Section 380.805  Reciprocity Determination

a)         The Agency may grant wastewater operators certified by another state or territory of the United States reciprocal certification in Illinois without examination, provided:

1)         The Agency determines by reviewing the other certifying jurisdiction's requirements that the applicant has met minimum standards equivalent to, or more stringent than, the standards specified in Subpart E; and

2)         The applicant resides in Illinois or is employed at a wastewater treatment or pretreatment works in Illinois.

b)         An applicant satisfying subsection (a)(1) but failing to meet the residency or employment requirement of subsection (a)(2), shall be issued a notice of intent to grant reciprocity. The applicant must submit proof of Illinois residency or employment at a wastewater treatment or pretreatment works in Illinois within 90 days after the issuance of the notice of intent. Upon receipt of such proof, the Agency shall issue an Illinois Certificate of Technical Competency. Should the applicant fail to submit proof of the residency requirement in subsection (a)(2) within 90 days after issuance of the notice, the notice of intent shall become void.

c)         Applicants for reciprocity described in Section 380.800 shall be reviewed by the Agency as follows:

1)         The Agency shall review each applicant's education and experience to determine the levels of certification examinations for which the applicant is eligible pursuant to Subpart E;

2)         The Agency shall contact the certifying officials from the other certifying jurisdiction to determine the level of certification of each applicant for reciprocity and whether or not the certificates are currently valid;

3)         The Agency shall review the applicant's qualifications and compare the other certifying jurisdiction's eligibility requirements for certification to those described in Subpart E to determine if the requirements of subsection (a) are fulfilled; and

4)         If the Agency determines the requirements of subsection (a) are fulfilled, the Agency shall grant reciprocity at the appropriate level.

d)         If a certificate of Technical Competency that is issued by reciprocity, is suspended or revoked pursuant to Subpart F, the Agency shall notify the certifying official from the other certifying jurisdiction.

e)         Reciprocity will not be granted for operator-in-training, collection system operator, or industrial operator certifications.

(Source:  Amended at 43 Ill. Reg. 5203, effective July 1, 2019)