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Drinking Water Operator Certification

drinking water operator in a room of computers
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Drinking Water Operator Certification

We are under a data freeze in our current database as we transition into a new database system. Information displayed on your record under "Check your CECs online" will not display any changes since this data is frozen and cannot be edited as we migrate to the new database. 

In addition, renewal applications that have been submitted and any CECs submitted to us will not be added to the old system. The information does not reflect your current status; however, we are updating your information in the new system. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process.

The Drinking Water Operator Training and Certification Unit (OTCU) oversees the certification and training of almost 5,000 drinking water operators serving water supplies across Michigan. The program hosts multiple training opportunities throughout the state and online each year. EGLE establishes the minimum professional standards required for certification and though the OTCU administers biannual examinations for operators to obtain certification.

Throughout the year, the OTCU tracks training courses offered by external providers, processes more than 1,000 certification renewals, and reviews thousands of exam applications. The OTCU ensures water supplies meet certified operator requirements by verifying that drinking water operators are properly trained, demonstrate professional competency, and comply with continuing education requirements.

Contact Information

For Payment code call Courtney Vincent
VincentC4@Michigan.gov
517-282-6102

Courtney Vincent
VincentC4@Michigan.gov
517-282-6102

Additional Program Contacts

A new operator certification system is coming! Join the webinars to find out more.

EGLE is excited to share that a new operator certification system, EGLE OpCert, for Drinking Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater is coming soon! This new system will make it easier to manage your operator certifications and apply for exams - all in one place.

Training opportunities will be offered in late October and early November to help you get comfortable with EGLE OpCert before you need to use it. There's also an added bonus - some of the training courses will offer approved CECs!

Monday, October 19, 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm: Getting Started (0.2 CECs Drinking Water and Wastewater in the Other category)

Monday, October 26, 2026, 9:00am - 11:00am: Exams, Renewals, and Public Search (0.2 CECs Drinking Water and Wastewater in the Other category)

Monday, November 2, 2026, 9:00am - 10:00am: Payments (0.1 CECs Drinking Water and Wastewater in the Other category)

Friday, November 6, 2026, 9:00am - 10:30am: Stormwater Exam Applications (Not approved for Drinking Water Credits)

Monday, November 9, 2026, 9:00am - 10:30am: Industrial Wastewater Exam Applications (Not approved for Drinking Water Credits)

  • 2026 Training and Certification Calendar

  • Exam applications

  • Exam study materials

  • Check your CECs online/ List of Approved Courses for CECs

Exam application process

Drinking Water Operator Training and Certification is now accepting exam applications via email. The exam applications have been completely reformatted as a fillable PDF. The applications have changed, so be sure to read the instructions carefully within the application. To apply by email, follow these three steps:

  1. Fill out the exam application(s)
  2. Complete payment online
  3. Submit both the payment receipt and the exam application(s) to EGLE-DWEHD-OTCU-Exams@Michigan.gov

Approval/Denial Letters for the exam are typically sent out about one month before the exam date. If you do not receive an approval/denial letter from OTCU at least two weeks before the exam date, please contact our office.

*You will receive a reply email if it was submitted to the correct email address. Be sure to send it to the correct email address. Refunds will not be given for failed submissions.

Common issues with exam applications

  • Typing the email address incorrectly.
  • Failing to sign your application(s). If you do not sign your application, your application will be denied.
  • Leaving the job duties box and percentage blank. 
  • Missing a supervisor signature on job experience. If you are required to submit experience it must signed by your supervisor.
  • Applications submitted late will be automatically denied and no refund will be given.
  • Ensure the attachments are less than 20 megabytes in size or the email will not be received.

Location preference for examination is on a first come, first serve basis, therefore, emailing the application will get it to us much faster. 

Here are the links to the Distribution, Limited Treatment, Complete Treatment, and Level 5 exam applications.

Drinking Water Training and Certification continually updates the Training Calendar for Drinking Water Courses taught by EGLE. There is a combination of webinars and in-person trainings available throughout the year. Continue to check for an updated calendar as we will be adding new courses as the year goes on.

Renewal application

Requirements for certification

Payment system

Cybersecurity

Operator contact opt-in

Wastewater program

Certification information

You need to know which exam or exams you would like to take. The exams available are based on the classifications and requirements explained in our Exam Applications section. After you know which test you want to take you need to get a copy of an exam application. You can do that by contacting us or by printing the application available on this web site.

Certification Exams are offered twice a year in May and November. Certification exam application and study guides can be found on the right. In addition to applying for exams, you can also check the number of CECs you have earned, as well as look up certification renewal information.

Do not send in applications before 90 days prior to your certification expiration date. Do not use this application for any other certification renewal.

How to be certified

  1. Apply by the deadline: Applications received after the deadline will not be processed.
  2. Application Review: We will review your application to make sure you have the required operating experience and education requirements for the certification(s) you are applying for.
  3. Eligibility: You will be notified whether or not you have been approved to take an exam approximately two weeks prior to the exam date. If approved, you will be notified of the time and place you will be taking the exam.
  4. Exam time: The next step in the process is taking the exam itself.
  5. Immediately after the exam: The grading process is started. You will be notified of your score within 45 days of the exam date for levels 1-5. If you pass, you will receive a certificate.
  6. Certifications: Certifications have a renewal requirement that involves completion of drinking water Advisory Board approved courses. Within three years from the issue date on your certificate, you will need to earn Continuing Education Credits ( CEC's) for your certification(s) to be renewed. Certificates that expire can be renewed if the pro-rated continuing education requirement is satisfied within one year of the certification expiration date. A certification "Renewal" postcard is mailed to all individuals 8 weeks prior to their expiration date detailing steps necessary to renew current certification(s). Use the chart below to determine renewal requirements for each certification level. The CEC's required are based on the highest certification level held.
Certification Level Held Renewal CECs Needed 1-90 Days Expired 91-180 Days Expired 181-270 Days Expired 271-365 Days Expired
1, 2, or 3 2.4 2.6 2.8 3 3.2
4 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6
5 0.9 0.9 1 1.1 1.2

Certification reciprocity

The State of Michigan allows for temporary reciprocity of certification for operators that have certification in another state. Operators holding certification in another state who would like to become certified in Michigan are allowed to apply for a temporary reciprocal license under Rule R325.11914 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399 as amended. A temporary license will be issued for a time frame to where the applicant can take and receive the results from the next certification exam, which shall not exceed 18 months. Temporary license holder(s) who pass the certification exams will receive full certification in the State of Michigan. If the applicant fails to pass the certification examination their temporary license will no longer be valid.

The following list contains items the reciprocity applicants must complete before submission:

Resources

Free approved courses

Any live webinars that are about drinking water, including technical and managerial topics, that grant CECs, and are at least 1 hour in length, are approved for CECs. In order to earn credit, you must sign-up and watch the webinar on your own and request a certificate from the EPA. We are unable to grant CECs without a certificate from the EPA, so if it is unclear as to whether certificates are being awarded for any particular webinar, please contact the EPA directly before attending. Please submit the certificate(s) to EGLE-OTCU-Training@Michigan.gov.

Upcoming

In Person Classes

There are currently no courses available.

Online Course(s)

All the following FEMA courses are currently down due to the ongoing budget crisis at the Federal level. We do anticipate these will be back online in the near future. 

  • FEMA - Emergency Management Institute Classes
    • ICS 100: Introduction to the Incident Command System - Course Code 3143 - 0.2 Other CECs
    • ICS 200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response - Course Code 3144 - 0.4 Other CECs
    • IS 700: An Introduction to National Incident Management System - Course Code 3145 - 0.3 Other CECs
    • IS 800: National Response Framework - Course Code 3146 - 0.3 Other CECs
  • EPA Small Systems Monthly Webinar Series

Approval for Continuing Education Credit (CEC)

Courses submitted for Continuing Education Credit (CEC) must relate directly to the operation, maintenance, or management of a drinking water system.  Wastewater CECs are managed separately. If you feel that your course could also qualify for wastewater CECs, please see the Wastewater Operator Certification page for the information on applying for wastewater CECs.

To obtain approval of a training course, the course sponsor must submit an Education and Training Programs CEC Approval Application and a course agenda for each training program electronically to EGLE-OTCU-Training@Michigan.gov or to one of the addresses on the application. The agenda must list, at a minimum, the topic of discussion for each segment of the program and the duration of each program segment.  (See example agenda) Please provide as much detail as you can about the topics and learning objectives of your course to help the Drinking Water Advisory Board of Examiners (ABE) make their decision.

Following receipt of the application and agenda, the course will be submitted for approval by the ABE.  The ABE meets at least twice a year and all meeting dates are posted on the EGLE website.  Please submit all courses for approval at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting.  All applicants will receive notification of course approval or disapproval as well as specific course completion requirements after the ABE decision.  CEC course approval is valid for three years.

Approved Online Courses

  • Reports & rules

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I find where to take approved CECs to renew my license?

  • How do I reschedule my Drinking Water Operator Certification exam?

  • Where are my Drinking Water Operator Certification exam results?

  • Can I get a copy of my Drinking Water Operator license?

Frequently asked questionsView all FAQ: Drinking Water Operator Certification