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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 160. Board For Waterworks And Wastewater Works Operators And Onsite Sewage System Professionals
Chapter 30. Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators Licensing Regulations
1/19/2026

18VAC160-30-95. Qualifying experience.

A. Experience used to qualify for licensure must be obtained under the direct supervision of an operator holding a valid license of the same category and of a classification equal to or higher than the classification of the waterworks or wastewater works at which the experience was gained.

B. The direct supervisor must certify the applicant's experience on the application as accurate and relevant to the classification and category of license for which licensure is sought. In the event that a licensed operator is not available to certify the experience of the applicant, the experience may be certified by a representative of the facility owner with first-hand knowledge of the applicant's experience.

C. Experience operating and maintaining water distribution systems will only be considered for Class 5 or Class 6 waterworks operator license applicants.

D. Experience limited solely to nonoperating duties will not be counted as experience as an operator or an operator-in-training.

E. The board will accept an applicant's experience obtained in a previously unclassified wastewater treatment facility that has recently been classified as requiring a licensed Class 3 or Class 4 operator, provided that (i) the application includes verification from the appropriate DEQ regional office that the operator license requirement is a new requirement and (ii) the applicant's experience is verified by the owner of the facility.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2301 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 8, eff. January 16, 2026.

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