Operator Training - Minimum Training Requirements and Training Options
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has set a criteria of training requirements.
- Designated Class A, B, and C operators must complete these requirements to maintain quality control.
- Current operators must complete training by October 13th, 2018
- New operators will be trained past this date.

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Around 553,000 underground storage tanks store petroleum or hazardous materials. Which, if they are somehow leaked, will contaminate drinking water for more than half of all the United States.
Around 553,000 underground storage tanks store petroleum or hazardous materials. Click To Tweet
Class A Operators
Each operator must pass a general knowledge exam which covers the following topics:
- Spill and overfill prevention
- Leakage detection
- Corrosion protection
- Emergency management
- Product and equipment usage and demonstration
- Financial accountability
- Warning and storage tank registration
- Temporary and permanent closure
- Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and assessments
- Environmental and regulatory penalties of releases
- Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators
Class B Operators
Each operator must pass a general knowledge examination about site specific requirements, including:
- Operation and maintenance
- Spill and overfill prevention
- Leakage detection and reporting
- Corrosion protection
- Emergency management
- Product and equipment usage and demonstration
- Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and assessments
- Environmental and regulatory penalties of releases
- Training requirements for Class C operators
Class C Operators
Each operator must pass a comparable exam or complete a training program, and:
- Must be trained by a Class A or Class B operator.
- The training option selected must teach the Class C operator to take proper actions.
Training Program
The training program must cover all of the criteria for each class of operator. Operator’s knowledge must be tested, demonstrated or evaluated as decided by the implementing agency.
- Class A & B operators must be training within the first 30 days of duty.
- Class C operators must be pre-trained.
- Areas found in non-compliance must be retaught to operators.
- Retraining is not required if Class A & B operators participate in annual refresher training courses.