(a)

1. (1) Applicants for licensing shall be examined to determine their skills, knowledge, ability, and judgment in the safe and proper operation of a public water system.

2. (2) The examination must:

   1. (A) Consist of validated questions; and
   2. (B) Be developed utilizing proper exam development procedures and validation protocols.

(b)

1. (1) An individual desiring to obtain a water operator license by examination shall file a license application, including the required license and exam fees, with the certification program not later than sixty (60) days preceding the date of examination.
2. (2) The application will be valid for one (1) year.

(c)

1. (1) An individual desiring to be examined shall be required to provide adequate photographic identification prior to receiving and when returning an examination.
2. (2) All exams and related materials must be returned prior to leaving the exam session.

3. (3) Failure to return the exam and related materials will result in:

   1. (A) Administrative actions;
   2. (B) Penalties; or
   3. (C) Criminal charges.

(d)

1. (1) Separate examinations shall be prepared for each certification classification.
2. (2) For Grades I – IV a separate examination shall be prepared for the water treatment plant operation license and the distribution facility operation license.

(e)

1. (1) Grade I – IV examinations shall be written and consist of at least one hundred (100) questions.
2. (2) The very small system examination shall be written and consist of at least fifty (50) questions.
3. (3) All examinations will be closed book, with math formulas provided.

(f)

1. (1) All examinations shall be scored by the Drinking Water Advisory and Operator Licensing Committee, or by others designated by the committee, and the applicant shall be notified of the outcome.
2. (2) The test booklet shall not be returned to the applicant.

(g)

1. (1) Applicants who fail to pass the examination may repeat the examination at subsequent examination sessions.

2. (2)

   1. (A) An additional examination fee is required for each examination.
   2. (B) This fee must be received fifteen (15) days prior to sitting for the exam.
3. (3) An additional application is not required for repeated examinations if the examination is repeated within one (1) year.