The Department may grant exemptions from the qualification standards established by these rules. Local Health Officers may apply to the Maine CDC for exemptions from these standards. An exemption may be granted in the event the Department determines that an individual presents with either the education, training and experience of a local health officer or other similar position, or with familiarity with the responsibilities of local health officers, which is the functional equivalency of the qualification standards established by these rules.
10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 294, § 7