Wastewater Operator Licensing Program

The Enforcement Branch administers the Wastewater Operator Licensing Program pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-201 et seq. and in accordance with Arkansas Pollution and Ecology Commission Rule 3.

All wastewater treatment plants must have a properly licensed operator. Licensing requirements are set forth in Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Rule 3. See also Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-201 et seq.

Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-203, it shall be unlawful for any person to perform the duties of an operator of a wastewater treatment plant without being duly licensed under Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-201 et seq. and Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Rule 3.

The Wastewater Operator Licensing Program is managed through the DEQ ePortal application, located at https://eportal.adeq.state.ar.us/. The ePortal Quick Start Instructions provide step-by-step instructions for Registering an Account, Filing for e-Signature Approval, and other common features of ePortal. Each operator must register for an ePortal account and file for e-signature approval.

Wastewater Operator Licenses

A wastewater operator license may be obtained by completing DEQ-approved training and passing the required examination. Course content and formula sheets for the municipal and industrial licenses are available ePortal at Wastewater Operator Licensing Program. DEQ maintains a searchable database of licensed wastewater operators.

An operator may hold multiple wastewater licenses (a municipal license and an industrial license). Operators holding multiple wastewater licenses are required to fulfill all requirements of both license types. Operators holding multiple licenses may use the same training renewal hours for more than one wastewater license type, but a renewal fee must be paid for each wastewater license type held by the operator.

Wastewater Operator Licensure Fee Information

The Wastewater Operator License Exam Schedule is accessible in ePortal at Wastewater Operator License Exam Schedule.

The Wastewater Operator License Examination Application is accessible in ePortal at Wastewater Operator License Examination Application.

All wastewater operator license examination applications, excluding Municipal Class IV, and fees must be received by DEQ at least five (5) business days prior to the selected examination date. Wastewater operator license examination applications for the Municipal Class IV and fees must be received by DEQ at least thirty (30) days prior to the selected examination date. Examination fees are nonrefundable.

Wastewater Operator License Training Information

Wastewater operators are required to take DEQ-approved training courses, workshops, seminars, or other events from DEQ-approved sources only. Individuals interested in training must contact the training facilities directly for course information, registration, and any additional training fees.

Training Providers:

• Arkansas Environmental Training Academy (AETA)
• Arkansas Rural Water Association (ARWA)

DEQ is neither supporting nor endorsing the above-named training providers through reference on this webpage.

Wastewater Licensing Committee

The Wastewater Licensing Committee is composed of eight members:

• Three members, appointed by the APC&E Commission, who are active wastewater treatment plant operators in Arkansas and duly licensed pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-201 et seq. and APC&EC Rule 3.
• Two members, appointed by the APC&E Commission, who are employed by a private corporation or industry in Arkansas and duly licensed pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 8-5-201 et seq. and APC&EC Rule 3.
• One member, appointed by the APC&E Commission, who is an employee of a municipality operating a wastewater treatment plant who holds the position of chief administrative officer, city engineer, director of public utilities, or other equivalent position.
• One member, appointed by the APC&E Commission, who is a faculty member of an accredited college, university, or professional school in the State of Arkansas whose major field is related to water resources or sanitary engineering.
• One member who is the Director of the Division of Environmental Quality or a qualified member of his or her staff to act as the executive secretary of the licensing committee.

Wastewater Licensing Committee Members

Wastewater Licensing Committee Meeting Schedule

The Wastewater Licensing Committee meets at least three times a year: virtually in January; in person at the AWW&WEA conference in Hot Springs; and in person at the ARWA conference in Hot Springs. All meetings are open to the public. To attend a meeting, please contact the Wastewater Licensing Coordinator at EE.WWL@arkansas.gov.

* Each May meeting is tentatively scheduled as an in-person meeting during the annual AWW&WEA Conference in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Next Scheduled Arkansas Wastewater Licensing Committee Meetings

Wastewater Licensing Committee Meeting Minutes