A. The administration and enforcement of the Utility Operators Certification Act is vested in the department.

B. The department shall:

(1)     approve and accredit schools and training programs designed to educate and qualify persons for certification in one of the classifications of public water supply system operators or public wastewater facility operators;

(2)     prepare and administer written and practical examinations, based on nationally accepted standards, for certification of applicants as operators for one of the facility classifications established pursuant to Subsection A of Section 61-33-4 N.M. Stat. Ann.;

(3)     enter into agreements, contracts or cooperative arrangements with persons;

(4)     receive and accept financial and technical assistance;

(5)     promulgate rules in accordance with the State Rules Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 14, Article 4]; and

(6)     issue, renew, suspend or revoke licenses or discipline a licensee in accordance with the Uniform Licensing Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 61, Article 1].