Drinking Water Treatment & Distribution System Operators

treatment lab

In 1971, laws and regulations governing the certification of potable water treatment facility operation were enacted. The regulations establish at what level these facilities should be manned, the minimum qualifications for testing at each of the five grade levels, and the criteria for the renewal and revocation of operator certificates.

In 1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established guidelines for the certification and re-certification of operators of community and non-transient non-community public water systems. On January 1, 2001, new state regulations were adopted to comply with these guidelines and the existing water treatment operator certification program was modified accordingly. The new regulations also established a water distribution operator certification program. This program became the Drinking Water Operator Certification Program (DWOCP).

The DWOCP was originally under the Department of Health Services and then the California Department of Public Health. In 2014, the DWOCP was transferred to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) in the Division of Financial Assistance.

The DWOCP is responsible for the testing and certification of approximately 35,000 water treatment and water distribution operators throughout the state of California.

Latest Information

If you have questions about the Drinking Water Operator Certification Program (DWOCP), contact us.

If you have questions about the Wastewater Operator Certification Program (WWOCP), view the Wastewater Operator Certification Program page.

Upcoming Events

TBD

Advisory Committee Meeting

Date and Time: Tuesday / 1:00PM

  • Meeting Agenda: English | Spanish

Advisory Committee Minutes November 12, 2024

Statistics: English | Spanish

More Information

Distribution Application
Treatment Application
T5 Treatment Exam (Oral)
The T5 exam for winter 2025 will be offered in both northern and southern California.

  • Applications Must Be Postmarked by: December 2, 2024
  • Examination Dates:
    February 17 – 21 (Southern California) and
    February 24 - 28 (Northern California)

Examination Application
Examination Schedule and Important Information for Examinees

Certified Water Treatment & Distribution Operators

These lists are updated monthly and may not contain recently issued or expired certificates. Although SWRCB takes all steps to ensure the accuracy of the information in the lists, there may be some inaccuracies. Please contact the SWRCB Drinking Water Operator Certification Program at 916-449-5611 if you have any questions.

List of Certified
Treatment Operators
A – L

List of Certified
Treatment Operators
M – Z

List of Certified
Distribution Operators
A – L

List of Certified
Distribution Operators
M – Z

The above lists are for checking an operator's current status.

Mailing lists are ONLY sent to water systems for recruitment purposes. If you are recruiting for your water system and would like an operator mailing list, please provide the system name and number in an e-mail request to DWOpCertProgram@Waterboards.ca.gov or call at 916-449-5611.

Drinking Water Operator Online Payments


Drinking Water Operator Certification Program (DWOCP) can now accept online payments from checking/savings accounts to pay for application and renewal fees! Keep in mind that the payment is NOT sufficient to complete the process. You must submit a complete application with original signatures to finalize the process. Payments CANNOT be made by credit card or debit cards. To submit an online payment, operators must provide the bank routing number, the checking, and/or savings account number.

Please read the Online Payments Guide and Online Payments FAQs before making an online payment.
Online Payments Guide
Online Payments Quick Guide
Online Payments FAQs

Step One: Online Payment Form

Step Two: Online Payment

Disclosure: By clicking on the above "Online Payment" link, you will be redirected to the State’s data collector website, First Data. First Data is not under the control of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the SWRCB is NOT responsible for the contents or links contained in their website. The SWRCB recommends that you view. First Data's security and confidentiality statements.

Contact Information

  • Drinking Water Operator Certification Program:

    Mailing Address:
    State Water Resources Control Board
    Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
    PO Box 944212
    Sacramento, CA 94244-2120

    Physical Address - Overnight Delivery Address
    State Water Resources Control Board
    Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
    1001 "I" Street, 17th Floor
    Sacramento, CA 95814

    Telephone: (916) 449-5611 and (916) 449-5610
    Fax: (916) 449-5654
    Email: dwopcertprogram@waterboards.ca.gov