Code of Maine Rules
90 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
429 - BOARD OF LICENSURE OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS (UNDER THE JURISDICTION THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES)
Chapter 1 - RULES RELATING TO THE LICENSURE OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATORS
Section 429-1-6 - LICENSING PROCEDURE

Universal Citation: 90 ME Code Rules ยง 429-1-6

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

A. APPLICATION FOR INITIAL, UPGRADE AND OPERATOR-IN-TRAINING LICENSES

1. Application forms for licensure are available at the Board's website at http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/dwp/professionals/waterOperators.shtml. Applications must be accompanied by materials supporting education and examination information (see Section 5, subsections (C)-(E) above) and include payment of fee. Incomplete or illegible applications will be returned to the applicant.

2. Application must be made for initial licensure; to upgrade to a higher class of the same discipline; to add a discipline to an existing license or to upgrade from Operator-in-Training to full license status.

3. Applicant Review: Upon review of the applicant's education, examination and experience, the Board shall issue biennial licenses to individuals to perform the duties of operators. The license shall indicate the classification level of the systems or parts of systems for which the individual is qualified to act as an operator and if the licensee is an Operator-in-Training.

B. RECIPROCITY

The Board may issue a license, upon application, without examination in a comparable classification to any person who holds a license or certificate issued by any state, territory or possession of the United States, or another country, if, in the judgment of the Board, the requirements for licensure of operators of public water systems in that jurisdiction are equal or greater than those outlined in this rule.

C. LICENSE PERIOD:

1. The initial license period shall not exceed two years and shall be based upon the biennial licensing period, as defined by 22 M.R.S. §2625.

2. Upgrading a license within a license period does not extend the renewal date.

3. The cycle of renewal does not change with late or reinstated licenses.

4. Renewals are for a two-year period. All licenses expire on December 31 of each biennial period.

D. RENEWAL OF LICENSES.This section applies to full, Operator-in-Training and restricted licenses.

1. The Board shall notify licensed water operators of the date of expiration of that person's license and the fee required for renewal for a two-year period. The notice shall be mailed to the person's last-known address at least 60 days in advance of the expiration date of the license.

2. Licensees are responsible for updating license contact information with any changes within the renewal period.

3. Applications for license renewal will not be processed before 60 days in advance of the expiration date of the license.

4. The licensee shall be responsible for providing proof of completion of the required Training Contact Hours (TCH) for their classification of license at the time of renewal. The Board will, at its discretion, verify submitted material for accuracy, applicability and acceptability.

5. License holders who allow their licenses to expire shall be reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement and renewal fees and upon proof the applicant has completed the required TCH provision pursuant to Section 6(E)(2) of this rule.

6. Licenses that remain expired for two years or longer will not be renewed. Persons with expired licenses shall be required to submit an application for initial licensure.

E. TRAINING CONTACT HOURS

1. TCH must be earned for the highest license held. Operators holding both a Treatment System and Distribution System license shall be required to complete Training Contact Hours for only one category.

2. Prior to licensure renewal, the applicant, including holders of restricted VSWS and Operator-in-Training licenses, shall provide proof of completion of the following requirements during the last renewal period:

VSWS

6 Training Contact Hours

Class I

12 Training Contact Hours

Class II

18 Training Contact Hours

Class III

24 Training Contact Hours

Class IV

24 Training Contact Hours

3. TCH may be earned as follows:
(a) One continuing education unit (CEU) equals 10 TCH.

(b) One college level credit in chemistry, mathematics, biology, engineering or environmental sciences shall be equal to 10 TCH.

(c) Technical meetings, workshops, seminars, courses and classes as approved by the Board, shall be equal to the amount of hours attended with the maximum credit being 6 TCH per technical meeting per day. A description of the course, material covered, institution offering the course and instructor credentials must be submitted to the Board for approval.

(d) Successful completion of self-study educational courses offered by a technical school, university, or correspondence school.

(e) Other waterworks seminars and education courses. A description of the course, material covered, institution offering the course and instructor credentials must be submitted to the Board.

4. Training shall be relevant. One hour of relevant training equals one TCH. In order for training to be approved by the Board and count as Training Contact Hours, it must comply with the following criteria:

* The training shows a direct link to water quality, water supply, or protection of public health; and

* The training is relevant to managing the operation or maintenance of public water systems; or

* The training is relevant to the operation or maintenance of public water systems.

5. Excess TCH cannot be carried from one renewal period to the next period.

F. FEES

1. Payment. Fees shall accompany all applications for licensure or examination.

2. Fees for Licensure.
(a) Fees are applied per individual, not per discipline held.

(b) The fee structure for licensure is:
(i) Initial Licensure $75

(ii) Initial Licensure by Reciprocity $75

(iii) Upgrade to License $20

(iv) Biennial Renewal of License $75

(v) Reinstatement of License In addition to past renewal fees $50

(vi) Status upgrade from Operator-In-Training to Full $20

(c) Reinstatement of Licensure: The licensee must pay a $50 late fee in addition to the biennial renewal fee to reinstate an expired license.

3. Fees For Examinations.
(a) Fees are applied per examination (class and discipline). The fee for each examination is $95.

(b) Fees for non-Board proctored examinations will be established by the proctor and paid directly to the proctor.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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