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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a)
    (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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), 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 Fl. Admin. Code R. 62-602.550(1)(a), on the Level 1 water distribution system operator examination no more than 4 years before submitting application for licensure.
    (9) In lieu of meeting the criteria in subsection (6), (7), or (8), above, applicants for a water distribution system operator license who meet the requirements listed in paragraph (a), (b), or (c), below, may apply for licensure to the Department before May 1, 2011.
    (a) For licensure as a Level 3 water distribution system operator, the applicant must have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; have satisfactorily completed or instructed prior to October 15, 2007, one or more Department-approved water distribution system operator training courses that addressed operation and maintenance of water distribution systems, totaled no less than 20 contact hours, and included a Department-approved end-of-course exam; and document at least 1 year (2,080 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C., or
    (b) For licensure as a Level 2 water distribution system operator, the applicant must have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; have satisfactorily completed or instructed prior to October 15, 2007, one or more Department-approved water distribution system operator training courses that addressed operation and maintenance and troubleshooting of water distribution systems, totaled no less than 40 contact hours, and included a Department-approved end-of-course exam; and document at least 3 years (6,240 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C.; or
    (c) For licensure as a Level 1 water distribution system operator, the applicant must have received a high school diploma or its equivalent; have satisfactorily completed or instructed prior to October 15, 2007, one or more Department-approved water distribution system operator training courses that addressed operation and maintenance and troubleshooting of water distribution systems and supervision of water distribution system personnel, totaled no less than 60 contact hours, and included a Department-approved end-of-course exam; and document at least 5 years (10,400 hours) of experience as defined in subsection 62-602.250(7), F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority 403.869, 403.872 FS. Law Implemented 403.1832, 403.8533, 403.872 FS. History-New 12-30-99, Amended 2-6-02, 10-15-07.