Iowa Admin. Code r. 567-82.8

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 8, October 30, 2024

Rule 567-82.8 - Examinations

(1)Type of examination. There will be four examinations available:

a. A general fundamentals examination for well drilling and pump installation contractors.

b. An examination for well drillers.

c. An examination for pump installers.

d. An examination for well plugging contractors.

(2)Required examinations. Well drilling contractors and pump installers must take and pass the general fundamentals examination and at least one of the specialty examinations. Examinations may be taken at the same time and place or at different times. Work shall be limited to the specialty in which proficiency has been demonstrated by written examination. Well plugging contractors must take and pass the well plugging examination only.

(3)Examination application. A person wishing to take the examination required to become a certified well contractor shall complete the Well Contractor Certification Examination Application, Form 43970. A listing of dates and locations of examinations is available from the department upon request. The application form requires the applicant to indicate educational background, training and past experience in providing well services. The completed application and the application fee shall be sent to the director and addressed to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Well Contractor Certification, 401 SW 7th Street, Suite M, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Application for examination must be received by the department at least 60 days prior to the date of the examination.

The department may allow local county environmental health officials to take the written examination, even though they do not meet the work experience or training requirements, provided they pay the examination fee. If the officials receive a passing score on the examination, they will receive a letter of acknowledgement; however, they will not be certified and will not be allowed to perform any well services.

(4)Application evaluation. The director may designate department personnel and the experience review committee to evaluate all applications for examination.

(5)Application expiration. A properly completed application for the examinations will be valid for one year from the date the application is approved by the department. All required examinations must be completed within one year of application.

(6)Refund of examination application fee. The department may refund a portion of the examination application or reexamination application fee for an applicant who does not qualify for examination within one year of making the application. If the applicant will qualify for a scheduled examination within one year, the applicant will be notified when the examination may be taken and the fee will not be refunded.

(7)Reexamination. Upon failure of the first examination, the applicant may be reexamined at the next scheduled examination. Upon failure of the second examination, the applicant shall be required to wait a period of 180 days between each subsequent reexamination.

(8)Reexamination fee. Upon each reexamination while a valid application is on file, the applicant shall submit to the department the examination fee at least ten days prior to the date of examination.

(9)Application invalidation. Failure to successfully complete the necessary examinations within one year from the date of approval of the application shall invalidate the application.

(10)Retention of completed examinations. Completed examinations shall be retained by the director for a period of one year, after which they may be destroyed.

(11)Oral examination. Upon written request by an applicant for well contractor certification, the director will consider the administration of an oral examination on an individual basis when: the applicant has failed the written examination at least twice; the applicant has shown difficulty in reading or understanding written questions but may be able to respond to oral questioning; the applicant is capable of communicating in writing with regard to departmental requirements and inquiries; and the director has received a written recommendation for an oral examination from a department staff member attesting to the operational and performance capabilities of the applicant. The director shall designate department personnel to administer the appropriate examinations as defined in 82.8(1).

(12)Reasonable accommodation. Upon request for certification by an applicant, the director will consider on an individual basis reasonable accommodation to allow administration of the examinations without discrimination on the basis of disability. The applicant shall request the accommodation 30 days prior to the date of the examination. The applicant must provide documentation of eligibility for the accommodation. Documentation shall be submitted with the completed examination application. Accommodations based on documentation may include site accessibility, oral examination, extended time, separate testing area, or other concerns. If a reasonable accommodation is considered to be an oral examination, the oral examination fee shall apply.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 567-82.8