Manure if handled properly can be utilized as a value fertilizer alternative, however in cases when manure is not handled properly can lead to water contamination. In order to ensure the appropriate handling of manure the North Carolina General Assembly passed Bill 1217, which required all permitted animal wastre management systems to be operated by a certified operator.

Every certified operator must attend 10 hours of classroom training conducted by the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service and pass an appropriate exam. Certified operators must also acquire 6 hours of training over a period of three years in order to retain their certification. The objectives were set out to emphasize those principles that will make the most impact on increasing their ability to safely manage waste application systems.