Septage Operator Certification

Renewing Your Certification

Ch. NR 114, Wis. Adm. Code.[PDF exit DNR] requires that you earn continuing education credits to maintain an active certification. This continuing education requirement is designed to help you keep current on new requirements and technical innovations. Continuing education also helps you acquire additional knowledge and skills.

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

• Certified Operators designated as the Operator-in-Charge (OIC) or Master Operators (MO) are required to earn 18 hours of continuing education in the three year renewal period.
• Certified Operators not designated as an Operator-in-Charge or Master Operator (MO) are required to earn 3 hours of continuing education in the three year renewal 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. Admin. 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. Training will be offered throughout the year and made available in all five regions of the state. To find a class near you, visit the Training Calendar.

Continuing education credits for Master Operators may be obtained in a number of different ways. Here is a list of courses/activities acceptable for 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 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.

Six weeks before your certification expires, you will receive a courtesy renewal letter (please notify a septage coordinator of any change in address). This letter serves as a courtesy reminder only. It is your responsibility as an operator to keep track of your certification expiration date. When you are ready to renew, mail the renewal letter, the continuing education slips, and the $65 to the Statewide Certification Coordinator at:

WI DNR - Septage Certification
PO BOX 7921
MADISON WI 53707-7921

The renewal materials must be postmarked by the expiration date on your certificate (there is no grace period). Any renewal postmarked after the expiration date should also include the $100 penalty fee. Once your certification expires, you are not considered a certified septage operator. If you are an operator-in-charge and your certification is expired, your business is also out of compliance.

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 renewal fee (include the $100 late fee) to the Department to get your certification renewed. Operators may not continue to work with an expired certificate.

Once a certificate expires, you are given one year to renew your lapsed certification. You are NOT considered a certified operator during this lapse of your certification. If your certification is not renewed within that one year time period, you will need to re-take the written exam as a new operator. Operators may not renew their certificate by taking certification examinations unless their certificate has been expired for at least one year.

Contact

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

Kelly Thompson
(608) 266-8948