Current through December 26, 2024
Section 250-RICR-150-10-6.11 - Obtaining a Class I, II, III or IV LicenseA. Class I, II, or IV License1. Examination - Any individual seeking a Class I, II, or IV license under these Rules will be required to pass the appropriate examination administered or sanctioned by the Department. An examination shall be given for each class at least once per year. Each applicant for an examination shall submit a completed application to the Director, which shall include the non-refundable examination and new license application fee. In the event that an individual fails an examination given pursuant to these Rules, the individual shall pay the examination and new license fee for each subsequent time an examination is taken.2. Minimum Qualifications - In order to qualify for an examination, the applicant must demonstrate to the Department with appropriate documentation that the minimum qualifications below are met for the respective examination:a. Class I - A valid Installer's License authorizing the installation of OWTSs pursuant to § 6.14 of this Part, or registration as a Professional Land Surveyor with the Rhode Island State Board of Registration for Professional Land Surveyors.b. Class II - Registration as a Professional Land Surveyor with the Rhode Island State Board of Registration for Professional Land Surveyors.c. Class IV (1) The minimum qualifications for the Class IV exam shall be satisfied by meeting any one (1) of the following: (AA) Registration as a professional soil scientist by the Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England or the American Registry of Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops and Soils;(BB) Four (4) years professional experience in soil studies for OWTS design in Rhode Island or in soil classification, mapping, interpretation or a combination thereof; and successful completion of nine (9) semester hours in soil science from an accredited college or university; or(CC) Two (2) years professional experience in soil studies for OWTS design in Rhode Island or in soil classification, mapping, interpretation or a combination thereof; and a bachelor's degree or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in soil science, geology, engineering or similar discipline with successful completion of nine (9) semester hours in soil science.(2) The Director reserves the right to determine which courses are acceptable in meeting the requirement for nine (9) semester hours in soil science in §§ 6.11(A)(2)(c)(1)(b) and (c) of this Part above. The Director may determine that certain courses or training other than those from an accredited college or university are an equivalent and acceptable alternative to all or part of the requirement in §§ 6.11(A)(2)(c)(1)(b) and (c) of this Part above for nine (9) semester hours in soil science.3. Examination Descriptions a. The examination for a Class I Designer's License shall be a written examination that, at minimum, addresses the following:(1) Principles of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal;(2) Understanding of the applicable State rules;(3) Analysis of OWTS failures; and(4) Design and construction of OWTS repairs, with consideration given to soil types and related constraints. b. The examination for a Class II Designer's License shall, at minimum, address the following: (1) Principles of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal;(2) Analysis of OWTS failures;(3) Design and construction of OWTS repairs, with consideration given to soil types and related constraints;(4) Advanced principles of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal;(5) Understanding of the applicable State rules; and(6) Design and construction of new OWTSs, including constraints to design imposed by soils.c. The examination for a Class IV License shall have a written and field component, each of which shall be graded separately. The written and field examinations for Class IV do not have to be passed concurrently. However, if more than three (3) years elapse after the applicant passes one (1) of the components of the examination, the applicant must retake that portion of the examination originally passed more than three (3) years earlier. The Class IV License examination shall at minimum address the following: (1) Principles of onsite wastewater treatment and dispersal;(2) Understanding of the applicable State rules;(3) Geology and soils of Rhode Island;(4) Soil textural analysis and profile descriptions;(5) Estimating mean seasonal high groundwater elevations using soil morphology; and(6) Soil moisture and drainage characteristics of soils.4. Examination Application Submission - Completed applications for examinations, fees and evidence that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications specified in § 6.11(A)(2) of this Part shall be received by the DEM at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the applicable examination. Within thirty (30) days of receipt of an application for an examination, the applicant shall be notified as to whether the minimum qualifications in § 6.11(A)(2) of this Part have been met, if more information is needed, or if the applicant is eligible for the examination. If the applicant is determined ineligible, the Department shall provide the applicant with reasons for the determination. The applicant may appeal the Director's decision of ineligibility with the Administrative Adjudication Division.5. Examination Results - The Department shall notify the applicant of examination results no later than sixty (60) days after the examination date. Minimum passing score for an examination shall be a seventy percent (70%) correct response for all questions comprising the examination. For those applicants that pass the examination, the notification will include a license application form.B. Class III License 1. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-56.1-4(b), Professional Engineers who have met all the educational requirements and have been registered and authorized to practice engineering in the state of Rhode Island by the state board of registration for professional engineers shall be deemed to have met all the minimum qualifications, experience, and educational requirements for a Class III designers license and shall not be required to pass a written examination as a requirement for the granting of their designer's license.2. A Class III designers license shall be issued provided that: a. The applicant submits a completed application form;b. The applicant pays the application fee; andc. The applicant certifies that the professional license required as a minimum qualification in § 6.11(B)(1) of this Part is valid.C. The license shall be issued to natural persons only and is not transferable or assignable.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-150-10-6.11
Amended effective 11/25/2018
Amended effective 12/28/2021
Amended effective 7/1/2022