How to Become a Water Operator in Georgia

Georgia certifies water and wastewater operators through the Georgia Board of Examiners for Certification of Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Laboratory Analysts (under the Secretary of State, alongside Georgia EPD). Georgia has one quirk that confuses newcomers: the numbering is inverted — Class IV is the entry level and Class I is the highest. Here's the path.

Requirements and fees change. Confirm current details on the Georgia Board of Examiners site before applying.

Key takeaways

• Georgia public water-supply operators run Class IV (entry) → III → II → I (highest) — inverted from most states.
• You must hold each class before the next: Class IV before III, III before II, II before I.
• Meet the education, coursework, and experience in Board Rule 750-3-.04, apply via the GOALS portal, and take the computer-based exam through PSI/AMP.
• Practice with the drinking-water level tests and your Georgia state page.

Heads up: the numbers are backwards

In most states, Class/Grade 1 is entry and 4 is the top. Georgia is the opposite: Class IV is entry-level and Class I is the highest (largest, most complex systems). Keep that straight when you read job postings and requirements.

Step 1 — Start at Class IV and climb

Georgia requires you to hold the class below before applying for the next one up:

• Class IV — entry-level public water-supply operator.
• Class III — requires holding Class IV.
• Class II — requires holding Class III.
• Class I — the highest; requires holding Class II.

Step 2 — Meet the prerequisites (before you can sit for the exam)

Georgia checks your education, coursework, and experience requirements (set in Board Rule 750-3-.04) before it makes you eligible for the exam. You'll also submit a completed, signed and notarized application with the fee. Make sure your Board-approved coursework is done first — it's a prerequisite, not an afterthought.

Step 3 — Take the exam (PSI/AMP)

Exams are proctored, computer-based, and administered through PSI/AMP (goamp.com) at testing centers across Georgia and the U.S. If you don't pass, there's a 60-day wait before you can retake the same exam.

Prepare by practicing questions and reading the explanation on each. Use our practice tests — start with a 25-question quick quiz, then build to the 50-question practice exam and full-length simulation.

Step 4 — Apply through GOALS

Georgia no longer accepts paper applications — submit everything through the GOALS online portal. Paper applications are returned unprocessed, so go digital from the start.

Step 5 — Renew with continuing education

All water/wastewater operators and lab analysts must complete continuing education (Board Rule Chapter 750-6) to renew, tracked through CE Broker. Log your hours as you go so renewal is simple.

A note on the other disciplines

Georgia also certifies wastewater treatment operators (also inverted, Class IV→I), laboratory analysts, and wastewater collection operators. See your Georgia state page and the collections hub.

Next steps

1. Confirm your class and current rules on the Georgia Board of Examiners site.
2. Read certification levels explained to see how Georgia's inverted classes map to the national ladder.
3. Start practicing from your Georgia state page — and create a free account to save your scores and track weak topics.