Pennsylvania Code
Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
Part V - Bureau of Plant Industry
Chapter 130f - ODOR MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION
Subchapter C - RECERTIFICATION
Section 130f.31 - Recertification

(a) At intervals of 3 years, final certified commercial, public or individual odor management specialists shall provide written documentation of having received continuing education and training in Department-approved training courses in odor management planning and OMP development. Training must address the specific areas in § 130f.11 (relating to determination of competence) for commercial and public odor management specialists and § 130f.21 (relating to determination of competence) for individual odor management specialists.

(b) A person is eligible to apply for recertification as an odor management specialist upon fulfilling the requirements under subsection (c) for the appropriate certification level. An application for recertification may be obtained from the Department. The appropriate fee for the level of certification sought as set forth in section § 130f.3 (relating to fees) must accompany the specialist's application for recertification.

(c) Recertification credits approved by the Department will be given on the basis of attendance at approved training sessions, as provided in subsection (a). The Department will evaluate the training and assign the appropriate credits. Commercial and public odor management specialists are required to obtain six credits during the recertification interval. Individual odor management specialists are required to obtain three credits during the recertification interval. The Department may, if deemed necessary, require specific training for certified odor management specialists, in addition to the required training in § § 130f.11 and 130f.21. The Department will provide written notification to the certified odor management specialists of specifically required training.

(d) Training will be approved for recertification credits at the rate of one credit per hour of applicable instruction, exclusive of breaks, lunches, visits to exhibits, and the like. Credits will be assigned to each training session based upon the subjects covered and the amount of time expended on each subject. Credits assigned may be modified if either the content or length of the training substantially differs from the originally approved course.

(e) Sponsors of recertification training shall first submit a written request for course approval to the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9408. A request shall be submitted to the Department at least 15 working days prior to the training date and include the following information:

(f) A recertification training course will be approved if at a minimum it consists of the same requirements as set forth in § 130f.11(d) and (e) and is conducted or sponsored by an educational institution, an association, a business, a governmental agency or other qualified source. Preapproval of recertification courses is vested solely with the Department.

(g) Falsification by a course sponsor of information required under this section may result in the withdrawal of credits or course approval, or both.

(h) If the Department or its designee is unable to monitor the training, the sponsor shall be responsible for verifying attendance and shall compile a list of Pennsylvania-certified specialists in attendance. The list shall be returned to the Department within 10 working days following the training date and include the name of each person attending and their certification number.

(i) If an odor management specialist allows final certification to expire and does not obtain recertification in accordance with this chapter, the final certification will be suspended and the specialist shall refrain from all duties relating to his certification until the delinquent recertification credits are acquired as described in subsections (a)-(d).

(j) If an odor management specialist whose final certification has been suspended as set forth in subsection (i) fails to complete delinquent recertification credits within 1 year from the expiration date of the final certification, the final certification will be revoked and that person shall again satisfy the requirements of § § 130f.11 and 130f.12 (relating to final certification) for commercial and public specialists, or § § 130f.21 and 130(f).22 (relating to final certification) for individual specialists, whichever is applicable.