S.C. Code Regs. § § 51-3

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 51-3 - Levels of Licensure, Requirements for Each Level, Operator-in-Charge Requirements for Facilities

A. The board shall certify qualified applicants in accordance with the levels of licensure defined in this article. In each case, the applicant must meet at least the minimum experience requirements set for the level of licensure being sought. Further, each applicant must comply with the examination requirements, as established in 51-2, relevant to the level of licensure desired except as provided in 51-8.

B. An applicant's education, both degree-related and non-degree-related, may be considered by the board in determining whether the applicant meets the experience requirements for licensure. However, no applicant shall receive a graded certificate without having completed at least one (1) year of actual operating experience. This applies for "C", "B" and "A" level licensure only.

C. There will be no additional application fee for an operator to progress from a lower license to a higher one. However, an examination fee will be charged for each examination taken by an applicant.

D. Licensees and applicants are responsible for notifying the board within fifteen (15) days, whenever they change employers and their position requires a certification which they do not currently possess.

E. The levels of licensure for water treatment plant and water distribution operators, and the requirements for each level, are defined in Section 40-23-300, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976 as amended.

F. The levels of licensure for physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operators, and the requirements for each level, are defined as:

1. To be licensed by the board as a "Trainee" physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. submit an application on forms approved by the board and the prescribed fee.

2. To be licensed by the board as "D" physical/chemical wastewater treatment operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "Trainee" License;

b. have a high school diploma or the equivalent;

c. pass an examination approved by the board;

d. have completed at least one (1) year of actual operating experience at a physical/chemical wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

e. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

3. To be licensed by the board as a "C" physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "D" License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least two (2) years of actual operating experience at a physical /chemical wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

4. To be licensed by the board as a "B" physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "C" License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least three (3) years of actual operating experience at a physical/chemical wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

5. To be licensed by the board as an "A" physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "B" License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least four (4) years of actual operating experience at a physical/chemical wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

G. The levels of licensure for biological wastewater treatment plant operators, and the requirements for each level, are defined as:

1. To be licensed by the board as a "Trainee" biological wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. submit an application on forms approved by the board and the prescribed fee.

2. To be licensed by the board as a "D" biological wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "Trainee" License;

b. have a high school diploma or the equivalent;

c. pass an examination approved by the board;

d. have completed at least one (1) year of actual operating experience at a biological wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

e. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

3. To be licensed by the board as a "C" biological wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "D" Operator License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least two (2) years of actual operating experience at a biological wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

4. To be licensed by the board as a "B" biological wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "C" License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least three (3) years of actual operating experience at a biological wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

5. To be licensed by the board as an "A" biological wastewater treatment plant operator an applicant must:

a. hold a valid "B" License;

b. pass an examination approved by the board;

c. have completed at least four (4) years of actual operating experience at a biological wastewater facility, or the equivalent; and,

d. submit an affidavit of employment documenting the experience.

H. The operator-in-charge of a biological wastewater treatment plant classified by the Department of Health and Environmental Control as requiring the services of a licensed operator must hold licensure as a biological wastewater treatment plant operator at a level no lower than the level of license designated for the classification or grouping assigned the plant by the Department of Health and Environmental Control:

1. Group IB wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "D" license.

2. Group IIB wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "C" license.

3. Group IIIB wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "B" license.

4. Group IVB wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least an "A" license.

I. The operator-in-charge of a physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant classified by the Department of Health and Environmental Control as requiring the services of a certified operator must hold licensure as a physical/chemical wastewater treatment plant operator at a level no lower than the level of licensure designated for the classification or grouping assigned the plant by the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

1. Group I-P/C wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "D" Physical/Chemical license.

2. Group II-P/C wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "C" Physical/Chemical license.

3. Group III-P/C wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least a "B" Physical/Chemical license.

4. Group IV-P/C wastewater treatment plants require an operator with at least an "A" Physical/Chemical license.

J. Actual operating experience shall be verified by an affidavit.

S.C. Code Regs. § 51-3

Amended by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 4, eff April 22, 2005; State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014; State Register Volume 48, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/24/2024.