Safe Drinking Water Branch

According to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11 Chapter 25, Rules Relating to Certification of Public Water System Operators, each public water system, except for transient, non-community public water systems, shall be under the responsible charge of an operator(s) holding a valid certification equal to or greater than the classification of the water treatment plant and/or distribution system. All operating personnel making daily process control or system integrity decisions about water quality or quantity that affect public health shall be certified. In addition, a designated certified operator shall be available for each operating shift.

Hawaii Administrative Rules

• HAR Title 11 Chapter 25, Rules Relating to Certification of Public Water System Operators (pdf)

Calendar

• January Exam
  • 10/27/2025 – Application & Exam Registration Due
  • 11/24/2025 – Board Meeting Review
• April Exam
  • 1/28/2026 – Application & Exam Registration Due
  • 2/25/2026 – Board Meeting Review
• July Exam
  • 4/28/2026 – Application & Exam Registration Due
  • 5/27/2026 – Board Meeting Review
• October Exam
  • 7/27/2026 – Application & Exam Registration Due
  • 8/26/2026 – Board Meeting Review

Forms

• WTPO Certification Application (fillable pdf)
• WTPO Exam Registration (fillable pdf)
• DSO Certification Application (fillable pdf)
• DSO Exam Registration (fillable pdf)
• CEU Request Form (fillable pdf)

Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators

• February Board Meeting
  • 2/26/2025 Minutes (pdf)
• May Board Meeting
  • 5/21/2025 Minutes (pdf)
• August Board Meeting
  • 8/27/2025 Minutes (pdf)
• November Board Meeting
  • 11/24/2025 Minutes (pdf)

Exams

• Water Professionals International (link) (formerly Association of Boards of Certification)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

• Most Frequently Used (verify CEU approval with SDWB prior to taking course)
  • Classroom Courses – HRWA
  • Online Courses – AWWA eLearning
  • Correspondence Courses – CSUS
  • Webinars – US EPA Small Systems Monthly Webinar Series
• Short List (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• General FAQs (pdf)
• Certification FAQs (pdf)
• Exam FAQs (pdf)
• Renewal FAQs (pdf)
• Reciprocity FAQs (pdf)

Contact Us

Phone:  (808) 586-4258

E-mail:  [email protected]

Address:
Hawaii State Department of Health
Safe Drinking Water Branch
Uluakupu Building 4
2385 Waimano Home Road, Suite 110
Pearl City, Hawaii 96782-1400

 

Last Update: 24 November 2025