Licensure required. Licensure is required for all individuals acting as waste management facility operators after June 30, 1995 License classification. A. The applicant shall apply for at least one classification of license as outlined below: 1. An individual operating a facility that is defined by the Department of Environmental Quality as a transfer station, a material recovery facility receiving mixed waste, an experimental facility, or a composting facility receiving yard waste shall hold a Class I license. An individual who has obtained a Class II, III or IV license may also operate a facility listed under Class I, if the individual has completed the board-approved basic training course. 2. An individual operating a facility that composts municipal solid waste, or is defined by the Department of Environmental Quality as a sanitary, industrial, construction or debris landfill, shall hold a Class II license. 3. An individual operating a facility defined by the Department of Environmental Quality as an infectious waste incinerator or an autoclave shall hold a Class III license. 4. An individual operating a facility defined by the Department of Environmental Quality as a municipal waste combustor shall hold a Class IV license. B. A licensee may not operate a facility outside of his classification other than that defined by subdivision A 1 of this section. C. An individual operating a solid waste management facility that has been issued a permit by the Department of Environmental Quality but for which the board has not established training and licensure requirements shall hold a Class I license until the board establishes the training and licensing requirements by regulation. Qualifications for licensure. A. The board shall issue a license only after an individual has met, through a completed application and addendum, all training, testing, and experience requirements for at least one specific class as set forth in this chapter. B. The applicant shall meet the following requirements for licensure for all classes of licenses: 1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years of age. 2. The applicant shall provide proof of high school or college graduation, or of having a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). 3. An applicant who cannot fulfill the requirement outlined in subdivision 2 of this subsection shall document at least five years of verified experience with a waste management facility during the preceding seven years, with at least three years of experience in at least one of the following activities: a. Supervision; b. Research; c. Construction; d. Project development; e. Site development; f. Compliance and enforcement of a permit or regulations; g. Operation; or h. Review of materials for permitting purposes. 4. Except for applicants that qualify pursuant to subdivision 3 of this subsection, each applicant shall document one year of verified operational experience with a waste management facility. 5. All applicants shall successfully complete the basic training course as defined in 18VAC155-20-220 B. 6. An applicant may use employment responsibilities in lieu of facility specific training as defined in subsections D through F of this section provided that: a. The applicant has been a full-time employee at a waste facility specific to the desired license classification for at least three of the past seven years. b. The employment responsibilities include at least one of those activities enumerated in subdivision 3 of this subsection. 7. Experience requirements claimed on the application for licensure shall be verified by the individual's supervisor(s) or personnel officer. Individuals who are under contract with a facility owner may obtain a letter from the facility owner to verify experience. 8. Education requirements claimed on the application for licensure shall be verified by the attendee's educational institution or authorizing jurisdiction on the provided form or in the form of an official transcript or letter. Diplomas will not be accepted for verification of degree or graduation. 9. The applicant holding a valid license from another state or jurisdiction may qualify by reciprocity under the provisions of 18VAC155-20-150. C. The specific requirements for Class I licensure are as follows: 1. Complete a board-approved basic training course; and 2. Pass the board-approved examination for Class I. D. The specific requirements for Class II licensure are as follows: 1. Complete a board-approved basic training course and an approved training course specific to Class II facilities; and 2. Pass the board-approved examination for Class II. E. The specific requirements for Class III licensure are as follows: 1. Complete a board-approved basic training course and an approved training course specific to Class III facilities and pass the board-approved examination for Class III; or 2. Complete the training and examination requirement of a federal or state agency under the federal Clean Air Act, as amended, as of the date applicable to an interpretation of a regulation or adjudication of a case decision and complete the board-approved basic training course within one year after licensure. F. The specific requirements for Class IV licensure are as follows: 1. Complete a board-approved basic training course and an approved training course specific to Class IV facilities and pass the board-approved examination for Class IV; or 2. Complete the training and examination requirement of a federal or state agency under the federal Clean Air Act, as amended, as of the date applicable to an interpretation of a regulation or adjudication of a case decision and complete the board-approved basic training course within one year after licensure. Application procedures. A. Application shall be made on forms supplied by the department, and application forms shall be completed in accordance with the instructions on the forms. Failure to provide a complete application and all applicable addenda may result in a denial of approval. The failure to provide complete information may be interpreted as misrepresentation and may result in disciplinary action as defined by 18VAC155-20-280. B. Those already licensed who desire to add another classification or classifications to their license shall apply under the provisions of 18VAC155-20-110. Examinations. A. Initial examination. 1. An individual may not take the board-approved examination until all training requirements have been completed and are verified to the board unless qualifying under 18VAC155-20-120 B 6. 2. All applicants approved for the examination by the board will be notified in writing with a request for the examination fee defined in 18VAC155-20-40 B 5. The applicant will be scheduled for the next available examination upon receipt of the examination fee. 3. The examination fee will be required at least 30 days before the scheduled date of the examination. 4. All applicants shall achieve a passing score on the examination as determined by the board. 5. An individual unable to take an examination at the time scheduled shall notify the board prior to the date of the examination; such an individual shall be rescheduled for the next examination. Failure to notify the board may require the submittal of a new examination fee. Reciprocity. A. Any individual holding a valid license in another state may apply for licensure based on reciprocity. B. The board will certify an individual who submits a completed application and the initial application fee and is in compliance with 18VAC155-20-280. C. All applicants licensed through reciprocity shall complete the basic training course within one year after being licensed in Virginia. D. If the licensee fails to complete the basic course and fails to properly notify the board of such failure within one year after licensure, the board may begin disciplinary action to suspend or revoke the license.
