2026 TWS Training Schedule

2026 Training Schedule for Tribal Water and Wastewater Utilities Personnel
The ITCA National Tribal Water Systems Operator Certification Program is pleased to provide this schedule of free operator training and certification events (see below Table of Events). The table will be periodically updated as new training courses are confirmed. When a course is open for registration, its title is shown in the table with an active link. Click on the active course title in the table for details and registration instructions. Events that have already occurred are shown in gray with a strike-through. Events that are not yet open for registration are shown in black and don’t have active links. Some courses are offered more than once to provide operators with options. Instructors may vary from one course offering to another.

Types of Course Formats

  • Online Courses. Some courses are offered in a 100% live online virtual format. (Note: certification exams are available year-round through computer-based testing.)
  • In-Person Courses. Some short-duration, continuing education training events may be offered in a 100% in-person format. Some courses will include in-person certification exam sessions.
  • Blended Courses. Comprehensive, certification preparation courses are offered in a Blended format, which consists of two sequential parts: (Part 1 uses live online virtual format) + (Part 2 uses in-person classroom format).

The in-person Part 2 picks up where the virtual Part 1 ends. The in-person Part 2 will not reviewing curriculum content covered during the virtual Part 1. For certification preparation courses that are in the blended format, the in-person Part 2 includes in-person certification exam sessions.

Training Contact Hours All ITCA Program training events provide opportunity for students to earn training contact hours based on participation and attendance. The terms “lesson”, “class”, and “course” are defined in the ITCA Standards for Contact Hour Credit from Virtual Training Events document. Click here: ITCA Standards for Online Training Contact Hours.

Certified Exams

  • Computer-Based Testing. Certification exams are available year-round through computer-based testing (CBT) at over 300 nationwide testing center locations (See 2026 CBT announcement).
  • Paper-Booklet Testing. In-person certification exam sessions using paper-booklet testing (PBT) are included during Blended certification preparation courses. In addition, the ITCA Program may periodically offer stand-alone, in-person PBT exam sessions.

Travel Expense Reimbursement Participant travel expense reimbursement stipends are available for participants of the in-person parts of ITCA Program training and certification events. For more information, contact the ITCA Tribal Water Systems Program by phone at (602) 258-4822, or by email at TWSInfo@itcaonline.com. *Specified Regional or Area Designations Most of the online training courses are listed without any specified region or area and are therefore, open without restriction. However, some training courses are listed for certain regions or areas. Such training courses are made possible by funding agencies for the express purpose of serving certain geographic areas. When a course is listed for a specific region or area, two different registration options are available—Priority Registration, and General Admission Waiting List.

  • Priority Registration

If you work on Tribal lands in the region or area specified for that course, please use the “priority registration” option. Priority registration will be monitored and tracked based on the work address provided during registration.

  • General Admission Waiting List

Online training course size is limited to preserve the high quality of student-focused instruction. A general admission waiting list is available for personnel working on Tribal lands that are outside of the region or area specified for the particular course. Selection for the course will be first come, first served based on seats available after the priority registration seats are filled. IHS Area Map, below

Click Here: IHS Area Map
Click Here: USEPA Regional Map

The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Table of Events
Key to abbreviations:
“v” = virtual live online
“b” = blend (part 1 is online, part 2 is in-person)
“ip” = in-person

————————————

New MexicoM Thru Fall day

New MexicoM Thru Fall day

New MexicoM Thru Fall day

Course ID# Operator Training/Certification Event Start & End Date Days of Week A.M./P.M.
#25000 2026 Computer Based Testing 2026 year-around ——— ———
Wastewater
#26006(B) Wastewater Treatment – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) August 17–21, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) August 24–28, 2026
Camp Verde, AZ
M Thru F all day
#26008(B) Wastewater Lagoons
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) June 15–19, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) June 22-26, 2026
Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
M Thru F all day
#26021(B) Wastewater Collection – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) Sept 28–Oct 2, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) Oct 5–9, 2026
Towaoc, CO
M Thru F all day
Drinking Water
#26001(B) Water Treatment-Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) March 2-6, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) March 9-13, 2026
Billings, MT
M Thru F all day
#26002(B) Water Distribution-Level 1 (FULL)
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) March 30-April 3, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) April 6-10, 2026
Flagstaff, AZ
M Thru F all day
#26004(B) Water Treatment – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) May 4–8, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) May 11–15, 2026
Yuma, AZ
M Thru F all day
#26005(B) Water Treatment – Level 2 & 3 Combo
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) June 15–18, 2026 M Thru Th A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) June 22–26, 2026
Billings, MT
M Thru F all day
#26009(B) Water Distribution – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) July 6–10, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) July 13-17, 2026
Flagstaff, AZ
M Thru F all day
#26012(B) Water Distribution – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) August 10–14, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) Aug 17-21, 2026
Eureka, CA
M Thru F all day
#26013(B) Water Distribution – Levels 2 & 3 Combo
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) July 27–31, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) August 3–7, 2026
New Mexico
M Thru F all day
#26014(B) SDWA Federal Regulations
Training Course & Operator Certification Exam Sessions
Part 1 – live on-line (v) July 1 – 3, 2026 W Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) July 6 – 10, 2026
New Mexico
M Thru F all day
#26019(B) SDWA Federal Regulations
Training Course & Operator Certification Exam Sessions
Part 1 – live on-line (v) September 30 – October 2, 2026 W Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) October 5 – 9, 2026
Parker, AZ
M Thru F all day
#26020(B) Water Treatment – Level 1
Operator Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) September 28 – October 2, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) October 5 – 9, 2026
Portland, OR
M Thru F all day
#26022 Water Operator Math
Online Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) November 30 – December 11, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Tribal Utility Management
#26003(B) Tribal Utility Management Certification – Level 1
Professional Certification Training Course
Part 1 – live on-line (v) July 6–10, 2026 M Thru F A.M.
Part 2 – in-person (ip) July 13–17, 2026
Billings, MT
M Thru F all day
Tribal Utility Managers Workgroup Forums 2 sessions After class 2 hrs each
Specialized Training
#26010 Backflow & Cross Connection Control
Training Course & Operator Certification Exam Sessions
In-person June 22–26, 2026 M Thru F Phoenix, AZ
#26011 Asset Management and Utility Finance
Training Course & Facility Management
In-person Aug. 11–13, 2026 T Thru TH Phoenix, AZ
#26015 Operator Workgroup Meeting
Operator Training and Meeting Event In-Person
In-person Sept. 14–18, 2026 M Thru F Mesa, AZ
#26016 Resilience Training Seminar
Operator Training and Meeting Event In-Person
In-person, minimum 1 day Sept. 14–18, 2026 M Thru F Mesa, AZ
#26017 Source Water Protection Training Seminar
Operator Training and Meeting Event In-Person
In-person, 2 hours Sept. 14–18, 2026 TBD Mesa, AZ
#26018 Operator of the Year Award
Award Ceremony Event In-Person
In-person, minimum 1 day Sept. 14–18, 2026 Fri Mesa, AZ

2026 Computer-Based Testing (Year-Round)

2026 Computer-Based Testing (Year-Round)
January 2026 to December 2026

Attached is an event announcement and certification application booklets. The registration and certification application process is conducted manually by phone, mail, email, or fax.

For more information or assistance with registration or assistance with applying for tribal certification, please contact the Tribal Water Department at (602) 258-4822.

Click Here: 2026 Announcement and Registration

Click Here: Application for Water Operator Certification

Click Here: Application for Wastewater Operator Certification

Click Here: Application for Tribal Utility Management

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Water Treatment-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, in Billings, Montana, March 2-13, 2026, (Event ID #26001-blended)

Water Treatment-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, in Billings, Montana, March 2-13, 2026, (Event ID #26001-blended)

Part 1 meets:  Monday through Friday (on-line)
Dates:  March 2 – 6, 2026
Time:  8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time)

Part 2 meets: Monday through Friday (in-person)
Dates:  March 9 – 13, 2026
Time:  8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Local Time)

Click here:  Brochure & Registration Forms
Click here:  Electronic Registration
Click here:  Application for Water Certification
Click here:  Need to Know for Exam 1: Federal Regulations Exam Module for Water Treatment
Click here:  Need to Know for Exam 2: Water Treatment Operator Class I

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Indigenous Centered ACEs Training

Are you or your organization interested in an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) training? If so, contact Casandra Stouder at casandrastouder@gmail.com for more information.

Rural Indigenous Committee

Rural Indigenous Committee

Join the Rural Indigenous Committee for their next meeting on April 1, 2026 at 1:00pm PHX/MST.

Registration or questions: casandrastouder@gmail.com

Water Distribution-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, in Flagstaff, Arizona, March 30 – April 10, 2026, (Event ID #26002-blended) (REG. FULL)

Water Distribution-Level 1 Operator Certification Training Course, in Flagstaff, Arizona, March 30 – April 10, 2026, (Event ID #26002-blended) *REGISTRATION FULL* 

Part 1 Meets: Monday through Friday (On-Line)
Dates: March 30 – April 3, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)

Part 2 Meets: Monday through Friday (In-Person)
Dates: April 6 – 10, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Local Time)
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Click here: Brochure & Registration Forms
Click here: Electronic Registration - FULL
Click here: Application for Water Certification
Click here: Need to Know for Exam 1: Federal Regulations Exam Module for Water Distribution
Click here: Need to Know for Exam 2: Water Distribution Operator Class I

How Comprehensive Community Planning Helps Tribes

Planning can empower tribal governments to make informed decisions about issues in their tribes based on discussions with stakeholders in their community. It can ensure that issues are understood and that priorities can be agreed upon, and create an appreciation for how issues are related to each other. When tribal citizens participate in the government’s planning process, it can help a tribe to unify around a particular goal. A cohesive and unified tribal nation can foster a stronger environment for economic opportunities for all segments of its society.

How Comprehensive Community Planning Helps Tribes