The pink color of the lagoon above is indicative of healthy microbial activity in a swine lagoon.
The Animal Waste Operator Certification program is housed in the NC Division of Water Resources. Initial Certification Schools and Continuing Education classes are offered throughout the year by participating training providers such as NCSU Cooperative Extension. Exams are offered 4 times a year.
IMPORTANT NEWS JULY 2023: The NC General Assembly passed Session Law 2023-63, Section 13.1 (p.24) which increases exam fees to $85 and renewal fees to $25. It also adds an option to pay a late fee if you miss the renewal deadline. Previously you were required to retake the exam. Full information is on this factsheet.
- To renew, you need to be up to date on Continuing Education hours. (6 credits every 3 years)
- Even if you don't pay online, you can check your hours and invoice using online e-payment system: ePayment
- If the online e-payment system states you are invalid, contact our office at certadmin@deq.nc.gov
- If it says you are unable to pay because of Continuing Education hours, you can view your hours needed by putting your operator # into this form or by viewing this report.
- If you need Continuing Education, contact your Cooperative Extension office, or look for available classes here: Continuing Education Classes.
- After completing the needed Continuing Education training hours, please give the office a week to enter the data and then you can pay online.
- Put an email into the online system to get a record of your payment.
Annual Renewal points to remember:
- Annual renewal fee is $25 due by December 31. There is no grace period.
- A LATE FEE of $50 will be assessed on Jan 1.
- If an operator fails to renew for 12 months, the operator will be required to pass the Animal Waste Certified Operator exam.
Hurricane Helene impacts.
If you are an operator affected by Hurricane Helene, you can use your time spent recovering from this disaster as Continuing Education hours.
- PLEASE FILL THIS FORM, then
- Renew online at ePayment page
Renewing online with an email will give you an instant receipt. It is the best method of renewal.
For currently active Certified Operators, use the Certified Operator Portal to check your billing, continuing education, exam status, etc. Use your NCID to login. ( NCID Registration & NCID Instructions)
To find the # of continuing credits you have or need:
- enter your operator # in this form , or
View / download a list of ALL Animal Waste Operators in NC showing the Con Ed hours they have and need and the date they need them by. View Report Here. Use CTRL F to open a search box to find your name or number.
To find Upcoming Continuing Education Classes: View this pdf of Continuing Education Classes that have been scheduled.
Contact your local Cooperative Extension office about other classes.
Direct ALL questions regarding locations/dates/pricing to the Cooperative Extension Office or other agency offering the training.
For the Animal Waste Manuals, see the Downloads section link below.
To Find Initial Certification Schools: View this pdf of Initial Certification Schools that have been scheduled. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office about other classes.
Direct ALL questions regarding locations/dates to your local Cooperative Extension Office.
For the Animal Waste Manuals, see the Downloads section link below.
IMPORTANT: Always Download the most recent exam application from this page. Do not use an old application. Locations change.
Session Law 2023-63 Section 13.1 increassed the fee of Animal Waste Operator Exams to $85 beginning July 1, 2023. This cost is equal to the Wastewater Operator exam fee.
Animal Waste Operator Exams and Wastewater Operator Exams are given on the same day at multiple locations, 4 times a year: March, June, September, December.
The minimum requirements to take the exam are:
- applicant must be 18 years old
- applicant must complete an approved training program for the exam they are applying for.
Animal Waste Exam Application (AWA, AWB) (Updated Feb 2025)
Math Formulas for Type A + Type B Animal Waste (Provided during exams)
Dates, locations and deadlines for both Animal Waste Operators and Wastewater Operators can be found here.
Operator Certification Exam Pass Rates - Animal Waste and Wastewater:
If you already have at least one operator certification number you can check your status for any certification: Enter Your Operator Certification Number here to check:
Contract Operator List This list is not comprehensive nor an endorsement. It is provided for convenience.
To be listed as a contract operator for NC Carolina Water Pollution Control Systems, please submit this form. To remain on the list, you must submit the form once a year.
If you are hiring a contract operator, you are responsible to verify operators have active certifications of the appropriate type and grade by checking the Certified Operator Lists. (see next section)
If you are hiring a contract operator, you are responsible to verify operators have active certifications of the appropriate type and grade by checking the Certified Operator Lists. These list all NC Certified Operators, alphabetically:
- Animal Waste Certified Operator List (updated daily)
- Wastewater Certified Operator Lists (updated daily)
To find out if a specific operator's certification is active: Enter the Operator Certification Number here.
For currently active Certified Operators, use the Certified Operator Portal to check your billing, continuing education, exam status, etc. Use your NCID to login. ( NCID Registration & NCID Instructions)
Animal Waste Operator Rules
Certified Animal Waste Operator responsibilities and requirements are set by the NC Legislature and found in rules 15A NCAC 08F
Animal Waste Operator Rules - Chapter 08 / subchapter F: website / PDF / html text
Animal Waste Operator General Statutes - Chapter 90 / Article 3: website / PDF / html text
- July 1, 2023: General Statute § 90A-47.4 was amended by Session Law 2023-63, Section 13.1
Operator Forms
- Animal Waste OIC Designation Form (May be submitted via email to: certadmin@deq.nc.gov)
- Change of Name or Address Form
- OIC Removal/Resignation Form (online form shows "ORC" and you can use it for OIC also
Reporting Forms:
Recordkeeping Forms
Course Manuals: Animal Waste Certification Training for Operators:
- Animal Waste Manual Type A (2021)
- Animal Waste Manual Type B (2017)
- Math Formulas for Type A + Type B Animal Waste (Provided during exams)
Need-to-Know (NTK)
- Type A Need To Know (also found within manual)
- Type B Need To Know (also found within manual)
- Digester Need to Know (May 2023)
For full details including meeting dates, agendas, and summaries, see the WPCSOCC page.
Do you know a wastewater operator that demonstrates excellence?
Please consider nominating them for the: WILBUR E. LONG Jr. AWARD. The nomination deadline is June 1.
Requirements can be found in the Nomination form.
The purpose of this award is to recognize ad celebrate current certified water pollution control system operators that:
- exhibit outstanding knowledge and innovation in the continuing operation of a water pollution control or animal system, or
- contribute time and effort toward the training, education, and professionalism of water pollution control or animal systems; or
- devised, discovered, or invented devices or techniques which enhance the science of system operation.
All certified water pollution control system operators are eligible: Animal Waste, Biological Wastewater, Collections, Physical/Chemical, Land Application, Subsurface, and Spray Irrigation.
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Jenee Williamston
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Ashley Coleman
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Patrick Beggs
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Jeff Talbott
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Mail Address WPCSOCC
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Physical Address WPCSOCC
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This list is for those staff that assist animal waste operators: DEQ inspectors and RO staff; Cooperative Extension; SWCD; etc..
Please join so we have a way to reach those staff that assist animal waste operators.
The address you will receive emails from is:deq.dwr.awopcert.staff@lists.deq.nc.gov. Please consider adding it to your email contact list so you can be sure it goes to your inbox.
Enter your full name, email, and be sure to check the box in front of the listserv address.