🚰 Drinking Water Operator License Requirements by State

Compare drinking water operator license requirements across all 50 states and DC — experience, exams, fees, and salary data.

Last updated 2026-05-08

By the numbers: 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level drinking water operator license. Apprenticeship and Experience requirements range varies hours. Exam Application Fees range $50–$50. Most state Boards require Continuing Education at every Renewal cycle.

State	License Required	Experience	Exam Fee	Median Salary
ALAlabama	Required	—	$50	$46,475
AKAlaska	Required	—	$50	$66,240
AZArizona	Required	—	$50	$51,817
ARArkansas	Required	—	$50	$44,872
CACalifornia	Required	—	$50	$73,719
COColorado	Required	—	$50	$57,693
CTConnecticut	Required	—	$50	$61,432
DEDelaware	Required	—	$50	$53,420
DCDistrict of Columbia	Required	—	$50	$68,377
FLFlorida	Required	—	$50	$51,283
GAGeorgia	Required	—	$50	$49,680
HIHawaii	Required	—	$50	$72,117
IDIdaho	Required	—	$50	$50,214
ILIllinois	Required	—	$50	$56,091
INIndiana	Required	—	$50	$48,612
IAIowa	Required	—	$50	$47,543
KSKansas	Required	—	$50	$47,543
KYKentucky	Required	—	$50	$47,543
LALouisiana	Required	—	$50	$48,078
MEMaine	Required	—	$50	$51,817
MDMaryland	Required	—	$50	$58,227
MAMassachusetts	Required	—	$50	$65,172
MIMichigan	Required	—	$50	$50,214
MNMinnesota	Required	—	$50	$55,556
MSMississippi	Required	—	$50	$44,338
MOMissouri	Required	—	$50	$48,078
MTMontana	Required	—	$50	$51,283
NENebraska	Required	—	$50	$48,078
NVNevada	Required	—	$50	$54,488
NHNew Hampshire	Required	—	$50	$55,556
NJNew Jersey	Required	—	$50	$63,035
NMNew Mexico	Required	—	$50	$48,612
NYNew York	Required	—	$50	$69,446
NCNorth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$49,146
NDNorth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$50,749
OHOhio	Required	—	$50	$49,146
OKOklahoma	Required	—	$50	$46,475
OROregon	Required	—	$50	$58,762
PAPennsylvania	Required	—	$50	$52,351
RIRhode Island	Required	—	$50	$55,022
SCSouth Carolina	Required	—	$50	$48,612
SDSouth Dakota	Required	—	$50	$47,009
TNTennessee	Required	—	$50	$48,078
TXTexas	Required	—	$50	$50,214
UTUtah	Required	—	$50	$51,817
VTVermont	Required	—	$50	$53,954
VAVirginia	Required	—	$50	$54,488
WAWashington	Required	—	$50	$63,035
WVWest Virginia	Required	—	$50	$45,941
WIWisconsin	Required	—	$50	$50,214
WYWyoming	Required	—	$50	$50,749

Common questions about drinking water operator licensing

Do all states require a drinking water operator license?

No — 51 of 51 jurisdictions require a state-level drinking water operator license. The remainder license at the local or county level, or not at all. See the table above for the per-state breakdown.

How much does it cost to get a drinking water operator license?

Application fees across the states range $50–$50. Renewal fees and continuing education hours vary by jurisdiction — check the state-specific page for the exact numbers.

How many apprenticeship hours does a drinking water operator license typically require?

Required apprenticeship/work experience hours range varies across states, with most states requiring 2–4 years of supervised on-the-job training plus passing a board-administered exam.

Data last verified 2026. Salary data from BLS OEWS. Always verify with your state licensing board.