3946753, 62-602.200 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 3946753

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Chapter:

WATER OR DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATORS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATORS

Overview

RULE:

62-602.200	Definitions
62-602.230	Approval of Residence or Correspondence Courses
62-602.250	Criteria for Determining Eligible Experience
62-602.270	Eligibility for Operator Examinations
62-602.300	Qualifications for Operator Licensure
62-602.350	Approval of Residence or Correspondence Courses (Repealed)
62-602.360	Licensing Requirements for Non-Florida Operators
62-602.410	Applications for Examination
62-602.420	Applications for License
62-602.430	Application Processing for Examinations and license
62-602.450	Notification to Applicants for Examinations
62-602.500	Examination Administration
62-602.560	Candidates' Post Exam Review (Repealed)
62-602.570	Formal Administrative Hearing Petition and Pre-Hearing Review Request
62-602.580	Use of Operator Examinations
62-602.600	Fees for Operator Examinations and Licensure
62-602.650	Duties of Operators
62-602.660	Technical Manuals
62-602.700	Operator Licensing
62-602.710	Renewal of Operator Licenses
62-602.720	Inactive Status of License; Reactivation Procedures
62-602.800	Grounds for Disciplinary Proceedings
62-602.850	Disciplinary Guidelines
62-602.870	Suspension and Revocation of Operator License
62-602.880	Consecutive Public Water System Operator Licenses (Repealed)
62-602.900	Forms for the Operator Certification Program (Repealed)

PURPOSE:

The Department is establishing licensure requirements and procedures for water distribution system operators. Also, the Department is making clarifications and changes to current licensure requirements and procedures for water or domestic wastewater treatment plant operators.

SUMMARY:

Rule 62-602.200, F.A.C., is being amended to clarify, change, or add definitions of words, phrases, and terms used in Chapter 62-602 and Rule 62-602.230, F.A.C., is being amended to specify how the Department will approve training courses for water distribution system operators and treatment plant operators; to eliminate the requirement for residence courses to be affiliated with an academic institution of the Florida Department of Education; and to eliminate the requirement for instructors of residence courses to be a licensed operator. Rule 62-602.250, F.A.C., is being amended to describe eligible water distribution system operator experience and is being amended to indicate that treatment plant operator experience may be obtained as an employee, volunteer, or contractor and may be obtained at a plant or an electronic control system. Rule 62-602.270, F.A.C., is being amended to add exam eligibility requirements for water distribution system operators. Rule 62-602.300, F.A.C., is being amended to specify qualifications for licensure of water distribution system operators. Rule 62-602.350, F.A.C., is being repealed because it is superseded by Rule 62-602.230, F.A.C., Rule 62-602.360, F.A.C., is being amended to establish licensing requirements for water distribution system operators licensed in other states and is being amended to give operators licensed in other states one opportunity to pass an exam without having to complete a training course. Rule 62-602.410, F.A.C., is being amended to add application procedures for water distribution system operator exams and is being amended to eliminate language that allows persons to apply for an operator exam and license at the same time. Rule 62-602.420, F.A.C., is being amended to add application procedures for water distribution system operator licenses. Rule 62-602.430, F.A.C., is being amended to eliminate language that allows persons to apply for an operator exam and license at the same time. Rule 62-602.450, F.A.C., is being amended to clarify that only applicants approved by the Department to take an exam will be notified about the exam. Rule 62-602.500, F.A.C., is being amended to eliminate reference to outdated and unnecessary Department manuals. Rule 62-602.560, F.A.C., is being amended to establish a time limit for post-exam reviews; to specify what documents examinees will be given during post-exam reviews; to state that challenges of exam questions must be submitted in writing during post-exam reviews; and to state that, after a meritorious challenge of an exam question, the Department will regrade only the exams of those examinees who failed but scored a 65 percent or higher. Rule 62-602.570, F.A.C., is being amended to give examinees the opportunity to petition for an administrative hearing within 21 days after the date the Department sends to the examinee the Department’s determination that an exam question challenge is without merit and is being amended to state that the Department will issue an amended grade notification letter if it discovers during preparation for an administrative hearing that credit should be awarded for an exam question. Rule 62-602.580, F.A.C., is being amended to state that the Department will use operator examinations developed by or for the Department or available national operator examinations and is being amended to add criteria for national operator examinations. Rule 62-602.600, F.A.C., is being amended to add exam fees, licensure fees, and license renewal fees for water distribution system operators; to eliminate language allowing persons to apply for an operator exam and license at the same time; and to eliminate the opportunity for examinees to request hand scoring of an exam because repeat electronic scoring is conducted. Rule 62-602.650, F.A.C., is being amended to add the duties of water distribution system operators; to clarify the duties of treatment plant operators; to require a separate operation and maintenance (O&M) log for each water or wastewater treatment plant; to add approval criteria and procedures for electronic treatment plant O&M logs; to require operators to note in treatment plant O&M logs when they report emergency/abnormal conditions; and to require, beginning May 1, 2011, an O&M log for each water distribution system. Rule 62-602.660, F.A.C., is being amended to list the latest edition of referenced operation manuals; to reference five new operation manuals; and to eliminate reference to design and construction manuals and two obsolete operation manuals. Rule 62-602.700, F.A.C., is being amended to make a minor clarification. Rule 62-602.710, F.A.C., is being amended to add continuing education requirements for water distribution system operators and is being amended to add new topics for continuing education. Rule 62-602.720, F.A.C., is being amended to make minor clarifications. Rule 62-602.800, F.A.C., is being amended to establish grounds for disciplinary proceedings for water distribution system operators. Rule 62-602.850, F.A.C., is being amended to establish disciplinary guidelines for water distribution system operators; to increase the maximum penalty for submitting false information; to specify a recommended penalty for failure to perform treatment plant operation or water distribution system operation in a manner consistent with standard operating practices; and to recommend a penalty for failure to comply with any Department order previously entered in a disciplinary hearing. Rule 62-602.870, F.A.C., is being amended to establish grounds for suspension or revocation of water distribution system operator licenses. Rule 62-602.880, F.A.C., is being amended to state that the Department will no longer issue consecutive public water system operator licenses and will convert all existing consecutive public water system operator licenses to Level 4 water distribution system operator licenses. Rule 62-602.900, F.A.C., is being amended to add application forms for water distribution system operator exams and licenses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.869, 403.872 FS.

LAW:

403.182, 403.1842, 403.8532, 403.862(1)(c), 403.865, 403.866, 403.867, 403.869, 403.871, 403.872, 403.873, 403.874, 403.875, 403.875(1)(a), 403.876 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/18/2007 Vol. 33/20

COMMENTS:

From 5/18/2007 To 6/8/2007 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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