Under the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), if you currently hold a valid certificate or licence in another province or territory, Ontario may issue you an identical certificate or licence. Here you will find the steps and requirements to obtain reciprocity for your certificate or licence.
For operators who wish to hold Class 1 Ontario drinking water certificates in the certification areas of Water Treatment, Water Distribution, or Water Distribution and Supply, you are required to complete either the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Entry Level Drinking Water Operator Training Course or training considered equivalent prior to being issued a Class 1 Ontario certificate.
In order to obtain reciprocity for your certificates, you are required to complete and submit the Reciprocity Application Form. Attach a copy of your valid certificate or licence from another province to the application and submit your request by mail or fax to:
Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office
295 The West Mall, Suite 302
Etobicoke, ON M9C 4Z4
Fax: (416) 231-2107
The fee is $175 for each certificate or licence you are requesting and must be submitted with the completed application. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, cheque, or money order. If paying by cheque or money order, please make the payment out to the Minister of Finance.
Applications may take up to 30 days to process on receipt of a COMPLETE application and payment of the correct fee. Incomplete applications may be returned.
The ministry provides a number of guidance documents to help you understand various aspects of the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program.
If you need more information about any of the requirements to obtain reciprocity for your certificate or licence, the following documents may provide you with clarification.
| Certification Guide for Operators and Water Quality Analysts of Drinking Water Systems | Review this guide for information on the requirements for a drinking water operator or water quality analyst. |
| Licensing Guide for Operators of Wastewater Facilities | Review this guide for information on the requirements for a wastewater operator. |
| Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators | A fact sheet with information on the Entry Level Course (ELC) required for Class 1 drinking water operators. |
| Guideline 3.5 – Reciprocity Recognition of Certificates Obtained in Other Jurisdictions | This guideline explains the process for having an out-of-province certificate or licence recognized in Ontario. |
| Required Qualifications to Operate, Test or Sample Drinking Water Systems Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 | A detailed chart which details who may perform certain duties. |