Section 230.65 Qualifications for Production Company Lead Operator Licensing Approval

a) Outdoor Professional Licensing Approval

1) No licensing approval shall be granted to an applicant who has not reached the age of 21 and met the requirements of the Act.

2) The applicant must have a current license or Letter of Clearance from ATF for the type of pyrotechnic service or pyrotechnic display provided. 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.

3) 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.

b) Proximate Audience Licensing Approval

1) No licensing approval shall be granted to an applicant who has not reached the age of 21 and met the requirements of the Act.

2) The applicant must have a current license or a Letter of Clearance from ATF for the type of pyrotechnic service or pyrotechnic display provided. 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.

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

5) 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).

6) Acceptable documentation of experience includes:

A) 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

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

c) Flame Effect Licensing Approval

1) No licensing approval shall be granted to an applicant who has not reached the age of 21 and met the requirements of the Act.

2) An applicant for a flame effect licensing approval must achieve a passing score of 80% on a written examination administered by OSFM in accordance with Section 230.120.

3) The applicant must submit evidence of experience, which must include active participation as a lead operator or assistant in the safe performance of at least 10 flame effect displays. The applicant must have performed the duties of a lead operator in at least 2 of these flame effect displays (either pursuant to a license from another state or under the supervision of a lead operator).

4) Acceptable documentation of experience includes:

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

d) Additional Requirements for Licensed Lead Pyrotechnic Operator Employed by Production Company

The lead pyrotechnic operator employed by a licensed production company may be required by the production company to have and provide an Identification Number and Hazardous Materials Registration Number issued by USDOT or provide OSFM the appropriate information and affidavit as is required in Section 230.55(b).

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