Successful completion (70% and higher) of the relevant examination is the first step toward obtaining a certificate or licence at all levels.
For more information on getting started as an operator, please visit the Getting Your Certificate/Licence for the First Time page. For information on obtaining Class 1 to 4, Water Quality Analyst, and Limited System certificate/licence, please visit the Upgrading Your Certificate/Licence page.
For more information on preparing for your exam, go to the Preparing for your Exam guide.
For Operator-in-Training (OIT) examinations
If you are looking to write one or all of the Operator-in-Training (OIT) exams, please make sure that you do the following:
- Complete the Examination Registration form,
- Provide proof of grade 12 or equivalent*; and
- Submit your application at least four weeks before the exam date you wish to write.
For further details on obtaining your OIT, please visit the Getting Your Certificate/Licence for the First Time page.
For Class 1 to 4, Limited, and WQA examinations
If you are looking to write an examination to upgrade to a higher class of certificate or licence, please make sure that you do the following:
- Complete the Examination Registration form,
- Provide proof of grade 12 or equivalent*; and
- Submit your application at least four weeks before the exam date you wish to write.
For further details on obtaining your Class 1 to 4, Water Quality Analyst, and Limited System certificate/licence, please visit the Upgrading Your Certificate/Licence page.
*If you have education other than an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or are unsure if your education can be accepted for proof of grade 12, please see Guideline 3.1 for more information. If your education is on file with a previous exam, you do not need to resubmit this with your current application.
If you are unable to attend your scheduled examination date, you can request to reschedule up to two times at no additional fee. You must provide written notice a minimum of two weeks prior to the exam date. If you are unable to attend the third scheduled date, the exam application is cancelled. No refunds will be issued. You must then apply for a new exam date by submitting a new application with payment.
Applicants who are unable to attend an exam due to severe weather, illness or other acceptable compassionate reasons may be allowed to reschedule without penalty. A doctor’s certificate or other documentation may be requested.
If an exam applicant, at any time, cancels an exam application no refund will be issued.
FORMS AND FEES FOR EXAMINATION REQUESTED | ||||
Type of Exam | Operator-in-Training Exam | Class 1-4 Exam | Limited System Exam | WQA Exam |
Form | Examination Registration Form | Examination Registration Form | Examination Registration Form | Examination Registration Form |
Fee | $50 | $140 | $140 | $140 |
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 write an examination, or if you feel your situation does not fall into the above categories, the following documents may provide you with clarification.
Guideline 3.1 – Grade 12 Equivalency | If you are unsure if your education meets the requirements for grade 12, review this guideline to see what can be considered equivalent. |
Guideline 3.11 – Exam Result Validity | Defines the length of time an exam result remains valid for. |
Guideline 3.7 – Exam Accommodations | To inform operators and water quality analysts (WQA) on the policies regarding exam accommodations. |
Code of Conduct | Includes the code of conduct for written exams. |
Preparing for Your Exam | Includes a list of the appropriate study materials for each type of exam. |