Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 600 - STATE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Chapter 600-8
Subject 600-8-1 - EDUCATION AND TRAINING CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS INVOLVED WITH LAND DISTURBING ACTIVITIES
Rule 600-8-1-.04 - Certification Guidelines
Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 600-8-1-.04
Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024
(1) General Information
(a) Any specified application for Certification or Re-certification for "Certified Personnel" or "Certified Person," "Certified Inspector," "Certified Design Professional," or "Certified Plan Reviewer" must be fully completed and submitted by the applicant. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.
(b) All correspondence should be directed to:
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
Urban Water Resources Program - Education/Certification Program
P.O. Box 8024
Athens, GA 30603
(2) Eligibility Requirements.
(a) Fundamentals Seminar (Level 1A): Certification will take place upon:
i. Course and Exam: Registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Fundamentals Seminar" (Level 1A), submitting the appropriate certification application form prior to the examination, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 1A certification examination.
[or]
ii. Exam Only: Registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted Level 1A examination date, submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission, providing proof of attendance from a Conservation Commission "NPDES Qualified Personnel Workshop," "Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop," another Conservation Commission and Division approved "qualified personnel" course or equivalent Conservation Commission approved course within three years prior to the examination date, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 1A certification examination.
(b) Advanced Fundamentals Seminar (Level 1B): Certification will take place upon:
i. Course and Exam: Completing at least 60 days of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Advanced Fundamentals Seminar" (Level 1B), submitting the appropriate certification application form prior to the examination, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 1B certification examination. In lieu of 60 days of work experience, an individual may obtain Level IA certification.
[or]
ii. Exam Only: Completing at least 60 days of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted Level 1B examination date, submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission, providing proof of attendance from a Conservation Commission "Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop" or equivalent Conservation Commission approved course within 3 years prior to the examination date, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 1B certification examination. In lieu of 60 days of work experience, an individual may obtain Level IA certification.
(c) Introduction to Design Seminar (Level 2): Certification will take place upon:
i. Design Professionals
a. Course and Exam: Registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Introduction to Design Seminar" (Level 2), submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission including proof of professional licensure in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, geology, or land surveying or CPESC, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 2 certification examination.
[or]
b. Exam Only: Registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted Level 2 examination date, submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission including proof of professional licensure in the field of engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, forestry, geology, or land surveying or CPESC, and providing proof of attendance from a Conservation Commission "Design of Vegetative Measures and Structural Practices for Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop" or equivalent Conservation Commission approved course within three years prior to the examination date, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 2 certification examination.
ii. Plan Reviewers
a. Course and Exam: Completing at least 6 months of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, registering for and attending an approved and posted Conservation Commission "Introduction to Design Seminar" (Level 2), submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 2 certification examination. In lieu of 6 months of work experience, an individual may obtain Level IB certification.
[or]
b. Exam Only: Completing at least 6 months of work experience in the field of erosion and sediment control, registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted Level 2 examination date, submitting the appropriate application form prior to the examination for review and approval by the Conservation Commission, providing proof of attendance from a Conservation Commission "Design of Vegetative Measures and Structural Practices for Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop" or equivalent Conservation Commission approved course within three years prior to the examination date, and obtaining a passing score on the Level 2 certification examination. In lieu of 6 months of work experience, an individual may obtain Level IB certification.
(d) "Awareness Seminar for Subcontractors" (Level I): Certification will take place upon registering for and attending a Conservation Commission approved and posted "Subcontractor Awareness Seminar" and submitting the appropriate application form to the Conservation Commission.
(e) Governmental Awareness Seminar: satisfactory completion will be considered upon attending a Conservation Commission approved "Governmental Awareness Seminar".
(3) Application.
(a) Those seeking "Certified Personnel" or "Certified Person" status through training and examination must submit a completed application form. The application form, developed by the Executive Director and approved by the Conservation Commission, must contain a signed certification statement confirming that all information on the application form is true.
(b) Those seeking "Certified Subcontractor" status through training must submit a completed application form. The application form, developed by the Executive Director and approved by the Conservation Commission, must contain a signed certification statement that all information on the application form is true. All applicants must present a government issued form of identification to the proctor when submitting the application.
(c) Any person seeking certification through examination or by a combination of training and examination (except those seeking "Certified Personnel" or "Certified Person" status through training and examination) must submit a completed application form prior to examination. The application form, developed by the Executive Director and approved by the Conservation Commission, must contain a verification of all relevant work experience and training, and a signed certification statement confirming that all statements in the application are true.
(d) Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and certification will be denied.
(e) All applications will be reviewed by the Conservation Commission to determine eligibility for certification. All applicants will be notified of the results of the review within 60 days of the receipt of the application. An applicant may appeal the review, in writing, to the Conservation Commission Board within 10 days of the Conservation Commission's determination. No applicant will be approved for certification unless all the requirements are satisfied.
(4) Examination.
(a) An individual may take a certification examination for the desired certificate of successful completion of training, except for "Certified Subcontractors", if he or she meets the "Eligibility Requirements" discussed in Section (2).
(b) An applicant who fails an examination will be allowed to retake the appropriate exam within one year.
(c) All examinations will be timed with open course materials.
(d) A passing score of 70% will be required on the appropriate certification exam.
(e) All applicants will be notified in writing within 60 days of the results of the examinations by the Conservation Commission.
(f) An applicant who fails the examination twice must take the course again.
(5) All examinations will be proctored by approved trainers for the seminar for which they are the instructor, approved Conservation Commission staff or individuals that have attended a Conservation Commission proctor training.
(a) Instructors must notify the Conservation Commission 30 days prior to the examination date.
(b) All applicants must present a government issued form of identification to the proctor when taking a certification examination.
(6) Revocation of Certification.
(a) The Conservation Commission shall have the authority to revoke the certification of any person obtaining certification pursuant to this Chapter upon a finding by a majority of members of the Conservation Commission that any of the following grounds exist:
i. The certification was obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or making a false statement; or
ii. The certified person has violated or cooperated with others in violating a provision of these regulations; or
iii. The certified person has made any misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representation in the course of the practice of a business or profession involving any certification under this Chapter; or
iv. The certified person has not obtained the requisite number of continuing education credits required to maintain certification; or
v. The certified person knowingly performs any act which in any way aids, assists, procures, advises or encourages any uncertified person under this Chapter to practice a business or profession involving certification under this Chapter.
(b) If the Conservation Commission determines that revocation of a person's certification is to be considered, the Conservation Commission shall notify such person of the date and time that the Conservation Commission will consider the revocation and the reason(s) for the determination.
(c) Upon receiving notification that a certification is to be considered for revocation, a person shall be entitled to appear before the Conservation Commission in a duly called meeting to explain the circumstances surrounding such proposed revocation and the Conservation Commission in its sole discretion, may determine whether a certification is to be revoked upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Conservation Commission.
O.C.G.A. Secs. 2-6-27, 12-7-19.
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