Section 3684 - Qualifying Experience Credit(a) An applicant for operator certification who has acquired at least one year of full-time qualifying experience at a wastewater treatment plant may receive qualifying experience credits as follows:(1) An applicant may receive a one-time credit for one year of full-time qualifying experience if the applicant: (A) has acquired 3,600 or more hours of experience in the operation of a water treatment plant regulated by the California Department of Public Health, another state, a territory, or an Indian tribe;(B) possessed a valid water treatment plant operator certificate at the time the experience was acquired; and(C) has acquired 3,600 or more hours of experience using two or more of the following processes: coagulation, sedimentation, aeration, filtration, oxidation, and disinfection.(2) An applicant may receive a one-time credit for one year of full-time qualifying experience if the applicant has acquired 3,600 or more hours of experience in one or more of the following areas: (A) developing wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance, safety, or laboratory procedural manuals;(B) conducting training in wastewater treatment plant operations, safety, or laboratory procedures;(C) developing, testing, and evaluating process control strategies to optimize wastewater treatment plant performance; or(D) performing physical, chemical, and biological processes that are comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant.(3) When an applicant submits an application for certification to the Office of Operator Certification, the applicant may make an irrevocable election to substitute 16 educational points for one year of full-time qualifying experience credit. Educational points substituted for qualifying experience credit may not be used to satisfy education requirements in the Operator Certification Requirements Table in section 3687 for certification or qualifying for an examination.(b) The Office of Operator Certification shall give qualifying experience credit for experience acquired at a facility that treats wastewater in a state other than California, in a territory, or on land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, provided the duties are comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant and provided that during the time of employment, the applicant held a valid, unexpired certification of the appropriate grade level issued by a certifying body and the certification requirements are comparable to the requirements of this chapter.(1) Evaluation of the experience shall be based on the actual work performed by the applicant without respect to job title.(2) The Office of Operator Certification may refuse to give qualifying experience credit under this subdivision if, for any act associated with performing duties at a facility that treats wastewater in a state other than California, in a territory, or on land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe, provided the duties are comparable to the duties of an operator or contract operator at a wastewater treatment plant, it determines that: the applicant's certification or registration has been revoked or suspended by a certifying body; discipline or administrative civil liability has been imposed against the applicant or the applicant is under investigation by a certifying body; or civil or criminal liability has been imposed upon the applicant.(c) Upon passing a written examination, each person applying for a certificate in accordance with section 3680.1 who is employed at a privately owned wastewater treatment plant before the effective date of section 3680.1, shall be credited with a minimum of one year of full-time qualifying experience. (1) An applicant may receive more than one year of full-time qualifying experience credit if the applicant provides documentation of more than one year of experience acquired while employed at a privately owned facility used primarily in the treatment or reclamation of sewage, and for which the State Water Board or a Regional Water Board has issued waste discharge requirements, provided the duties are comparable to the duties of an operator at a wastewater treatment plant and the owner verifies the experience.(2) An applicant also may receive qualifying experience credit in accordance with subdivisions (a) and (b).Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 23, § 3684
1. New section filed 6-24-92; operative 6-24-92 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.2(d) (Register 92, No. 26).
2. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 3-27-98; operative 4-26-98 (Register 98, No. 13).
3. New article 6 heading and repealer and new section filed 1-28-2013; operative 4-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 5). Note: Authority cited : Sections 1058, 13627 and 13627.5, Water Code. Reference: Sections 13627 and 13627.5, Water Code.
1. New section filed 6-24-92; operative 6-24-92 pursuant to Government Code section 11346.2(d) (Register 92, No. 26).
2. Amendment of subsection (b) filed 3-27-98; operative 4-26-98 (Register 98, No. 13).
3. New article 6 heading and repealer and new section filed 1-28-2013; operative 4-1-2013 (Register 2013, No. 5).