The ASME QRO Certification Program covers operators of facilities that combust municipal solid waste(MSW).  The QRO Certification Program is based on the ASME QRO-1 Standard for the Qualification and Certification of Resource Recovery Facility Operators, first published in 1989.  The program was originally intended only for operators of facilities that included heat recovery.  The QRO program has been expanded to include operators at facilities that combust MSW without heat recovery.  This is in accordance with the QRO-1-2005 Standard.

For facilities with heat recovery
ASME QRO Operator Certification provides the means to comply with the requirements of 40CFR60.54b (Standards for municipal waste combustor operator training and certification) when there is no state certification program.  The regulations require that Shift Supervisors and Chief Facility Operators first attain QRO Provisional Certification and subsequently attain full Operator level QRO certification.

• QRO Provisional certification is the first step toward achieving full Operator certification.  This level is equally applicable to Shift Supervisors and Chief Facility Operators.  In order to attain this certification, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and pass a written multiple-choice examination (Provisional Examination).  Provisional certification is not facility specific.
  
• Operator certification (full certification) applies to a specific facility.  The applicant is required to be the holder of a valid Provisional certificate and document six months of satisfactory employment in the capacity of Shift Supervisor or Chief Facility Operator at the specific facility and pass an oral examination.

For facilities that combust municipal solid waste without heat recovery

• Combustion System Operator Certification is intended for facilities that combust municipal solid waste without heat recovery.  In order to attain Combustion System Operator certification, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and pass a written multiple choice examination (Combustion Examination).  Combustion System Operator certification is not facility specific, nor is it a prerequisite, or substitute for any other QRO certification.