Rule 770-8-.01 - Continuing Education(1) All persons seeking renewal of licenses or certificates are required to complete at least four (4) hours of continuing education annually. (a) In order to receive a license or certificate renewal, each driller or pump contractor shall provide evidence to the Council that the requisite hours of approved continuing education courses or programs have been received.(b) In order to be acceptable for license or certificate renewal, continuing education courses or programs shall have been received by the licensee during the period two (2) years prior to license renewal date.(2) Only courses or programs designated or approved by the Council shall be acceptable for license or certificate renewal. (a) The Council may provide courses or designate those courses offered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, institutions of higher learning, vocational-technical schools, and trade, technical, or professional organizations which are relevant. Continuing education courses or programs related to water well construction or standards conducted by public utilities, equipment manufacturers, or institutions under the State Board of Technical and Adult Education shall constitute acceptable continuing professional education programs for the purposes of this subsection.(b) Persons teaching courses or programs offered by entities, other than those in 770-8-0.1(2) (a), shall be approved by the Council if they provide written evidence of satisfactory qualification to the Council. Qualifications shall be based on: 1. Professional certification or licensure to practice in the field(s) or profession(s) covered by the course(s) taught; or2. Significant education, training and experience in the field(s) or profession(s) covered by the course(s) taught; or3. A combination of 1. and 2. above.(c) Approval of a course(s) or program(s) shall be issued by the Council before the course or program is offered, based on a written request of the entity offering the course(s) or program(s). The request shall provide a detailed narrative describing the course(s) or program(s) to be offered and the qualifications of the instructor(s).(d) Approval of a course shall be valid for a period of one year and shall be automatically renewed from year to year unless the Council issues notice of the expiration of the approval for such course at least 30 days prior to the end of the last period for which the course is approved. In such event, approval of the course shall expire or terminate at the end of the then-current period of approval.(e) Qualifying continuing education courses or programs shall be in the areas of industry best practice, safety, environmental protection, ground-water geology, technological advances, business management, or government regulation.(f) Courses or programs conducted by manufacturers specifically to promote their products shall not be approved.(g) Continuing education courses shall be designed for water well contractors and pump contractors having variable educational backgrounds.(3) Upon application by the licensee or certificant, the Council may waive the continuing education requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances as the Council deems appropriate.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 770-8-.01
O.C.G.A. § 12-5-120 et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Suspension and Revocation" was filed on July 13, 1978; effective August 2, 1978.Amended: Rule repealed. Filed March 19, 1987; effective April 8, 1987.Amended: New Rule entitled "Continuing Education" adopted. F. Jun. 3, 1998; eff. Jun. 23, 1998.Amended: F. Jan. 25, 2024; eff. Feb. 14, 2024.