Section 124-9-008 - Certificate by Examination008.01 To obtain a certificate by examination in any category, an applicant must pass an examination administered by the Department.008.02 All certificates by examination expire December 31 of every odd-numbered year unless renewed in accordance with this Chapter.008.03 Application for Certificate by Examination. An applicant for certification by examination is to submit the following to the Department: a certificate application fee and an examination fee in accordance with Appendix A and a complete application on a form provided by the Department008.03A The Director may waive certification and examination fees pursuant to Neb. Rev. Sta. § 81-15,248(4). 008.03A.1 The application for certification or for certificate renewal for which the fee waiver is requested will include verification of employment as an inspector of onsite wastewater treatment systems by a local governmental agency or subdivision.008.03A.2 The Department may request additional information as needed to verify employment or to determine that the local inspection program is at least as stringent as the requirements in this Title.008.03A.3 An Inspector who is granted this fee waiver will be limited to inspecting as a government employee within the jurisdiction and under the authority of that local governmental agency or subdivision.008.03B All applications received less than five days prior to a scheduled examination date may be held for the next scheduled examination date.008.03C An individual seeking certification by examination in multiple categories of certification may submit a single application for certification by examination with one application fee for one or more categories, but must submit the examination fee for each examination to be taken. A separate examination is required for each category sought. Where application is made for multiple categories and certification application fees for the categories are different, the applicant will submit the highest fee.008.03D An applicant who fails an examination will be permitted to be reexamined at a subsequent examination. An applicant who desires to be reexamined will submit an application for certification by examination as identified in 008.03 above and the examination fee in accordance with the fee schedule (Appendix A). The certificate application fee is not required for reexamination within two years of initial application as noted below. An applicant who fails three examinations in succession will obtain a minimum of six hours of approved continuing education prior to re-examination. Failure to pass the examination within two years of the date the initial application for certification by examination was received will result in the rejection of the application. An individual whose application has been so rejected who desires certification will submit a new application for certification by examination and the applicable examination and application fees.008.03E Adding Categories to Current Certificates008.03E.1 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Master Installer, Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator category may apply for addition of other categories to the certificate by submitting an application for certification by examination as identified in 008.03 above and the examination fee for each additional category and passing the appropriate exam.008.03E.2 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may apply to add the Journeyman Pumper category, and a certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may apply to add the Journeyman Installer category to the certificate by submitting an application for certification by examination and the examination fee for the additional category and passing the appropriate exam.008.03E.3 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may apply for certification in the category of Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator by submitting a new application for certification by examination and the examination fee for each additional category, and submit the difference in certificate fees between the Journeyman Installer certificate fee and the Master Pumper, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator certificate fee and passing the appropriate exam.008.03E.4 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may apply for certification in the category of Master Installer, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator by submitting a new application for certification by examination and the examination fee for each additional category, and submit the difference in certificate fees between the Journeyman Pumper certificate fee and the Master Installer, Inspector, or Soil Evaluator certificate fee and passing the appropriate exam.008.03E.5 A certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Installer category may upgrade to a Master Installer category, and a certified professional holding a valid certificate by examination in the Journeyman Pumper category may upgrade to a Master Pumper category, by submitting a completed application for certification by examination and the difference in certificate fees between the two certificates.008.04 Renewal of Certificates. To renew a valid certificate, the certified professional will submit to the Department a certificate renewal fee in accordance with the fee schedule (Appendix A) and a complete application for renewal, including the certified professional's record of continuing education, on a form provided by the Department. 008.04A If the Department does not receive the application for renewal, which includes the renewal fee and record of continuing education, prior to the expiration date of the certificate, the certificate will expire.008.04B The certificate of any certified professional who fails to comply with the continuing education requirements of this Chapter will expire on the expiration date of the certificate.008.04C Late Renewal of Expired Certificate008.04C.1 A person may late renew their expired certificate within 60 days after the certificate has expired by submitting to the Department a properly completed application for onsite certificate renewal, record of continuing education, the certificate renewal fee (Appendix A), and a $50 late renewal penalty.008.04C.2 The late renewal application (which includes the record of continuing education, certificate renewal fee, and late penalty) must be received by the Department no later than 60 days after the certificate has expired.008.04C.3 Once the 60 day late renewal period has expired, in order to obtain certification the individual is to submit an application for certification by examination, including the application fee along with the examination fee for each category, and pass the examination for each category desired.008.04D The Department will not renew a certificate or issue a new certificate to an individual whose certificate has been revoked until at least one year has passed since the date of revocation.005.04E If insufficient PDH are obtained prior to renewal, the person may renew by examination. To renew by examination the person will submit: certification examination fee, certificate of renewal fee, and a completed application form. In addition, the person must pass the appropriate exam administered by the Department.008.05 Examination Development and Administration 008.05A Examinations for certification will be developed and administered by the Department.008.05B Examinations for certification will be designed to test the general knowledge of the applicants regarding onsite wastewater construction standards, soils and geology of the state, rules and regulations of this Title, and any other knowledge the Department deems essential to the successful practice of the profession for which certification is requested.008.05C The examinations will be by open book testing. The Department will make available to each examinee at the test site a copy of this Title and other documents which cover the subject matter tested in the exam. Any materials brought by examinees to the examination site for use in completing the examination may be subject to inspection by examination proctors and subject to confiscation or exclusion from the examination area for the duration of the exam without advance notice to examinees. 008.05D The Department may provide for special arrangements in administering the examinations to accommodate special circumstances without compromising the examination purposes or integrity. Such special circumstances may include but not be limited to reading difficulties, physical skills limitations or absence from the state during regular examination dates. Accommodations may include special proctors or readers, oral examination, dictation of answers or use of non-resident proctors.008.05E Applicants must show photographic identification at the examination site to be admitted for examination.008.05F All applicants will be notified in writing regarding examination results. Results will be reported as either pass or fail.008.05G Applicants who pass an examination in any category will be issued a certificate in that category. A passing grade of 80 percent will be required for certification in any category.124 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 9, § 008
Amended effective 6/27/2022