WW and AW Operator Exam Information

IMPORTANT: Always Download the most recent exam application from this page. Do not use an old application.

Certified Wastewater Operator examinations are held 4 times a year in 6 locations.  

  • March, June, September, December
  • Need to Know documents are found on the Downloads page
  • Exam applications need to be postmarked at least 30 days prior to the exam.
  • Exam notification letters are mailed a few weeks before the exam.
  • Exam results letters are mailed a few weeks after the exam.

Please Read Your Exam Notification Letter to verify the exam location and learn the exam time. There may be 2 exam times, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

 

An exam score of 70 or above is a passing score.
2023 December Exam pass Rates
2023 September Exam Pass Rates
2023 June Exam Pass Rates
2023 March Exam Pass Rates
2022 All Exam pass rates
Tab/Accordion Items

Download the Wastewater Exam Application

To fill out the exam application: first download it to your computer, then open it from there, fill out as much as you can, and then print it. If you have any trouble, you can print it as is and write in any information. 

Save a copy of your exam for your reference. 

For LA, SI, & SS choose N/A for the Grade.

If this is your FIRST wastewater certification exam, you need to provide:
  • Date of Birth
  • Full Social Security Number (required by law)
  • Year of High School graduation or GED
Once you are a certified operator, you do not need to supply your DOB, SSN, or HS/GED info on future applications. You do need to provide an operator number.

 

 

Remember to include:
  • Signatures where required.
  • Certificate of corresponding school (a copy is fine).
  • Employment dates and DETAILS of your physical operation of a wastewater treatment system and the permit #s where applicable.
  • Only include experience for the type of system for which you are seeking certification.

 

Certified Wastewater Operator eligibility requirements are set by the NC Legislature and found in rules 15A NCAC 08G .0401-.0409 & .0501 in  Chapter 8, SubChapter G of Title 15A of the North Carolina Administrative Code. Below is a simplified list of requirements. All applicants need to submit a complete exam application.

For the following wastewater operator certification, all applicants need to:

  • Biological (WW1): 
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school.

 

  • Biological (WW2): 
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active WW1, and
    • have 6 months WW2 or higher experience.

 

  • Biological (WW3): 
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active WW2, and 1 of the following:
      • have 2 years WW2 or higher experience, or
      • have a 2 or 4-year college degree having passed 6 courses in basic sciences and 18 months WW2 or higher experience.

 

  • Biological (WW4): 
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active WW3, and 1 of the following:
      • have 3 years WW3 or higher experience, or
      • have a 2 or 4-year college degree having passed 6 courses in basic sciences and 2 years WW3 or higher experience.

 

  • Collections (CS1):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school.

 

  • Collections (CS2):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active CS1, and
    • have 6 months wastewater  collections systems experience.

 

  • Collections (CS3):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active CS2, and 1 of the following:
      • have 2 years wastewater  collections systems experience or 
      • have 1 year wastewater collections systems experience and a 2 or 4-year college degree having passed 6 courses in a field directly related to the operation and maintenance of a collection system, e.g. civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering

 

  • Collections (CS4):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active CS3, and 1 of the following:
      • have 3 years wastewater  collections systems experience or
      • have 2 years wastewater collections systems experience and a 2 or 4-year college degree having passed 6 courses in a field directly related to the operation and maintenance of a collection system, e.g. civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering 

 

  • Physical / Chemical (PC1):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school.

 

 

  • Physical / Chemical (PC2):
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and
    • hold an active PC1, and
    • have 1 year PC2 experience at an industrial pretreatment or indirect discharge permitted facility.

 

  • Land Application (LA)
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school and 1 of the following:
      • have one year of experience in the land application of residuals or
      • have a two or four-year college degree and passed 6 courses in basic sciences, or
      • hold a valid WW-2 or higher. 

 

  • Surface Irrigation (SI)
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and 1 of the following:
      • have one year of experience in the operation of a surface irrigation water pollution control system, or
      • have a two or four-year college degree and passed 6 courses in basic sciences, or
      • hold a valid WW-2 or higher, or
      • be a private homeowner who intends to operate only their own domestic surface irrigation water pollution control system. 

 

  • Subsurface (SS)
    • be 18 years old and hold a High school diploma or GED equivalent, and
    • have completed the corresponding training school, and 1 of the following:
      • have one year of experience in the operation of a subsurface water pollution control system, or
      • have a two or four-year college degree and passed 6 courses in basic sciences, or
      • hold a valid WW-2 or higher, or
      • be a private homeowner who intends to operate only their own domestic subsurface water pollution control system

If an exam application can not be accepted for any reason, the state is required to return it to you with the original check.

If you are submitting more than one application with a single check to cover them all and there is a problem with one application, we will need to return the check and all the applications.  (For example, if you submit 2 applications with a single $170 check and one of the applications can NOT be accepted, we will return the $170 check and both applications.)

This will result in lost time, and in some cases can cause eligible operators to miss an exam application deadline.

Postmark Deadline:  November 13, 2023

Applications postmarked after November 13 will be registered for the March 2024 exam.

December exam notification letters will be mailed in late November.  

Check Exam Notification Letter for Start Time and Location.  Times & Venues are subject to change from the information listed below.

If there are enough applicants there will be 2 exams, one at 9AM and another at 1PM.

  
 

 
RALEIGH:   
December 14   
NCSU McKimmon Center   
1101 Gorman Street   
Raleigh NC 27606

KENANSVILLE:   
December 14   
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium   
Bldg C (Hoffer)   
133 James Sprunt Drive   
Kenansville NC 28349

 

MORGANTON:   
December 14   
Foothills Higher Education Center   
2128 S. Sterling Ave.
Morganton, NC , 28655

WASHINGTON:   
December 14   
DEQ Washington Regional Office  
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, NC 27889

 

KANNAPOLIS:   (20 miles from typical Salisbury location)
December 14   

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Advanced Technology Center
525 John Snow Road
Kannapolis, NC 28081

 

WAYNESVILLE:   
December 14   
Regional High Tech Center   
112 Industrial Park Drive   
Waynesville NC 28786

 

March 9, 2023 - Postmark Deadline: February 7

Applications postmarked after February 7 will be registered for the June exam.

March exam notification letters will be mailed in late February.       
PLEASE READ YOUR REGISTRATION LETTER CAREFULLY!       
NO CHANGES can be made once exam rosters are finalized.        
 DATES, TIMES & VENUES subject to change.

RALEIGH:       
March 9, 9am & 1pm - Check your registration letter.       
NCSU McKimmon Center       
1101 Gorman St., 27606
KENANSVILLE:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium       
Bldg C (Hoffer)       
133 James Sprunt Drive, 28349
MORGANTON:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
Foothills Higher Education Center       
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)       
1161 Kehukee Park Rd, 27892
SALISBURY:       
March 9, 9am & 1pm - Check your registration letter.       
Salisbury Civic Center       
315 S. MLK Jr. Ave, 28144       
 

 

 

 

 

June 8, 2023 - Postmark Deadline: May 9 

     
Applications postmarked after May 9 will be registered for the September exam.

June exam notification letters will be mailed in late-May to the address on record.

 PLEASE READ YOUR REGISTRATION LETTER CAREFULLY!           
NO CHANGES can be made once exam rosters are finalized.            
 DATES, TIMES & VENUES subject to change.

If there are enough applicants there will be 2 exams, one at 9AM and another at 1PM.

 
RALEIGH:           
June 8    
NCSU McKimmon Center           
1101 Gorman Street           
Raleigh  NC 27606
KENANSVILLE:           
June 8           
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium           
Bldg C (Hoffer)           
133 James Sprunt Drive           
Kenansville  NC 28349
MORGANTON:           
June 8           
Foothills Higher Education Center           
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:           
June 8           
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)           
1161 Kehukee Park Road           
Williamston NC 27892
SALISBURY:           
June 8           
Salisbury Civic Center           
315 S. MLK Jr. Avenue           
Salisbury  NC 28144       
WAYNESVILLE:           
June 8           
Regional High Tech Center           
112 Industrial Park Drive           
Waynesville NC 28786

 

September 14, 2023 - Postmark Deadline:  August 15, 2023

Applications postmarked after August 15 will be registered for the December exam.

December exam notification letters will be mailed in late November.    Check Exam Notification Letter for Start Time     
 

 
RALEIGH:    
September 14   9am & 1pm  
 - check your letter  
NCSU McKimmon Center    
1101 Gorman Street    
Raleigh  NC 27606
KENANSVILLE:    
September 14     
1 pm  
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium    
Bldg C (Hoffer)    
133 James Sprunt Drive    
Kenansville  NC 28349
MORGANTON:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Foothills Higher Education Center    
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)    
1161 Kehukee Park Road    
Williamston NC 27892
SALISBURY:    
September 14   9am & 1pm  
 - check your letter    
Salisbury Civic Center    
315 S. MLK Jr. Avenue    
Salisbury  NC 28144       
WAYNESVILLE:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Regional High Tech Center    
112 Industrial Park Drive    
Waynesville NC 28786

2024 Exams

2024 Exam Dates: March 14, June 13, September 12, December 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applications postmarked after February 7 will be registered for the June exam.

March exam notification letters will be mailed in late February.       
PLEASE READ YOUR REGISTRATION LETTER CAREFULLY!       
NO CHANGES can be made once exam rosters are finalized.        
 DATES, TIMES & VENUES subject to change.

RALEIGH:       
March 9, 9am & 1pm - Check your registration letter.       
NCSU McKimmon Center       
1101 Gorman St., 27606
KENANSVILLE:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium       
Bldg C (Hoffer)       
133 James Sprunt Drive, 28349
MORGANTON:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
Foothills Higher Education Center       
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:       
March 9, 1:00 p.m.       
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)       
1161 Kehukee Park Rd, 27892
SALISBURY:       
March 9, 9am & 1pm - Check your registration letter.       
Salisbury Civic Center       
315 S. MLK Jr. Ave, 28144       
 

 

 

 

 

June 8, 2023 - Postmark Deadline: May 9 

     
Applications postmarked after May 9 will be registered for the September exam.

June exam notification letters will be mailed in late-May to the address on record.

 PLEASE READ YOUR REGISTRATION LETTER CAREFULLY!           
NO CHANGES can be made once exam rosters are finalized.            
 DATES, TIMES & VENUES subject to change.

If there are enough applicants there will be 2 exams, one at 9AM and another at 1PM.

 
RALEIGH:           
June 8    
NCSU McKimmon Center           
1101 Gorman Street           
Raleigh  NC 27606
KENANSVILLE:           
June 8           
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium           
Bldg C (Hoffer)           
133 James Sprunt Drive           
Kenansville  NC 28349
MORGANTON:           
June 8           
Foothills Higher Education Center           
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:           
June 8           
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)           
1161 Kehukee Park Road           
Williamston NC 27892
SALISBURY:           
June 8           
Salisbury Civic Center           
315 S. MLK Jr. Avenue           
Salisbury  NC 28144       
WAYNESVILLE:           
June 8           
Regional High Tech Center           
112 Industrial Park Drive           
Waynesville NC 28786

 

September 14, 2023 - Postmark Deadline:  August 15, 2023

Applications postmarked after August 15 will be registered for the December exam.

December exam notification letters will be mailed in late November.    Check Exam Notification Letter for Start Time     
 

 
RALEIGH:    
September 14   9am & 1pm  
 - check your letter  
NCSU McKimmon Center    
1101 Gorman Street    
Raleigh  NC 27606
KENANSVILLE:    
September 14     
1 pm  
James Sprunt CC-Monk Auditorium    
Bldg C (Hoffer)    
133 James Sprunt Drive    
Kenansville  NC 28349
MORGANTON:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Foothills Higher Education Center    
2128 S. Sterling Ave., 28655
WILLIAMSTON:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Martin Community College (Bldg 2)    
1161 Kehukee Park Road    
Williamston NC 27892
SALISBURY:    
September 14   9am & 1pm  
 - check your letter    
Salisbury Civic Center    
315 S. MLK Jr. Avenue    
Salisbury  NC 28144       
WAYNESVILLE:    
September 14     
1 pm    
Regional High Tech Center    
112 Industrial Park Drive    
Waynesville NC 28786