Exam Information for April and October Statewide Exams

The Operator Training and Certification Program administers certification exams prepared by the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) since April of 2005. ABC exams are administered for the following system types and levels:

• Water Treatment Provisional/1, 2, 3, 4
• Water Distribution Provisional/1, 2, 3, 4
• Wastewater Collection Provisional/1, 2, 3, 4
• Wastewater Treatment Provisional/1, 2, 3, 4

The Operator Training and Certification Program also administers in-house generated Small-Untreated and Small-Treated Water System certification exams.

ABC certification exams are based on need-to-know criteria. ABC developed a need-to-know criterion for each of the four system types. Each criterion is based on a nationwide survey of operators. Alaskan operators were included in each nationwide survey.

ABC Exams Facts:

• ABC exams consist of 100 multiple-choice questions.
• Examinees have 3 ½ hours to complete the exam.
• Exam formula sheets are included with the exam. A copy of the formula sheets is available for your review at the following link: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/opcert/formulasheets.htm.
• ABC scores all Provisional/1 through 4 exams.

Preparing for ABC exams:

1. Review the ABC need-to-know criterion for the exam you wish to take. The ABC need-to-know criteria can be found by accessing the following link http://www.abccert.org/testing_services/need_to_know_criteria.asp.
   Note: You will need to select the appropriate system type: Water Treatment, Distribution, Wastewater Treatment or Collection.
2. Select study materials from the list of ABC “Exam References and Study Materials”. The list of exam references and study materials can be found by accessing the following link: http://www.abccert.org/testing_services/ExamReferences.asp.
   Note: Water Treatment and Water Distribution exam candidates: All ABC compliance questions begin with the phrase "according to the federal safe drinking water act..." As such, the list of ABC exam references and study materials recommends studying the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40. For purposes of certification, the Alaska regulations are the same as the Federal regulations. We recommend studying the Alaska Drinking Water Regulations as opposed to the Federal Regulations. All compliance questions should be answered as if they began with the phrase "according to the Alaska Drinking Water Regulations..." The Alaska Drinking Water Regulations can be found by accessing the following link: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/regulations/index.htm.
3. Review the exam description for the exam you wish to take.
• Water Treatment: PDF
• Water Distribution: PDF
• Wastewater Treatment: PDF
• Wastewater Collection: PDF
4. Study as you normally would for an exam.

Small-Untreated or Small-Treated Water System Certification Exam:

• The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.
• Examinees have 3 ½ hours to complete the exam.
• Exam formula sheets are included with the exam. A copy of the formula sheets is available for your review at the following link: http://www.dec.state.ak.us/water/opcert/formulasheets.htm.
• Exams are graded by the Operator Training and Certification Program.

Preparing for the Small-Untreated or Small-Treated Water System Certification Exam:

1. Review the online Small-Untreated or Small-Treated online training course or the respective manuals.
• Small-Untreated Water System: Well Owner’s Guide for Small Untreated Public Water Systems in Alaska available by following this link: http://uas.alaska.edu/attac/publications.html.
• Small-Treated Water System: Operator’s Guide for Small Treated Public Water Systems in Alaska available by following this link: http://uas.alaska.edu/attac/publications.html.
• You may contact us for a hard copy of the manual.
2. Review the exam description for the exam you wish to take by following this link: PDF
3. Study as you normally would for an exam.