Texas Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification
Licensing Structure
TCEQ licenses wastewater treatment plant operators in four classes under 30 TAC Chapter 30:
- Class D — entry level, basic wastewater operation duties. Not renewable for operators at activated-sludge-type facilities.
- Class C — intermediate operations, requires Basic Wastewater Operation plus Activated Sludge/Wastewater Treatment coursework and one elective.
- Class B — advanced operations, adds Wastewater Collection, Wastewater Laboratory, and Water Utility Safety coursework.
- Class A — senior level, adds Water Utility Management; requires significant formal education plus hands-on experience.
All classes renew every three years with 30 continuing education hours.
TPDES: Texas's Discharge Permit Program
Texas is a delegated NPDES state — TCEQ administers the **Texas Pollutant Discha