Water operator certification reciprocity between states
Quick answer
Does my water operator certification transfer to another state?
Sometimes. Many states grant reciprocity or certification by endorsement to an
operator already certified elsewhere, often when the original certification used a
comparable exam and grade, but some require a new exam. The condition is set by the
receiving state, which is why this cross-reference is built from each state's own
published policy.
Every reciprocity case follows the same shape: your original certification
goes through the receiving state's own check, and that check has two possible
outcomes.
Prefer one table you can sort and filter? See every jurisdiction's exam vendor,
renewal cycle, and reciprocity posture side by side in the
national comparison matrix.
Case-by-case reciprocity: apply if your home state's program also grants reciprocity to Alaskan operators, submit the Request for Reciprocity form with a $300 nonrefundable review fee, average processing 4 to 6 weeks. An operator who passed an ABC standardized exam within the past three years, or who holds ABC Professional Operator (PO) certification, may still be issued certification based on education and experience even if their home state does not offer reciprocity with Alaska.
Water distribution
Case-by-case reciprocity: a $300 nonrefundable review fee, average processing 4 to 6 weeks, granted only if the home state also grants reciprocity to Alaskan operators (with the ABC-exam exception described under water treatment)
Wastewater treatment
Case-by-case reciprocity: a $300 nonrefundable review fee, average processing 4 to 6 weeks, granted only if the home state also grants reciprocity to Alaskan operators (with the ABC-exam exception described under water treatment)
Wastewater collection
Case-by-case reciprocity: a $300 nonrefundable review fee, average processing 4 to 6 weeks, granted only if the home state also grants reciprocity to Alaskan operators (with the ABC-exam exception described under water treatment)
ADEQ accepts reciprocity applications for Water Treatment certifications from other jurisdictions; the FY26 fee schedule sets the reciprocity review fee at $340 per application
Water distribution
ADEQ accepts reciprocity applications for Water Distribution certifications from other jurisdictions; the FY26 fee schedule sets the reciprocity review fee at $340 per application
Wastewater treatment
ADEQ accepts reciprocity applications for Wastewater Treatment certifications from other jurisdictions; the FY26 fee schedule sets the reciprocity review fee at $340 per application
Wastewater collection
ADEQ accepts reciprocity applications for Wastewater Collection certifications from other jurisdictions; the FY26 fee schedule sets the reciprocity review fee at $340 per application
Arkansas participates in operator license reciprocity for drinking water operators moving between states, coordinated through the Operator Certification Program; contact ADH directly for the current reciprocity application and fee, which are not itemized on ADH's public fee pages
Water distribution
Arkansas participates in operator license reciprocity for drinking water operators moving between states, coordinated through the Operator Certification Program; contact ADH directly for the current reciprocity application and fee
Wastewater treatment
DEQ's wastewater operator licensing regulation (APC&EC Rule 3 / 8 CAR 22-101) governs licensing for Arkansas operators; DEQ's public program page does not itemize a reciprocity fee, so operators moving from another state should contact DEQ's Enforcement Branch directly
Reciprocity offered for Grades 1 through 4. Requires a completed reciprocity application (one per discipline), the application fee, a copy of the out-of-state certificate, proof of completed 36-hour-or-longer courses, and (Grade 3 and above) an organization chart and job description. The Board compares your education and experience to California's own requirements to decide.
Water distribution
Reciprocity offered for Grades 1 through 5, one grade further than water treatment. Same process: a reciprocity application per discipline, the application fee, a copy of the out-of-state certificate, proof of completed 36-hour-or-longer courses, and (Grade 3 and above) an organization chart and job description.
Wastewater treatment
No formal reciprocity agreements with any other state. Instead the WWOCP may grant a discretionary examination waiver, an additional $182 fee on top of the certification fee, if the applicant's out-of-state certifying body has comparable experience, education, and exam requirements, and the applicant passed a comparable written exam.
No automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state operators apply for Colorado certification by equivalency review under Board Policy 13-1 (Applicants Holding Certificates From Other Certifying Entities).
Water distribution
No automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state operators apply for Colorado certification by equivalency review under Board Policy 13-1 (Applicants Holding Certificates From Other Certifying Entities).
Wastewater treatment
No automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state operators apply for Colorado certification by equivalency review under Board Policy 13-1 (Applicants Holding Certificates From Other Certifying Entities).
Wastewater collection
No automatic reciprocity. Out-of-state operators apply for Colorado certification by equivalency review under Board Policy 13-1 (Applicants Holding Certificates From Other Certifying Entities).
Connecticut evaluates out-of-state certificates individually through the DPH Drinking Water Section rather than granting automatic reciprocity.
Water distribution
Connecticut evaluates out-of-state certificates individually through the DPH Drinking Water Section rather than granting automatic reciprocity.
Wastewater treatment
DEEP grants reciprocal certification by application, but an operator who accepts a reciprocal certificate must remain in the same position for at least one year or the reciprocal certificate becomes null and void.
Wastewater collection
DEEP grants reciprocal certification by application, but an operator who accepts a reciprocal certificate must remain in the same position for at least one year or the reciprocal certificate becomes null and void.
Delaware DPH accepts reciprocity applications from operators licensed in other states.
Water distribution
Delaware DPH accepts reciprocity applications from operators licensed in other states.
Wastewater treatment
Yes. DNREC's Board of Certification for Wastewater Operators accepts reciprocity applications from operators certified in other states, via a dedicated reciprocity request form.
Wastewater collection
Yes, through the same DNREC reciprocity request process used for wastewater treatment operators.
Yes, as of November 6, 2025. Florida newly allows licensure by reciprocity for out-of-state licensed treatment plant operators, reversing a prior policy under which Florida did not authorize reciprocity at all; applicants submit a copy of their active out-of-state license and the evaluation takes about 30 days.
Water distribution
Yes, as of November 6, 2025, for out-of-state licensed distribution system operators, under the same new reciprocity rule that now covers treatment plant operators.
Wastewater treatment
Yes, as of November 6, 2025, reversing Florida's prior no-reciprocity policy for operators licensed in other states.
Certification by endorsement (Rule 750-4-.03): an applicant holding a valid out-of-state or foreign certificate may receive a Georgia certificate without examination if the issuing jurisdiction's requirements are substantially similar to Georgia's, with a Board-approved endorsement application, a verification letter from the issuing jurisdiction, proof of a high school diploma or GED, and a non-refundable application fee. Transitioning military service members and military spouses qualify for expedited processing.
Water distribution
Same certification-by-endorsement pathway as water treatment (Rule 750-4-.03): a substantially similar out-of-state certificate can be accepted without examination.
Wastewater treatment
Same certification-by-endorsement pathway as water treatment (Rule 750-4-.03).
Wastewater collection
Same certification-by-endorsement pathway as water treatment (Rule 750-4-.03).
An operator currently certified by another state may apply for certification by reciprocity in the grade currently held; the Board compares that state's requirements to Hawaii's. If approved, no exam is required. The application fee is $30 and the certificate fee is $70, the same as a standard application. Applications may be submitted year-round and are reviewed at the next Board meeting.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity pathway as WTPO: an existing out-of-state certificate in a comparable grade can transfer without a retest if the Board finds the requirements similar, for a $30 application fee and $70 certificate fee.
Wastewater treatment
Out-of-state operators may apply for reciprocity certification ($25 application fee, $50 certificate fee) or temporary certification ($25 application fee, $50 certificate fee), evaluated by the Board of Certification.
Idaho Code 54-2410 (Endorsement, licenses from other states): a person holding a valid out-of-state license as a drinking water or wastewater system operator or backflow assembly tester, from a state whose legally enacted qualifications are not lower than Idaho's, may be accepted for licensure with board approval, an application, and a fee not to exceed $100.
Water distribution
Same Idaho Code 54-2410 endorsement pathway as treatment: an out-of-state license from an equal-or-higher-standards state can transfer for a board-approved fee not to exceed $100.
Wastewater treatment
Same Idaho Code 54-2410 endorsement pathway: an out-of-state license from an equal-or-higher-standards state can transfer for a board-approved fee not to exceed $100.
Wastewater collection
Same Idaho Code 54-2410 endorsement pathway: an out-of-state license from an equal-or-higher-standards state can transfer for a board-approved fee not to exceed $100.
Reciprocal certification without examination is available for operators certified in another U.S. state, territory, or country, by application with proof the existing certificate is valid and current, and written authorization for Illinois to verify credentials with the issuing jurisdiction. A separate path exists for U.S. Armed Forces-trained operators, requiring 3 years of hands-on experience for Class A or B, 1 year for Class C, or 6 months for Class D.
Water distribution
Same reciprocal certification pathway as water treatment, including the military-experience path requiring 6 months of hands-on experience for Class D.
Wastewater treatment
Illinois recognizes qualifying out-of-state wastewater certifications based on individual qualifications, though the facility-specific Class K certification cannot be issued through reciprocity.
Indiana Code 13-18-11-9: the commissioner may issue a certificate in a comparable classification without examination to an applicant holding a certificate from another U.S. state or territory, if that jurisdiction's requirements do not conflict with Indiana law and meet or exceed Indiana's standards, and if that state extends the same reciprocal recognition to certified Indiana operators.
Water distribution
Same Indiana Code 13-18-11-9 reciprocal pathway as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
Indiana Administrative Code 327 IAC 5-23-18 governs reciprocity and provisional certificates for wastewater operators, alongside the general out-of-state courtesy in Indiana Code 13-18-11-9 that applies across the water-pollution-control chapter.
Wastewater collection
Same 327 IAC 5-23-18 reciprocity and provisional-certificate pathway, and Indiana Code 13-18-11-9, as wastewater treatment.
Operators certified under another state's mandatory certification program, whose exam has been reviewed and found generally equivalent to Iowa's, are certified without examination once they meet Iowa's education and experience qualifications. Operators from another state's voluntary program are considered case by case and may be required to pass the Iowa exam. A reciprocity application plus the certification fee is required either way.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity path as water treatment: certified without exam from an equivalent mandatory out-of-state program, or considered case by case from a voluntary program, subject to a reciprocity application and the certification fee.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity path as the water disciplines: certified without exam from an equivalent mandatory out-of-state program, or considered case by case from a voluntary program.
The Certification and Licensing Branch evaluates an applicant's out-of-state certification, education, and experience against Kentucky's own requirements rather than granting automatic reciprocity; a $500 reciprocity and equivalency review fee applies.
Water distribution
Same case-by-case equivalency review as water treatment, $500 fee.
Wastewater treatment
Same case-by-case equivalency review process, $500 fee.
Wastewater collection
Same case-by-case equivalency review process, $500 fee.
An operator moving from another state submits a reciprocity application with education and work history, requests a certification-verification letter from their current state's certifying officer, and must still agree to sit Louisiana's required examinations at a time and place set by the Committee of Certification. Reciprocity is not an automatic waiver of testing.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity application and mandatory-exam process as water production.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity application and mandatory-exam process as the water disciplines.
Wastewater collection
Same reciprocity application and mandatory-exam process as the other three disciplines.
Maine recognizes water operators certified by other states or Canadian provinces; licenses from jurisdictions with examination requirements similar to Maine's may not require re-examination, but education and experience are still reviewed and a licensure application must be submitted regardless of prior out-of-state certification.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity review as water treatment: out-of-state licenses are considered, with education and experience taken into account, but a Maine licensure application is required regardless.
Wastewater treatment
Certification is available by examination or by reciprocity with other state certification programs.
The Board may certify an out-of-state applicant without exam if the applicant holds a valid certificate from the Association of Boards of Certification or from a state with substantially equivalent exams, and is employed or awaiting employment in Maryland. Reciprocity costs $150 in addition to the standard certification fee.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity process as water treatment: $150 fee, no new exam if the out-of-state certificate is comparable.
Wastewater treatment
Same $150 reciprocity process as water treatment and distribution: no new exam if the out-of-state credential is comparable.
Wastewater collection
Same $150 reciprocity process as the other three disciplines.
Massachusetts accepts WWTPO certification by reciprocity for an operator whose out-of-state certification was based on an examination process recognized by the Commonwealth or by an interstate compact
Operators certified in another state can apply for a temporary reciprocal license under Rule R325.11914 of Michigan's Safe Drinking Water Act (1976 PA 399, as amended). The temporary license runs until the applicant can sit and receive results from the next Michigan certification exam, capped at 18 months; passing the exam converts it to full Michigan certification, failing invalidates it.
Water distribution
Same temporary reciprocal license process as water treatment, up to 18 months while completing the Michigan exam.
The Board recognizes certification from another state or jurisdiction; the reciprocity certificate fee is $40
Wastewater treatment
MPCA grants reciprocity to an applicant with a current license from another state or territory who took an exam to earn it and remains in good standing; the application fee is $40
Wastewater collection
Same $40 MPCA reciprocity process as wastewater treatment.
Reciprocal certification may be issued in a comparable classification without a new exam to an operator holding a valid certificate from any state, territory, or U.S. possession, provided that state uses a formal examination process; if it does not, the operator can request a waiver from the Bureau's Director. A $30 fee applies to certification renewals; the reciprocal/initial certification fee itself is $50.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity process as water treatment: comparable out-of-state classification, no new exam required if the issuing state used a formal exam process.
Wastewater treatment
Certificates may be issued without exam, in a comparable classification, to an operator holding a valid exam-based certification from another state, territory, or U.S. possession that has entered a reciprocity agreement with MDEQ; the applicant must still meet Mississippi's education and experience requirements for the class requested.
Missouri issues certification without examination to an operator holding a valid out-of-state certificate attained by examination, if that state's certification requirements are at least as stringent as Missouri's own. The operator must have actual working experience with a public water system appropriate to the certification sought, apply within 180 days of beginning Missouri employment, and pay the $75 reciprocity application fee. DNR compares the issuing state's requirements to Missouri's own rather than working from a fixed reciprocal-state list.
Water distribution
Same comparability-based reciprocity process as water treatment: a valid out-of-state certificate earned by examination, appropriate working experience, application within 180 days of Missouri employment, and the $75 reciprocity fee.
Wastewater treatment
Reciprocity applications for wastewater certificates go through form MO 780-1091 for a comparable out-of-state certifying authority; the wastewater-side reciprocity fee runs $40 plus a $25 certificate fee, lower than the water-side $75 fee.
Montana grants reciprocity to an operator holding a valid out-of-state certificate, provided the applicant meets Montana's own experience minimum for the class sought and is in responsible charge of a Montana system. The applicant submits a letter detailing the other state's requirements and how they were met, plus credential copies and a certifying contact in that state. Fee is $70 for reciprocity plus the $70 application fee; processing runs up to 6 weeks.
Water distribution
Same case-by-case reciprocity process as water treatment: meet Montana's experience minimum for the class sought, be in responsible charge of a Montana system, and pay the $70 reciprocity fee plus $70 application fee.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity process as the drinking water disciplines: meet Montana's experience minimum for the class sought and be in responsible charge of a Montana system; the wastewater application and reciprocity fees are tracked and paid separately from the water side.
Nebraska does not offer water operator reciprocity. The department can credit an applicant's out-of-state education and experience toward eligibility to test, but every applicant must pass Nebraska's own sequential state-written exams; there is no waiver of the exam itself.
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater grants an equivalent-class certificate without examination, for the $150 fee, when the applicant's current out-of-state certificate comes from a program the director considers similar to Nebraska's own standards (Nebraska Administrative Code 197-4-004).
Drinking water reciprocity is granted case by case to an operator holding an active out-of-state certificate for the grade sought, reviewed by NDEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water for a $57 reciprocity review fee.
Water distribution
Same case-by-case review as water treatment, for the $57 reciprocity review fee, through NDEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water.
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater reciprocity is normally granted one grade below the level the applicant already holds elsewhere, unless the applicant passed the 2023-or-later standardized national exam, in which case the equivalent grade can be granted directly; the certificate is marked as reciprocal until the operator passes the Nevada exam for the full grade. The reciprocity fee is $150 for the mandatory treatment-operator track.
New Hampshire's certification page does not describe a formal drinking water reciprocity process the way it does for wastewater. An applicant certified in another jurisdiction should contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau directly to ask about crediting an existing certificate rather than assuming automatic reciprocity.
Water distribution
As with water treatment, no formal reciprocity process is described on the state's certification page; contact the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau directly.
Wastewater treatment
Reciprocity is available for Grades I through III only: the certification committee can grant it without an exam if the other jurisdiction's requirements are equivalent to New Hampshire's own, the applicant is actively seeking New Hampshire employment, and the original certificate was earned by examination rather than grandfathered in. No reciprocity certification is issued for Grade IV under any circumstance (N.H. Admin. Code Env-Wq 304.19).
New Jersey does not have a licenses-by-endorsement fast lane. Under N.J.A.C. 7:10A-1.11, the Board evaluates a completed application and fee from any applicant meeting the requirements of N.J.S.A. 58:11-69, and the Department issues a license if the applicant's out-of-state qualifications satisfy New Jersey's own criteria.
Water distribution
Same N.J.A.C. 7:10A-1.11 evaluation process as water treatment: a completed application and fee, reviewed by the Board against New Jersey's own criteria, no automatic endorsement.
Wastewater treatment
Same N.J.A.C. 7:10A-1.11 process as the drinking water licenses: an application and fee, evaluated by the Board against New Jersey's requirements.
Wastewater collection
Same N.J.A.C. 7:10A-1.11 evaluation process as the other three New Jersey license types.
No automatic reciprocity. The UOCP evaluates certifications from other states and tribal authorities for equivalency: an applicant submits their current out-of-state certification, proof of education, and training documentation, and the Bureau determines the appropriate level of New Mexico certification, if any, that equivalency supports.
Water distribution
Same case-by-case equivalency review as water treatment: no automatic reciprocity, evaluated by the UOCP against the applicant's documented out-of-state certification and training.
Wastewater treatment
Same equivalency-review process as the drinking water certifications: no automatic reciprocity, the UOCP evaluates the applicant's out-of-state wastewater certification and training documentation case by case.
Wastewater collection
Same case-by-case equivalency review as the other three disciplines.
New York does not have a formal wastewater reciprocity agreement with any other state. It does honor ABC exam reciprocity: a certified operator from another ABC-member state may obtain New York certification without retaking the exam if their training and experience meet New York's own standards.
A reciprocity certificate is available; contact the Operator Certification Program to process a reciprocity application, and a Military Brochure describes a separate path for veterans and service members. Exact eligibility criteria for the reciprocity review were not itemized on the Board's public brochure.
Water distribution
Same Board-level reciprocity certificate process as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
A reciprocity certificate costs $119 (effective July 1, 2025), with processing handled by the Commission's certification staff; a separate US Military Veterans reciprocity path exists for service members and veterans.
Wastewater collection
Same $119 reciprocity certificate and military veterans pathway as wastewater treatment.
The department may issue certificates by reciprocity, without examination, to any person holding a certificate from another state, US territory or possession, or a country, if that jurisdiction's certification requirements are equal to or higher than North Dakota's own requirements for a like certificate, and reciprocal privileges are granted to North Dakota-certified operators in return.
Water distribution
Same equal-or-higher reciprocity standard as water treatment, evaluated by the department.
Wastewater treatment
Same equal-or-higher reciprocity standard as water treatment, evaluated by the department, without examination when granted.
Wastewater collection
Same equal-or-higher reciprocity standard applied by the department as the other three disciplines.
No automatic reciprocity. Ohio EPA's Operator Certification Advisory Council reviews each out-of-state application case by case against a published state-by-state equivalency chart and sends its recommendation to the Ohio EPA Director. The chart lists a comparable Ohio class (or none) for every state and Canadian province with a certification program.
Water distribution
Reviewed case by case by the Operator Certification Advisory Council against a published Water Supply and Distribution reciprocity comparison chart, separate from the wastewater chart.
Wastewater treatment
Reviewed case by case against a separate Wastewater Treatment and Collection reciprocity comparison chart, by the same Operator Certification Advisory Council process as the drinking-water disciplines.
Wastewater collection
Reviewed case by case against the same Wastewater Treatment and Collection reciprocity comparison chart as wastewater treatment.
Oregon does not have a direct exchange reciprocity agreement with any other state or Canadian province. DEQ reviews individual reciprocity applications from operators holding an active out-of-state certificate under OAR 340-049-0050, but since other states may not require the national ABC exam Oregon requires, an applicant may not qualify for reciprocity at the same grade as their current certificate.
Wastewater collection
Same case-by-case DEQ review under OAR 340-049-0050 as wastewater treatment; no automatic agreement with any other state or province.
The Board may certify an applicant holding a valid certificate from another state, territory, DC, or an Association of Boards of Certification registry (or U.S. military/Coast Guard water/wastewater discharge papers), if they meet Pennsylvania's own experience threshold at the comparable class: 4+ years at Class A, 3+ years at Class B, 2+ years at Class C, and 1+ year at Class D. The out-of-state license must not have expired, and operators who lost a prior reciprocal certification for non-compliance must retest rather than reapply for reciprocity.
Water distribution
Class E reciprocity applications carry a $100 fee, requiring at least 1 year of comparable experience, following the same out-of-state-certificate framework as treatment classes.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity framework as water treatment: 4+ years at Class A, 3+ years at Class B, 2+ at Class C, 1+ at Class D of comparable experience, and up to 50 percent experience credit for biosolids operations.
Wastewater collection
Same $100 reciprocity fee and comparable-experience framework as the water-side Class E.
RIDOH grants an exam waiver when an applicant's home-state requirements meet Rhode Island's own standards; a compiled review of 2024 approvals found an 11-for-11 (100 percent) approval rate for drinking water reciprocity applications that year.
Wastewater treatment
The Board may issue a certificate without examination, at a comparable classification, to an applicant holding a certificate from any state recognized by the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC), if the Board judges that state's requirements equivalent to Rhode Island's own. A Grade 4 certificate by this route additionally requires an accepted or current position as a Rhode Island Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, and that the applicant's prior out-of-state employment ended no more than 1 year before filing.
The Board licenses an out-of-state applicant whose credentials, education, and experience are substantially equivalent to South Carolina's own requirements, following a staff review, a board-member review, and (if referred) a full Environmental Certification Board vote. Reciprocity applications carry a $50 fee, the same as a first-time application.
Water distribution
Same substantial-equivalency review and $50 reciprocity fee as water treatment; Water Distribution System Operator is its own line item on the Board's reciprocity fee schedule.
Wastewater treatment
Same substantial-equivalency review; the Board's reciprocity fee schedule lists Biological Wastewater Treatment Operator and Physical/Chemical (P/C) Wastewater Treatment Operator as separate $50 line items.
A certificate of equivalent grade may issue without examination to anyone holding a current certificate from another state, U.S. territory or possession, a foreign country, or the ABC directly, provided that jurisdiction's requirements are not lower than South Dakota's own and that jurisdiction grants reciprocity back to South Dakota-certified operators. Submit a copy of the held certificate with the $60 fee and a Certification through Reciprocity application; the Board of Operator Certification decides case by case at its next meeting.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity process and $60 fee as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity process and $60 fee as water treatment.
Wastewater collection
Same reciprocity process and $60 fee as the other three disciplines.
Tennessee issues a reciprocity certificate when the applicant's home-state requirements are comparable to or greater than Tennessee's own, under the Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Act (Tenn. Code Ann. 68-221-910). Submit the Application for Certificate of Competency (CN-0704) with the relevant classification worksheet and a $100 fee at least 60 days before a scheduled Board meeting; Fleming Training Center verifies the credential with the home state before the Board votes.
Water distribution
Same reciprocity process, worksheet, and $100 fee as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocity process as water treatment, using the Wastewater Treatment Plant Classification Worksheet in place of the water version.
Wastewater collection
Same reciprocity process and $100 fee as the other disciplines.
TCEQ has no published state-by-state reciprocity agreement list. An out-of-state applicant with a current license in good standing, who has already passed an exam to earn it, applies through OLEA with the standard $111 fee; TCEQ contacts the issuing state to verify the license and determines the corresponding Texas class. With the exception of landscape irrigators, TCEQ may waive qualifications, training, or the exam on a case-by-case basis.
Water distribution
Same case-by-case reciprocity review and $111 fee as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
Same case-by-case reciprocity review and $111 fee as water treatment.
Wastewater collection
Same case-by-case reciprocity review and $111 fee as the other Texas licenses.
The Division of Drinking Water accepts a Reciprocity Request application from operators certified in another state; dual-certified operators may also request one certificate's expiration date shift by a year to unify renewal cycles across a Utah and out-of-state or cross-discipline certificate.
Water distribution
Same Reciprocity Request process as water treatment.
Wastewater treatment
The Division of Water Quality offers reciprocity to operators certified in another state, at a $200 reciprocity fee, higher than the standard renewal fee.
Wastewater collection
Same $200 reciprocity fee and process as wastewater treatment, through the Division of Water Quality.
Vermont has no formal reciprocal-recognition agreement for water operators. Out-of-state experience can count toward eligibility to sit for a Vermont exam, but every applicant still passes a Vermont-approved exam; there is no direct credential transfer.
Wastewater treatment
OPR may waive the exam through endorsement for an operator already licensed in good standing in a state with equivalent standards.
Virginia grants no true reciprocity. An out-of-state license or experience can help satisfy Virginia's own experience and education requirements, but does not waive the exam; every applicant must sit and pass the Virginia board exam to be licensed in the state.
Wastewater treatment
No true reciprocity, matching the waterworks policy: an out-of-state credential helps satisfy Virginia's experience and education requirements but does not waive the requirement to sit and pass the Virginia board exam.
Washington accepts only operators who passed the WPI/ABC standardized exam for the equivalent grade and hold a valid out-of-state certificate; states using a proprietary, non-WPI exam receive no reciprocity. Reciprocal certification costs $287.
Water distribution
Cross-Connection Control Specialist and Backflow Assembly Tester certificates do not transfer between states at all; Distribution Manager reciprocity follows the same WPI-exam-only rule as treatment.
Wastewater treatment
Full reciprocity with roughly 15 jurisdictions, including Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Conditional reciprocity applies with Oregon, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New York. No reciprocity applies with California, Texas, or Florida.
West Virginia issues reciprocal licenses to out-of-state operators who meet state requirements and whose home-state exam is judged equivalent; alternatively, the state may require completion of a West Virginia-specific course within 2 years of the reciprocal license being issued.
Wastewater treatment
Same reciprocal-license policy as drinking water: issued to out-of-state operators meeting state requirements and exam equivalency, or the operator completes a West Virginia-specific course within 2 years.
Wisconsin administers its own exams and reviews out-of-state certificates case by case rather than through a blanket reciprocity table. A dedicated reciprocity form, Form 3400-218, is used for drinking water applications.
Wastewater treatment
Case-by-case review of out-of-state certificates, using a dedicated wastewater reciprocity form, Form 3400-219.
Wyoming accepts another state's current, clean certificate without requiring a new exam, provided DEQ receives a letter of good standing from the issuing state. A Wyoming reciprocal certificate inherits the original certificate's expiration date, capped at 3 years.
Wastewater treatment
Same policy as water treatment: a current, clean out-of-state certificate is accepted without a new exam given a letter of good standing, inheriting the original expiration date capped at 3 years.