1. Operator certification is mandatory for all persons in direct responsible charge of the operation or maintenance of water treatment facilities, water distribution and storage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, or wastewater collection and transfer systems as required by North Dakota Century Code section 23.1-07-07 and applicable federal laws and regulations.

2. Five grades of operators for water treatment facilities, water distribution and storage systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and wastewater collection and transfer systems are established. To qualify for certification in a given grade, an applicant must satisfy the education and experience requirements, or their equivalents, of the grade for which the certification application is submitted.

3. All applicants must pass a certification examination for the class of facility or system for which the certification application is submitted.

History: Effective January 1, 2019; amended effective April 1, 2026.

General Authority: NDCC 23.1-07-06

Law Implemented: NDCC 23.1-07-04, 23.1-07-06