Section 230.80  Qualifications for Proximate Audience License

a)         No license shall be granted to an applicant who has not reached the age of 21 and met the requirements of the Act and paid the required application fee.

b)         The applicant must have a current license or a Letter of Clearance from ATF.  In the event the applicant's license has expired, the applicant must submit proof from ATF that the license is in the process of being renewed.  If an applicant has applied for, but not received, an ATF explosives license or a Letter of Clearance, or if the license is being renewed, OSFM may issue the applicant temporary authorization to act until ATF issues the applicant an explosives license or Letter of Clearance, or renews the license.

c)         The applicant must provide proof of successful completion of the DNR training program for pyrotechnic displays, including a current DNR individual explosives license number, or another program that OSFM determines to be substantially equivalent.

d)         An applicant for a proximate audience license must achieve a passing score of 80% on a written examination administered by OSFM in accordance with Section 230.120.

e)         The applicant must submit evidence of experience that includes active participation in the safe performance of at least 10 proximate audience displays.  The applicant must have performed the duties of a lead operator in at least 2 of these displays (either pursuant to a license from another state or under the supervision of a lead operator).

f)         Acceptable documentation of experience includes:

1)         A copy of a display permit from an issuing authority that lists the applicant as an operator or assistant, including a letter from the issuing authority documenting that there were no injuries or property damage sustained from the display; or

2)         A copy of the Illinois Display Report (see Section 230.200).

g)         Due to the special nature of proximate audience displays, OSFM may issue either a proximate audience license or a limited proximate audience license that will license the individual to conduct only certain types of displays or effects or limit the show to a certain venue.

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 16524, effective October 6, 2010)