Florida License Holders
Experience is 'on-site' or 'hands-on' operational experience in the treatment plant as defined in Chapter 62-602.250, F.A.C. All experience must be verified by signature of a Florida licensed operator or supervisor with an operator license in the appropriate field of treatment. Water Distribution operators experience verifications can be signed by a Florida licensed Distribution Operator or Florida licensed Drinking Water Operator C level and above.
You must verify experience on your licensure application by the plant type, in which you have worked or are presently working, indicating time spent in on-site plant operation, with following stipulations:
- Wastewater treatment plants must have a system for solids control.
- Water plant experience must be gained in drinking water plants, not swimming pools.
- Operators under contract for the operation of several plants must identify level, class and name of each plant with permit number operated and the name of the contracting company (if applicable). Provide a separate list of plants if necessary.
Your supervisor/licensed operator, with whom you contract, must sign the past or present employment section of the application verifying experience.
If not, then a peer reference letter on company letterhead, signed by Florida licensed operator with license number underneath signature must detail:
- employment dates starting to current (do not list end date as current)
- position title
- hours worked per week
- description of duties
- description of treatment type
This letter may then be substituted for a signature on the application itself. In this case, please complete the respective employment section with the information and attach the letter to the verification form.
Out-of-State NON-Florida License
All applicants applying with an out-of-state license must submit the following for evaluation prior to applying for examination in order for DEP to pre-approve the type and level requested. This will ensure a smooth application process and ensure taking the correct level of coursework required.
- Copy of your active out-of-state license. License must be current as of time you make application.
- Submit documentation of the licensing requirements or laws and rules from your state showing the level of license and type. The state of Florida licensing levels are A B C & D. Other states have different types and levels of licensure. Upon review the department will verify equivalence to a Florida license.
Verification of your experience must be verified on company letterhead with the following:
- Dates of employment, start date to date verified. Do not list end date as (CURRENT).
- Hours worked per week
- Overtime hours if applicable
- A brief description of duties performed
- Signed by a LICENSED operator from the state experience was obtained
Experience is 'on-site' or 'hands-on' operational experience in the treatment plant as defined in Chapter 62-602.250, F.A.C. All experience is to be verified by signature of a Florida licensed operator or supervisor with an operator license in the appropriate field of treatment. Water Distribution operators experience verifications can be signed by a Florida licensed Distribution Operator or Florida licensed Drinking Water Operator C level and above.
- Wastewater treatment plants must have a system for solids control.
- Water plant experience must be gained in drinking water plants, not swimming pools.
- Operators under contract for the operation of several plants must identify level, class and name of each plant operated and the name of the contracting company (if applicable).
You will receive notification from Certification and Restoration as to the approval of your level and experience or any additional information needed. Upon approval you will need to submit the following:
- DEP examination application
- You will be required to meet approved Florida course work at the level of examination being taken. Approved courses can be found in the Certification and Restoration Handbook under approved courses. Note: Course must be no more than 5 years old.
- High school diploma or GED. Transcripts showing date of graduation are acceptable.
Submit your package to:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Operator Certification Program
Attn: Ronald McCulley, Program Administrator
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3506
Tallahassee FL 32399-2400
Need further assistance or information regarding the program?
Operator Certification Program
Division of Water Resource Management
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3506
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400
Phone: 850-245-7500 FAX: 850-245-8410
email:
operator.certification@dep.state.fl.us 
