Approved equivalents for waterworks/wastewater works operators

(a) Experience. One year of licensed operational assistance to water or wastewater facilities in addition to an undergraduate degree in biological sciences, biology, engineering, physical science, hydrology, geology, mathematics, environmental science, chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, or civil, chemical, sanitary, or environmental engineering, or equivalent sciences may be substituted for five (5) years of experience. However, this approved equivalent does not count towards the hands-on operational experience required to obtain Class A or B certifications. (b) Training. For initial certification of waterworks/wastewater works operators, applicants for any operator certification may substitute the following for the training requirements listed in Appendix B: (1) Academic credit. Successful completion of one (1) semester hour of higher education courses in biological sciences, biology, engineering, physical science, hydrology, geology, mathematics, environmental science, chemistry, microbiology, toxicology, or civil, chemical, sanitary or environmental engineering, or equivalent sciences may substitute the training requirement of sixteen (16) hours in the classroom; (2) PresenterInstructor credit. An presenterinstructor of a DEQ-approved training course may substitute four (4) hours training credit per one (1) hour of presentationinstruction. PresentersInstructors are required to complete a minimum of four (4) hours of DEQ-approved professional development as a class attendee. (3) Publication credit. Publication of one peer-reviewed technical article related to water or wastewater in journals or magazines generally accepted in the field may be substituted for ten 13 (10) hours training credit; and (4) Continuing education unit. One continuing education unit may be substituted for ten (10) hours in the classroom. Continuing education unit (CEU). A CEU is defined as an organized experience in continuing education and training delivered under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. One CEU is equivalent to 10 contact hours. Therefore, one in-person CEU can be substituted for ten in-person classroom hours, and one online CEU can be substituted for ten online training hours. (c) Operators cannot utilize their undergraduate degree to substitute for both the experience and training requirements specified in Table 1 of Appendix B. An undergraduate degree can only be used for experience or training hours. Once the operator has indicated this substitution request on their examination application and has provided an official transcript for verification, this decision cannot be reversed at a later date.