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1. Determine which certification
you need.
CWEA offers certification in 6 different vocations
(occupations). The vocations are listed below with a
link to the Candidate Handbook for each. The Candidate
Handbooks describe the vocation and how to qualify to
take the test.
Click on the vocation below to link to the Candidate
Handbook:
Collection
System Maintenance
This vocation deals with sewer maintenance and repair.
Laboratory Analyst
This vocation deals with testing water in the laboratory.
Environmental
Compliance Inspector
This vocation deals with inspection of industrial
wastewater treatment facilities and monitoring of
wastewater that empties into the sewer system. This
is also known as "Source Control," "Industrial
Pretreatment Inspection," "IPP," and
Industrial Waste Inspection."
Plant
Maintenance
This vocation deals with the maintenance and repair
of wastewater treatment plants. Electrical/Instrumentation
and Mechanical Technology are the two specialties
in this vocation. Electrical/Instrumentation Technology
deals with the maintenance and repair of wastewater
treatment plant electrical and instrumentation systems.
Mechanical Technology deals with the maintenance and
repair of mechanical systems in the plant such as
pumps and motors.
Industrial Waste
Treatment Plant Operator
This vocation deals with the operation of wastewater
treatment plants in private industrial facilities.
Biosolids
Land Application Management
This vocation deals with the processing of inert biological
materials (sludge) that result from the wastewater
treatment process.
2. Determine which grade level
is best for you.
Grade levels go from entry level (Grade 1) to the management
level (Grade 4). Grade levels 2, 3, and 4 require a
combination of experience and/or education in the vocation
to qualify for the test. Since Grade 1 is an entry level
test, there are no qualifications and anybody can take
the test. However, Grade 1 is designed for a person
with about 1 year of experience in the vocation. If
you do not have one year of experience, you will probably
need to study before taking the test.
The chart below summarizes the basic experience:
| GRADE
1 |
| Qualifying Combination |
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS |
EXPERIENCE |
| |
NONE REQUIRED TO TAKE TEST |
NONE REQUIRED TO TAKE TEST |
| GRADE
2 |
| Qualifying Combination |
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS |
EXPERIENCE |
| A |
NONE |
4 full-time years in vocation
|
| B |
Hold Grade 1 certificate in vocation
for 1 year |
2 full-time years in vocation
|
|
C
|
Associate's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
2 full-time years in vocation
|
| D |
Bachelor's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
1 full-time year in vocation
|
| GRADE
3 |
| Qualifying Combination |
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS |
EXPERIENCE |
| A |
NONE |
6 full-time years in vocation
|
| B |
Hold Grade 2 certificate in vocation
for 2 years |
4 full-time years in vocation
|
|
C
|
Associate's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
4 full-time years in vocation
|
| D |
Bachelor's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
3 full-time year in vocation
|
| GRADE
4 |
| Qualifying Combination |
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS |
EXPERIENCE |
| A |
NONE |
8 full-time years in vocation
with 1 year supervising others |
| B |
Hold Grade 3 certificate in vocation
for 2 years |
6 full-time years in vocation
with 1 year supervising others |
|
C
|
Associate's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
6 full-time years in vocation
with 1 year supervising others |
| D |
Bachelor's, or higher, degree
in a related field |
5 full-time years in vocation
with 1 year supervising others |
3. Apply for the Test
Complete the Application for Technical Certification
and include your signed copy of the certification
program Code of Ethics.
Send it in with the correct fees by the deadline given
on the application. Tests are given twice a year on
the fourth Saturday of January and July. The application
deadline is three months before the test. If your application
is rejected you may appeal.
4. Prepare for the Test
Make sure you are ready for the test by purchasing the
study guide for your test and the other books recommended
in the study guides. You may want to consider attending
a CWEA local sections study session in northern or southern
California.
5. Take the Test
Tests are given twice a year on the fourth Saturday
of January and July in a number of sites throughout
California and Michigan. You may reschedule your test
at any time up to the Friday immediately after the test
date (there is a $35 rescheduling fee).
The tests are all multiple choice, about 100 questions
long, and you are given 3 hours to complete it. The
test starts at 9:00 am. at all exam sites. Arrive at
8:30 to sign in.
6. Pass the Test
Test results take about 4 to 6 weeks. After you have
passed the test you will be certified and a certificate
and renewal card will be mailed to you. To keep your
certification you must attend at least 12 hours of continuing
education every two years and pay a renewal fee every
year.
If you do not pass, then you may take the test again
and will have to pay the full fee. A short application
form is available to those who must re-take the test.
If you have any other questions, please contact
us at:
CWEA-TCP
7677 Oakport St., Suite 600
Oakland, CA 94621
phone: 510-382-7800 Fax: 510-382-7810
Email:
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