Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Short Courses
Water Treatment Plant Operators Short School
July 7-11, 2025 - Blacksburg, VA
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Short School
August 4-8, 2025 - Blacksburg, VA
Water and Wastewater Short Schools are created in partnership with Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education, the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Short Schools expose operators to the basic information that they must know in order to become licensed through the various levels of licensure. Short Schools are not structured as direct prep for licensure, but, coupled with personal preparation, will aid those planning to take licensure examinations.
Caleb Taylor, Executive Director of NRV Regional Water Authority will serve as Program Director. Our instructors include VDH and DEQ employees, plant operators, industrial personnel, employees of firms working in the field, and Virginia Tech faculty.
| Licensure Level | Course Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class IV-III | A | Introductory; helps with Class VI-III licensing |
| Class III-II | B | Intermediate; those with Class III licensure should complete Level A before attending Level B |
| Class II-I | C | Advanced; helps with Class II & I licensing |
| Licensure Level | Course Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class IV-III | A | Introductory; helps with Class VI-III licensing |
| Class III-II | B | Intermediate; those with Class III licensure should complete Level A before attending Level B |
| Class II-I | C | Advanced; helps with Class II & I licensing |
| Class II-I | D | Advanced; helps with Class I licensing and covers selected supervisory issues |
Continuing Education
A certificate and 33 continuing education contact hours are awarded for the successful completion of the course, including attendance at all classes.
Those that pass the Short School exam given on the last day of the program will also be awarded 3.3 CEUs.
Please note that the Short School exam is separate from the DPOR Licensing Exam.
Licensure Testing
DPOR has announced that remote proctoring is now available for Class 1-6 Water Operators and Class 1-4 Wastewater Operators licensing exams.
After completing Short School, you will be able to schedule your licensure exam in the timeframe that suits you best. You may take this exam at home or at another location.
More Information
Questions about the course:
Contact Lucas Kintz, Program Coordinator, Virginia Tech Continuing and Professional Education, at lkintz@vt.edu.
Information about registration:
Please contact Continuing and Professional Education by email: cpeinfo@vt.edu or phone: 540-231-5182.