According to the Utility Operator Certification Regulation (20.7.4.20.A NMAC), it is unlawful to operate or allow the operation of a public water supply system or public wastewater facility unless the system or facility is by or under the supervision of a certified operator who meets or exceeds the appropriate level of certification required to operate the system or facility.
Therefore, anyone who operates a public water supply system or a public wastewater facility must hold an active New Mexico utility operator certification of the correct type and level for the system or facility, or must be supervised by an individual who holds an active New Mexico utility operator certification of the correct type and level for the system or facility. This means that the operator certification cannot be lapsed or expired to be considered.
Types of Water Utility Professional Certifications:
The New Mexico Environment Department Utility Operator Certification Program administers 22 different types and levels of water utility professional certifications—11 types of drinking water professional certifications and 11 types of wastewater professional certifications.
A Candidate Guidebook is available for each type and level of certification. Each Candidate Guidebook provides detailed information about where and when the particular certification is needed; the eligibility criteria that must be met to qualify for taking the particular certification exam; the main content areas, topics, number of test questions, and passing score threshold; and suggested study resources. In addition, supplemental pamphlets may be available to help explain exam eligibility pathway scenarios.
Examination Requirements for Certification
Applicants for all UOCP Exams must:
- Submit high school diploma as proof of graduation from high school or successful completion of a general equivalency diploma (GED).
- Submit documentation to meet the minimum required years of experience and training credits as outlined in the table below.
- Submit a completed exam application through the online Certemy Application to the Utility Operator Certification Program (UOCP).
- Submit copies of training completion certificates for any credits not identified in the database.
- Successfully pass the written examination for the level of certification being sought
- ALL Application fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
Experience & Training Credit Requirements
Experience is defined in the Utility Operator Certification Regulation as actual work experience, full or part time, as an operator in the fields of public water or public wastewater treatment.
| Water Certifications | Examination Application Fee | Experience Required (Years) | Training Credits Required |
| Water Sampling Tech 1 (WST1) | $25 | 0 | 5 |
| Water Sampling Tech 2 (WST2) | $25 | 0 | 10 |
| Small Water(SW) | $25 | 1 | 10 |
| Adv. Small Water(SWA) | $25 | 1 | 10 |
| Water Supply Level 1 (WS1) | $30 | 1 | 10 |
| Water Supply Level 2 (WS2) | $30 | 2 | 30 |
| Water Supply Level 3 (WS3) | $30 | 4 | 50 |
| Water Supply Level 4 (WS4) | $30 | 1 year as WS3 | 80 |
| Distribution Systems 1 (DS1) | $30 | 1 | 10 |
| Distribution Systems 2 (DS2) | $30 | 2 | 30 |
| Distribution Systems 3 (DS3) | $30 | 4 | 50 |
| Wastewater Certifications | Examination Application Fee | Experience Required (Years) | Training Credits Required |
| Small Wastewater(SWW) | $25 | 1 | 10 |
| Adv. Small Wastewater (SWWA) | $25 | 1 | 10 |
| Wastewater Level 1 (WW1) | $30 | 1 | 10 |
| Wastewater Level 2 (WW2) | $30 | 2 | 30 |
| Wastewater Level 3 (WW3) | $30 | 4 | 50 |
| Wastewater Level 4 (WW4) | $30 | 1 year as WW3 | 80 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 1 (WWLT1) | $25 | 1 | 10 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 2 (WWLT2) | $30 | 2 | 30 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 3 (WWLT3) | $30 | 4 | 50 |
| Collection Systems 1 (CS1) | $30 | 1 | 10 |
| Collection Systems 2 (CS2) | $30 | 2 | 30 |
Certification Renewal Requirements
- All certifications must be renewed every three (3) years.
- All certifications expire on the last day of the certificate holder’s birth month.
- Each certificate holder must obtain the correct number of training credits in the 3-year period prior to the renewal date (see table below).
- Renewal fees will be paid for each individual certification as stated below in the following table.
| Water Certifications | Renewal Fee | Training Credits |
| Water Sampling Tech 1 (WST1) | $25 | 5 |
| Water Sampling Tech 2 (WST2) | $25 | 10 |
| Small Water(SW) | $20 | 30 |
| Adv. Small Water(SWA) | $20 | 30 |
| Water Supply Level 1 (WS1) | $25 | 30 |
| Water Supply Level 2 (WS2) | $25 | 30 |
| Water Supply Level 3 (WS3) | $30 | 30 |
| Water Supply Level 4 (WS4) | $30 | 30 |
| Distribution Systems 1 (DS1) | $25 | 30 |
| Distribution Systems 2 (DS2) | $25 | 30 |
| Distribution Systems 3 (DS3) | $30 | 30 |
| Wastewater Certifications | Renewal Fee | Training Credits Required |
| Small Wastewater (SWW) | $20 | 30 |
| Adv. Small Wastewater (SWWA) | $20 | 30 |
| Wastewater Level 1 (WW1) | $25 | 30 |
| Wastewater Level 2 (WW2) | $25 | 30 |
| Wastewater Level 3 (WW3) | $30 | 30 |
| Wastewater Level 4 (WW4) | $30 | 30 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 1 (WWLT1) | $25 | 30 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 2 (WWLT2) | $25 | 30 |
| Wastewater Lab Tech 3 (WWLT3) | $25 | 30 |
| Collection Systems 1 (CS1) | $25 | 30 |
| Collection Systems 2 (CS2) | $25 | 30 |
Water/Wastewater Certification Equivalency
The Utility Operator Certification Program (UOCP) will evaluate water and wastewater certifications from other States and Tribal Authorities for certification equivalency. Requests for an Equivalency of a water or wastewater certification involves confirmation of previous experience and requirements met for determination of the appropriate level of a New Mexico Certification(s).
Please also be sure to include copies of the necessary items listed below with your application:
- Copy of your current water or wastewater certification(s) to be evaluated for Equivalency.
- Copy of high school/GED diploma or transcripts that display graduation date and/or college transcripts/diploma.
- Copies of trainings received for Utility Operator Certification (certificates of completion or sign-in sheets of in house safety trainings also accepted).
Paying Certification and Renewal Fees
Pay fees online (online payment portal tutorial available here) or send by mail to:
NMED – Utility Operator Certification Program
PO Box 5469
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5469
Before you can proceed with online payment for exams, a UOCP staff member will send to you an email notification confirming the exam details and the fees due. Your fees must be paid within 10 days of receiving this email.
Only renewals that have met the training credit requirements will be eligible to pay online. The online payment option is not available to operators if the renewal is 30 days overdue or if training credits are owed.