Section 690-202 - Qualifications for certification(a) General requirements.--(1) Except as set forth under paragraph (2), in order to be eligible to sit for a certification examination, the following shall apply: (i) An applicant must demonstrate the following levels of work experience in an underground bituminous coal mine: (A) Mine foreman or mine electrician, five years.(B) Assistant mine foreman, four years.(C) Mine examiner, three years.(ii) For each certification category in subparagraph (i), a minimum of two years' experience must have been in a working section.(2) If an applicant holds a bachelor's degree in mining engineering or an associate degree in mining technology from a recognized institution of higher education in the case of a mine foreman, assistant mine foreman or mine examiner or a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or an associate degree in electrical technology from a recognized institution of higher education in the case of a mine electrician, in order to be eligible to sit for a certification examination, the following shall apply: (i) An applicant must demonstrate the following levels of work experience in an underground bituminous coal mine: (A) Mine foreman or mine electrician, four years.(B) Assistant mine foreman, three years.(C) Mine examiner, two years.(ii) For each certification category in subparagraph (i), a minimum of one year's experience must have been in a working section.(b) Additional requirements.--The following additional requirements shall apply: (1) All applicants shall be able to read and write the English language intelligently and shall furnish the department with a notarized statement from previous employers setting forth the length of service and type of work performed in the different mines.(2) Certificates of qualification as mine foremen shall be granted to individuals who have given to the department satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform the duties of mine foreman and who have received training by individuals approved by the department in determining the presence of explosive and noxious gases, and in the use and mechanics of all gas detection devices, and who have received an average of at least 80% in the examination.(3) Certificates of qualification as assistant mine foremen shall be granted to individuals who have given to the department satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform the duties of assistant mine foreman and who have received training by individuals approved by the department in determining the presence of explosive and noxious gases, and in the use and mechanics of all gas detection devices, and who have received an average of at least 70% in the examination.(4) Certificates of qualification as mine examiners shall be granted to individuals who have given to the department satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform the duties of mine examiners and who have received training by individuals approved by the department in determining the presence of explosive and noxious gases, and in the use and mechanics of all gas detection devices, and who have received an average of at least 75% in the mine examiners examination.(5) Certificates of qualification as mine electrician shall be granted to individuals who have given to the department satisfactory evidence of their ability to perform the duties of mine electrician and received training by individuals approved by the department in determining the presence of explosive and noxious gases, and in the use and mechanics of all gas detection devices, and who have received an average of 75% in the mine electrician's examination.(6) Certificates of qualification or service granted prior to the effective date of this act shall have equal value with certificates of qualification granted under this act.(7) All applicants who have satisfactorily passed examinations, after being certified but before assuming their duties as mine foremen, mine electricians, assistant mine foremen or mine examiners, shall accompany a certified mine foreman or certified assistant mine foreman for not less than two weeks for training purposes in accordance with a training program submitted by the operator and approved by the department. Any applicant who has been granted a mine official certificate prior to the effective date of this act need not undergo this training. The record of such training shall be maintained at the mine.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §202, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].