Free Practice Questions for VA Water/Wastewater Operator
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Key Facts: VA Water/Wastewater Operator Exam
6 Classes
Waterworks Operator Licenses
18VAC160-30-370
4 Classes
Wastewater Works Operator Licenses
18VAC160-30-360
100 + 10
Scored plus pre-test questions, Classes 1-4
PSI candidate bulletin
4 Hours
Exam Length, Classes 1-4
PSI candidate bulletin
1,760 Hrs
One year of experience (or 220 workdays)
18VAC160-30-100
18 CPE
Contact hours per cycle, Classes 1-3
18VAC160-30-190 (eff. 2026-01-16)
Sample VA Water/Wastewater Operator Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VA Water/Wastewater Operator exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 202+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which Virginia agency administers waterworks and wastewater works operator licensing?
2How many classification levels does Virginia have for waterworks operators?
3How is one year of waterworks operator experience defined in Virginia?
4What is the renewal cycle for Virginia wastewater operator certification?
5What type of waterworks can a Virginia Class 6 operator operate?
6How are Virginia operator licensing exams administered?
7How many CPE hours in management are required for Virginia Class I and II wastewater operators per renewal cycle?
8What is the primary purpose of coagulation in water treatment?
9What does the CT value represent in disinfection?
10What is breakpoint chlorination?
About the VA Water/Wastewater Operator Exam
Virginia licenses waterworks operators in Classes 1 through 6 and wastewater works operators in Classes 1 through 4, with Class 1 the highest in both. Exams are the WPI/ABC standardized tests delivered by PSI at test centers and by live remote proctoring. Effective January 16, 2026, renewal requires 18 CPE contact hours for Classes 1-3, 16 for Class 4, 6 for Class 5, and 4 for Class 6.
Exam sponsor: Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
4 hours (Classes 1-4); 2 hours (Classes 5 and 6)
Passing Score
Not published; PSI issues a diagnostic score report
Exam / Certification Fees
$100 DPOR application fee plus $128 PSI fee (Classes 1-4) or $91 (Classes 5-6)
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Virginia Licensing & Regulations
DPOR WWWOOSSP licensing under 18VAC160-30, waterworks Classes 1-6 and wastewater works Classes 1-4, facility classification and operator attendance, February renewal dates, and 2026 CPE requirements
Drinking Water Treatment
Source water, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and backwash, membranes, disinfection and CT, disinfection byproducts, and corrosion control
Wastewater Treatment
Preliminary and primary treatment, activated sludge process control, clarification, nutrient removal, disinfection, digestion, and biosolids management
Equipment, Distribution & Collection
Pumps and hydraulics, motors and drives, SCADA, storage and valves, cross-connection control, collection system maintenance, and preventive maintenance programs
Laboratory, Safety & Applied Math
Sampling and analysis, QA/QC, instrument calibration, confined space and chemical safety, regulatory reporting, and dosage, loading, and process control calculations
Preparing for the VA Water/Wastewater Operator Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Not published; PSI issues a diagnostic score report
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 4 hours (Classes 1-4); 2 hours (Classes 5 and 6)
- Exam / certification fees: $100 DPOR application fee plus $128 PSI fee (Classes 1-4) or $91 (Classes 5-6) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 202 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
VA Water/Wastewater Operator: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
How many waterworks operator classes does Virginia have?
Virginia issues Waterworks Operator licenses in Classes 1 through 6, with Class 1 the highest. A Class 1 licensee may operate waterworks of any class, while a Class 6 licensee may operate only Class 6 waterworks, which serve fewer than 400 persons with no treatment or with simple hypochlorination, calcite or magnesium oxide corrosion control, or solution-feed sequestration.
Does Virginia issue Class 5 and Class 6 wastewater operator licenses?
No. Table 1 of 18VAC160-30-110 marks Class 5 and Class 6 as waterworks operator only. Wastewater works operator licenses are issued in Classes 1 through 4, and Class 1 is the highest.
How are Virginia water and wastewater operator exams administered?
PSI Services delivers the WPI/ABC standardized examinations at test centers and by live remote online proctoring. Candidates must first obtain Board pre-approval from DPOR, after which they schedule directly with PSI and have a 24-month window to pass.
What are the CPE requirements for Virginia operator license renewal in 2026?
Under 18VAC160-30-190 effective January 16, 2026, each renewal cycle requires 18 contact hours for Classes 1, 2, and 3; 16 hours for Class 4; 6 hours for Class 5; and 4 hours for Class 6. Safety subjects may not exceed 25 percent of the total, and Class 1 and Class 2 operators must include at least 4 hours of utility management.
How does Virginia define one year of operational experience?
Under 18VAC160-30-100, a year of full-time employment means at least 1,760 hours or at least 220 workdays in a 12-month period. More than that in a single 12-month period is still credited as only one year, and partial credit is available for less than full-time work.