(A) A person employed as an operator of a public water distribution system facility must hold a water distribution system operator license issued by the board in the certification class as required by this section. The required certification class must be determined based upon the distribution group of the public water distribution system facility where the operator is employed, as established by the State Department of Health and Environmental Control pursuant to Section 44-55-40(L). The certification class required for each distribution group shall be as follows:

1. (1) Group I distribution facilities do not require a certified operator.
2. (2) Group II distribution facilities require operators with at least a Class "D" certification.
3. (3) Group III distribution facilities require operators with at least a Class "C" certification.
4. (4) Group IV distribution facilities require operators with at least a Class "B" certification.
5. (5) Group V distribution facilities require operators with at least a Class "A" certification.

(B)

1. (1) To be licensed by the board as a Trainee Water Distribution System Operator, an applicant must:

   1. (a) be at least eighteen years of age;
   2. (b) have completed high school or the equivalent; and
   3. (c) submit an application on forms approved by the board, along with the prescribed fee.

2. (2) To be licensed by the board as a Class "D" Water Distribution System Operator, an applicant must:

   1. (a) hold a valid Trainee Operator license;
   2. (b) pass an examination approved by the board;
   3. (c) have completed at least one year of actual operating experience as an operator of a public water distribution system facility; and
   4. (d) submit an application on forms approved by the board, along with the prescribed fee.

3. (3) To be licensed by the board as a Class "C" Water Distribution System Operator, an applicant must:

   1. (a) hold a valid Class "D" operator certification;
   2. (b) pass an examination approved by the board;
   3. (c) have completed at least two years of actual operating experience as an operator of a public water distribution system facility or the equivalent; and
   4. (d) submit an application on forms approved by the board, along with the prescribed fee.

4. (4) To be licensed by the board as a Class "B" Water Distribution System Operator, an applicant must:

   1. (a) hold a valid Class "C" operator certification;
   2. (b) pass an examination approved by the board;
   3. (c) have completed at least three years of actual operating experience as an operator of a public water distribution system facility or the equivalent; and
   4. (d) submit an application on forms approved by the board, along with the prescribed fee.

5. (5) To be licensed by the board as a Class "A" Water Distribution System Operator, an applicant must:

   1. (a) hold a valid Class "B" operator certification;
   2. (b) pass an examination approved by the board;
   3. (c) have completed at least four years of actual operating experience as an operator of a public water distribution system facility or the equivalent; and
   4. (d) submit an application on forms approved by the board, along with the prescribed fee.