Rule 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. Rulemaking Authority 403.869, 403.872 FS. Law Implemented 403.8533, 403.872 FS. History–New 12-30-99, Amended 2-6-02, 10-15-07, 11-6-25.