How to Apply for Reciprocity Certification
Applicants for reciprocity certification must show that they have met certification requirements which are at least equivalent to the Montana requirements (see Montana laws and rules below)
To be certified in Montana by reciprocity, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a valid water or wastewater certification in another state.
- Meet Montana’s minimum experience requirements for the type of certification you are requesting.
- Be in responsible charge of a system in Montana (name and address of system must be completed on application).
- Have an approved Montana certification application on file. To have your application approved, you must fully complete a Montana application for the classification and type that is
comparable to the certification you currently hold in another state. See the Montana certification classification table enclosed in the application packet.
- Paid the appropriate non-refundable application and reciprocity fees. Please send these fees with your application ($70 application fee each for water and wastewater application and
a $70 reciprocity fee.)
- Sent a letter to the Montana certification office requesting reciprocity that must include the following information: The requirements for the certification you hold in another
state, how you met those requirements, and the amount of experience you have had with what types of systems or treatment processes.
Sent to the Montana certification office copies of your credentials of certification and any other supporting documents. Also enclose the name and phone number of the certification
contact in the other state.
The reciprocity process will not begin until all of the above requirements have been met. Note that since other state agencies must be contacted to verify information, this process may
take up to 6 weeks to complete. If your request for reciprocity is approved, you will receive the appropriate certification in the mail. If your request is not approved, your application fee
will be credited towards taking the appropriate examination at the next exam site, but an examination fee will also be required. The reciprocity fee is non-refundable.
Montana Laws and Rules Governing Reciprocity Certification:
Section 37-42-305, Montana Codes Annotated:
"Certification without examination. The department may consider for certification the holder of a certificate issued by a governmental agency or equivalent certification board of another
state on presentation to the department of satisfactory evidence that the applicant is in responsible charge of works located in this state requiring a certified operator and that he has
successfully passed an examination at least equivalent to that required under 37-42-202(2)."
Section 17.40.203, Administrative Rules of Montana:
(8) An Operator who is fully certified in another state may obtain a reciprocal certification in Montana if the department determines that the operator's application and supporting
material verify that the operator:
(a) has experience that meets Montana's minimum requirements;
(b) is in responsible charge of a system located in Montana that requires a certified operator; and
(c) has passed a water supply system operator examination in that state that has a U.S. environmental protection agency-approved water supply system
operator certification program; or
(d) has passed a wastewater operator examination in that state at least equivalent to that required by Montana.
(9) The examination referred in (8) (c) and (d) must be for certification classification at least as complex as the classification for which the operator seeks reciprocal
certification in Montana.
(10) Operators certified under (8) must pay a one-time fee of $70 in addition to the fees applicable for the Montana certification sought,
(11) Certificates must be renewed each year after payment of the proper fees.
