Authority: IC 13-14-8; IC 13-18-11-1.5; IC 13-18-11-6.5; IC 13-18-11-13

Affected: IC 13-18-11

Sec. 7.1. (a) Continuing education contact hour credit shall be given only for completed course work that has been approved by the commissioner according to the following:

1. (1) A training provider has submitted an application and received continuing education course approval from the commissioner prior to publicly offering a water treatment plant or water distribution system continuing education course. The application must:

   1. (A) be submitted on a form approved by the commissioner;
   2. (B) be submitted no less than sixty (60) days before the first date when the course is conducted;
   3. (C) be accompanied by a written course outline or brochure; and

   4. (D) contain the following information:

      1. (i) Name, address, and telephone number of a course sponsor, training provider, or other contact person.
      2. (ii) Name of course.
      3. (iii) Specific topics that are included in the course presentations.
      4. (iv) Amount of time devoted to each topic.

      5. (v) Instructor's name and qualifications, including the following:

         1. (AA) Educational background.
         2. (BB) Professional experience.
         3. (CC) Current professional affiliation.
      6. (vi) Dates and locations where the course will be offered.

2. (2) The water treatment plant or water distribution system continuing education course meets the following requirements:

   1. (A) The course deals with one (1) or more of the following as determined by the commissioner:

      1. (i) Technical matters related directly to water distribution or water treatment.
      2. (ii) General matters related to the responsibilities of a certified operator.
   2. (B) Each instructor or speaker is qualified by academic work or practical experience to teach the proposed water treatment plant or water distribution system continuing education course.

(b) A water treatment plant or water distribution system certified operator may petition the commissioner for approval of a water treatment plant or water distribution system continuing education course if the following procedures are met:

1. (1) An application of petition is submitted to the commissioner prior to or within thirty (30) days of course completion.
2. (2) The application must contain the information required by subsection (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(C), and (a)(1)(D).
3. (3) The certified operator must supply written proof of attendance within thirty (30) days after course completion.

(c) Continuing education contact hours of credit earned in another state, whether that state has reciprocity with Indiana for the purpose of transferring a certificate of water treatment plant or water distribution system operator competency, may be eligible for credit if the commissioner is provided the information required by subsection (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(C), and (a)(1)(D) for the course work from which the contact hours were earned.

(d) A certified operator who is an instructor or speaker at a water treatment plant or water distribution system continuing education course shall be credited the same number of contact hours as the students of the course.

(Water Pollution Control Division; 327 IAC 8-12-7.1; filed Sep 19, 1990, 3:00 p.m.: 14 IR 268; filed Dec 12, 1994, 4:39 p.m.: 18 IR 1237; filed Nov 20, 2000, 4:11 p.m.: 24 IR 988; readopted filed Oct 18, 2024, 1:57 p.m.: 20241113-IR-327230810RFA)