Solid Waste Licensing Program

The Solid Waste Licensing Program issues licenses for solid waste management facility operators and environmental officers.

DEQ posts training opportunities and maintains data searches for both solid waste facility operators and environmental officers in the state.

Solid Waste Facility Operator Licenses

Operators qualify for licenses by completing approved training and passing an examination. License levels are determined by training, testing, and job experience. There are experience requirements for B and C licenses.

Licenses expire December 31 of even numbered years. All current licensees are mailed a renewal request form to complete and return to DEQ with appropriate fees by the end of November of even numbered years. Licenses eligible for renewal are renewed with a fee by January 1 of odd numbered years. Any license remaining lapsed for a period of three months will require retesting prior to reinstatement. Twelve (12) hours of CEUs are required biennially for license renewals.

License Classes and Levels

The three classes of solid waste operator licenses are separated according to the place of employment.

Required of operators at material recycling facilities, solid waste recover facilities, solid waste processing facilities, composting facilities, transfer stations, municipal solid waste incinerators, and municipal solid waste disposal facilities.

Required of operators at solid waste disposal facilities or landfills not subject to Subtitle D (Class III and IV permittees). Monofills are included.

Required of operators at waste tire processing facilities.

Each license class offers three levels determined by training and experience.

  • Complete 20-hour course of approved training.
  • Pass exam.
  • Hold a Level A license for one year.
  • Complete the 20 hour course of approved training.
  • Pass exam.
  • Complete one year of experience in solid waste management or operations.
  • Carry out the responsibilities of an operator.
  • Hold a Level B license for one year.
  • Complete a 20-hour course of approved training.
  • Pass exam.
  • Complete two years of experience in solid waste management or operations.
  • Carry out the responsibilities of an operator.

At all facilities, anyone meeting the definition of operator must have an operator license or have a provisional certificate (see Regulation 27, Section 27.608) or be an operator- in-training (see Regulation 27, Section 27.606).

Each site must have at least one operator present during periods of operation that has a Level C license unless the facility qualifies for Regulation 27, Section 27.302 (A), Special Provisions for Transfer Stations.

Additionally, all operators-in-training and Level A operators must be supervised by a Level C operator unless the facility qualifies for Regulation 27, Section 27.302 (B), Special Provisions for Transfer Stations.

Training and Testing

Individuals interested in training should contact the trainers directly for information and registration. DEQ maintains a list of approved training courses and locations.

License Application and Fees

Licensing applicants may register for classes before applying for a license, but DEQ must receive a completed application form, a disclosure statement, if applicable, and license fees before the applicant's examination date. No application documents or fees will be accepted at test locations.

Complete the Solid Waste Facility Operator License application, print and note the following instructions:

  • Include your social security number.
  • Use your full legal name or first and last names with a middle initial.
  • Indicate the classification and level of license(s) for which you are applying.
  • Complete disclosure statement unless exempt.
  • Attach a check or money order in payment of licensing fees (see licensing fee schedule). These fees are nonrefundable.
  • Mail completed application, disclosure statement, if applicable, and fee payment to:
  • Mail your completed application with fee payment to:

    Arkansas Energy & Environment
    DEQ - Solid Waste Licensing Program
    5301 Northshore Drive
    North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317

Environmental Officer Licenses

Licensed Environmental Officers are empowered by statute to inspect suspected illegal dumps, collect evidence of open dumping, present the evidence to officers of the court where the offense was committed, and issue and serve citations for violations of the Solid Waste Management Act prohibiting solid waste illegal dumping.

An individual is eligible to apply for initial training as an environmental officer if the individual is a current employee of a municipality, city, county, regional solid waste management district, or state agency, board, or commission. They must also complete the Arkansas Environmental Training Academy Environmental Officer Workshop and pass a comprehensive state examination.

Citations may be served in person or by certified mail, restricted delivery. The person receiving the citation is required to appear before the court named in the citation at the time designated. Courts having jurisdiction over the citations may issue penalties as specified in the Environmental Compliance Resource Act.

Individuals interested in training should contact the trainers directly for information and registration. DEQ maintains a list of approved training courses for Environmental Officers. Six (6) hours of CEUs are required yearly for license renewals.

License Application and Fees

License applicants may secure their training class before applying for a license, but DEQ must receive a completed application form and license fee before the applicant's examination date. No application documents or fees will be accepted at test sites.

Complete the Environmental Officer license application, print and note the following instructions:

  • Include your social security number.
  • Use your full legal name or first and last names with a middle initial.
  • Ask your employer to complete the Employer Verification portion of the application.
  • Attach a check or money for $50 in payment of licensing fees (see SW licensing fee schedule below). These fees are nonrefundable.
  • Mail your completed application with fee payment to:
  • Mail your completed application with fee payment to:

    Arkansas Energy & Environment
    DEQ - Solid Waste Licensing Program
    5301 Northshore Drive
    North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317

Licensure Program Fee Schedule

Solid Waste Facility Operator License

Individuals and employees should note this information about license fees:

  • Application documents and fee payments must be received by DEQ prior to the examination date.
  • DEQ will not send bills for fees. Fee payments must be received with the application.
  • No application documents or fees will be accepted at test locations.
  • If paying fees for more than one operator, facilities may write one check.
  • Licensing fees should be submitted separately and not mixed with other department fees.
  • All fees are assessed per classification of license requested.
  • An invoice stamped PAID will be mailed to you upon request.

Environmental Officer Program License

Individuals and employees should note this information about license fees:

  • Application documents and fee payments must be received by DEQ prior to the examination date.
  • DEQ will not send bills for fees. Fee payments must be received with the application.
  • No application documents or fees will be accepted at test locations.
  • If paying fees for more than one officer, facilities may write one check.
  • Licensing fees should be submitted separately and not mixed with other department fees.
  • An invoice stamped PAID will be mailed to you upon request.
License Fee Type
Application Fee (exam and license) $50.00
Reciprocity Fee (review and license)** $50.00
License Renewal Fee $25.00
Late Renewal Penalty $10.00
Fee for Provisional Certification** $25.00

**applicable to facility operator license applicants only