Florida Water Treatment Operator Certification
Program Structure
Florida's public water system operators are licensed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) through its Operator Certification Program (OCP), administered under Chapter 62-602, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) — substantially overhauled in November 2025. Water treatment plant classes run D (entry-level) through A (highest), and progression is strictly linear: an operator must hold each prior class before advancing to the next. All licenses renew biennially (every 2 years), with a statewide renewal deadline of April 30 in odd-numbered years.
Florida's Source Water: Karst Aquifers
Unlike many states that rely heavily on surface water, Florida's drinking water systems draw overwhelmingly on groundwater from the Floridan and surficial aquifer systems. These aquif