Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article, the Commissioner or the fire code official for the jurisdiction issuing the pyrotechnics permit under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-413 may certify an individual as an event employee if the individual meets the following requirements:

(1)        Is at least 18 years of age.

(2)        Possesses and provides a valid drivers license or other state-issued identification card.

(3)        Correctly passes an on-site examination, administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal or fire code official for the jurisdiction issuing the permit under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-413, of a minimum of five questions to test basic pyrotechnic safety knowledge.

(4)        Provides written confirmation from the licensed display operator or proximate audience display operator that the event employee is working under the supervision of the operator and that the event employee will not be in the presence of the pyrotechnic materials without signing a statement provided by the Commissioner affirming that the individual has not been convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40, Section 842(i), or is not otherwise prohibited from possessing pyrotechnic materials by any provision of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 40, Section 842(i). The event employee shall not be allowed to discharge or be in the presence of the pyrotechnic materials unless under direct supervision of a licensed pyrotechnic operator or an on-site representative as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-410(a1)(2). An event employee certification is valid only for the concert or public exhibition listed on the pyrotechnic permit and cannot be renewed. ?(2010-22, s. 7; 2013-275, s. 4.)