Section 096-531-10 - Continuing EducationA. An operator must complete continuing education during each two-year certification period before the operator's certification may be renewed for the next two-year period. 1) Biological Grades 1-5, P/C-1, P/C-2, and SITS-2 operators must complete at least eighteen TCHs of Department-approved continuing education. No more than a total of six TCHs of safety training or management training may be applied towards this requirement.2) SITS-1 operators must complete at least six TCHs of Department-approved continuing education. Safety training and/or management training TCHs may not be applied towards this requirement.B. Continuing education must satisfy the following criteria in order to be approved by the Department for TCHs:1) The training must be relevant to the operation, management, or supervision of a wastewater treatment plant, collection system, or laboratory, or2) The training must be relevant to the safety of plant personnel operating a wastewater treatment plant, collection system, or laboratory.C. An operator can only use TCHs for the renewal period in which the hours were received, except when an operator is completing missing training from a previous renewal period. Excess TCHs cannot be carried over from one renewal period to the next period.D. The Department may require an operator to attend additional specified wastewater laboratory or operations training if the Department determines that the operator has exhibited deficiency in any aspect of the operation and maintenance of their plant that could negatively affect water quality.06-096 C.M.R. ch. 531, § 10