Exams

Which Exam Do I Need?

The easiest way to find out which exam you need to take is to find out what certification DEQ requires for the facility where you work.  There are 3 good ways to do this:

  1. Check your current work experience listing in your Operator Certification account. Your current job listing will show the type and level of the facilities or facility where you are working.  You need the same type and level of certification as the type and level of the facility.
  2. Use the list below to find out which exam you need based on the descriptions of the facility types.
  3. Contact the DEQ Operator Certification Program at opcert@wyo.gov or 307-777-6128.

I work at:

Well System:

Usually a town, district or homeowner’s association that has their own well(s) and a distribution system.  You may also have disinfection, booster stations and/or water storage tanks.  Take the Well System exam.

Lagoon System:

Usually a town, district or homeowner’s association that has their own lagoon and a wastewater collection (sewer) system.  Your lagoon may have aeration and you may need to operate lift stations in the collection system.  Take the Lagoon System exam.

Water Treatment Plant:

Usually a surface water treatment plant, but facilities that use other processes to treat water such as reverse osmosis, filtration, coagulation, or sedimentation to remove contaminants.  Water treatment facilities come in Levels 1 through 4.  Begin with the Level 1 Water Treatment Plant exam and take all exams to reach the level of the facility where you work.

Wastewater Treatment Plant: 

Usually a mechanical, activated sludge, or what is known as a “package” wastewater treatment plant.  Wastewater treatment facilities come in Levels 1 through 4.  Begin with the Level 1 Wastewater Treatment Plant exam and take all exams to reach the level of the facility where you work.

Distribution System: 

Usually a larger town or city, like Cheyenne, Casper, or Rock Springs, where operators specialize in working in the distribution system.  You may also work in a distribution system that obtains its water from another public water system, which is called a “consecutive” distribution system.  You never work at a treatment plant.  You are responsible for the distribution system, including installation, repair, and maintenance of water mains, valves, booster stations and pumps.  You may also operate and maintain disinfection equipment.  Distribution Systems come in Levels 1 and 2.  Begin with the Level 1 Distribution System exam.

Wastewater Collection System (Sewer):

Usually a larger town or city, like Cheyenne, Casper, or Rock Springs, where operators specialize in working in the collection system.  You never work at a treatment plant.  You are responsible for the collection system, including installation, repair, and maintenance of sewer mains, manholes, lift stations and pumps.  Collection Systems come in Levels 1 and 2.  Begin with the Level 1 Collection System exam.

Contact
Contact

Please contact Kim Parker at kim.parker@wyo.gov or 307-777-6128 if you have questions about the Operator Certification Program.

Schedule an Exam
Schedule an Exam

WY Exam Locations:  Casper, Casper College, Cheyenne, Green River, Billings, MT, Rapid City, SD, Scottsbluff, NE, Aurora, CO, and Salt Lake City, UT, or any PSI/AMP Assessment Center nationwide.

Exam Availability:  By appointment only, Monday through Friday, at either 9:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

What kind of calculator can I use?
Calculators with printing capability, full alphabetic keypad or those built into cellular/smart phones or hand-held computers are not permitted in the exam room. Standard, non-programmable scientific calculators that are silent, do not have alphabetic keypads, or printing capabilities are allowed.

Scheduling: Go to WY DEQ’s PSI landing page to schedule your exam.  Do not try to schedule your exam over the phone.

WY Exam Candidate Handbook: The WY Exam Candidate Handbook has everything you need to know about how to schedule an exam, exam check-in procedures, ID requirements, and more!

PSI Customer Service Line: 1-833-256-1420 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.

When you pass the exam:  Log on to your Operator Certification account and verify that you meet the operational experience, training, and High School Equivalency (HSE) requirements listed in the Wyoming certification requirements document.

If you don’t pass the exam:  You may retake the exam as often as you wish, but you must wait 30 days between each attempt.