Water Credit Categories
Training classes for water credit are now sorted into three categories based on the topic of the class. Water treatment and distribution operators need to fulfill a minimum number of credit hours in Category 1 and Category 2; Category 3 is optional.
The February 2024 revision of the Vermont Water Supply Rule updated the credit hour requirements for renewal. Class 2, 3, 4, and D water operators must now get a minimum number of training credit hours (TCHs) in particular topics of classes. This does not apply to Class 1A or 1B water operators or wastewater operators.
2026 Renewal
For the 2026 renewal, Class 2 and 4 operators are encouraged to categorize their credit hours. You will not be penalized if you do not meet the minimum number of credit hours in each category for this renewal.
Use this list to categorize classes you took with Vermont Rural Water from 2023 to 2026.
Category Requirements for Renewal
Class 2 Requirements
Class 2 water treatment operators are encouraged to categorize their credit hours for the 2026 renewal cycle and will be required to do so for the 2029 renewal cycle.
A total of 10 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Class 2 Requirements
Class 2 water treatment operators are encouraged to categorize their credit hours for the 2026 renewal cycle and will be required to do so for the 2029 renewal cycle.
A total of 10 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Class 3 Requirements
Class 3 water treatment operators are required to categorize their credit hours starting in the 2028 renewal cycle.
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Class 3 Requirements
Class 3 water treatment operators are required to categorize their credit hours starting in the 2028 renewal cycle.
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Class 4 Requirements
Class 4 water treatment operators are encouraged to categorize their credit hours for the 2026 renewal cycle and will be required to do so for the 2029 renewal cycle.
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Class 4 Requirements
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Distribution Requirements
Water distribution operators are required to categorize their credit hours starting in the 2028 renewal cycle.
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Distribution Requirements
A total of 20 training credit hours (TCHs) are required for renewal.
Download a worksheet to track your credit hours in Excel.
Download a printer-friendly worksheet to track your credit hours.
Dual 2D Certifications
Operators who are dually certified in Class 2 Water Treatment and Distribution may use up to 5 TCHs as “dual” credit hours and apply them to both the Class 2 and Distribution renewals. Category 3 credit hours cannot be used for dual credit.
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 2 and Distribution renewals. Class 2 certifications are due for renewal in 2026 and 2029. Distribution certifications are due for renewal in 2028.
Dual 2D Certifications
Operators who are dually certified in Class 2 Water Treatment and Distribution may use up to 5 TCHs as “dual” credit hours and apply them to both the Class 2 and Distribution renewals. Category 3 credit hours cannot be used for dual credit.
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 2 and Distribution renewals. Class 2 certifications are due for renewal in 2026 and 2029. Distribution certifications are due for renewal in 2028.
Dual 3D Certifications
Operators who are dually certified in Class 3 Water Treatment and Distribution may use up to 10 TCHs as “dual” credit hours and apply them to both the Class 3 and Distribution renewals. This means a total of 30 TCHs are needed for renewal. Category 3 credit hours cannot be used for dual credit.
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 3 and Distribution renewals. Class 3 and Distribution certifications are both due for renewal in 2028.
Dual 3D Certifications
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 3 and Distribution renewals. Class 3 and Distribution certifications are both due for renewal in 2028.
Dual 4D Certifications
Operators who are dually certified in Class 4 Water Treatment and Distribution may use up to 10 TCHs as “dual” credit hours and apply them to both the Class 4 and Distribution renewals.
For example, in 2028 you earn 20 TCHs and renew your Distribution certification. In 2029, you can use 10 TCHs from your Distribution renewal and earn an additional 10 TCHs to make the 20 TCHs you need to renew your Class 4 certification.
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 4 and Distribution renewals. Category 3 credit hours cannot be used for dual credit. Class 4 certifications are due for renewal in 2026 and 2029. Distribution certifications are due for renewal in 2028.
Dual 4D Certifications
For example, in 2028 you earn 20 TCHs and renew your Distribution certification. In 2029, you can use 10 TCHs from your Distribution renewal and earn an additional 10 TCHs to make the 20 TCHs you need to renew your Class 4 certification.
Use the tables above to see the category requirements for Class 4 and Distribution renewals. Category 3 credit hours cannot be used for dual credit. Class 4 certifications are due for renewal in 2026 and 2029. Distribution certifications are due for renewal in 2028.
Legacy Distribution
Operators with a Class 2, 3, or 4 water treatment certification and a Legacy D distribution certification will follow the same credit hour requirements as Dual 2D, 3D, or 4D operators and may use 5 or 10 TCHs as “dual” credit hours.
Legacy D certifications will renew at the same time as your treatment certification.
Legacy Distribution
Operators with a Class 2, 3, or 4 water treatment certification and a Legacy D distribution certification will follow the same credit hour requirements as Dual 2D, 3D, or 4D operators and may use 5 or 10 TCHs as “dual” credit hours.
Legacy D certifications will renew at the same time as your treatment certification.
Worksheets
Vermont Rural Water has put together some worksheets to help operators track their credit hours and categories. You can use the Excel file to track your credit hours on a computer or print the PDF to track by hand. (These worksheets are NOT required for renewal.)
Class 2 Worksheet: Excel | Printer-friendly PDF
Class 3 Worksheet: Excel | Printer-friendly PDF
Class 4 Worksheet: Excel | Printer-friendly PDF
Distribution Worksheet: Excel | Printer-friendly PDF
Training Classes
Starting in spring 2026, Vermont Rural Water is listing each class’s category on the registration page and training certificates.
For classes offered prior to 2026, use this list to look up the category.
If a training class is relevant to multiple categories, the operator may choose which category to apply it towards. A class providing 3 TCHs or less can only be applied to one category. A class providing 4 TCHs or more may be applied to multiple categories in half-hour increments.
Renewal
Class 2 and 4 water operators are encouraged to categorize their credit hours for the 2026 renewal cycle and will be required to do so for the 2029 renewal cycle.
Class 3 and D water operators will be required to categorize their credit hours for the 2028 renewal cycle.
Operators should use ANR’s new nFORM to renew their certifications. Starting in 2026, the nFORM will include “buckets,” allowing operators to list their training classes by category.
Operators must provide documentation of credit hours earned, such as training certificates.