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NC DEQ »   About »   Divisions »   Water Resources »   Operator Certification »   Animal Waste Operator

Animal Waste

Contact a staff member in the operator certification program.

Get information about Animal Waste Operator Exams.

Check my operator status or find current certified operators.

Learn about Continuing Education or Initial Certification Training.

Find a Contract Operator.

What are the the Rules and Commission that guide animal waste operators.

Nominate an outstanding certified operator for an award.

Download a form to submit OIC designation or Change of Address.

Download an Animal Waste Training Manual

Certified Operators - Designations - Portal

​​​​​Enter Your Operator Certification Number here to check:

  • Operator Certification Status
  • Continuing Education Hours

List of Animal Waste Certified Operators (pdf)

Verify Operator Designations (Enter Permit No.)

 

Certified Operator Portal. User your NCID.  NCID Registration  &  NCID Instructions

 Certified Operator Portal
 

​

Continuing Education & Initial Operator Training

To check your continuing education hours or operator certification status:

  • ​​​​​Enter Your Operator Certification Number here

 

For a downloadable list of ALL animal operators and their animal waste continuing education hours:

  • Current Animal Waste Continuing Education click here

 

All registered upcoming Animal Waste Continuing Education Classes

All registered upcoming Animal Waste Initial Certification Schools

For more continuing education classes that have not yet been listed here, contact your local Cooperative Extension office.

For the Animal Waste Manuals, see the Downloads link below.

 

For Training Providers:

Approval Form for Animal Waste Continuing Education

 

Universities, community colleges and private organizations conduct training classes.  Direct ALL questions regarding locations/dates/pricing to the training provider.

NC DWR Operator Certification Program DOES NOT CONDUCT training classes. 

 

 

 

​

Exams

Animal Waste Operator Exams and Wastewater Operator Exams are given on the same day at multiple locations, 4 times a year: March, June, September, December.

Animal Waste Exam Application (AWA, AWB)

Math Formulas for Type A + Type B Animal Waste (Provided during exams)

                [Wastewater Exam application (LA, SI, SS)]

Exam information, dates, locations - for both Animal Waste Operators and Wastewater Operator

 

If you already have at least one operator certification number you can check your status for any certification: ​​​​​Enter Your Operator Certification Number here to check:

June 2022 Animal Waste and Wastewater Certification Exam Pass Rates

Contract Operators

Contract Operator List      This list is not comprehensive nor an endorsement. It is provided for convenience.

To be listed as a contract operator for NC Carolina Water Pollution Control Systems, please submit this form. To remain on the list, you must submit the form once a year.

If you are hiring a contract operator, you are responsible to verify operators have active certifications of the appropriate type and grade by checking the Certified Operator Lists.

  • Animal Waste Certified Operator List (updated dialy)
  • Wastewater Certified Operator Lists (updated daily)

 

Rules

Waste Operator Rules (WW & AW)

Animal Waste Operator Rules:
15A NCAC 08F

Wastewater Operator Rules:
15A NCAC 08G

Collection Systems
15A NCAC 02T .0300

Waste Not Discharged to Surface Waters (Land applied)
15A NCAC 02T

 

Other Related Rules

Download Forms & Manuals

Operator Forms

  • Animal Waste OIC Designation Form (May be submitted via email to: certadmin@ncdenr.gov)
  • Change of Name or Address Form
  •  

Course Manuals: Animal Waste Certification Training for Operators:

  • Animal Waste Type A (2021)
  • Animal Waste Type B (2016)
  • Math Formulas for Type A + Type B Animal Waste (Provided during exams)

Reporting Forms:

  • NPDES & Permit Animal Waste Forms

Recordkeeping Forms

  • NCSU Animal Waste Operator Resources
WPCSOCC

Water Pollution Control System Operators Certification Commission

 

2022 Quarterly Meetings ~ Open to Public
May 13 - AGENDA
August 12
November 4

The purpose of the Certification Commission is to protect the public's investment in water pollution control facilities through the training and certification of operators of water pollution control systems.

  • protect the public health of the citizens of the State
  • conserve, protect, and maintain the quality of the water resources of the State as assigned by the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission
  • protect the public investment in water pollution control systems
  • provide for the classification of water pollution control systems
  • establish the procedures for the examination and certification of operators of water pollution control systems

 

 

 COMMISSION MEMBERS:

NC DENR and works in the field of water pollution control:
W. Corey Basinger, Chair, NC DEQ Mooresville Regional Office

Commercial water pollution control system operating firm:
Steve Barry, AQWA, Inc.

Collection system operator or superintendent for a municipality:
Ken Stines, Metropolitan Sewerage District Buncombe Co.

Four-year college or university whose major field is wastewater treatment:
Dr. A. Robert Rubin, N.C. State University

Operators of water pollution control systems of a municipality:
Arnold E. Allred, City of Franklinville
Martie Groome, City of Greensboro

Managers of a municipality:
Marchell Adams-David, City of Raleigh
Jonathan Russell, City of Washington

Animal agriculture industry:
W. Chester Lowder, Vice-Chair, N.C. Farm Bureau Federation
Jim Lynch, Goldsboro Milling Company

Private industry and responsible for treatment of industrial wastewater:
Matthew A. Haynes, Valley Proteins, Inc.

History

  • Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1969.

  • Originally called the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Board of Certification.

  • Seven member board appointed by the Assistant Director of the Department of Water and Air Resources (currently known as the Department of Environmental Quality) with the approval of the Board of Water and Air Resources (currently known as the Environmental Management Commission

  • In 1993, duties of the Certification Commission expanded to include the training and certification of operators of wastewater collection systems, spray irrigation systems, subsurface treatment and dispersal systems, and land application of residuals sites.

  • Added two new members with experience in these fields.

  • In 1996, added the training and certification of operators of animal wastewater pollution control systems to the duties of the Certification Commission. Two new members were appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to represent the animal agriculture industry.

Wilbur E Long Award

Do you know a wastewater operator that demonstrates excellence?

Consider nominating the operator for the 2022 Wilbur E. Long Award.

The purpose of this award is to recognize any current certified water pollution control system operator in NC that:

  • has exhibited outstanding knowledge and innovation in the continuing operation of a water pollution control or animal system, or
  • has contributed time and effort toward the training, education, and professionalism of water pollution control or animal systems; or
  • has devised, discovered, or invented devices or techniques which enhance the science of system operation.

All certified water pollution control system operators are eligible: Animal Waste, Biological Wastewater, Collections, Land Application, Subsurface, and Spray Irrigation.

Staff Contacts

Jeff Talbot - Supervisor
919-707-9108
jeff_talbot@ncdenr.gov

 

Patrick Beggs - Nonpoint Source Waste Operator Certification
919-707-9105
patrick_beggs@ncdenr.gov

  • Animal Waste Program

    • Type A (AWA)
    • Type B (AWB)
  • Land-Based Wastewater Treatment:
    • Land Application (LA)
    • Spray Irrigation (SI)
    • Subsurface (SS)

 

Jenee Williamston -  Administrative Specialist
919-707-9089
jenee.williamston@ncdenr.gov

  • Exam Registration
  • Con Ed Credit Hours
  • Renewals
  • Rosters
  • Reinstatement
  • ORC Designation
  • Wallet Cards
  • Address Changes

 

Mail Address
1618 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC  27699-1618

Physical Address
Archdale Bldg
512 N. Salisbury St., Suite 1209
Raleigh, NC 27604

Main Phone
919.707.9190

Operator Certification

  • Animal Waste Operator
  • Drinking Water Operator
  • Wastewater Operator
  • Operator Certification ePayments

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