Water Operators
Water Operator means the individual or individuals responsible for making decisions regarding the daily operational activities of a public water system, water treatment facility, and/or distribution system that will directly impact the quality and/or quantity of drinking water.
Requirements for Certification
To qualify for certification as a (Grade 1 – 6) Water Operator you must:
- Be in adequate physical condition
- Be able to read and write the English language
- Produce evidence of satisfactory attendance at operator’s training meetings or short courses, or completion of education courses available that are consistent with the applicable grade.
- Be able to maintain logs and records of operation and perform maintenance consistent with the applicable grade.
- Produce evidence of good moral character, integrity, ability to cooperate with others, industry, reliability, initiative, and judgement to the degree necessary to secure satisfactory operating results.
- If the water system is sharing an operator, the application must include the following information:
- The name of the operator;
- The grade of the certificate held by the shared operator;
- The classification of the systems involved;
- The distance between the systems;
- The signatures of the operators;
- The signature of the owner(s) of each of the systems; and
- The date(s) the agreement is signed.
Procedures to Apply for Certification
To apply for certification as a Grade I Operator, you must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Documentation of a Bachelors of Science Degree (with special courses in sanitary sciences); and
- 3 years in charge of a public water system; or
- 3 years as a regulatory agent of a public water system; or
- 3 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems OR
4 years of college; and
- 4 years in charge of a public water system; or
- 4 years as a certified operator of a public water system; or
- 4 years as a regulatory agent of public water supply systems; or
- 4 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems OR
High school education or equivalent; and
- 6 years in charge of a Class II or III water system; or
- 8 years operation of a system under a person certified as a Grade I operator; or
- 8 years as a regulatory agent of public water systems (e.g. State or Federal Safe Drinking Water Act enforcement experience; or
- 8 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems
- Certification Fee of $94
- Documentation of prior successful completion of the Grade II Certification Exam
- Successful completion of Grade I Certification Examination
To apply for certification as a Grade II Water Operator, you must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Documentation of 2 years of college; and
- 3 years responsible charge of public water supply system; or
- 3 yeas as a certified operator of a public water system; or
- 3 years as a regulatory agent of public water supply systems; or
- 3 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems OR
Documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent; and
- 6 years responsible charge of a Class III public water system; or
- 6 years operation of a system under the supervision of a person possessing a Certificate as a Grade I or Grade II Operator; or
- 6 years as a certified operator of a public water system; or
- 6 years as a regulatory agent of public water supply systems; or
- 6 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems
- Certification fee of $94
- Documentation of prior successful completion of the Grade III Certification Exam
- Successful completion of Grade II Certification Examination
To apply for certification as a Grade III Water Operator, you must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent and 2 years responsible charge of a community water system; or
High school diploma or equivalent; and
- 3 years operation of a system under the supervision of a person possessing a Certificate as a Grade I, Grade II or Grade III operator of a public water system; or
- 4 years as a regulatory agent of public water supply systems; or
- 4 years as a provider of technical assistance to public water systems
- Certification fee of $94
- Successful completion of the Grade III Certification Examination
To apply for certification as a Grade IV Water Operator, you must submit the following:
- Completed application
- Documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent
- Successful completion of a validated Grade IV Water Operator examination following:
- 6 months experience as a water operator or
- A basic training course for water system operators recommended by the Council and approved by the Director or
- A correspondence course recommended by the Council and approved by the Director
4. Certification fee of $94
To apply for certification as a Grade V Water Operator, you must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Documentation of demonstrated ability in the collection of water samples, interpretation of results of biological examination and the maintenance of required records
- Successful completion of a validated Grade V Water Operator examination
- Certification fee of $31
To apply for certification as a Grade VI Water Operator, you must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Proof of successful completion of an examination following a minimum 32 hour course which includes hands-on instruction recommended by the Council and approved by the Director on the subject of cross connections, backflow preventer operation, maintenance, testing, and repair. Such examination shall include a written test as well as a hands-on portion to test actual testing and repair proficiency.
- Certification fee of $94
An applicant is required to complete an examination to be certified as a water operator, grades (1-4). The examination is given either in conjunction with a classroom course or by appointment with the field offices in North Platte, Grand Island, Norfolk, Omaha, or Lincoln. The examinations are given by the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure's Public Health Assurance Division.
To register to take an examination and/or one of the classroom courses contact:
Nebraska Public Water Supply Program
Doug Woodbeck, Program Manager
Phone: (402) 471-0521
e-mail: doug.woodbeck@dhhs.ne.govMike Wentink, Training and Certification Officer
Phone: (308) 535-8135
E-mail: mike.wentink@dhhs.ne.govThe applicant must pay a fee for the classroom course and textbooks (See the section of Fees).
Provisional Certificates:
Provisional certificates may be issued to any applicant for a Grade I, ll, lll, or lV certificate for that period in which experience is being acquired. A provisional certificate is non-renewable, must be issued on a case-by-case basis, and must be site specific. All education, training substitutions, and experience requirements for the applicable grade must be met during the provisional period.
Fee Schedule
These forms may be completed on-line, however, they cannot be submitted via e-mail due to the fact that all applications and forms require original signatures. If you complete the form on-line, you must print the form and mail it to the address below.
Fees (if applicable) are payable to the "Licensing & Regulatory Affairs".
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986Click here for the application for Water Operators, or contact:
Doug Woodbeck, Program Manager
Phone: (402) 471-0521
E-mail: doug.woodbeck@dhhs.ne.govBarb Eickmeier, Program Staff Assistant
Phone: (402) 471-0523
E-mail: barb.eickmeier@dhhs.ne.gov
- All certificates expire December 31, 3 years from the year of issuance.
- To renew a certificate, the certificate holder must submit the completed renewal application, obtain 15 hours of continuing education and pay the certification fee.
- Renewal fees are the same as the initial certification fees.
- A renewal notice will be sent to the last known address of record 90 days prior to expiration.
Continuing Education
Fifteen hours of approved continuing education are required for renewal of your certificate. These credits must have been earned between the effective date of the certificate and 12/31 of the year of expiration. Hours completed prior to this time will not be accepted as meeting the require continuing education hours. Hours earned in excess of the requirement may not be carried over to the next renewal period.
Name and Address Change
To request an address change, you can contact Patti Owens at (402) 471-2299 or e-mail patricia.owens@dhhs.ne.gov
If you wish to change your name on your Licensing & Regulatory Affairs record, you must mail a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Water Operators
PO Box 94986
Lincoln, NE 68509-4986
Duplicates/Reissue
Duplicates: A duplicate large license or small license card may be requested at the time of initial licensure.
Reissue: A large license and/or small license card may be reissued when the licensee requests: additional documents; replacement of original document(s) due to loss, mutilation or destruction; or replacement of document(s) due to a name change.
The Department will charge a fee of $10.00 for a duplicate of an original or reissued certificate.
To request a reissued license, you must submit a
Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Water Operators
PO Box 94986
Lincoln NE 68509-4986
Rules and Regulations/Statutes
Contact Us
Office Address:
| Mailing Address | Physical Address |
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure Licensing & Regulatory Affairs PO Box 94986 Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 |
Nebraska State Office Building 301 Centennial Mall South 14th and M Streets 3rd Floor Lincoln, Nebraska |
Phone: (402) 471-2115
Fax: (402) 471-3577Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (central time)
Monday through FridayFor Scope of Practice Questions, Examination Information, Applications and correspondence or training course information contact:
Nebraska’s Public Water Supply Program
Doug Woodbeck, Program Manager
Phone: (402) 471-0521
E-mail: doug.woodbeck@dhhs.ne.govBarb Eickmeier, Program Staff Assistant
Phone: (402) 471-0523
E-mail: barb.eickmeier@dhhs.ne.govFor Continuing Education Questions:
Mike Wentink, Training and Certification Officer
Phone: (308) 535-8135
E-mail: mike.wentink@dhhs.ne.govFor Individual Water Operator Certification (must pass examination before certificate is issued):
Patti Owens, Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Phone: (402) 471-2299
E-mail: patricia.owens@dhhs.ne.govDiane Hansmeyer, Section Administrator
Phone: (402) 471-2299
E-mail: diane.hansmeyer@dhhs.ne.gov
To file a complaint, please contact Doug Woodbeck or Barb Eickmeier of the Water Operator Program:
E-mail: doug.woodbeck@dhhs.ne.gov
Phone: (402) 471-0521E-mail: barb.eickmeier@dhhs.ne.gov
Phone: (402) 471-0523
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