Texas Water Operator Resiliency Training Requirements

Texas water operator licensing includes specific resiliency-training requirements administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, or TCEQ. These requirements apply to water operator licensing and continuing education and should be distinguished from the separate emergency-preparedness and resiliency obligations that apply to public water systems themselves.

For licensing purposes, resiliency training affects both applicants seeking an initial Texas water operator license and existing operators renewing or upgrading a water license.

Effective Date

TCEQ implemented the water-operator resiliency-training requirements beginning April 1, 2024.

The requirements apply to:

• initial water operator licenses;
• water license upgrades;
• water license renewals.

Water Licenses Only

The TCEQ resiliency-training licensing requirement applies specifically to water operator licenses.

It is not an additional licensing requirement for wastewater treatment or wastewater collection licenses.

However, an approved resiliency course may also receive wastewater continuing-education credit when TCEQ has approved it for that purpose.

Initial Water License Requirement

Before applying for an initial Texas water operator license, the applicant must successfully complete the required resiliency overview training and have the training recorded on the individual's TCEQ training record.

Water License Upgrade Requirement

The same basic requirement applies when an existing water operator upgrades to a higher water license.

The required Resiliency Overview must be completed before the upgrade application is submitted.

Resiliency Overview Is Required Once

The Resiliency Overview requirement for initial licensing or upgrading is a one-time requirement.

An operator who has already completed the approved Resiliency Overview does not need to repeat it before each future water-license upgrade.

Two Ways to Complete the Initial Requirement

TCEQ allows the initial resiliency requirement to be satisfied through either:

• a TCEQ-approved Basic Water Operations course that incorporates the approved resiliency overview material; or
• a separate TCEQ-approved Resiliency Overview course completed in addition to the Basic Water Operations requirement.

Standalone Resiliency Overview

TCEQ-approved standalone Resiliency Overview courses are designed specifically to provide the required introductory coverage of resiliency topics.

TCEQ currently lists both instructor-led and self-paced approved options.

Minimum Overview Duration

TCEQ guidance specifies a minimum two-hour resiliency overview component.

The overview is intended to introduce the operator to the approved resiliency curriculum topics rather than replace more detailed continuing education.

Renewal Requirement

All water operator license levels are subject to the resiliency continuing-education requirement for renewal.

Texas water operator licenses currently require:

30 CE hours per renewal period

and at least:

2 of those 30 hours must be TCEQ-approved resiliency training.

The Two Hours Are Part of the 30 Hours

The resiliency requirement does not normally mean 32 total CE hours.

The minimum two resiliency hours are included within the 30-hour water operator continuing-education requirement.

Every Renewal Cycle

A water operator must complete at least two hours of approved resiliency training during each renewal period.

This means resiliency continuing education is not only a one-time licensing requirement.

Initial Overview and Renewal CE Are Different Concepts

Operators should distinguish:

• the one-time Resiliency Overview requirement associated with initial licensing or upgrading;
• the recurring two-hour resiliency CE requirement for each renewal cycle.

Resiliency Overview During Renewal

An operator who has not previously completed the Resiliency Overview may use the course to satisfy the resiliency requirement for an applicable renewal cycle.

Once the Resiliency Overview has already been completed and credited, repeating it does not again satisfy the resiliency-specific renewal requirement.

Repeating the Overview Course

If an operator repeats the Resiliency Overview after it has already been completed, the repeated course may count toward general CE credit, but it does not count as the required resiliency CE for that renewal cycle.

The operator must complete another TCEQ-approved resiliency continuing-education course.

Approved Resiliency Continuing Education

TCEQ approves continuing-education courses that provide more detailed coverage of one or more resiliency topics.

Approved course subjects can include areas such as:

• incident command systems;
• emergency coordination;
• cybersecurity;
• utility resiliency;
• other approved resiliency subjects.

TCEQ-Approved Training Is Required

Not every course dealing generally with emergency response or resiliency automatically satisfies the operator resiliency requirement.

The training must be approved by TCEQ for resiliency credit.

RESIL Course Identification

TCEQ identifies approved resiliency courses in its training system.

Operators searching the approved training database can use the resiliency designation to locate eligible courses.

Current Approved Examples

TCEQ currently identifies approved resiliency CE options that include topics such as:

• Resiliency Continuing Education;
• Incident Command System and National Incident Management System;
• Building Resiliency;
• Incident Command System;
• cybersecurity for water and wastewater systems.

The list of approved courses can change, so operators should use the current TCEQ training database.

Self-Paced Training

TCEQ offers or approves some self-paced resiliency courses.

Self-paced and correspondence courses are subject to current TCEQ rules regarding repeat CE credit within the same renewal period.

Do Not Assume an Old Course Still Qualifies

Course approval status can change.

Before registering, the operator should verify that the course is currently approved for resiliency credit.

Training Must Appear on the Operator Record

For initial licensing or an upgrade, the required Resiliency Overview must be successfully completed and recorded before the application is submitted.

Operators should verify their TCEQ training record rather than assume that course completion was reported correctly.

Maintain Personal Training Records

Operators should also maintain their own documentation showing:

• course title;
• course date;
• training provider;
• course code;
• credit hours;
• completion certificate.

Resiliency Training and Class D

Class D water operators are subject to the resiliency-training requirements.

Completing resiliency CE does not override separate Class D renewal restrictions based on system size, source, or operator duties.

Resiliency Training and Higher License Classes

Classes C, B, and A water operators must also satisfy the applicable resiliency requirement.

The requirement is not limited to entry-level operators.

Resiliency Training and License Upgrades

An operator upgrading from one water license level to another should verify that the Resiliency Overview appears on the individual training record before applying.

If it was completed previously, it generally does not need to be repeated solely because of the upgrade.

Example: First-Time Class D Water Applicant

A first-time applicant should:

1. complete the required Basic Water Operations training;
2. complete the approved Resiliency Overview through an approved method;
3. verify that the training is on the TCEQ record;
4. then submit the Class D application.

Example: Class D Operator Upgrading to Class C

If the operator already completed the approved Resiliency Overview for the initial license, the overview does not need to be repeated simply because the operator is upgrading.

The operator should verify that completion is documented before applying.

Example: Operator Has 30 CE Hours but No Resiliency CE

The renewal requirement is not satisfied merely because the total equals 30 hours.

At least two of the 30 hours must qualify as approved resiliency training.

Example: Operator Has 28 General CE Hours and 2 Resiliency Hours

The operator has 30 total CE hours, including the required two hours of resiliency training.

Assuming all other renewal requirements are satisfied, the CE-hour structure meets the current water-license renewal requirement.

Example: Operator Repeats Resiliency Overview

If the operator previously completed the Resiliency Overview, repeating it can count toward general CE but does not again satisfy the resiliency-specific renewal requirement.

The operator needs another approved resiliency CE course for that cycle.

Example: Operator Takes an Emergency-Response Course

The operator should verify that TCEQ has approved the course for resiliency credit.

A course related to emergencies does not automatically qualify as resiliency CE.

Example: Wastewater Operator Takes a Resiliency Course

Resiliency training is not a separate licensing requirement for wastewater operators.

However, an approved course can receive wastewater CE credit when TCEQ has approved it for that credit.

Licensing Resiliency Versus Utility Resiliency

This distinction is important.

This article addresses:

• operator licensing;
• training;
• continuing education;
• license renewal.

It does not replace the separate Texas requirements that may apply to a public water system for:

• emergency preparedness;
• system resilience;
• emergency power;
• utility planning;
• operational response.

Why the Distinction Matters

An individual operator can satisfy the resiliency CE requirement while the public water system still has separate emergency-preparedness obligations.

Likewise, a utility emergency plan does not substitute for an operator's required resiliency training.

Resiliency Training Supports Operator Readiness

The purpose of operator resiliency training is to improve understanding of how water utilities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions.

Training can address events involving:

• natural hazards;
• equipment failure;
• power loss;
• cyber incidents;
• emergency coordination;
• other threats to reliable water service.

Incident Command Concepts

Some approved resiliency courses cover Incident Command System concepts.

Operators should understand that emergency response often requires structured:

• command;
• communication;
• roles;
• coordination;
• documentation.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is increasingly relevant to water-system resiliency because modern utilities depend on:

• SCADA systems;
• remote telemetry;
• networked controls;
• electronic communications.

TCEQ-approved resiliency training options include cybersecurity-related instruction.

Operational Resilience

Operators contribute to resilience through routine operational readiness, including:

• understanding critical equipment;
• responding to alarms;
• maintaining communication;
• following emergency procedures;
• protecting water quality during disruptions.

Training Does Not Replace Site Procedures

Resiliency CE provides operator education.

During an actual emergency, operators should follow:

• facility emergency procedures;
• utility plans;
• management direction;
• applicable regulatory requirements.

Check Requirements Early

Operators should not wait until the final days of a renewal cycle to search for resiliency training.

Approved course availability can vary by provider and delivery method.

Review the Training Record Before Renewal

Before submitting a renewal application, verify:

• 30 total CE hours;
• at least two approved resiliency hours;
• Resiliency Overview history;
• course dates within the applicable renewal period;
• correct TCEQ training records.

Common Texas Resiliency Training Mistakes

• Assuming resiliency training is required for wastewater licensing in the same way as water licensing.
• Submitting an initial water-license application before completing the required Resiliency Overview.
• Applying for a water-license upgrade without verifying the overview training record.
• Thinking resiliency CE adds two hours on top of the 30-hour renewal requirement.
• Completing 30 general CE hours with no approved resiliency credit.
• Repeating Resiliency Overview and assuming it always satisfies the resiliency-specific renewal requirement.
• Taking an emergency-response course without confirming TCEQ resiliency approval.
• Failing to maintain personal training records.
• Confusing operator resiliency training with utility emergency-preparedness requirements.
• Waiting until license expiration to verify resiliency CE.

A Practical Initial-License Review

1. Identify the desired Texas water license.
2. Complete required water-operator training.
3. Complete the approved Resiliency Overview.
4. Verify the course appears on the TCEQ training record.
5. Complete other education and experience requirements.
6. Submit the licensing application.

A Practical Upgrade Review

1. Review the requirements for the higher water license.
2. Verify prior Resiliency Overview completion.
3. If not completed, take the approved course before applying.
4. Verify the training record.
5. Complete the remaining upgrade requirements.
6. Submit the application.

A Practical Renewal Review

1. Check the license expiration date.
2. Review the 30-hour CE requirement.
3. Verify at least two approved resiliency CE hours.
4. Check whether Resiliency Overview was previously completed.
5. Do not rely on a repeated overview course for resiliency credit when it has already been used.
6. Verify training records before expiration.
7. Submit the renewal application on time.

What to Remember for the Exam

• Texas water operator resiliency-training requirements took effect April 1, 2024.
• Resiliency training is a licensing requirement for water operators, not a separate wastewater-license requirement.
• The Resiliency Overview must be completed before applying for an initial water operator license or upgrading an existing water license.
• The initial Resiliency Overview is a one-time requirement.
• The initial requirement can be satisfied through an approved Basic Water course containing the resiliency overview or through a separate approved Resiliency Overview course.
• The resiliency overview component is at least two hours.
• Texas water operator renewal currently requires 30 total CE hours.
• At least two of those 30 hours must be TCEQ-approved resiliency training during each renewal cycle.
• The two resiliency hours are included within the 30-hour requirement, not normally added on top of it.
• Repeating Resiliency Overview after it was already completed can count as general CE but does not again satisfy the resiliency-specific renewal requirement.
• Only TCEQ-approved resiliency training satisfies the resiliency CE requirement.
• Operators should verify that resiliency training appears on their TCEQ training record.
• Class D, C, B, and A water operators are subject to the renewal resiliency requirement.
• Completing resiliency CE does not override separate Class D renewal restrictions.
• An approved resiliency course may also provide wastewater CE credit, but resiliency training is not required for wastewater licensing in the same way.
• Operator resiliency training is separate from public water system emergency-preparedness and system-resiliency requirements.
• A utility emergency plan does not substitute for operator resiliency CE.
• Approved resiliency subjects can include incident command, utility resilience, emergency coordination, and cybersecurity.
• Operators should verify approved courses and CE records before the license expiration date.
• For exam questions, keep operator licensing resiliency requirements separate from utility operational resiliency requirements.