Certification Exams and CPE Regulations
Taking the Certification Exams
The Virginia Department of Occupation and Regulation (DPOR) is the governing body for professional licenses in Virginia. DPOR has established criteria for operators to be eligible to sit for exams in many areas including education, work hours, and criminal records to name a few. Visit DPOR's site for regulations and licensing needs.
VA DPOR had contracted with PSI (www.psiexams.com) to proctor the exam. PSI provides a computerized format for taking the test. Exams can be scheduled throughout the year and in various locations across the state. The operator is allowed to bring a calculator (non-programmable). The operator must be familiar with state regulations in addition to treatment knowledge in order to pass a certificate exam. PSI charges a fee each time an operator sits for an exam and the operator knows at the end of the exam only whether he/she has passed or failed; no numerical grade is given.
CPEs Required
Water / Wastewater operators are required to maintain Continuing Professional Contact Hours (CPE’s).
DPOR has recently updated CPE requirements. Updates and licensing regulations can we seen here.
Water renewals are at the end of February on odd years. The next renewal year is 2027.
Wastewater renewals are at the end of February on even years. The next renewal year is 2026.
Wastewater Operator CPE Requirements
Class I, II and III will need to maintain 18 CPE’s each renewal cycle (every 2 years).
Class I and II need 4 CPE hours in management every cycle.
Class IV wastewater operators will need to maintain 16 CPE hours.
Conventional Onsite Sewage Installers / Operators need to maintain 10 CPE hours
An exception for CPE requirement is given during the first cycle of a new license and thereafter each time an operator sits for and passes the next grade of license.
Water Operator CPE Requirements
Class I, II and III will need to maintain 18 CPE’s each renewal cycle (every 2 years).
Class I and II need 4 CPE hours in management each cycle.
Class IV water operators will need to maintain 16 CPE hours.
Class V water operators will need to maintain 6 CPE hours.
Class VI water operators will need to maintain 4 CPE hours.
An exception for CPE requirement is given during the first cycle of a new license and thereafter each time an operator sits for and passes the next grade of license.