Removal of copper ions from wastewater was studied experimentally in the fluidized and semifluidized beds of 60mm in diameter. Dilute aqueous solution of copper sulfate(300ppm) and strong cation exchange resin particles (Amberlyst 200C) of 0.74㎜ in diameter were used as the synthetic wastewater and ion exchange resin. The inlet and exit concentrations of copper ions, bed heights and pressure drops were measured, and the breakthrough curves and mass transfer coefficients were obtained. Correlations for mass transfer coefficient were examined, and the effects of liquid flowrate, particle hold-up and height of retaining grid on liquid-solid mass transfer were discussed. The results show that the copper ion removal rate and mass transfer coefficient in the initial period of ion exchange in a semifiuidized bed are higher than those in a fluidized bed.