Licensing guide · Quebec

How to Become a Wastewater Treatment Operator in Quebec

Last checked 2 sources checked

Do you need certification?

Certification required

Wastewater treatment operator is a compulsory trade in Quebec. You need a certificate, or registration as an apprentice, to work in the trade.

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“Pour exercer un métier dans le domaine de traitement des eaux usées municipale, il est obligatoire de détenir un certificat de qualification du ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.”

From quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle..., checked October 10, 2026.

At a glance

Licence status
Certification required See the source
Routes
Annual fees
Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Your roadmap

Every route is listed. Follow the one that matches where you trained.

Trained in Canada

  • 3 steps without a listed fee

  1. You register in the wastewater treatment qualification program that matches the category of the installation you work at.

    Source
    “vous inscrire au programme de qualification en traitement des eaux usées par station mécanisée. Assurez-vous de vous inscrire au bon programme de qualification selon la catégorie de l’installation”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

  2. During the apprenticeship program you acquire the required skills under a certified supervisor, complete the required apprenticeship hours and pass the required training.

    Source
    “acquérir les compétences à maîtriser sous la supervision d’un compagnon ou d’une compagne; effectuer les heures d’apprentissage exigées; réussir la ou les formations requises.”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

  3. The ministry issues you the qualification certificate once you meet all the conditions for issuing it.

    Source
    “Un certificat vous sera remis par le Ministère si vous remplissez toutes les conditions de délivrance.”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Trained outside Canada

  • 2 steps without a listed fee

  1. You obtain a comparative evaluation for your water-domain diploma earned outside Canada.

    Source
    “Une personne détenant un diplôme dans le domaine de l’eau obtenu à l’étranger et une évaluation comparative pour ce diplôme, pourrait aussi, selon le cas, être admissible à OW-1 – accès.”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

  2. Depending on your case, you may then register to the OW-1 – accès pathway for the wastewater treatment certificate.

    Source
    “pourrait aussi, selon le cas, être admissible à OW-1 – accès. Consultez la page descriptive relative au Certificat en traitement des eaux usées par station mécanisée – accès (OW-1-accès).”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Listed fees for this route

No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.

Official page for this route

Requirements

Conditions the regulator sets on top of the roadmap steps.

Education

  • You must hold a study diploma that appears on the list of diplomas recognized for the qualification certificate of municipal treatment plant operators.

    Source
    “Une personne détenant un diplôme d’études qui se trouve dans la liste des diplômes reconnus pour l’obtention du certificat de qualification des opérateurs de stations d’épuration municipales peut obtenir la certification OW-1 si elle respecte toutes les conditions de délivrance.”
    quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Already licensed in another province?

Not stated

The wastewater treatment operator pages do not state how someone licensed in another Canadian province or territory can register in Quebec.

Source
“Si vous êtes titulaire d’un diplôme délivré par le ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche de France ... le Ministère analysera votre demande”
quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle...

Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Check a move between two provinces

Credential assessment

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Exams

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Language tests

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Compare scores across provinces and professions

Canadian experience

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Supervised practice

Not stated by the regulator Check with Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

Demand and pay

No Job Bank wage or outlook data for this occupation yet.

Wastewater treatment operators in other provinces and territories

Regulated in 2 of the other 12 jurisdictions checked so far. The rules differ from one place to the next.

  • British Columbia Not confirmed yet
  • Alberta Not confirmed yet
  • Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
  • Manitoba Voluntary certification
  • Ontario Not confirmed yet
  • New Brunswick Voluntary certification
  • Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
  • Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
  • Newfoundland and Labrador Not confirmed yet
  • Yukon Not confirmed yet
  • Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
  • Nunavut Not confirmed yet

Compare wastewater treatment operator licensing across Canada

Sources checked

Pages read on October 10, 2026.

  1. Certificat en traitement des eaux usées par station mécanisée (OW-1) | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle... · fetched October 10, 2026
  2. Démarche pour obtenir un certificat de qualification obligatoire | Gouvernement du Québec quebec.ca/emploi/informer-metier-profession/profession-metier-regle... · fetched October 10, 2026

Frequently asked questions

1

Do you need a licence to work as a wastewater treatment operator in Quebec?

Yes. Certification, or registration as an apprentice, is required to work in the trade in Quebec. Certification is managed by Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale.

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