive a license unless he meets the current requirements for the license and passes another qualifying examination.
12. Can I pay my renewal fee online?
Yes. Go to DEP Online and select Pay for a License (listed under Non-Registered Services). You must have your invoice number, license number and credit card/checking account information available to utilize this service.
13. What courses are acceptable for operator license renewal?
Only water-related courses are accepted for water licenses. Only wastewater-related courses are accepted for wastewater licenses. Some courses may be valid for both water and wastewater licenses.
- Water/wastewater-related Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that adhere to the criteria set forth by the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) are accepted on the basis of 1 CEU = 10 TCHs.
- Training programs and courses that have been approved by NJDEP are accepted. These courses will have NJDEP course approval numbers.
- College credit for courses which are directly relevant to the operation, maintenance or management of a wastewater or water system and which address influences on water quality, public health or environmental protection will be issued 15 TCHs for each credit hour.
14. What are the continuing education requirements for license renewal?
License holders must acquire Training Contact Hours (TCHs) in order to meet continuing education requirements for license renewal. The minimum number of TCHs specified for each license shall be acquired within fixed three-year periods. An individual that newly requires a license within a fixed three-year period is not required to obtain TCHs for license renewal. For new licensees, the TCH requirement will not take effect until the following three-year period. Licenseholders are only responsible for obtaining the number of TCHs required for their license(s) at the start of the three-year period. For example, a licensee that holds a T-2 license at the start of the three-year period and upgrades his license to a T-3 within the three-year period, will be required to obtain 18 TCHs, NOT 36 TCHs. The periods are as follows:
October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2012 and every three years thereafter
The number of TCHs required every three years for each license is as follows:
C-3, C-4, N-3, N-4, S-3, S-4, T-3, T-4, W-3, W-4
36 hrs (maximum of 12 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
C-1, C-2, N-1, N-2, S-1, S-2, T-1, T-2, W-1, W-2, CN, NN, NS
18 hrs (maximum of 6 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
VSWS
12 hrs (maximum of 4 hrs will be accepted in Safety related training)
All Licenses
- 7 hrs are awarded for passing an examination in the appropriate field
- 3 hrs are awarded for any Red Cross conducted or sponsored First Aid or CPR Class
- 1 hr is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in the NJ Section of the American Water Works Association (NJAWWA) for water licenses. (maximum of 3 hrs may be applied for memberships as applicable for each license)
- 1 hr is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in the NJ Water Environment Association (NJWEA) for wastewater licenses (maximum of 3 hrs may be applied for memberships as applicable for each license)
- 0.5 hr is awarded for each year or part thereof for membership in any other water/wastewater professional association recognized by the Advisory Committee (maximum of 3 hrs may be applied for memberships as applicable for each license)
- hour-per-hour (maximum of 36 hrs) is awarded to Instructors of the initial certification courses (Intro to Water/Wastewater, Advanced Water, Advanced Wastewater, Collection Systems, Industrial Wastewater Treatment, and VSWS training) toward the appropriate license
15. How do I notify DEP that I will no longer be serving as the licensed operator in charge at a system or that I am the new licensed operator at a system?
Complete and submit the DEP-065 form “Licensed Operator in Charge Employment Notification Form” to the Examinations & Licensing Unit. The form must be completed and signed by both the licensed operator and the system owner or administrator. Licensed operators shall notify DEP at least two weeks prior to changing positions or employment. The owner of a system employing a new licensed operator shall notify DEP within two weeks after the licensed operator begins his/her employment.
16. I have completed the required training course(s) to be eligible to sit for an examination. Am I eligible for reimbursement by the DEP?
Please refer to either the fact sheet for water or wastewater to see if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you do, then complete the appropriate application form BSDW-OC-01 or DEP-125 to submit the reimbursement request.
17. I want to become a training provider of water/wastewater related courses. How do I obtain approval from the DEP?
Complete and submit the TCH provider application package. |
