225 ILCS 705/8.09
A first class certificate of competency shall be issued to any person under this Article who can produce satisfactory evidence to the Mining Board of having had not less than 1 year experience as a worker on coal producing sections of a coal mine and having had an opportunity during that year of observing and helping to perform all the work required in that section and also to learn the fundamentals of roof control, testing of top, and testing for gas, which could be accomplished by the cooperation of management and workers, and that he has completed a course in first aid for the injured.
A first class certificate of competency shall also be issued to any person under this Article who can produce satisfactory evidence to the Mining Board of having been employed as a worker or a trainee in an underground coal mine for a period not less than 6 months and having had an opportunity during that 6 months of observing and helping to perform work required on a coal producing section and also to learn the fundamentals of ventilation, roof control, testing of rib and roof, and testing for gas, and that he has completed a course in first aid for the injured, and possesses a two-year Associate in Applied Science Degree in Coal Mining Technology or a degree in Engineering from an approved school or college, or university.
225 ILCS 705/8.09