Septage Operator Certification
Continuing Education
Your certification must be renewed every three years.
- Septage operators designated operator-in-charge (OIC) are required to earn 18 hours of continuing education in the three year renewal period.
- Septage operators not designated as operator-in-charge are required to earn 3 hours of continuing education in the three year renewal period.
Credits must be earned in the three year period prior to renewal. (e.g. July 1, 2008 is the expiration date of your certificate. Credits must be earned between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2008 to be valid for your renewal on July 1, 2008). Extra credits do not carry over.
Continuing education credits may be obtained in a number of different ways, and credits for courses are generally earned on an hour-for-hour basis (e.g. one hour of training is equal to one continuing education credit.) A list of statewide approved courses is available on the DNR Operation Certification Training Calendar. You may also check with your regional septage coordinator for other opportunities in your area.
Activities acceptable for continuing education:
- Attendance at DNR approved training classes, workshops and seminars.
- 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 continuing education:
- 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 certificate may not be issued if the continuing education requirement is not met. If you do not have enough credits to renew your certificate and your certification expires, send in the required Continuing Education Slips when you have accumulated enough credits and the $165 renewal fee ($65 renewal fee and $100 penalty fee) to the Department to get your certification renewed.
Contact
For more information or questions on the septage operator certification program, please contact:
Kelly Thompson
(608) 266-8948
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