News/Events

Changes to State License Exams

Testing for Water Conditioning exams now takes place several times throughout the year and at several locations in Minnesota. Tests are no longer given twice a year. Click on the links below to find the exam dates and locations that will work for you. You can also schedule your exam online.

Licensure Exam Schedule
License Exam Application

Water Conditioning License Impacted by New System

In October 2011, a uniform license numbering system went into effect for all licenses, registrations and certifications administered by the Construction Codes and Licensing Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry.

Each license number now includes two alphabet characters (i.e., XX) to identify the license type and a unique six-digit number (i.e., 0123456) associated with the licensee.  Every license type will be impacted by this change.

Why the change?
CCLD determined that a uniform license numbering system was necessary to efficiently implement the newly restructured licensing system and better manage a large number of license types. The main changes will include:
• All license numbers will be eight characters in length.
• License class-codes will be on all license types.
• License class-codes will be the first two characters.
• License numbers will include six numeric digits.

Most licensees will see a significant change, including those who hold water conditioning and plumbing licenses.   Under the restructured licensing system, a water conditioning contractor’s license must be held by a business rather than an individual. A master-level personal license was established to replace the individual contractor license. And, the installer’s license was renamed water conditioning journeyman.

Plumbing license changes include a master plumber who obtains a bond and insurance can now work as a business offering services to the public. Under the new law a business license is
created to “house” these bonded and ensured entities.

To apply for the Individual Water Conditioning License, follow this link:
www.doli.state.mn.us/CCLD/PDF/wc_exam.pdf

To apply for the Water Conditioning Master/ Water Conditioning Contractor license follow this link:
www.doli.state.mn.us/CCLD/PDF/pe_wc_packet.pdf

Seminars, Vendors Make Convention a Success

MWQA members who attended the annual convention recently heard seminars on a variety of topics, including ultraviolet disinfection, social networking, water softener studies, commercial ion exchange, developing an employee benefits and performance plan, and email marketing. A full vendor hall featuring 18 different exhibitors and a banquet with guest speaker John Crawford helped round out the two-day event. Following the convention, some members visited Target Field, where they took a private tour of the ballpark and saw first-hand the field's state-of-the-art water filtration system.

MWQA Works with State to Establish Education Requirements for Water Conditioning Industry

Read More.

Certification Opportunities

The Water Quality Association offers certification opportunities! Take advantage of the WQA's Educational Kit, which was recently distributed to assist certified individuals with earning credits toward recertification. Download the Recertification Kit.

Exam Day Requirements and Limitations

  • Please bring the exam notification
  • Bring a Minnesota driver's license or state-issued identification card with photo
  • DO NOT BRING pencils, ruler and calculator (DLI will provide)
  • DO NOT BRING plumbing code book (DLI will provide appropriate code book excerpts for open book portion of exams)
  • BANNED FROM THE TESTING AREA: cell phones, personal code books and exam prep materials
  • Applicants should arrive at the examination site by 7:45 a.m.
  • Applicants must bring exam notification letter
  • Applicants must show a driver's license or state-issued identification card with photo
  • Examinations are allotted five-and-a-half (5 1/2) hours to complete.
  • Food and drink are permitted during the examination
  • Once the testing starts, attendees may not leave the testing area until the exam is turned in.

http://www.dli.mn.gov/ccld/Exam.asp

The study guide for the exams is the Minnesota Plumbing Code, which can be purchased from the Minnesota Bookstore in St. Paul by calling (651) 297-3000 or
1-800-657-3757. You can order the book with a credit card, or can also order it via the bookstore's website at www.comm.media.state.mn.us.

If you have questions regarding the state exams, contact the Department of Labor & Industry via their website, or the Minnesota Water Quality Association office at (763) 754-2123.

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