Indiana Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Guide

Decision 1

Choose the work before choosing the exam.

Drinking water

IDEM certifies operators who oversee public water system operations. Applications specify treatment or distribution grade.

Treatment: source water, process control, filtration, disinfection, laboratory work.
Distribution: pumps, storage, pressure, mains, valves, sampling, flushing.

Study treatment · Study distribution

Wastewater

Wastewater applicants apply to IDEM, receive eligibility, then schedule the computer-based examination at an Ivy Tech location.

Treatment: biological and physical processes, solids, disinfection, compliance.
Collections: sewers, lift stations, force mains, I&I, cleaning, overflow response.

Study treatment · Study collections

Do not pay yet: Do not schedule or pay only the testing vendor and assume the state application is complete. Approval from IDEM comes first.

Decision 2

Build the application record in the right order.

Credential map: Drinking-water treatment/distribution and wastewater operator certifications

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Confirm the exact field and class. Ask the facility or job posting for the credential name—not simply “water license.”Open the current agency requirements. Compare education, approved training, experience, and any class prerequisites.Separate exam approval from certification approval. An application receipt or passing score may not be an active certificate.Gather records before applying. Save transcripts, course certificates, job descriptions, dates, hours, facility class, duties, and supervisor contacts.Use the current application and payment instructions. Do not mail an old form or rely on a cached third-party fee table.Schedule only after approval where required. Verify identification, calculator, formula sheet, appointment, and retest rules.Complete the certificate step. Choose treatment, distribution, or wastewater; submit the IDEM application and state fee; wait for eligibility; schedule with Ivy Tech; pay the testing-site fee; pass; complete certification.Record renewal and continuing-education dates. Save approved hours as you earn them.

Decision 3

Study from the state outline, then diagnose weak operator topics.

Indiana exam note

IDEM publishes current exam dates, fees, study guides, and application instructions. The testing site fee is separate from the state application fee.

Decision 4

Make the job produce qualifying experience.

Before accepting or paying for training, ask the employer or program these exact questions:

Which certificate, class, and facility classification does this role support?
Which daily duties count as operating experience—and which duties do not?
Who will supervise and sign the experience verification?
How are hours, shift assignments, process duties, and dates recorded?
Does the employer pay for approved training, exams, renewals, or higher-grade preparation?

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Primary sources

Open the agency page before submitting or paying.

Last reviewed: July 13, 2026. State pages and current forms control if this guide differs.

Indiana water and wastewater operator certification