Wastewater Plant Operators Short School
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Short School
August 3-7, 2026 - Blacksburg, Virginia
Registration Deadline: July 22, 2026
Course Fees
Early bird: $900 by Mar 31, 2026
Standard: $1000 Apr 1-May 31, 2026
Late: $1100 June 1-July 22, 2026
Continuing Education Units
3.3 CEUs with passage of Short School exam
33 contact hours
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.
Participants will receive 33 continuing education contact hours for successful completion of this course, including attendance at all classes. A digital certificate will be awarded approximately 14 days after the end of the course. 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.
Course fee includes all course materials, daily breakfast and lunch, and one networking dinner.
Licensure Testing
Please note that the DPOR exam is NOT offered at the Short School.
DPOR has announced that remote proctoring is now available for 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.
| Licensure Level | Course Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class 4-3 | A | Introductory; helps with Class 4-3 licensing |
| Class 3-2 | B | Intermediate; those with Class 3 licensure should complete Level A before attending Level B |
| Class 2-1 | C | Advanced; helps with Class 2 & 1 licensing |
| Class 2-1 | D | Advanced; helps with Class 1 licensing and covers selected supervisory issues |
| Alternative Onsite Wastewater Systems | AWOS | Introductory; helps with licensing operators for alternative onsite wastewater systems. |
MONDAY, AUGUST 3: 8:00 am-6:30 pm
- Introduction & Basic Math Review
- Wastewater Treatment Math
- Wastewater Characteristics
- EDMR Presentation
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4: 8:00 am-5:30 pm
- Wastewater Biology
- Hydraulics & Collection Systems
- Preliminary Treatment
- Primary Treatment
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Secondary Treatment
- Biological Nutrient Removal
- Dinfection - Chlorination
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
- Sampling & Testing Conventional Pollutants
- Sludge Treatment Overview & Sludge Thickening
- General Safety Considerations
- Plant Equipment
- Wastewater Operator Licensing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
- Wastewater Operator Ethics
- Short School Exam
MONDAY, AUGUST 3: 8:00 am-6:30 pm
- Introduction & Wastewater Treatment Math Review
- Preliminary Treatment Operations
- EDMR Presentation
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4: 8:00 am-5:30 pm
- Sludge Stabilization
- Fixed Film Operations
- Plant Equipment
- Confined Space Safety
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Activated Sludge Operations
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
- Biological Nitrogen Removal
- Phosphourous Removal
- Emerging AWT Technology
- Disinfection Alternatives
- Wastewater Operator Licensing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
- Wastewater Operator Ethics
- Short School Exam
MONDAY, AUGUST 3: 8:00 am-6:30 pm
- Introduction, Troubleshooting Techniques, & WWTP Math Review
- Preliminary Treatment Troubleshooting
- Solids Separation
- EDMR Presentation
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4: 8:00 am-5:30 pm
- Fixed Film Troubleshooting
- Activated Sludge Operations
- Activated Sludge Troubleshooting
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- BNR Operations & Troubleshooting
- AWT & BNR Troubleshooting
- MBR Troubleshooting
- Plan Equipment
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
- Sludge Dewatering
- Sludge Disposal & Reuse
- UV Disinfection Troubleshooting
- Laboratory Safety
- Wastewater Operator Licensing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
- Wastewater Operator Ethics
- Short School Exam
MONDAY, AUGUST 3: 8:00 am-6:30 pm
- Plant Optimization
- EDMR Presentation
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4: 8:00 am-5:30 pm
- Composting & Biosolids Management
- Advanced Treatment Membrane Bioreactors
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5: 8:00 am-4:00 pm
- Safety
- Security Measures
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6: 8:00 am-6:00 pm
- Microbial Augmentation
- Supporting Wastewater Operations with Computer Simulators
- System Performance Modeling
- Wastewater Operator Licensing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
- Wastewater Operator Ethics
- Short School Exam
Schedule may change; registrants should watch their emails for any important updates.
Interested in the Water Plant Operator Short Course? Click link at right.
More Information
Questions about the course:
Contact Lucas Kintz, Program Specialist, 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.