Register early, as seating is limited. LRWA will not reserve seats without payment. Registration will close once the seating limit is reached.

You may only enroll in one class at a time, as they are held in different classrooms simultaneously from Monday to Thursday, between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. A certification class is REQUIRED to take the exam on Friday.

These training courses are designed for individuals who need to take their operator certification exam to become certified. The classes review either Water (Production, Treatment, and Distribution) or Wastewater (Treatment and Collection).

If you are attending solely to obtain certification hours, the registration cost remains the same, with no discount for attending fewer than four days. Participants will receive only the approved hours for the specific class for which they are registered and may not switch between classes to accumulate both water and wastewater hours.

Please note that if you are attending for credit hours only, you may be removed from the class if demand increases for individuals who need to take the operator certification exam. Priority seating will be given to those taking the exam.

You can find the Water & Wastewater Need-to-Know information in the Publications section of the Louisiana Department of Health website (Link: https://ldh.la.gov/page/416)

The instructor will provide a class manual or handout for review and study during the class. Participants may also bring additional study materials or manuals for reference.

If you wish to purchase the California Manuals, you may do so directly through the provided links below:

Water Manuals: https://www.owp.csus.edu/operator-training/courses/correspondence-courses/drinking-water-courses/

Wastewater Manuals: https://www.owp.csus.edu/operator-training/courses/correspondence-courses/wastewater-courses/

Students are responsible for their meals.

Please remember to make your hotel reservations, if needed, as LRWA does not offer discounted room rates.

This requirement is specifically for individuals who have been instructed by the LDH Certification Department to complete 40 hours of training due to unsuccessful attempts at passing the exam. It does not apply to those seeking extra credit hours or new employees taking the exam.

Before registering, please contact the LDH Certification Department at 225-342-7508 to confirm whether you are required to complete these 40 hours. Please note that LRWA will not reimburse you for the 40 hours if you later find that they are not necessary.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) requires pre-approval for all certification exams. Applicants must submit their exam application to the LDH at least 30 days before the exam date.

First-time applicants must apply using the paper application. Existing operators may complete the online form.

EXAM APPLICATION must be sent to:
Louisiana Department of Health (LDH),  Attn: Certification Office
Mail:  P.O. Box 4489, Bin 10 Box 6, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4489
Fax:   225-342-7494
Email: opcert@la.gov  (recommend this option)

For exam questions, contact LDH at 225-342-7508

Esteban “Stone” Gonzalez, MPA – Operator Certification Program Administrator
Reyna Anderson Duffus, MBA – State Training Officer

The links provided below are only for applying to take the exam through LDH. You must also register separately with LRWA for the class, as the exam and class are two different components. Registering for an LRWA class does not automatically permit you to take the exam, and applying for the exam does not register you for the LRWA class.