Authority: IC 13-14-8; IC 13-15-10-4; IC 13-19-3-1

Affected: IC 13-15-10; IC 36-9-30

Sec. 3.1. (a) An examination must consist of at least fifty (50) multiple choice questions to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter.

(b) An individual taking the examination must receive a score of at least seventy percent (70%) correct responses to receive certification or recertification.

(c) The examination must address the following subject matter:

1. (1) A Category I examination must include questions about the topics required in 326 IAC 11-7-5.

2. (2) A Category II, III, and IV examination must include questions that address each of the following topics:

   1. (A) Waste generation, acceptance, screening, and handling.
   2. (B) Landfill location restrictions and site selection.
   3. (C) Landfill design and construction requirements.

   4. (D) Landfill operational procedures, including:

      1. (i) maintenance and monitoring requirements;
      2. (ii) fire prevention and abatement;
      3. (iii) leachate management; and
      4. (iv) reporting and record keeping.
   5. (E) Landfill storm water management.
   6. (F) Landfill ground water monitoring and remediation.
   7. (G) Management and disposal of certain solid waste specified in 329 IAC 10-8.2.
   8. (H) Landfill closure and post-closure care requirements.
   9. (I) Compliance with state and federal landfill regulatory requirements.

3. (3) In addition to the topics required in subdivision (2), the examination for each category must include questions that address the following category-specific topics:

   1. (A) For a Category II examination, the following:

      1. (i) Waste characteristics, composition, and sources of:

         1. (AA) municipal solid waste;
         2. (BB) nonmunicipal solid waste; and
         3. (CC) industrial solid waste.

      2. (ii) Landfill operational procedures for:

         1. (AA) gas extraction system management; and
         2. (BB) explosive gases monitoring.

   2. (B) For a Category III examination, the following:

      1. (i) Waste characteristics, composition, and sources of:

         1. (AA) restricted waste; and
         2. (BB) construction/demolition waste.
      2. (ii) Landfill operational procedures for dust control.

   3. (C) For a Category IV examination, the following:

      1. (i) The topics in clause (A) or (B), as applicable to the type of site.
      2. (ii) Site-specific questions that address the topics applicable to the type of site for which the accredited provider developed the examination.

(d) An individual may not use any of the following during an examination:

1. (1) Books.
2. (2) Notes.
3. (3) Charts.

4. (4) Any devices that can be used to record, transmit, receive, or play back the following content:

   1. (A) Audio.
   2. (B) Photographic.
   3. (C) Text.
   4. (D) Video.

(e) Examinations developed by the accredited examination provider for the purpose of testing solid waste facility operators may not be shown or given to any person except for the following:

1. (1) The commissioner for approval under section 2.1 of this rule.
2. (2) The individual taking the examination during the time that the examination is administered.

(f) An accredited examination provider shall provide verification of an examination to the department in accordance with section 4.1 of this rule.

(g) An accredited examination provider may not use a changed examination without receiving prior approval from the commissioner. Before a change in the examination, an accredited examination provider shall:

1. (1) notify the department in writing of the change with an accompanying copy of the change; and
2. (2) receive approval from the commissioner.

(h) An accredited examination provider shall send a written notice to the department with the location and time of the examinations:

1. (1) before January 1 of each year in which examinations are scheduled, if the information is available; or
2. (2) at least two (2) weeks in advance of the examination, if the information is not available before January 1 of each year.

(i) An accredited examination provider shall send notice to the department at least two (2) weeks in advance of the examination if the:

1. (1) time or location of the examination changes; or
2. (2) examination is canceled.

(j) An accredited examination provider shall provide to an operator taking an examination the application for:

1. (1) certification required in 329 IAC 12-7-3(e); or
2. (2) recertification required in 329 IAC 12-7-6(b).

(Solid Waste Management Division; 329 IAC 12-8-3.1; filed Aug 1, 2016, 3:41 p.m.: 20160831-IR- 329140111FRA, eff Jan 1, 2017; readopted filed May 12, 2023, 1:06 p.m.: 20230607-IR-329230082BFA; readopted filed Oct 16, 2024, 11:58 a.m.: 20241113-IR-329230812RFA)