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Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Licensing in Tennessee

Review current requirements, exam details, renewal cycle, and salary outlook for water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators in Tennessee, including See agency and board contact links.

Last verified: Feb 21, 2026

Current

Application Fee

See agency

Exam Requirement

Third-party exam required

Renewal Cycle

See board renewal rules

Licensing Blueprint for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee

Estimated timeline: Varies by board

Core Requirements

  1. 1

    Education: Specific course required.

  2. 2

    Experience: Work experience required.

  3. 3

    Certification: Certification required.

  4. 4

    License Type: Register with licensing agency.

  5. 5

    An applicant must have a high school education or equivalent, twelve months operating experience at a water distribution system, and meet examination requirements.

  6. 6

    CONTINUING EDUCATION:.

  7. 7

    Within each 3-year period each certified operator must satisfactorily complete a conference, training course, or school approved by the Board.

  8. 8

    Examination is written (except accommodations made for disability).

Exam and processing details

  • is written (except accommodations made for disability).
  • It may contain matching, multiple choice, true-false, discussion, and short answer questions and may contain problems. 70% is required to pass.

Continuing education and program notes

  • Within each 3-year period each certified operator must satisfactorily complete a conference, training course, or school approved by the Board. EXAMINATIONS:

Application Snapshot

  1. Licensing Authority

    Water and Wastewater Certification Program • Fleming Training Center

  2. Current Filing Fee

    See agency

  3. Renewal Cycle

    See board renewal rules

  4. Salary Position

    $50,760 median (13% below national)

  5. State Salary Rank

    #37 of 50 states

Step-by-Step Process (6)

  1. 1. Meet Tennessee eligibility requirements for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators licensure.
  2. 2. Complete required education or training: Specific course required.
  3. 3. Document required supervised experience: Work experience required.
  4. 4. Pass required examination steps: Third-party exam required is written (except accommodations made for disability). It may contain matching, multiple choice, true-false, discussion, and short answer questions and may contain problems. 70....
  5. 5. Submit the application to Water and Wastewater Certification Program~Fleming Training Center and monitor board communications.
  6. 6. Maintain post-licensure compliance (continuing education: Continuing education required to maintain license).

Salary Insights in Tennessee

With a median salary of $50,760, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Tennessee earn 13% below the national median of $58,260. Tennessee ranks #37 among 50 states. The typical licensing timeline is Varies by board.

State Hiring Climate (QCEW)

Steady

QoQ Employment Change

+0.6%

Average Weekly Wage

$1,297

Median annual salary

$50,760

Hourly estimate

$24.40
13% below national median

Difference: -$7,500

Percentile Distribution

Annual compensation
  • P1010th percentile$37,330
  • P2525th percentile$43,230
  • P50Median$50,760
  • P7575th percentile$61,690
  • P9090th percentile$73,780

State vs National Median

State: $50,760
National: $58,260

Total employment: 3,090 | Annual openings: N/A

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators Salary Ranking

#37 of 50 statesfor Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators median salary
RankStateMedian Salary
#1California$82,100
#2Nevada$79,140
#3Washington$78,810
#4Alaska$76,910
#5New Jersey$75,200

Nearby States Comparison

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators licensing across the region
StateMedian SalaryEducationExamTimeline
Tennessee$50,760Specific course requiredThird-party exam requiredVaries by board
Kentucky$47,700Degree requiredState exam requiredVaries by board
Virginia$58,920Varies by state boardThird-party exam requiredVaries by board
North Carolina$49,710Varies by state boardNo exam requiredVaries by board
Georgia$49,370Specific course requiredState exam requiredVaries by board
Alabama$48,730Varies by state boardState-approved exam1-21 years
Mississippi$44,970No educational requirementsState exam requiredVaries by board
Arkansas$38,310Specific course requiredThird-party exam required1 month
Missouri$52,990No educational requirementsState exam requiredVaries by board

License by Endorsement

Transfer requirements are state-specific. Use this quick matrix as a planning signal, then verify final endorsement rules with each board.

StateReciprocity ScoreTierNotes
Tennessee56MediumState-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required.
Kentucky50LowState-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required.
Virginia56MediumState-specific exam conditions may apply. Documented experience may be required.
North Carolina68MediumState-specific exam conditions may apply.
Georgia25LowLimited or restricted active licensing status. State-specific exam conditions may apply.
Alabama78HighBoard-specific review required.
  • License status indicator: Active.
  • Continuing education indicator: Continuing education required to maintain license.
  • Reciprocity and transfer rules vary by state board. Verify directly with the agency.

Official Licensing Agency

Agency website unverified

Water and Wastewater Certification Program • Fleming Training Center

2022 Blanton Dr, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129

Phone: 6158988090

Website Pending VerificationCall BoardOpen in Maps
This agency is in our manual verification queue. We only publish direct official board URLs after verification.

Related Careers in Tennessee

ProfessionMedian SalaryEducationTimeline
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$85,580No educational requirementsVaries by board
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$47,460No educational requirementsVaries by board
Carpenter$49,520Degree requiredVaries by board
Construction and Building Inspector$59,850Degree requiredVaries by board

FAQ

How long does it take to become a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee?

Most applicants finish the licensing path in about Varies by board, but timing can change based on education track, exam scheduling, and board processing.

What exams are required for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Tennessee?

Tennessee lists Third-party exam required as part of the licensure process for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss.

What education do you need to become a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators in Tennessee?

The board typically expects Specific course required for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators licensure in Tennessee.

What is the typical Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Tennessee?

The median annual salary for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Tennessee is $50,760. Salaries range from $37,330 (10th percentile) to $73,780 (90th percentile).

How does the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators salary in Tennessee compare to the national average?

Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Tennessee earn 13% below the national median of $58,260, with a state median of $50,760.

How many Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss work in Tennessee?

Tennessee employs approximately 3,090 Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss according to BLS data.

Can I transfer my Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators license to Tennessee from another state?

Transfer requirements vary by board. License status indicator: Active. Continuing education indicator: Continuing education required to maintain license. Reciprocity and transfer rules vary by state board. Verify directly with the agency.

Who is the licensing agency for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operatorss in Tennessee?

The licensing agency is Water and Wastewater Certification Program / Fleming Training Center. The official board website is currently under manual verification.

How often do you renew a Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators license in Tennessee?

Current guidance indicates a renewal cycle of See board renewal rules.