Become Certified

Discover the essential requirements and pathways to certification in the waste and resource management industry that will empower you to make a meaningful impact in the world of waste management and environmental sustainability.

Please review the experience requirements closely for the discipline(s) in which you seek certification. If you do not have the requisite experience, your application will be denied.

Certification Requirements

  • Certification Requirements for Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO)

    Work Experience/Education Requirements:
    Experience Education Level
    Minimum five (5) years of experience in MSW ManagementHigh School Degree or GED
    OR:
    Minimum four (4) years of experience in MSW ManagementTwo-year degree in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or related or equivalent fields
    OR:
    Minimum three (3) years of experience in MSW ManagementFour-year Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or related or equivalent fields
    Management/Supervisory Requirements:
    • Minimum of two (2) years experience in management/supervisory position related to discipline
    • Direct responsibility for daily operations related to discipline (For instance, compliance with design and permit conditions, utilization of field equipment and services, personnel management, utilization and retention, responses to regulatory agencies, and budgeting.)

    Note: Applications that do not include the requisite number of years of experience will be denied.

  • Certification Requirements for All Other SWANA Disciplines

    • High School degree or GED
    • Minimum one year of experience working in the solid waste industry OR a two-year associate degree or bachelor's degree in a related field (Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or equivalent fields).

    Please review the experience requirements closely for the discipline(s) in which you seek certification. If you do not have the requisite experience, your application will be denied.

 

Certification Disciplines

Below is a list of SWANA Certification Disciplines where you can purchase an exam as well as explore relevant training courses.  While training courses are a great step in the path to certification, taking a course does NOT guarantee success on a certification exam. 

Certification Exam Relevant Training Courses
Household Hazardous Waste & VSQG Collection Operations
Efficiently and safely handling Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) waste.

Household Hazardous Waste & VSQG Collection Operations Training Course
Format: In-person
PDHs: 30

Manager of Landfill of Operations (MOLO) – US
Manager of Landfill of Operations (MOLO) – Canada
Overseeing the daily management and operation of a sanitary landfill waste disposal facility, including operation, permitting, maintenance, monitoring, and regulatory compliance of each facet of the landfill facility.

Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) Training Course
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Managing Composting Programs
Managing composting programs, including the rationale for composting, planning and site development, economics, and operations.

Managing Composting Programs Training Course
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Managing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems
Addressing the many and varied duties of the solid waste system manager, such as planning, developing, and managing solid waste systems.

Managing Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems Training Course
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Managing MSW Collection Systems
Managing the collection of residential solid waste and recyclables from single- and multi-family residences.

Managing Collection Systems Training Course 
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Managing Recycling Systems
Recycling materials found in municipal solid waste (MSW) generated from residential, commercial, and institutional sources, not including hazardous wastes, household hazardous wastes, or special wastes.

Managing Recycling Systems Training Course
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Transfer Station Management – US
Transfer Station Management – Canada
Planning, design, operation, and management of a transfer station.

Transfer Station Management Training Course (US Version)
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30

Zero Waste Principles & Practices
Integrating an understanding of Zero Waste with existing waste management systems, practices, and policies to move local systems toward locally defined Zero Waste goals.

Zero Waste Principles & Practices Training Course
Formats: In-Person; Virtual
PDHs: 30


Certification Preparation

Passing a certification exam requires amassing knowledge, skills, and abilities over time from a variety of sources.  No one course provides all the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pass a certification exam.  Knowledge is gained over time from:

  • Years of experience in the field;
  • Online courses, webinars, and podcasts;
  • In-person seminars and events;
  • Hands-on workshops

  • On-the-job training;
  • Local, regional, and national conferences
  • Mentoring programs;
  • Trade publications; and more.

Certification Process

Step 1: GET STARTED!

A SWANA account is required to register for your exam. If you are not logged in, please log in now.

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Please note that SWANA has a new user interface. If this is your first time logging in since the update, you’ll need to reset your password to access it. 

If you don't have a SWANA Account, you can create one.

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Step 2: Apply for Certification Online

Complete a separate application for each certification exam you wish to take.

Application Cost:
Members: $250.00 (per certification)
Non-Members: $400.00 (per certification)

Payment is received by credit card only. Please enter your promo code, if applicable.

Apply for Certification Online

Step 3: Online Testing

  • Once your certification application is approved, your certification exam access is emailed by our partner, Captus. Please check your spam folder.
  • You must take the exam within six (6) months of purchase.
  • Once you begin your exam, you will have a maximum of three (3) hours to complete it.
  • The minimum score to pass is 70%.
  • Results are emailed within 24 hours.
  • Those who successfully pass will receive instructions on how to print their certificate.

Online Exam Re-Takes

Those who do not pass can re-register and take the exam immediately. The full registration fee applies to each re-take. There is no limit on the number of times you may re-take an exam.

Exam Technical Support

In North America, technical assistance is available Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET at 1.866.348.7888 or support@captus.com. Outside North America, contact support@captus.com during business hours. We recommend taking your exam during business hours in case technical support is needed. SWANA staff cannot help you with technical issues during testing.

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Certification FAQs

Review Certification FAQs for common questions about Certification and Recertification.

View Certification FAQs »

If you don’t find the answer you are seeking, please contact certifications@swana.org.