Section 250-RICR-150-10-5.6 - Operator Qualifications and Classifications for Wastewater Treatment FacilitiesA. Approved applicants shall be examined by the Board as to education, experience, and knowledge as related to the classification of plants. Applicants must pass the required written examination.B. In evaluating qualifications of applicants, the Board will be guided by the following:1. Experience. Applicable experience will be considered only for those duties performed at a Wastewater Treatment Facility, as defined. Applicants must provide all relevant information related to experience and current duties at Wastewater Treatment Facilities on forms or applications provided by the Board and/or Wastewater Treatment Facility, and/or another state or commonwealth certification authority and attested to by the applicant and the applicant's supervisor(s). The Board will use this information to assess levels of experience. Further evaluation may also be based on the collection of other data, such as, but not limited to, reports and inspections of the Department of Environmental Management, or other agencies having appropriate responsibilities for regulating Wastewater Treatment Facilities or Operators. a. Any past or current employment in which Operator duties were or are performed at less than thirty-five (35) hours per week will require additional time-in-employment other than that listed in § 5.6(C) of this Part to meet experiential qualifications for licensure. Any additional time will be determined at the Board's discretion.b. Any Grade 1 or 2 Licensee whose experience has been based exclusively on functions that were not that of an Operator, such as but not limited to maintenance or laboratory/plant sampling activities, cannot use said experience to attain a position in Direct Responsible Charge.2. Education. Applicable education per the requirements of § 5.6(C) of this Part must be from accredited institutions as determined by the Board. Applicants will be randomly selected and audited for proof of claims of education on any application. Such an audit will require the applicant to provide copies of documents such as diplomas, GEDs, etc.3. Where applicable, education may be substituted for a portion of experience requirements as specified below: a. Ten (10) college-level courses in physical or biological science, math, or engineering may be considered as equivalent to a maximum of six (6) months of experience as an Operator but shall not include experience equivalency in any position of Direct Responsible Charge.b. Ten (10) college-level courses in business management or human resources may be considered as equivalent to a maximum of six (6) months of experience in Direct Responsible Charge but shall not include experience equivalency in any position of as an Operator.c. Education applied to the experience requirement cannot also be applied to the education requirement.4. Substitutions for formal education may be made at the Board's discretion as follows: a. Satisfactory completion of applicable courses of study approved by the Board may be considered as equivalent to passing the Grade 1 Operator Exam should the successful completion of the course occur within two (2) years of employment at a Rhode Island Wastewater Treatment Facility.b. An acceptable high school equivalency certificate may be used to substitute for a high school diploma.C. Four (4) grades of Licensees are hereby established. All candidates for licensure must at a minimum hold a high school diploma, or have attained a GED, and meet the following grade-specific requirements:1. Grade 1 - All applicants for this grade must submit satisfactory evidence of the completion of one (1) year employment in good standing at a Wastewater Treatment Facility and: a. A passing score on the Grade 1 examination offered by the Board; or,b. Successful completion of a Board-approved training course within five (5) years prior to application.2. Grade 2 - All applicants for this grade must pass a Grade 2 examination and must submit satisfactory evidence of one (1) year of experience in operations at a Wastewater Treatment Facility and a passing score on the Grade 2 exam offered by the Board. An applicant does not need to possess a full Grade 1 or a Grade 1 OIT to apply for the Grade 2 exam.3. Grade 3 - All applicants for a Grade 3 License must pass a Grade 3 examination. Qualifications to sit for the Grade 3 exam include the possession of a full Grade 2 License and the submission of satisfactory evidence of either:a. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in science, engineering, or related fields and two (2) years of employment In Good Standing in Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 2 or higher; or,b. Successful completion of a two (2) year college curriculum, with the equivalent of one (1) full year consisting of courses with a passing score in science, engineering, or related fields; and four (4) years of employment as an Operator In Good Standing, two (2) of which are to be in Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 2 or higher; or,c. Possession of five (5) years of employment as an Operator In Good Standing, of which three (3) are in Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 2 or higher.4. Grade 4 - All applicants for a Grade 4 License must pass a Grade 4 examination. Qualifications to sit for the Grade 4 exam include the possession of a full Grade 3 License and the submission of satisfactory evidence of either:a. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in science, engineering, or related fields and three (3) years of employment In Good Standing in Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 3; or,b. Successful completion of at least two (2) years of college, the equivalent of one (1) full year consisting of courses with a passing score in science, engineering, or related fields; and five (5) years of employment as an Operator In Good Standing, three (3) of which are Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 3; or,c. Possession of six (6) years of employment as an Operator In Good Standing, of which three (3) are in Direct Responsible Charge at a Wastewater Treatment Facility of Grade 3 or higher.D. Any individual employed Full Time as either a Maintenance Technician or a Laboratory Technician, while not required to become certified, may be allowed to become certified with the following provisions: 1. Maintenance Technicians and Laboratory Technicians may be allowed to become certified up to Grade 2 only unless they meet the requirements of § 5.10(G) of this Part.2. Any individual's experience while employed as a Maintenance Technician or Laboratory Technician cannot be considered for the operations experience requirements of the Grade 3 or Grade 4 License.3. Any Grade 1 or 2 License that has been obtained exclusively through experience in laboratory/plant sampling activities will not be eligible to meet the licensure requirements for any subsequent operations position in Direct Responsible Charge.E. The following positions are required to be certified as follows: Position | Minimum Grade |
Superintendent | Grade of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. |
Assistant Superintendent | Grade of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. |
Operations Supervisor | One grade less than the Wastewater Treatment Facility, or Grade 2, whichever is higher. |
Shift Supervisor | Grade 2. |
All Operators not otherwise specified shall be required to have at least a Grade 1 Certificate.
250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-150-10-5.6
Amended effective 10/28/2021