Water and Wastewater Facility Operator Certification Program


Water and Wastewater Operator Certification - Online Payment

Online payment for operator certification and certification exam applications is available once again. After you submit your application to the Certification Program, visit the link below to pay your fees through the payment eform. You will use the eform to provide some basic information about yourself, your employer, and what you are paying for so we can match your payment with your original application.

https://forms.gov.mb.ca/water-and-wastewater-operator-certification-online-payment/

This eform offers the convenience of online payment by credit card and ensures your application is processed as quickly as possible. If you have any questions about the eform, please contact wwopcert@gov.mb.ca or 204-945-7065.


The Water and Wastewater Facility Operators Regulation addresses the classification of water and wastewater facilities and certification of operators in Manitoba.

Operators Certification

Facility Classification

Manitoba Operator Certification Exams:

Exam Schedule

Application for Exam Registration

All applicants must register at least two weeks before writing the exam. The exam registration fee of $150 must be received by our office before the exam date.  Please register by filling out the exam application form and mailing it with payment to the office. You will receive an email confirmation that you are registered to write the exam at least five working days before the exam date. Only operators who have registered and paid for the exam and received email confirmation will be allowed to write the exam.

Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Exam Preparation Courses are provided by Red River College. Operators should contact Red River College directly if they wish to register for exam preparatory courses. Operators should note that attending refresher courses is not a requirement for writing the certification exam.

Water & Wastewater Technician school training program provided by Apprenticeship Manitoba.

The Apprenticeship Program is an alternative for Operators to gain the experience and education required for Manitoba Conservation's Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification. This program could also help Operators prepare for Certification Exams. It is not mandatory and will not be required in order to be Certified. At the end of the Apprenticeship Program, Operators will get a Certificate similar to those received from any educational program. A Certificate issued by the Apprenticeship Program is NOT equivalent to an Operator Certificate issued by Manitoba Conservation and will, therefore, NOT be acceptable as an "Operator Certificate" in other jurisdictions.

Certification Exam Information:

  • There are 18 different exam categories: Small Water, Small Wastewater, and Water Treatment, Water Distribution, Wastewater Treatment, and Wastewater Collection I, II, III, and IV. Applicants should contact the Certification Program Coordinator if unsure which exam to write.
  • The passing grade is 70% in all categories.
    Passing the certification exam is one of the requirements for certification. 
  • Exam result is valid for three (3) years. Following the successful completion of the examination an operator must complete the certification application form to apply for an operator's certificate.
  • Operators must wait 4 months after failing to pass a specific category of exam before re-writing.

Formulas used for Manitoba Certification Examinations to help you prepare for your certification exam:

Manitoba Conservation contracts with the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) for the provision of an examination service.

ABC's Need-to-Know Criteria describes the core competencies that are covered on the exams and are available online at http://www.abccert.org/testing_services/certification_study_resources.asp.

***Note: The government is currently experiencing a temporary issue with emails from outside of government that have attached files that are archived/compressed (Zip files) and encrypted/password protected PDF or Microsoft office files.

The government network may block the delivery of these emails. Neither receiver nor sender will receive a notification that the email was blocked. The Environmental Approvals Branch will send a confirmation email within two business days to confirm receipt of emails with attachments. 

If you do not receive a confirmation email, please follow up with an email without an attachment to EABDirector@gov.mb.ca or call 204-794-1176 to arrange an alternative method of delivery.