Pennsylvania Code
Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
Part V - Bureau of Plant Industry
Chapter 130e - COMMERCIAL MANURE HAULER AND BROKER CERTIFICATION
Subchapter B - CERTIFICATION
COMMERCIAL MANURE BROKERS
Section 130e.11 - Determination of competence

(a) Commercial manure broker certification. Determination of competence for Level 1 and Level 2 commercial manure brokers shall be based on the successful completion of the certification course and a proctored written examination as set forth in this section. Certification requirements for a commercial manure broker include a Department developed or approved certification course and proctored written examination, both of which shall be administered in a classroom setting. The certification course shall be completed prior to the applicant taking the written examination or the nutrient balance sheet writing course. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department's nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification), meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker.

(b) Additional requirements for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification. In addition to completing the requirements for and attaining a Level 1 commercial manure broker certification, an applicant for Level 2 commercial manure broker certification shall be required to attend appropriate nutrient management plan writing certification courses related to nutrient balance sheet development and then pass a proctored nutrient balance sheet examination administered or approved by the Department. The nutrient management plan writing courses have been developed under the Nutrient Management Certification Program in Chapter 130b. The nutrient balance sheet examination will be developed or approved by the Department and shall be administered as a proctored classroom examination. The applicant for a Level 2 commercial manure broker certification shall first complete the required nutrient management plan writing courses, before being eligible to take the Nutrient Balance Sheet Examination. The Nutrient Balance Sheet Examination must require the applicant for the Level 2 commercial manure broker certification to develop a nutrient balance sheet based on an importing farm scenario developed or approved by the Department. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management dual specialist under the Department's nutrient management certification regulations in Chapter 130b, meets the requirements to be certified as a Level 1 commercial manure broker and may be certified as a Level 2 commercial manure broker upon taking the necessary nutrient management plan writing courses, related to nutrient balance sheet development, and passing the appropriate testing criteria.

(c) Certification course. The certification course must, at a minimum, address the applicant's understanding, competence and proficiency with regard to the following topics:

(d) Certification course and written examination. The Department or an approved educational institution or entity, as provided for in the act, may develop and administer the training courses and proctor the written examinations. The certification courses and examinations will be offered at least twice per calendar year, or more often as deemed necessary by the Department. The certification courses and examinations will be offered at various locations across this Commonwealth in a manner that will insure Statewide coverage and access. At a minimum, the successful completion of the examination will demonstrate the applicant's understanding of transport and land application of manure on agricultural operations and the applicant's technical knowledge and proficiency relating to interpretation and implementation of nutrient management plans and nutrient balance sheets, as well as, the applicant's knowledge of recordkeeping requirements. The written examination must, at a minimum, address all topics and areas required to be addressed by the certification course, as set forth in subsection (c).

(e) Other examinations. The Department may approve the use of written examinations other than the Pennsylvania Commercial Manure Broker and Hauler Examination, if the written examinations meet the requirements in subsection (d).