62-602.300. Qualifications for Operator Licensure

To be eligible for licensure by the Department, the applicant shall: (1) For licensure as a Class D operator: (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; (b) Be the owner or owner’s manager or agent or trainee engaged in the operation and maintenance of a public drinking water or domestic wastewater treatment plant for at least 3 months; or document successful completion of the appropriate training course no more than five years before the application submittal and have at least one hour of experience under a certified operator; and, (c) Obtain a passing score on the Class D examination as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C. (2) For licensure as a Class C operator: (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; (b) Document at least 1 year (2,080 hours) of experience as defined in subsections 62-602.250(1)-(6), F.A.C., completed before application submittal; (c) Obtain a passing score on the Class C examination as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., within the time frames specified in paragraph (d), below. (d) For the purposes of obtaining a license, the examination specified in paragraph (c), above, will satisfy the examination criterion for licensing for a period of four years from the date a passing score is obtained. (3) For licensure as a Class B operator the applicant shall: (a) Have an active Class C license of the same type; (b) Document at least 3 years (6,240 hours) of experience as defined in subsections 62-602.250(1)-(6), F.A.C., completed before application submittal; and, (c) Obtain a passing score on the Class B examination as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., within the time frames specified in (d), below. (d) For the purposes of obtaining a license, the examination specified in paragraph (c), above, will satisfy the examination criterion for licensing for a period of four years from the date a passing score is obtained. (4) For licensure as a Class A operator the applicant shall: (a) Have an active Class B license of the same type; (b) Document at least 5 years (10,400 hours) of experience as defined in subsections 62-602.250(1)-(6), F.A.C., completed before application submittal; and, (c) Obtain a passing score on the Class A examination as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., within the time frames specified in paragraph (d), below. (d) For the purposes of obtaining a license, the examination specified in paragraph (c), above, will satisfy the examination criterion for licensing for a period of four years from the date a passing score is obtained. (5) For licensure as a Level 4 water distribution system operator, either meet the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c), below, or hold an active Department-issued Consecutive Public Water System Operator License. (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; and, (b) Be the owner or owner’s manager, agent, or trainee engaged in the operation and maintenance of a regulated public water distribution system for at least 3 months before submitting application for licensure; or document successful completion of a Department-approved Level 4 water distribution system operator training course no more than 5 years before submitting application for licensure and have at least 1 hour of water distribution system operation and maintenance experience that is obtained under a licensed operator and that is completed before submitting application for licensure; and, (c) Obtain a passing score as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., on the Level 4 water distribution system operator examination. (6) For licensure as a Level 3 water distribution system operator, meet the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c), below. (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; and, (b) Document at least 1 year (2,080 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C., completed before submitting application for licensure; and, (c) Obtain a passing score as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., on the Level 3 water distribution system operator examination no more than 4 years before submitting application for licensure. (7) For licensure as a Level 2 water distribution system operator, meet the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c), below. (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; and, (b) Document at least 3 years (6,240 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C., completed before submitting application for licensure; and, (c) Obtain a passing score as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., on the Level 2 water distribution system operator examination no more than 4 years before submitting application for licensure. (8) For licensure as a Level 1 water distribution system operator, meet the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c), below. (a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; and, (b) Document at least five 5 years (10,400 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C., completed before submitting application for licensure; and, (c) Obtain a passing score as provided for in paragraph 62-602.550(1)(a), F.A.C., on the Level 1 water distribution system operator examination no more than 4 years before submitting application for licensure.