Exam Prep & Licensing
NEWWA offers accredited exam preparatory training to help you obtain and/or upgrade your drinking water operator license(s) for both distribution and treatment. In addition, we offer Excavation Safety/Backhoe Training & Licensing.
Each New England state has its own requirements for drinking water operator licensing. Scroll down for direct links to each state’s program to learn more about how to become a certified water operator, and for information on how to attend our Excavation Safety/Backhoe Training & Licensing Programs.
NEWWA staff are always available to answer any questions you may have. Call the office at 508-893-7979 if you need assistance with how to obtain or renew a license.
Looking for backflow/cross connection certification information? Visit our dedicated backflow/cross connection certification web pages.
Drinking Water Operator Licensing Info. & Applications for Each New England State:
NEWWA’s Operator Certification Committee also produces an operator certification matrix to compare requirements & reciprocity across the New England States. Click the button below to access and download for future reference.
Excavation Safety/Backhoe Training & Licensing Information
NEWWA offers a comprehensive excavation safety and backhoe/front-end loader training program to interested students.
Excavation Safety/Competent Person Training:
This course presents key trenching/excavation topics, including soil analysis, protective systems (sloping, shoring, shielding), hazardous atmospheres, excavation site safety, and hazard recognition.
This program is designed for water utility professionals, both management and operations, who desire competent person proficiency in trenching/excavations as it applies to OSHA regulations. It will also be of interest to public works and construction professionals involved in excavation/trenching. Please note: This course is not offered as a certification program. The examination is designed to demonstrate proficiency only.
Backhoe/Front-End Loader Training/Licensing:
The backhoe/front-end loader training course provides aspiring equipment operators (backhoe and front-end loader) with practical, classroom-based instruction, coupled with thorough, hands-on skill training. Classroom sessions cover machine principles, operating principles, trenching and excavating, and special safety considerations. Hands-on, field training utilizes actual equipment (backhoe and front-end loader), and incorporates extensive, individualized instruction. Each student is allowed ample opportunity to train on each piece of equipment with close supervision, developing specific skills (through practice exercises and skill drills), varying from performing pre-operational inspections, to loading and trenching. Class size is limited to optimize the learning experience.
Before taking “Hands-On Backhoe and Front End Loader Operator Training,” each registrant must complete the NEWWA course: “Excavation Safety: Are You A Competent Person?” (or equivalent – see description above).
Licensing in Massachusetts:
Those seeking to become licensed backhoe/front-end loader operators in Massachusetts (Department of Public Safety, Division of Inspection), must apply separately to take the examination (practical), and pay an additional (non-refundable) fee. The Massachusetts licensing examination will be administered following completion of both, 1-day backhoe/front end loader operator training courses.
Registrants are not required to take the Massachusetts Licensing Examination (MA Department of Public Safety, Division of Inspection) following the course – it is fully optional. For questions regarding the exam and procedures, contact Mary Keating.
Visit NEWWA’s upcoming training page to view our current course schedule and to register.