Section 481-3-4 - ApprenticeshipA.Basic Requirements. An applicant for certification as an underground oil storage tank installer must meet the following apprenticeship requirements before being certified. Apprenticeship is initiated only after the applicant successfully completed requirements of sections 2 and 3 of this chapter.B.Detailed Requirements. No more than three years after passing the initial examination, an apprentice must accumulate a total of 1,000 experience points based on projects in Maine where he or she substantially assists a Maine certified installer. Points are accumulated for both mandatory and elective projects. (1)Mandatory Projects. An apprentice must assist on the following projects, and will be granted experience points on the following schedule: (a) Installation of an UST motor fuel facility with pressurized piping, secondary containment, and continuous interstitial monitoring for both tanks and piping - 300 points. At least one installation is required, but additional installations will be credited towards the apprentice's point total; and(b) Removal of one or more gasoline tanks at a motor fuel facility - 100 points. One removal is required, and points will be earned for only one project.(2)Elective Projects. An apprentice may accumulate points for substantially assisting on the following projects, with no limit on the number of similar projects credited: (a) Installation of an UST motor fuel facility with secondary containment and continuous interstitial monitoring for the tank and suction piping in conformance with 06-096 CMR c. 691 Section 5. B(2)(d) and Appendix E, para. 9 - 150 points;(b) Installation of a heating oil facility for the on-site consumption of number 2 oil, including secondary containment and continuous interstitial monitoring for tanks and piping - 150 points;(c) Underground piping upgrade at underground or above-ground tank facility - 100 points;(d) Installation of a heavy oil underground storage facility with secondary containment and continuous interstitial space monitoring for tanks and piping as well as heating capability for the oil - 200 points;(e) Prior certification as an underground storage tank inspector pursuant to 06-481 CMR Chapter 6 - 100 points; and(f) Retrofit of galvanic cathodic protection - 50 points.C.Documentation Required. In order to meet apprenticeship requirements specified in subsection A of this section, the apprentice must file a notarized statement that is certified by the installer responsible for each installation or removal for which the apprentice wishes to document their participation, along with a copy of the registration form for the installation filed with the Department pursuant to 06-096 CMR Chapter 691 Section 4 or the notice of intent for abandonment filed pursuant to 06-096 CMR Section 11. E. The installer responsible for each installation or removal must certify the following: (1) The dates of the installation or removal;(2) The nature of the apprentice's involvement; and(3) The registration number assigned by the Department. Such certification must be filed within forty-five (45) days of completion of the installation or removal.
D.Fees. The fee assessed pursuant to section 2 of this chapter includes in part, one year's registration as an apprentice. An applicant may re-register annually for subsequent years as an apprentice for a charge of $150.00, due prior to the expiration of his or her registration as an apprentice. The applicant can be re-registered as an apprentice for up to thirty (30) days after expiration of his or her apprenticeship upon payment of an additional ten dollar ($10) late fee.E.Variance. An applicant may apply to the Board for a variance of the apprenticeship requirements as set forth in sections 4A to 4 C. An applicant may also apply for a variance from a portion of these requirements.The Board shall issue such a variance provided the Board finds the applicant has demonstrated training and experience comparable to completion of an apprenticeship by meeting the requirements below:(1) The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates the training and experience required by: (a) Successful completion of the initial examination as required in section 3 of this rule prior to undertaking installations and removals to be included in the variance application;(b) Demonstrating ethical practice in accordance with the requirements of section 2.C of this rule;(c) Submitting satisfactory evidence demonstrating that the applicant proficiently performed or substantially assisted on at least as many installations and removals as required by subsection B of this section. These installations and removals shall be completed outside Maine within 3 years of passing the initial examination and in a jurisdiction where technical standards for underground oil storage facility regulations are at least as stringent as 06-096 CMR Chapter 691. The applicant must file a notarized statement that is certified by the installer responsible for each installation or removal for which the applicant wishes to document their participation;(d) Submitting the installation and removal requirements of the underground storage facility regulations in the state in which the work was performed; and(e) Providing the Board with current copies of equipment manufactures'' training certifications for the installation of tanks, piping, sumps, leak detection systems, and overfill prevention equipment.(2) The applicant has remitted a nonrefundable fee of $200 for processing the variance request.(3) The Board will provide the applicant with the opportunity to appear before the Board to demonstrate training and experience comparable to the completion of an apprenticeship.