Certification Requirements for Landfill Managers and Operators

Landfills in Wisconsin are required to be run by certified facility managers and site operators. A person interested in obtaining a landfill Facility Manager/Site Operator certification must pass a certification examination conducted by the Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). A $200.00 fee must be paid for taking the certification examination. Study guides are available to help candidates prepare for the certification examination. An applicant for facility manager certification must have at least two years of experience operating or being directly responsible for the operation, design, regulation, construction or administration of a solid waste facility; a Form 4400-180 [PDF 22KB] must be submitted before taking the certification examination. The details can be found in NR 524, [PDF exit DNR] Wis. Adm. Code. Following is additional information regarding certification requirements.

A certified facility manager or site operator must be present at a municipal solid waste or intermediate demolition waste landfill during all hours of operation. The designated facility manager need not be at the landfill during all hours of operation but must be present within 50 miles of the landfill and able to be contacted during 75 percent of the hours of operation.

Non-certified site operators may operate high volume industrial waste landfills provided they have landfill design and operation knowledge as required by NR 524, [PDF exit DNR] Wis. Adm. Code, a certified facility manager oversees the operation at least once a week and the department has not issued a Notice of Violations (NOV) against the landfill during the previous three years. A certified facility manager must be present within 50 miles of the landfill and able to be contacted during 75 percent of the hours of operation. A certified site operator or facility manager need not be present at the site during waste delivery.

A certified site operator, who must be present during all hours of operation, is allowed to operate a small demolition waste landfill.

Currently, certification examinations are arranged by WDNR twice a year in May and November at six locations throughout the state.

• Eau Claire
• Green Bay
• Madison
• Rhinelander
• Rice Lake
• West Allis

Landfill owners may request interim certification for employee as an interim facility manager or site operator. A designated interim manager must have at least two years of experience in the operation or being directly responsible for operation, design, regulation, construction, or administration of a solid waste facility. A designation site operator must have at least one year of experience in operation or directly responsible for operation of a solid waste facility or in earth work construction. To obtain department approval for the interim appointee the owner must send a completed interim certification application form Form 4400-181 [PDF 18KB] along with a $150.00 fee.

The certification for facility managers is valid for two years. During this two year period the incumbent must obtain eight hours of continuing education training in solid or hazardous waste related subjects.

The certification for site operators is valid for two years. During this two year period the incumbent must obtain four hours of continuing education training in solid or hazardous waste related subjects.

A late fee of $100.00 in addition to the recertification fee must be paid if a certificate is not renewed by the renewal date. If proper continuing education training is not completed with the specified period and the certification fee is not paid within six months of expiration of a certificate, the certificate automatically expires. A person seeking reinstatement must retake and pass the certification examination; and pay the initial certification fee.

DNR may suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a certificate for falsifying data, incompetence and intentional or negligent action by the incumbent.

There is no reciprocity for certification received from other states.

Fees for both facility managers and site operators are:

Initial certification: $200.00 (Examination fee: $50.00; Certification fee: $150.00)
Recertification: $150.00
Interim training: $150.00

For further details, contact: Amalendu Bagchi at (608) 267-7576 or Kelly Thompson at (608)266-8948.