Code of Maine Rules
06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL
Chapter 531 - WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR CERTIFICATION
Section 096-531-7 - Requirements for Certification

Universal Citation: 06 ME Code Rules ยง 096-531-7

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. Examination. Applicants must meet education and experience requirements and pass a qualifying examination to achieve active status for the specified classification. Exams may be taken in sequential or direct-entry format.

1) The Department may enter into contracts with third parties for the development, scoring, and delivery of exams.

2) Examinations will be reviewed by the Department to assure adequate subject matter to cover the fundamentals of operation, maintenance, and administration of a wastewater treatment plant, and knowledge and understanding of rules applicable to wastewater plants.

3) The Department will assure the availability of frequent exams and provide notice of exam application procedures.

4) A person whose certification has been revoked in accordance with 32 M.R.S. §4175-A and this chapter must pass a qualifying examination for the specified classification prior to reinstatement. The Department may, at its discretion, waive the exam requirement for reinstatement.

B. Education Requirements.

1) All applicants must hold a minimum of a high school diploma or General Educational Development certificate (GED).

2) Related education for determining eligibility is defined as post high school coursework or training in the areas of biology, chemistry, environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, water and wastewater treatment technology, and other related fields as approved by the Department. Education hours will be evaluated as follows:
a. 30 semester credits, or equivalent, equals 1 year of study.

b. Continuing Education Units (CEUs): one CEU equals one semester credit.

d. Specialized training courses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

C. Experience Requirements.

1) Wastewater Work Experience. Performance or supervision of operational duties directly related to wastewater treatment. Duties may include all or some of the following, depending on plant size and staffing structure: performance or supervision of operational duties, maintenance of process equipment, lab work, equipment operation, administration, process control, wastewater compliance, and sludge handling.

2) Related Work Experience. Performance or supervision of duties including, but not limited to drinking water, industrial wastewater, wastewater collections, wastewater design, or other related disciplines as approved by the Department. Any military service member (active, reserve, or veteran) having served greater than 1 year will be credited one year of related work experience.

3) Additional related work experience may be awarded by the Department to military service members (active, reserve, or veteran) based on specific service record (Military Occupational Specialties (M.O.S.)) as defined by the American Council on Education.

4) A certificate from a Department-accepted wastewater technology program, or equivalent, will be considered by the Department to be equivalent to one year of wastewater work experience.

D. Grade-Specific Requirements for Biological Certification. Applicants must submit evidence of education and/or experience as follows:

1) Biological Grade 1. No work experience is required.

2) Biological Grade 2. One year of wastewater work experience, or four years of a combination of related work experience and related education.

3) Biological Grade 3. Two years of wastewater work experience at a plant classified B-2 or higher. Four years of a combination of related work experience and related education may be substituted for one year of wastewater work experience.

4) Biological Grade 4. Six years of wastewater work experience at a plant classified B-2 or higher. Up to three years of a combination of related education and related work experience may be substituted for the same number of years of wastewater work experience.

5) Biological Grade 5. Eight years of wastewater work experience at a plant classified B-3 or higher. Up to four years of a combination of related education and related work experience may be substituted for the same number of years of wastewater work experience.

E. Grade-Specific Requirements for Spray Irrigation Treatment Systems (SITS) and Physical/Chemical (P/C) Certification. Applicants must submit evidence of education and/or experience as follows:

1) SITS-1 and P/C-1. No work experience is required.

2) SITS-2 and P/C-2. One year of wastewater work experience, or two years of related work experience.

F. Provisional Certification

1) An operator may take an examination for levels B2-B5 without the required work and/or educational experience to become provisionally certified. The Department will award the operator with an active certification at a level commensurate with their work and/or education experience at the time the examinations was passed, as well as a provisional certification at the level of the passed examination. The operator is subject to all fees and requirements for the active certification level to remain in active status. An operator with provisional certification cannot serve as the ORC at the provisional level.

2) An operator with provisional status may upgrade from the active certification held to the certification level commensurate with their work experience, up to the provisional certification held, by applying to the Department and providing documentation of completed work experience and/or education and paying all applicable fees. Completed work experience must be verified by the operator's supervisor. The operator must apply for upgrade within 6 years of passing the provisional qualifying exam or the provisional certification will expire.

G. Reciprocity

1) A person holding a valid certification in another state or country may apply to the Department for certification at a comparable grade level without examination, provided the person's certification is in good standing and that certification was obtained through an examination program that the Department has deemed at least equivalent to Departmental requirements.

H. Certification Procedures.

1) Applicants must apply for certification using methods provided by the Department, including payment of required fees and submission of materials supporting education and work experience as required for each category and grade level. Any applicant who submits false or misleading information on an application will be disqualified and may be subject to penalties under 38 M.R.S. §349.

2) An operator or ORC whose certification has been revoked must provide additional Proof of Competency to the Department in accordance with section 8 of this chapter prior to applying for the reinstatement of certification at the prior held or lower classification.

3) Examinations.
a. Applicants must follow instructions provided by the Department or third-party providers and pay applicable fees for scheduling and completing the examination.

b. Applicants who pass the examination will be awarded certification indicating the classification level of treatment plant for which the individual is qualified to act as an operator.

c. Applicants who do not pass may retake the examination at the same or lower grade level using methods provided by the Department and paying applicable fees.

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