Septage Operator Certification

Continuing Education

Your certification must be renewed every three years. Credits must be earned during the three year period prior to your certificate's expiration date (e.g. December 1, 2011 is the expiration date of your certificate, so credits must be earned between December 1, 2008 and December 1, 2011). Extra credits do not carry over.

• Certified Operators designated as the Operator-in-Charge (OIC) or Master Operator (MO) are required to earn three hours of compliance* continuing education credits and 15 hours of general septage continuing education during the three year certification period.
• Certified Operators not designated as an Operator-in-Charge or Master Operator (MO) are required to earn 3 hours of compliance* continuing education during the three year certification period.

*New! All operators are required to earn 3 hours of compliance related training in order to renew their certificate. Compliance related training refers to EPA Federal Regulations and DNR NR113 & NR114 Wis. Admmin. Code topics related to: pH methods and temperature correction, vector attaction reduction requirements, crop restrictions and harvesting schedules, soil and nutrient testing, land application site approvals, log books, safety in septage handling and transporting and SOP guidance.

General Septage Continuing Education credits for Master Operators and OICs may be obtained in a number of different ways. Here is a list of courses/activities acceptable for general septage continuing education:

• Attendance at DNR approved training classes, workshops and seminars. (Check the DNR Operation Certification Training Calendar for a current list of approved courses. You may also check with your regional septage coordinator for other opportunities in your area).

• Attendance at State and National Association workshops and seminars (e.g. Pumper & Cleaner Expo)
• Tour a wastewater treatment plant facility (a maximum of 3 hours can be applied).
• Complete a CPR/First Aid class offered through your local Red Cross chapter.
• Department of Commerce approved POWTS Maintainer Qualifier or Master Plumber classes.
• Business improvement classes.
• Attendance at professional association meetings, training seminars or conferences.
• Completion of WI Technical School courses (contact your septage coordinator for course approval).

Activities not acceptable for any continuing education credit:

• Time spent learning new business specific operations or operating new equipment.
• Time spent completing routine business forms and paperwork.
• Time spent reading federal or state codes, septage-related publications (books, texts, magazines).
• Time spent watching septage related videos or television.
• Time spent working with a licensed plumber agronomist, or soils scientist.
• Time spent making septic evaluations
• Longevity in the septage business.

Per NR114.22(2), a renewal may be rejected if the continuing education requirement is not met. If you do not have the proper credits to renew your certificate and your certification expires, send in the required Continuing Education Slips when you have accumulated enough credits and the appropriate renewal fee ($200 for Master Operators, $165 for Certified Operators) to the Department to get your certification renewed. Operators may not continue to work with an expired certificate.

Contact

For more information or questions on the septage operator certification program, please contact:

Kelly Thompson, Certification & Licensing Coordinator
(608) 266-8948

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