Code of Massachusetts Regulations
236 CMR - BOARD OF CERTIFICATION OF OPERATORS OF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES
Title 236 CMR 4.00 - Public Water Supply Operator Certification
Section 4.07 - Certificate Renewal

(1) Each renewal certification issued by the Board shall expire on December 31st of the odd numbered years and may be renewed upon payment of a fee determined by the Commissioner of Administration and Finance.

(2) A certificate holder who has not renewed his/her certificate prior to the date of expiration may renew said certificate upon payment of the renewal fee as well as any additional fees established by the Commissioner of Administration and Finance. Certificate holders shall also provide to the Board verification that they have complied with the renewal training contact hours (TCH) as stated in 236 CMR 4.07(4). Certificate holders who fail to renew their certification or qualify for renewal within two years of the date that the certificate expired will be required to retake and pass the examination for the grade held to become re-certified. The Board may require a certificate holder to take or retake the Board's examination for the grade held if in the opinion of the Board such action is appropriate and, upon the certificate holder's failure to pass the examination, may suspend the certificate until the certificate holder passes the examination.

(3) A certificate holder who continues to practice under an expired or invalid certificate where a valid certificate is required shall be subject to any and all penalties as provided by M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDDD and §§ 61 through 65.

(4) All operators, including operators-in training, must demonstrate to the Board that they have completed in the previous two years: five or more TCH's for VSS and VND operators; ten or more TCH's for Grade 1 and Grade 2 operators; 15 TCH's or more for Grade 3 operators and 20 or more TCH's for Grade 4 operators. If an upgrade is approved within any two-year renewal cycle, the TCH requirement for the lesser grade shall apply. Operators must maintain records that they have earned the appropriate TCH's as specified in 236 CMR 4.07(6) for three certificate renewal cycles. The Board may audit operators on a random basis to determine whether the required TCH's have been completed. An operator holding more than one certificate shall be required to meet the TCH's for the higher grade of certificate held.

(5) Inactive operators will not be required to obtain the required TCH's, but must pay the biannual certificate renewal fee to maintain a current certificate. If an operator chooses to become inactive, the operator must notify the Board in writing of such status and in obtaining such status, agrees not to engage directly or indirectly in the onsite operation of a public water system as an employee of such system. An inactive operator who chooses to reactivate his/her certificate shall apply to the Board in writing of the status change and after completing all required TCH's as required by the Board. It is the responsibility of the inactive operator to notify the Board of his or her change in status.

(8) The Board may waive the TCH requirements in exceptional circumstances as determined by the Board.