Illinois Water & Wastewater Operator Continuing Education Requirements
Illinois water & wastewater operators must complete 15 hours of board-approved continuing education every 3 years, as required by Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program.
Applies to All licensees.
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Requirements at a glance
What Illinois requires of water & wastewater operators
Set by Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
- CE hours required
- 15 hours
- per renewal 3 years
- Renewal cycle
- Every 3 years
- License classes
- All licensees
- Exam to renew
- Not required
Find your license class
The course Illinois water & wastewater operators need
One course, planned to the exact hours and topics Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program requires.
- 1 license class
15 hours
of board-approved CE every 3 years
- All licensees
Course for this class is in board review.
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Required subject matter
Topics Illinois water & wastewater operators must cover
Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program requires these subjects within your CE hours. Every course above is planned to include them.
At least 2/3 of hours on technical aspects of water treatment/distribution; no more than 1/3 non-technical (safety, computers, first aid)
How renewal works
From course to renewed license in Illinois
- Step 1
Pick the course for your license class
Each course above is planned to the 15 hours and topics Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program requires.
- Step 2
Complete it online, at your pace
Timed lessons and checkpoints record your seat time so the hours hold up to an audit.
- Step 3
Download your certificate instantly
Your certificate lists the approved hours and completion date the moment you pass.
- Step 4
Renew with the board
Keep your certificate — the board verifies completion on renewal or audit. Then renew every 3 years through the board.
Renewing soon? Read the step-by-step guide: How to renew your Illinois water & wastewater operator license.
Questions Illinois water & wastewater operators ask
Frequently asked questions
- How many continuing education hours do Illinois water & wastewater operators need?
- Illinois water & wastewater operators must complete 15 hours of board-approved continuing education every 3 years, as set by Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program.
- What topics are required for Illinois water & wastewater operators continuing education?
- Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program requires coverage of: At least 2/3 of hours on technical aspects of water treatment/distribution; no more than 1/3 non-technical (safety, computers, first aid).
- Can Illinois water & wastewater operators complete continuing education online?
- Yes. Board-approved online courses count toward the Illinois requirement; timed seat-time and completion records satisfy audit requirements.
Official Illinois water & wastewater operators licensing resources
- Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program
The Illinois board that licenses water & wastewater operators and sets the CE rule.
- Renewal and application portal
Where licensees renew and where CE completions are checked.
- The rule this page is based on
Primary source for the hours, cycle and topics listed above.
Requirements on this page come from Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program’s published rules and were last verified on September 4, 2026. Always confirm your renewal date with the board.
Why Illinois professionals choose us
Illinois water & wastewater operators CE, done right
Every water & wastewater operators course is built to meet Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, Drinking Water Operator Certification Program requirements so the credit you earn actually counts toward your renewal.
Built to the board rule
Every course is planned to the exact hours and mandated topics the state publishes, so the credit you earn counts toward renewal.
Instant certificate
Finish the assessment and download your certificate of completion the moment you pass — no waiting.
Credit reported for you
Where the board supports it, we report your earned CE hours directly so you do not have to.
Learn at your own pace
Work on any device, start and stop anytime. Your progress saves automatically as you go.
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Renew your Illinois water & wastewater operators license on time
15 hours every 3 years — completed online, with an instant certificate and a money-back guarantee.