Call for conference topics
Please help us develop sessions for MPCA's upcoming Wastewater Conference in November.
Our annual conference benefits wastewater operators statewide. We'd like your ideas, from hot and trending to traditional.
In Minnesota, wastewater treatment operators — those responsible for the daily, onsite operation of wastewater facilities and collection systems — must be certified. Their class of certification must be equal or higher to the class of the facility. The MPCA administers the certification program and provides workshops and conferences to help you stay up to date on your certification.
Treatment facilities are classified A, B, C, and D according to a rated point system based on the unit processes, loading to the plant, and the permit's final effluent limitations
Type S systems — collection, pumping, and conveyance facilities distinctly separate in operation from treatment facilities — are classified S-A, S-B, S-C, and S-D based on the community's population. Where a type S facility is not distinctly separate, it is considered part of the treatment facility.
- Class S-A: serving a population of 50,000 or more
- Class S-B: serving a population of 15,000 to 49,999
- Class S-C: serving a population of 1,500 to 14,999
- Class S-D: serving a population of less than 1,500
Note: A city manager, superintendent of public works, or other administrator is not considered an operator unless their duties include the day-to-day operation of a wastewater facility.
Wastewater training and exams
Find upcoming trainings and exams through the events calendar.
Course descriptions
The MPCA wastewater courses require basic math skills. While math concepts are reviewed in the courses, this is not a substitute for having a GED-level math understanding.
Attendees needing to refresh basic math skills can find help online with tutorials (free and for hire), as well as in-person tutoring options that can be found with an Internet search to meet individual wants and needs.
Course attendees are responsible for bringing and knowing how to use their own scientific calculator capable of performing basic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and complex (square root, exponent) operations. This is required equipment for most MPCA training events and for all wastewater exams.
Programmable (graphing) calculators and phones (smartphones) are not allowed during an exam. The MPCA does not have calculators to borrow or loan to attendees. Scientific calculators can be purchased at a wide variety of retailers (locally and online) for under $15. Please plan to bring your own calculator to MPCA wastewater courses.
Instructors will provide additional math help/assistance at the end of the first two days for all 16-hour training events. These additional help sessions are provided for attendees who want or need extra opportunities to practice solving common math-related problems.
Collection system basic seminar
Intended for entry-level operators or as a refresher for experienced operators. Covers proper operation and maintenance of wastewater collection systems. Topics include inflow/infiltration, lift stations, collection system cleaning, traffic control, safety, collection system math, and more. Exams offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.
Exam refresher sessions (A/B and SA/SB, C/D and SC/SD)
Exam refreshers are offered to help wastewater operators refresh their basic knowledge about need-to-know content required by law. Please acknowledge a 16-hour refresher seminar cannot replace months or years of experience-based learning and/or independent study of wastewater industry need-to-know qualifications.
Exam refreshers will also provide opportunities to practice solving common math-related problems such as pump calibration, geometric mean, discharge math, converting units, using common formulas, calculating loading, calculating food-to-mass ratio, and calculating volume, area, velocity, and perimeter. Exam refresher instructors will focus on need-to-know content when offering examples and demonstrations during exam refresher sessions.
Exam refresher sessions are not offered to rehearse or memorize how to answer wastewater exam questions and they do not provide attendees with correct answers for specific exam questions.
You must pre-register to attend exam refresher sessions. Attendees enrolled in an exam refresher session must bring a pencil and a nonprogrammable calculator. Smartphones and programmable calculators are not allowed during the exam. Contact hours: 12 Wastewater.
One-day pump workshop
Recommended for those who operate, maintain, or troubleshoot pumps. Covers pump maintenance, packing, seals, bearings, control panels, troubleshooting, and a hands-on session. No exams. Contact hours: 6 Wastewater. This workshop is only offered as an in-person event.
Stabilization pond seminar
A must for all stabilization pond operators. Covers pond design, operation and maintenance, discharge procedures and calculations, pump calibration, dissolved oxygen and pH meter demonstrations, and troubleshooting. In-person seminars may also include a field trip to a stabilization pond. This course is intended for entry-level operators or as a refresher for experienced operators. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.
Type IV (land application) basic course
This course is required for those who want to become certified as Type IV operator or inspector. Covers site selection, application rates, nitrogen management, reports, field analysis of potential sites, verification of site/soils data, and management problems. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Type IV or 16 Wastewater.
Type IV (land application) refresher course
The Type IV Biosolids land application training is recommended for operators and inspectors who need to renew their Type IV certificate or who need a refresher. The seminar reviews land-application management procedures, including elements of the basic course. The Type IV (IBP break-out session) is recommended for Type IV operators that land apply industrial wastes, including food processing, wood ash, industrial wastewater sludge, pretreatment sludge and more. Topics include site suitability, application rates, permitting requirements and waste management. No Exam. Contact Hours: 6 Type IV or 6 Wastewater.
Type V (spray irrigation) basic seminar
Training recommended for entry-level spray irrigation operators or as a review for experienced spray operators. Topics covered include permit certification requirements, goals of land treatment, crop management, loading calculations, operations, and monitoring. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater or 16 Type V.
Type V (spray irrigation) refresher
The Type V Industrial Spray Irrigation refresher is recommended for spray irrigation operators who need to renew their certificate or others who want to review specific aspects of industrial spray irrigation, including permit requirements, annual reporting, seasonal crop management and wastewater loading, daily operations, and monitoring. No Exam. Contact Hours: 6 Type V or 6 Wastewater.
Wastewater facility operations and collection systems conference
This 2½ day annual conference includes facility operation and collection system topics, a plenary session, and a keynote speaker. Breakout sessions cover a wide variety of priority topics for the entire industry. The conference also offers a trade show showcasing products, services, and new technology. Vendors are available at each booth to meet with attendees and answer questions. Network with colleagues and learn about all that’s new or evolving in the wastewater industry. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.
Wastewater treatment basic
A basic- to intermediate-level course geared toward the proper operation and maintenance of biological wastewater treatment facilities. Covers wastewater terminology, secondary treatment types, wastewater math, sampling process and procedures, reporting, safety, and more. This course is intended for entry-level operators or as a refresher for experienced operators. Exam offered on the last day. Contact hours: 16 Wastewater.
Wastewater training accreditation
If your organization offers wastewater operations training and would like to be accredited to offer training to Minnesota operators, you must apply to the MPCA. To receive training program approval prior to the course, submit the form to the MPCA at least 60 days before the training event.
Certification exams
Certification exams are offered at MPCA training seminars on the last day of class. Eligibility is determined by experience and/or education requirements. Exam applications must be received 15 days prior to the exam along with the exam fee, a description of your job duties, your length of service, name, and supervisor's phone number. If you are substituting educational experience for operating experience, submit a copy of a college diploma or other proof of school attendance or graduation.
All exams are closed book. You will be given a formula book. Bring a non-programmable calculator (no smartphones) and a No. 2 pencil. A passing grade is 70 out of 100. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after three months. We can identify the topics of incorrect answers, upon request, to help you focus your areas of study. You can review your exam if you submit a request within 60 days of notification of the results.
The agency will notify you if you pass the exam. Then you must submit the $45 certification fee within 90 days to become certified. If you don't submit the fee within 90 days, you must apply for re-examination.
Certificates expire three years after being issued. During that time the following contact training hours must be met for renewal:
- Class A and S-A = 32 hours
- Class B and S-B = 24 hours
- Class C and S-C = 16 hours
- Class D and S-D = 8 hours
- Type IV = 6 hours
- Type V = 6 hours
Need to know
Need to know criteria can help wastewater and collection system operators understand the basic skills necessary to operate a system or run a plant.
Exam dates
- June 12 (8:30 a.m.) - Lake Elmo
- July 25 (8:30 a.m.) - Grand Rapids
- August 14 12:30 p.m.) - Mankato, New Ulm, or Owatonna
- September 11 (12:30 p.m.) - Rochester, Austin, or Mankato
- October 9 (12:30 p.m.) - Twin Cities metro area
- November 13 (8:30 a.m.) - Twin Cities metro area
- December 18 (12:30 p.m.) - Twin Cities metro area
Certification renewals
Wastewater certifications must be renewed by operators every 3 years. Request for Renewal forms for Wastewater Treatment, Collections System, Type IV and Type V operators are mailed to operators 3 months prior to the operator’s certification expiration date.
- Operators have 30 days from their expiration date to submit their completed form and renewal fee to the MPCA.
- Renewal forms must be filled out completely, signed, and dated; operators must attach proof of attendance for all training hours obtained from outside the MPCA Wastewater Training Program.
Renewal request forms are not located on the web; each is custom to the individual operator. If you do not receive your Request for Renewal form by mail 3 months prior to your certification expiration date, contact Tracy Finch at tracy.finch@state.mn.us.
Forms and resources
Registration
Online registration is not available at this time.
US Bank charges a service fee of 2.15% for all credit card transactions or 1.25% for each debit card transaction. A separate non-refundable service fee or flat fee will be displayed on your credit card statement, in addition to the MPCA-charged training fee.
You will receive a confirmation email when the MPCA processes your training event registration. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 7 days of submitting, contact Christi Torgusson to make sure your registration was received.
Email correspondence. The MPCA may send important information about wastewater training events and operator certifications via email, so we need to have your most current contact information on file. Correspondence will be sent to all operators statewide when important updates about Wastewater training events or certification topics are needed. It is important (and your responsibility) that we have your most current contact information on file. If you have not received emails from our team, please contact Tracy Finch or Andrea Ebner to add or update your email address.
Reciprocity
Requirements for obtaining reciprocity for an individual license from another state.
To be eligible, you must:
- have a current license from another state or territory (licensing authority).
- have taken an exam to receive the license.
- have a good compliance history, and currently be in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license.
To apply:
- Complete an Application for reciprocity (wq-wwtp8-10)
- Submit a $40 application fee; application fees are non-refundable.
- Attach a copy of your current license and copies of any applicable training or educational course completion certificates.
As a part of the evaluation process, the MPCA will:
- request information from the licensing authority to substantiate your current license status; and
- determine the equivalent level or class of Minnesota license if reciprocity were granted.
Questions: Tracy Finch at 651-757-2103 or tracy.finch@state.mn.us