Drinking water operator-in-training requirements
This guideline provides information on the requirements to obtain, renew or restart a water treatment or water distribution/distribution and supply Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificate.
Obtaining an OIT certificate for the first time
Drinking water OIT certificates are issued for a period of three (3) years to allow new operators to gain the required one (1) year of experience needed to become a Class 1 drinking water operator.
To meet the requirements for an OIT certificate you must:
- successfully complete Grade 12 or equivalent (see ministry Guideline 3.1 Grade 12 Equivalency for a list of the educational qualifications considered equivalent); and
- pass an OIT or Class 1 exam.
How to get a drinking water OIT certificate
You may request your OIT certificate(s) in two ways:
- Immediate issuance
- submit an Examination Registration form (2130E) for an OIT exam and request the issuance of the OIT certificate(s) upon a passing grade on the exam; and
- pay the required fee.
Your OIT certificate(s) will be issued within 10 days of receiving a passing exam result.
- Deferred issuance
- submit a completed Operator-in-Training Certificate and Licence Issuance form (2132E); and
- pay the required fee.
You may request the issuance of your OIT certificate(s) within 5 years of your exam date.
This method of requesting an OIT certificate should be considered if at the time of writing your exam you do not require an OIT certificate. Waiting to request the issuance of your OIT certificate until you are employed as an operator can help maximize the amount of time you hold a certificate while gaining experience as an operator.
Renewing a drinking water OIT certificate
The Director under O. Reg. 128 has the discretion to renew your drinking water OIT certificate for a three-year period only once if you:
- have not obtained the necessary one (1) year of experience to meet the requirements for the corresponding Class 1 certificate; and
- have completed the Entry Level Course.
If your OIT certificate is expired, you may be required to rewrite the exam if five (5) years has elapsed since you last wrote the OIT exam. Refer to Guideline 3.11 Exam Result Validity.
This renewal will allow you the time to gain the necessary experience to meet the requirements for a Class 1 certificate.
Entry Level Course
Completion of the Entry Level Course is a requirement for you to renew your OIT certificate. For more information about the Entry Level Course, please contact the Walkerton Clean Water Centre at
Process to renew your drinking water OIT certificate
To renew your drinking water OIT certificate for three (3) years you must:
- submit a completed Drinking Water Operator-in-Training Certificate Renewal form (2135E);
- submit proof of completing the Entry Level Course; and
- pay the required fee.
Restarting a drinking water OIT certificate
A drinking water OIT certificate may be restarted if:
- you do not have the necessary one (1) year of experience to meet the requirements for the corresponding Class 1 certificate;
- have completed the Entry Level Course; and
- you have held your OIT certificate for two (2) three-year periods.
The Director will consider a restart request only once.
Process to have a drinking water OIT certificate restarted
- submit a completed Operator-in-Training Certificate and Licence Issuance form (2132E);
- submit a copy of your Entry Level Course certificate; and
- pay the required fee.
You may be required to rewrite the exam if five (5) years has elapsed since you last wrote the OIT exam.
Your restarted drinking water OIT certificate will be issued for a period of three (3) years.