Texas Wastewater Collection Operator Classes & Requirements

Texas wastewater collection system operator licenses are issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ. The three wastewater collection license levels are Collection Class I, Collection Class II, and Collection Class III.

These licenses are separate from wastewater treatment operator licenses. However, Texas rules allow certain wastewater treatment licenses to satisfy collection-system supervision requirements when the treatment license is at the required equivalent level.

Texas Wastewater Collection License Levels

The license progression is:

1. Collection Class I;
2. Collection Class II;
3. Collection Class III.

Higher collection licenses require progressively greater education, qualifying experience, hands-on experience, and training.

Regulatory Basis

Texas wastewater collection operator licensing is governed through TCEQ occupational licensing requirements, including 30 TAC Chapter 30, Subchapter J.

Texas requires individuals engaged in direct supervision of domestic wastewater collection system operation or maintenance crews to hold an appropriate wastewater collection operator license or wastewater treatment operator license.

Collection System Supervisor Requirement

At least one collection supervisor must hold a license equal to or higher than the minimum required for the category of collection system being supervised.

This means an operator should understand both:

• the individual licensing requirements;
• the category of the collection system.

Texas Collection System Categories

TCEQ classifies domestic wastewater collection systems according to daily average flow.

The current categories are:

• Category I: less than 100,000 gallons per day;
• Category II: 100,000 gallons per day through 1 million gallons per day;
• Category III: greater than 1 million gallons per day.

Minimum License for Category I

A Category I collection system requires at least:

• Collection Class I; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class D.

Minimum License for Category II

A Category II collection system requires at least:

• Collection Class II; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class C.

Minimum License for Category III

A Category III collection system requires at least:

• Collection Class III; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class B.

Why the Equivalent Wastewater Licenses Matter

A supervisor does not always need both a wastewater treatment license and a collection license.

For collection-system supervision, Texas recognizes the corresponding wastewater treatment license levels specified by the rules.

Operators should still verify that their actual duties and employer requirements are consistent with the license they hold.

Collection Class I

Collection Class I is the entry-level wastewater collection operator license.

Current minimum requirements include:

• high school diploma or GED;
• no previous work experience requirement;
• required Wastewater Collection training;
• TCEQ application approval;
• passing the applicable examination.

Collection Class I Training

The principal required course is:

• Wastewater Collection or an approved equivalent training option.

No elective course is currently required for Collection Class I.

What a Class I Operator Should Understand

Entry-level collection knowledge can include:

• collection-system components;
• gravity sewers;
• manholes;
• lift stations;
• basic pumps;
• sewer cleaning;
• blockage response;
• safety;
• basic calculations.

Collection Class II

Collection Class II requires qualifying collection-system work experience in addition to training.

Class II Education Requirement

The current minimum education requirement is:

• high school diploma or GED.

Class II Experience Requirement

Current TCEQ requirements include:

• two years of qualifying work experience;
• at least one-half of the required experience must be obtained in the specific field for the license requested.

Specific-Field Experience

For a wastewater collection license, field-specific experience should involve actual collection-system work rather than unrelated utility duties.

Examples can include:

• sewer inspection;
• sewer cleaning;
• lift-station operation;
• pump maintenance;
• manhole inspection;
• collection-system repair;
• infiltration and inflow investigation;
• other qualifying collection-system duties.

Class II Experience Substitution

An applicant with a high school diploma or GED may substitute up to one year of qualifying experience using approved college education or additional TCEQ-approved wastewater operator training.

Current examples include:

• 32 semester hours of college or 40 additional hours of approved training for one year of work experience;
• 16 semester hours of college or 20 additional hours of approved training for six months of work experience.

Class II Core Training

Current Class II training includes:

• Basic Wastewater Operation;
• Wastewater Collection;
• one approved elective course.

Class II Electives

Current elective choices include:

• Water Utility Safety;
• Pump and Motor Maintenance.

Why Pump Knowledge Matters

Wastewater collection systems frequently depend on lift stations and pumps where gravity flow alone is not possible.

Collection operators should understand:

• pump operation;
• wet wells;
• controls;
• alarms;
• clogging;
• basic preventive maintenance.

Collection Class III

Collection Class III is the highest Texas wastewater collection operator license.

It requires substantial qualifying experience and broader training.

Class III Bachelor's Degree Path

An applicant using the qualifying bachelor's degree path must currently have:

• a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, microbiology, bacteriology, or another similar discipline approved by TCEQ;
• 2.5 years of hands-on experience;
• at least one-half of the required experience in the specific field for the license requested.

Class III High School or GED Path

An applicant using the high school or GED path must currently have:

• high school diploma or GED;
• five years of qualifying work experience;
• at least three years of hands-on experience;
• at least one-half of the required experience in the specific field for the license requested.

Class III Hands-On Experience

Hands-on collection experience can involve direct operational or maintenance duties such as:

• operating lift stations;
• maintaining pumps and controls;
• cleaning sewers;
• conducting inspections;
• responding to stoppages;
• repairing collection-system equipment;
• supervising field operations while actively involved in system operation.

Class III Experience Substitution

Applicants using the high school or GED path may substitute up to two years of qualifying experience using approved college education or additional wastewater operator training.

Current TCEQ examples include:

• 32 semester hours of college or 40 additional hours of approved training for one year of experience;
• 16 semester hours of college or 20 additional hours of approved training for six months of experience.

Class III Core Training

Current Class III training includes:

• Basic Wastewater Operation;
• Wastewater Collection;
• Water Utility Safety;
• Pump and Motor Maintenance;
• one approved elective course.

Class III Electives

Current elective choices include:

• Intermediate Wastewater Laboratory;
• Water Utility Management;
• Water Utility Calculations;
• Pre-treatment Facility Inspection.

Class III Reflects Greater Responsibility

A Class III operator can be expected to understand not only routine collection-system operation but also broader subjects such as:

• system management;
• advanced troubleshooting;
• pumping systems;
• safety;
• calculations;
• regulatory responsibilities;
• pretreatment impacts.

What Counts as Qualifying Experience

TCEQ evaluates the actual work performed, not only the employee's job title.

Qualifying experience should involve routine operational or maintenance duties relevant to wastewater systems.

Experience That May Not Count

TCEQ identifies support and administrative positions that normally do not count unless the employee also performs routine on-site operational activities.

Examples include:

• secretarial positions;
• utility-relations staff;
• radio dispatchers;
• bookkeepers;
• mayors;
• city managers;
• utility board members.

Document Experience Carefully

Operators planning to advance should maintain records of:

• employer;
• system;
• employment dates;
• daily average system flow;
• specific collection duties;
• equipment operated;
• supervisory responsibilities;
• training completed.

Application Approval

Meeting the training requirement does not automatically authorize an applicant to take the licensing examination.

The applicant must submit the appropriate TCEQ application and receive approval.

Examination Requirement

All Texas wastewater collection operator licenses require passing the applicable TCEQ examination.

Passing Score

The minimum passing examination score is:

70 percent

Computer-Based Testing

TCEQ currently lists computer-based testing for:

• Class I Wastewater Collection System Operator;
• Class II Wastewater Collection System Operator;
• Class III Wastewater Collection System Operator.

Applicants should follow the current TCEQ scheduling instructions after their licensing application has been approved.

Need-to-Know Criteria

TCEQ publishes separate examination guidance for Collection Classes I, II, and III.

Operators should prepare specifically for the class being tested.

Collection Exam Subjects

Topics can include:

• collection-system components;
• sewer hydraulics;
• lift stations;
• pumps;
• inspection;
• cleaning;
• maintenance;
• safety;
• infiltration and inflow;
• calculations;
• regulatory requirements.

Gravity Collection Systems

Gravity sewers depend on slope and hydraulic conditions to convey wastewater.

Operators should understand problems such as:

• low velocity;
• solids deposition;
• blockages;
• root intrusion;
• structural defects.

Lift Stations

Lift stations move wastewater when gravity flow is insufficient.

Important operating components can include:

• wet wells;
• pumps;
• level controls;
• check valves;
• isolation valves;
• alarms;
• backup power.

Collection System Safety

Wastewater collection work can involve serious hazards, including:

• confined spaces;
• hydrogen sulfide;
• oxygen deficiency;
• traffic;
• excavation;
• electrical equipment;
• biological exposure.

Confined Spaces

Manholes and wet wells can be permit-required confined spaces.

Operators should never assume that a collection-system structure is safe to enter simply because it has been entered previously.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide can occur in wastewater collection systems, especially under septic conditions.

It can create:

• toxicity;
• odor;
• corrosion;
• serious worker hazards.

Collection System Categories and Flow

An exam candidate should know the relationship between system flow and category.

Current TCEQ categories are:

• Category I: less than 100,000 gpd;
• Category II: 100,000 gpd through 1 MGD;
• Category III: over 1 MGD.

Example: 80,000 gpd System

A domestic wastewater collection system averaging 80,000 gpd is Category I.

The minimum supervisor license can be:

• Collection Class I; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class D.

Example: 500,000 gpd System

A collection system averaging 500,000 gpd falls within Category II.

The minimum supervisor license can be:

• Collection Class II; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class C.

Example: 2.5 MGD System

A collection system averaging 2.5 MGD is Category III.

The minimum supervisor license can be:

• Collection Class III; or
• Wastewater Treatment Class B.

Do Not Confuse System Category with Operator Class

Category I, II, and III describe the collection system.

Class I, II, and III describe collection operator licenses.

The numbers correspond in the minimum-license table, but they represent different concepts.

Wastewater Treatment Licenses Are Lettered

Another useful exam distinction is:

• collection licenses use Roman numerals I, II, III;
• wastewater treatment licenses use letters D, C, B, A.

Direct Supervision

Persons directly supervising domestic wastewater collection-system operation or maintenance crews must hold an appropriate collection or wastewater treatment license.

This requirement is especially important for crew leaders, supervisors, and foremen.

Higher License Levels Can Satisfy Lower Minimums

The rules require at least the minimum license level for the category.

A properly qualified operator holding a higher applicable license can satisfy a lower minimum requirement.

Renewal Period

Texas occupational licenses are maintained through the TCEQ renewal process.

Operators should monitor their expiration date and complete required continuing education before renewal.

Collection Operator Continuing Education

Current TCEQ requirements specify:

30 continuing-education credit hours

for renewal of Collection Classes I, II, and III.

Renewal by Examination

Effective March 23, 2025, wastewater collection operators can no longer renew a license by taking an examination instead of completing the required continuing-education hours.

Operators should plan CE well before the license expiration date.

Maintain Training Records

License holders should maintain personal records showing:

• course title;
• training date;
• training provider;
• credit hours;
• completion documentation.

Example: Class I Operator Moves to a Larger System

If an operator becomes responsible for direct supervision at a Category II collection system, Collection Class I is below the required collection-license level.

The operator would need an applicable Class II or higher collection license, or an applicable Wastewater Treatment Class C or higher license.

Example: Treatment Class C Operator Supervises Category II Collection

A Wastewater Treatment Class C license meets the minimum license equivalency specified for Category II collection-system supervision.

Example: Class II Operator Seeks Class III

The operator should review:

• education pathway;
• total qualifying experience;
• hands-on experience;
• specific-field experience;
• required Class III training;
• approved elective requirement.

Example: Five Years of Employment but Little Field Work

Employment duration alone does not guarantee eligibility for Class III.

The high school or GED path requires at least three years of hands-on experience.

Example: Applicant Uses College Credit

Education substitution can reduce part of the total experience requirement, but the applicant must still satisfy all remaining TCEQ requirements, including applicable hands-on and field-specific experience.

Example: Collection Crew Supervisor Has No Operator License

A person directly supervising domestic wastewater collection operation or maintenance crews must hold the appropriate wastewater collection or wastewater treatment operator license.

Common Texas Collection Licensing Mistakes

• Confusing wastewater collection licenses with wastewater treatment licenses.
• Using letters A through D for collection licenses instead of Classes I through III.
• Confusing collection-system category with operator license class.
• Ignoring daily average flow when determining the required supervisor license.
• Assuming any wastewater treatment license satisfies every collection category.
• Counting administrative employment as qualifying collection experience.
• Ignoring specific-field experience requirements.
• Ignoring hands-on requirements for Class III.
• Assuming passing the examination alone earns the license.
• Failing to complete continuing education before renewal.

A Practical Class I Review

1. Verify high school diploma or GED.
2. Complete Wastewater Collection training.
3. Submit the TCEQ application.
4. Receive approval to test.
5. Prepare for the Class I exam.
6. Pass the examination with at least 70 percent.

A Practical Class II Review

1. Verify high school diploma or GED.
2. Verify two years of qualifying experience.
3. Verify field-specific collection experience.
4. Complete Basic Wastewater Operation.
5. Complete Wastewater Collection.
6. Complete an approved elective.
7. Document any allowable experience substitution.
8. Apply and receive approval before testing.

A Practical Class III Review

1. Determine the applicable education path.
2. Verify total qualifying experience.
3. Verify hands-on experience.
4. Verify specific-field experience.
5. Complete Basic Wastewater Operation.
6. Complete Wastewater Collection.
7. Complete Water Utility Safety.
8. Complete Pump and Motor Maintenance.
9. Complete one approved elective.
10. Apply and receive TCEQ approval before testing.

A Practical Collection-System Supervisor Review

1. Determine the system's daily average flow.
2. Identify Category I, II, or III.
3. Identify the minimum required collection or wastewater treatment license.
4. Verify that the supervisor holds that license level or higher.
5. Maintain current license and continuing education.

What to Remember for the Exam

• Texas wastewater collection licenses are Collection Classes I, II, and III.
• Collection licenses are separate from Wastewater Treatment Classes D, C, B, and A.
• Persons directly supervising domestic wastewater collection operation or maintenance crews must hold an appropriate license.
• Category I collection systems average less than 100,000 gpd and require at least Collection Class I or Wastewater Treatment Class D.
• Category II systems average 100,000 gpd through 1 MGD and require at least Collection Class II or Wastewater Treatment Class C.
• Category III systems average more than 1 MGD and require at least Collection Class III or Wastewater Treatment Class B.
• Collection Class I currently requires a high school diploma or GED and no previous work experience.
• Class I training requires Wastewater Collection.
• Collection Class II currently requires two years of qualifying experience.
• At least one-half of Class II experience must be in the specific field requested.
• Class II training includes Basic Wastewater Operation, Wastewater Collection, and one approved elective.
• Class II permits limited substitution of college education or approved training for experience.
• Collection Class III applicants with an approved bachelor's degree currently need 2.5 years of hands-on experience.
• Class III applicants using the high school or GED path currently need five years of qualifying experience, including three years hands-on.
• At least one-half of Class III experience must be in the specific field requested.
• Class III core training includes Basic Wastewater Operation, Wastewater Collection, Water Utility Safety, Pump and Motor Maintenance, plus one approved elective.
• The minimum passing score for the licensing examination is 70 percent.
• TCEQ currently provides computer-based testing for Collection Classes I, II, and III.
• Collection Classes I, II, and III currently require 30 CE hours for renewal.
• Since March 23, 2025, wastewater collection licenses can no longer be renewed by examination in place of required continuing education.