State Water Board staff detail steps to modernize operator certification; rulemaking and fee reviews planned

Keisha Kelly, program manager for the Office of Operator Certification, updated the State Water Board on a multi‑year effort to modernize certification for drinking water and wastewater operators. Kelly said the office has launched online exam applications and renewals and that since the initial computer‑based testing launch the program has received roughly 12,356 exam applications online (1,748 wastewater; ~4,000 drinking water treatment; 6,553 drinking water distribution).

Kelly described progress on four priorities: (1) completing the online application and renewal phases and beginning the certification application phase with the Division of Information Technology; (2) implementing regulatory updates to align certification requirements with current practices, including amendments to examination and renewal timelines and disciplinary actions; (3) recognizing military training and certification via reciprocity per AB 1588 work, including limited recognition of Navy Overseas Operator Certification Program credentials and the Army Quartermaster College program as experience credit; and (4) conducting fee analyses and pursuing a new computer‑based testing contract to replace the one expiring at the end of FY 2026‑27.

Board members welcomed the digitization and asked staff to produce an 'aging' report showing the number of certified individuals by age and grade—so the board can better understand workforce turnover and how many unique individuals actually hold currently valid certificates. Kelly said the office can produce aging reports but does not track when operators retire or where they are employed. Board members also urged staff to continue engaging advisory committees, consider equity implications of the oral grade‑5 exam, and ensure adequate resources to complete regulatory updates.