Section 216-RICR-50-05-5.9 - CertificationA. Full Certification for Grades VSS - 4 by Examination An applicant seeking Full Certification for Grades VSS through 4 by examination must meet all the minimum qualifications outlined in § 5.7 of this Part for the certification type and grade for which he/she is seeking before he/she will be allowed to take the examination. If the applicant passes the examination to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board shall grant the applicant Full Certification which will be in effect for three (3) years from issuance and may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part.
B. Full Certification by Reciprocity 1. Full certificates may be issued, upon application, without examination, in a comparable classification to any individual who holds a certificate issued by any state, territory or possession of the United States, any country, if in the judgment of the Board, the requirements for certification of operators under which such certification was issued are equivalent to the requirements of this Part. a. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a State of Emergency declared by the governor pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-15-9, the Board shall delegate to the Director the duty to determine whether the requirements of another state, territory, or possession of the United States for certification of operators is equivalent to the requirements of this Part.2. At the time of application, applicants must be in good standing with the state in which the original certificate was issued, including having completed the continuing educational requirements on a pro-rated basis.3. A certificate issued under the provisions of § 5.9(B) of this Part is valid at any water system of that grade or classification as specified by the Board.4. Certificates issued under § 5.9(B) of this Part shall remain in effect for a period of three (3) years at which time they may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part.C. Full Certification by Grandfathering1. Grandfathered certificates shall become null and void upon the classification of the water system changing or the termination of the operator's employment.2. Certificates granted under § 5.8(C) of this Part will be in effect for three (3) years from issuance and may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part.3. Certificates granted under § 5.8(C) of this Part shall be issued to a particular individual for a particular water system.D. Prior Certification Operator certification for operators of drinking water treatment facilities acquired by examination in the State of Rhode Island prior to January 1, 1996 shall remain in effect. Such certificates shall remain in effect for two (2) years from the date that these Rules and Regulations are adopted and may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part. Upon renewal, certificates will remain in effect for a period of three (3) years and may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part.
E. Provisional Certification 1. If a water system does not have a certified operator as specified in §§ 5.5 and 5.6 of this Part and if the Board determines that this is due to reasons beyond the water systems' control, the Board may grant a provisional operator status to an operator. The water system must submit a request in writing, which indicates the reasons for not having a qualified operator together with an application and supporting education/experience credentials of the proposed applicant.2. Provisional certification shall be issued to a particular individual for a particular water system.3. Provisional certification issued pursuant to § 5.9(E)(1) of this Part shall be in effect for a period of no longer than one (1) year during which time the water system must be actively looking for a certified operator.4. In the event of a State of Emergency declared by the governor pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-15-9, the Board may grant a six (6) month provisional certification to those operators who have retired within the previous five (5) years. The six (6) month provisional certification shall be at the same grade that the operator held at the time of retirement.F. Operator-in-Training Certification 1. An applicant seeking certification as an Operator-in-Training must meet all of the minimum qualifications outlined in § 5.8 of this Part except for the full-time employment and/or full time experience requirements for the certification type and grade for which he/she is seeking before he/she will be allowed to take the examination. If the applicant passes the examination to the satisfaction of the Board, the Board shall issue the applicant a certification as an Operator-in-Training. Upon satisfactory completion of the required full-time employment and/or full-time experience for the certification type and grade for which the operator in training is certified, and upon application to the Board, Full Certification shall be granted.2. Operator-in-training certificates will only be issued for Grades VSS through 3 treatment and transmission/distribution.3. Certificates issued under § 5.9(F) of this Part will be in effect for two (2) years from issuance and may be renewed in accordance with § 5.12 of this Part.216 R.I. Code R. 216-RICR-50-05-5.9
Amended effective 10/7/2020