I am a waterworks operator and I just moved. I know I have to send the Licensure Board my new address. How do I do it?
The Licensure Board requires the operator to notify its staff when a licensed operator changes his or her address. Send your change of address to the:
Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233-1463
I became concerned about the quality of my drinking water because I see so many people drinking bottled water. How do I find out more about my drinking water quality?
Drinking water from the tap has higher quality standards than bottled water and is regulated more than bottled water. In fact, intrastate sales of bottled water is not even regulated by the FDA. Your drinking water utility sends out a Consumer Confidence Report each year which informs you of what is and is not in your drinking water. Be on the lookout for it (it is often mailed with a bill) or call your treatment plant. They'll be more than glad to help you. Also, bottled water is not fluoridated and a recent rise in the number of dental caries (cavities) is being attributed, by some, to the increased consumption of bottled water.
I am a plumber who often has to conduct backflow device testing for my customers. Where do I get more information on certification as a backflow device worker?
Send your inquiry to the:
Dept of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Board for Contractors
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233-1463
Will the CPE requirement mean that it will take longer to renew my license than
before?
Yes, but you may not notice the difference. If you return your renewal notice certifying compliance for CPE, with the proper fee, the processing time will be minimal. Should you fail to do so, you will receive a letter from DPOR staff requesting the missing material. Your
renewed license cannot be issued until DPOR staff receives your response and determines that you are in compliance. Do not send CPE certificates with your renewal application. Your compliance with the CPE requirement may be verified by a random audit. In short, follow the instructions provided with the renewal notice and the delay should be minimal.
When can I expect a renewal notice to arrive and what do I do if I do not receive the renewal notice?
Waterworks Operator renewal notices are mailed to your address of record in early to mid-January of odd-numbered years. Check the address on your license. If it is not your current address, notify DPOR IN WRITING immediately. Make a photocopy of your license and mail it to DPOR along with your new address and a signed statement requesting the
address change. Remember, the Board's regulations require you to report any change in name or address within 30 days after the change occurs.
It is February 15 of my renewal year and I have not received my renewal notice or I have misplaced it. What do I do?
Make a photocopy of your license and mail it to DPOR along with the renewal fee and a statement that you have complied with the CPE requirements. Include a statement that you desire to renew your license.
Are operations-related courses taken in areas (e.g., computer applications) other than those listed in the content areas covered by the Board's examination acceptable for CPE credit? If so, what documentation do I need to obtain and keep?
Computer applications courses that are directly related to Waterworks operat
ion duties will be accepted for CPE credit. The Board recommends that, in addition to the documentation required by 18 VAC 160-20-109, you obtain a memorandum from your employer that briefly explains the specific computer application course's relevance to Waterworks operations duties and you're your employer suggested or recommended that you attend the training. A copy of the memorandum should be submitted to DPOR along with the required documentation anytime that evidence of compliance with the CPE requirement is requested.
Are continuing education units (CEUs) and training credits (TCs) convertible to
CPE hours?
Yes, one continuing education unit (CEU) or training credit (TC) equals 10 continuing professional education hours (CPEs).
What happens if I have NOT obtained the required number of CPE hours by the
license renewal date?
The number of CPE hours is very small. The Board does not expect its licensees to have difficulty meeting the requirement. As of the license expiration date, the waterworks operator is no longer licensed to operate a facility if he has not completed the CPE requirements.
Should a licensee find that he is having or may have difficulty meeting the CPE requirement, he should contact DPOR staff well before the end of the license renewal cycle to petition the Board for additional time to meet the CPE requirement. However, CPE hours earned during a license renewal cycle to satisfy the CPE requirements of the preceding license renewal cycle shall be valid only for that preceding license renewal cycle. The Board customarily meets in March, June, September and December. Your petition cannot be considered by the Board unless DPOR staff receives it at least four weeks before the date of the Board's meeting.
What happens if I indicate at renewal that I have obtained the required CPE hours
and a subsequent audit of my record indicates otherwise?
Obtaining or renewing a license through fraudulent means or misrepresentation is grounds for disciplinary action (18 VAC 160-20-140 (1)). You could be fined up to $2,500 In addition, your license can be suspended or revoked.
How will the auditing process work?
DPOR's computer will randomly select a percentage of the licensed Waterworks Operators for audit. The percentage will be determined by the Board. DPOR staff will mail a letter requesting that you complete a form detailing the CPEs you have completed during the recently-ended license renewal cycle and that you return that form along with photocopies of the documentation required by 18 VAC 160-20-109. You will be given a reasonable amount of time to respond, usually two to four weeks. DPOR staff will evaluate the material you submit and advise you in writing that you were found in compliance with the CPE requirement or that additional information is necessary to document your compliance.
Do individual CPE courses require advance approval from the Board? What is
meant if a training course advertises or indicates that it awards "approved" hours?
CPE courses do not require advance approval from the Board. CPE training courses that advertise "approved" hours may be using "approved" as a marketing tool or may be indicating that their course is approved for other purposes. Should you have doubts, refer to 18 VAC 160-20-109 (C) to determine if the course in question meets the Board's CPE requirements. If you are still unsure, please consult DPOR staff for additional guidance.
Are courses taken in content areas appropriate for a higher level of license acceptable or appropriate toward meeting CPE requirements for lower levels of licensure?
Yes, courses taken in content areas appropriate for a higher level of license are acceptable toward meeting CPE requirements for lower levels of licensure.
Must CPE certificates be signed by course instructors or is it acceptable for them to be signed by the course sponsor or site manager?
CPE certificates must be signed by someone in a position to confirm that the person named on the certificate actually completed the training identified by the certificate. CPE certificates may be signed by the sponsor or sponsor's agent (instructor, proctor or coordinator). We encourage all CPE sponsors to use the CPE certificate completion form located on DPOR's web site. If you are still unsure, regarding CPE, please consult DPOR staff for additional
guidance. Please feel free to contact DPOR staff should you have questions about the signature on a CPE certificate or any other aspect of the certificate. Such issues are best resolved before the audit.
Are operators of small waterworks facilities required to obtain a license?
Operators of small water systems which have been classified as a Class VI facility by the Virginia Department of Health are required to obtain a license.
How do I obtain a Class VI Waterworks License?
Class VI applicants must submit an application to DPOR along with verification of experience and the appropriate fee. Individuals who have submitted a completed application and the entry requirements for licensure as a Class VI waterworks operator will be eligible to take the
next available examination. Class VI applicants must pass the examination prior to being issued a license.
Where to look for answers to your drinking water questions
