Non-Hazardous Waste

Landfill Operator Certification

2013 Test Schedule
New Application
Renewal Application
Note:  The above PDF files can be filled in online, saved locally and printed off before they are submitted to the Illinois EPA.  To ensure that all of the features of these forms work properly, the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader should first be downloaded and installed.

Study Guides
    Nonhazardous
   
FEES:

New Application:  $100
Renewal Application: $100
Class A Examination: $400 (new and renewal)
Special Waste Endorsement Exam: $100 (new and renewal)
Hazardous Waste Endorsement Exam: no charge
LATE FEE: $50 - if all renewal fees are not submitted prior to November 1, following a certificate's expiration

For landfill Operator Certification Program questions, please contact Karen Nelson at 217/558-4355. For the Bureau of Land permitting questions, call 217/524-3301.  For all other questions, call 217/524-3300.

Title 68 IAC, Part 870

Landfill Operator Certification Regulations

Applicability

A Solid Waste Certified Landfill Operator is required for each permitted landfill in the State of Illinois. A certified operator is required until the Bureau of Land, Permit Section has issued a certificate of closure on the landfill.

"Certified Operator" means the person at a landfill who is normally present and accessible. A certified operator may be on the operational staff of no more than three landfills. The certified operator is responsible for directing landfill operations or supervising other operational staff in performing landfill operations, (including, but not limited to the acceptance, distribution, and cover of waste). Every certified operator shall satisfactorily demonstrate to the Agency a practical working knowledge of the design, operation, and maintenance of sanitary landfills.

Applicants can apply for certificates or certificate renewals in any of the following categories:

Class A - Landfills which accept non-hazardous solid waste, other than clean construction and demolition debris, and do not accept any special waste, shall employ at least one person who possesses a valid Class A Certificate.

Class A with a Special Waste Endorsement - Landfills which accept special non-hazardous waste, other than clean construction and demolition debris, and do not accept any special waste, shall employ at least one person who possesses a valid Class A Certificate with a Special Waste Endorsement.

Hazardous Special Waste Endorsement - Landfills which accept hazardous special waste, shall employ at least one person who possesses a valid Class A Certificate with a Special Waste Endorsement and a Hazardous Special Waste Endorsement.

Class B - Landfills, which accept only clean construction or demolition debris, shall employ at least one person who possesses a valid Class A or Class B Certificate.

For a Class A certificate, the applicant must submit a complete application to the Agency accompanied by a fee ($100). The applicant must demonstrate the following: pursuant to Title 68 IAC 870.210(b):

1. the applicant is at least 18 years of age;
2. the applicant has not violated any of the provisions of the Solid Waste Site Operator Certification Law which could result in the refusal to issue, renew, or suspended for cause such certification;
3. the applicant has either:

A.    a high school diploma or its equivalent, and 

1. not less than 2 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in sanitary landfill operation or management, or 
2. not less than 7 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in operation or management of earth moving equipment; or

2. has completed:
   
   1. grammar school or its equivalent, and 
   2. not less than 15 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in sanitary landfill operation or management, and

4. the names and phone numbers of no fewer than 3 references.
   

Special Waste Endorsement

Any person who seeks a Special Waste Endorsement must pass a written examination. A Special Waste Endorsement shall not be issued to the applicant until the applicant has been issued a Class A Certificate.

For a Class B certificate:

The applicant must submit a complete application to the Agency accompanied by a fee ($100). The applicant must demonstrate the following:

1. the applicant is at least 18 years of age;
2. the applicant has not violated any of the provisions of the Solid Waste Site Operator Certification Law which could result in the refusal to issue, renew, or suspended for cause such certification;
3. the applicant has either: 

A.    a high school diploma or its equivalent, and 

1. not less than 6 months of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in sanitary landfill operation or management, or 
2. not less than 3 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in operation or management of earth moving equipment; or

2. has completed:
   
   1. grammar school or its equivalent, and 
   2. not less than 5 years of acceptable study, training, and responsible experience in sanitary landfill operation or management, and

4. the names and phone numbers of no fewer than 3 references.

Pursuant to Title 68 IAC 870.210(f) - Responsible experience* may include, but is not limited to the following: 

1. employment at a landfill;  
2. management of a landfill;
3. employment, including military service, involving the operation or management of earth moving equipment; 
4. Consulting activities related to the operation or management of a landfill.

Following submission of a complete application, an applicant must pay the following fees prior to taking the exam and issuance of certification:

• $400 for Class A Certification; 
• $100 for a Special Waste Endorsement
• $200 for Class B Certification.
• No fee for Hazardous Waste Endorsement

*The Agency can grant credit for on-site work performed by the applicant during active landfill operation or as a part of closure.  Pre-operational, permitting or construction work (prior to waste placement) does not qualify towards the 2-year experience requirement.