Rule 62-602.360. Licensing Requirements for Non-Florida Operators

(1) Applications for reciprocity shall be made on DEP Form 62-602.360(1), Application for Reciprocity, hereby adopted and incorporated by reference, effective November 2025 (http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-18521) and shall include all fees and documentation required by this chapter. Copies of this document may be obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection, Operator Certification Program, Mail Station 3506, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400. The Department shall issue a Florida operator license by reciprocity to any applicant who holds an active and valid license from another state, the federal government, a territory, or tribal government that has been designated as the primary agency by the United States Environmental Protection Agency when:

(a) The applicant submits a completed DEP Form 62-602.360(1), Application for Reciprocity, as adopted in Rule 62-602.360(1), F.A.C., and any supporting documentation required to complete the review, and

(b) The applicant remits the application fee specified in Rule 62-602.600, F.A.C., and

(c) The applicant is not subject to any pending disciplinary or enforcement action relating to the licensing of water treatment, domestic wastewater treatment, or water distribution system duties, and

(d) The active and valid license from another state, the federal government, a territory, or tribal government has:

1. An education requirement of at least a high school diploma or its equivalent, and

2. An experience requirement that meets or exceeds the requirements of Rule 62-602.300(1)(b), (2)(b), (3)(b), or (4)(b), F.A.C., and

3. An examination requirement, which at a minimum requires a passing score of at least 70 percent, is proctored, closed book, and consists of at least 50 questions.

(2) The Department shall issue a Florida operator license by reciprocity to any applicant whose military occupation specialty (MOS) includes duties and responsibilities of a water treatment plant operator, water distribution system operator, or domestic wastewater treatment plant operator while serving in the United States Armed Forces, when:

(a) The applicant submits a completed reciprocity application as adopted in Rule 62-602.360(1), F.A.C., and any supporting documentation required to complete the review, and

(b) The applicant remits the application fees specified in Rule 62-602.600, F.A.C., and

(c) The applicant is not subject to any pending disciplinary or enforcement actions relating to the performance of water treatment, domestic wastewater treatment, or water distribution systems duties, and

(d) The applicant holds a high school diploma or its equivalent, and

(e) The duties performed under the applicant’s MOS provide the experience necessary for treatment plant or distribution system operators in accordance with Rule 62-602.250, F.A.C., and are documented by one or more of the following:

1. Form DD 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,”

2. DD Form 2586 “Verification of Military Experience and Training,”

3. Joint Services Transcript,

4. A copy of the applicant’s official military personnel file which denotes the applicant’s assignments and duties,

5. Letter on official military letterhead, signed and dated by the applicant’s Commander, that specifically identifies the applicant’s MOS and length of military service in which the applicant served within the occupational specialty.

(f) The applicant has passed an examination or skills assessment that resulted in the formal award of a skill level or a certificate of completion from the applicant’s formal military training or technical school. An applicant’s license class or level under this chapter shall be determined based upon the highest skill level obtained.

(g) The applicant’s total active military service shall be equivalent to the experience necessary for treatment plant and distribution system operator requirements under Rule 62-602.300, as follows:

1. 6 to 23 months of active military service equates to 750 experience hours,

2. 24 to 71 months of active military service equates to 2,080 experience hours,

3. 72 to 119 months of active military service equates to 6,240 experience hours,

4. Over 119 months of active military service equates to 10,400 experience hours.

(h) For retired or discharged applicants, the application must be made within five years from the date of discharge or retirement from the United States Armed Forces.

(3) If an applicant does not meet the requirements for licensure by reciprocity under paragraph (2), the Department shall award the applicant hours of eligible experience as follows:

(a) For MOSs in which the applicant has served actively for a minimum of 6 months and primary duties are within plumbing, electrical, mechanical, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering or environmental health disciplines, the applicant shall be awarded 750 hours of eligible experience.

(b) For all other MOSs, applicants having actively served for a minimum of 6 months shall be awarded 500 hours of eligible experience.

(c) Hours of eligible experience shall be applied only once to a single license category.

(d) Must meet the requirements of 62-602.270, F.A.C.

(4) During a state of emergency declared under section 252.36, F.S., persons who hold an active and valid water, domestic wastewater, or water distribution license from another state, the federal government, a territory, or tribal government that has been designated as the primary agency by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, may temporarily conduct activities or responsibilities of a Class C level drinking water or wastewater operator or Level 3 distribution system operator, under this Chapter, in accordance with the following:

(a) Temporary authorization to conduct water, domestic wastewater, and water distribution system operations under this provision during a declared state of emergency shall expire in conjunction with the expiration date of or noted in the issued executive order from the Office of the Governor or coincide with the expiration date on the home state license, whichever is sooner.

(b) Temporary authorization to conduct water, domestic wastewater, and water distribution system operations under this provision is authorized only in the counties where a state of emergency has been declared by the executive order.

(c) In the event of overlapping declared states of emergency, the expiration date of the authorization under this provision may be adjusted or extended with the effective extension of any applicable executive order.

(d) Any public water system, domestic wastewater treatment plant, or water distribution system, which employs one or more person(s) under this provision, shall:

1. Verify the license type and status of the non-Florida operator with the appropriate authority.

2. Enter in the plant operation and maintenance log in a manner consistent with standard operating practice as defined in Rule 62-602.650(6), F.A.C., the operator’s full name, license type, license level, license number, and original issuing authority.

3. Within 60 days of the date the employment or utilization of the non-Florida operator, submit notification to the Operator Certification Program, Mail Station 3506, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, the operator’s full name, address, phone number, license type, license level, license number, original issuing authority and license expiration date.

(5) Any water treatment, domestic wastewater treatment or water distribution system operator licensure issued by another state, federal government, territory, or tribal government based upon reciprocity, without an examination that meets the requirements of Rule 62-602.360(1)(d)3., F.A.C., shall not be eligible for reciprocity. Rulemaking Authority 403.869 FS. Law Implemented 403.8533, 403.872 FS. History–New 2-6-02, Amended 10-15-07, 11-6-25.