OAR 340-049-0060: Operator Certification and Operator Certification Program Support Fees

(1) Operator Certification Fees: (a) All persons applying for wastewater system operator certification must pay the applicable fee(s) listed in OAR 340-049-0065(1); (b) All applications for a new certificate or certificate at a higher grade, but excluding applications for reciprocity, require an examination and must be accompanied by a fee payment equal to the sum of the appropriate application fee and examination fee as shown in OAR 340-049-0065(1)(a) and (b); (c) A reciprocity applicant found to be ineligible for a certificate by reciprocity, who otherwise meets the education and experience qualifications listed in OAR 340-049-0030, may be scheduled for an initial certification examination in accordance with 340-049-0055 without payment of an examination fee; (d) An applicant found to be ineligible for admission to a certification examination at the requested grade , who otherwise meets the education and experience qualifications for certification at a lower grade as listed in OAR 340-049-0030, may be scheduled for an examination at the lower grade without payment of an additional fee; (e) The Department will not process incomplete applications or applications not accompanied by appropriate fee(s) and attachments, including documentation for all claims of education. (2) Operator Certification Program Support Fees: (a) All owners of NPDES or WPCF permitted wastewater systems required to be supervised by operators certified in accordance with requirements in this Division must pay an annual Operator Certification Program Support Fee according to the fee schedule in OAR 340-049-0065(2). The fee will be based on the most current design ADWF for the wastewater treatment system as approved by the Department: (b) The annual certification program support fee must be paid for each year a wastewater system is in operation. The operating year is defined as July 1 through June 30. A fee for any year during which the wastewater system is in operation is retroactive to July 1 of that operating year, and will be due only if the wastewater system is placed into operation on or before May 1 of that operating year. (c) The Department will notify wastewater system owners of the fee amount owed and the date the fee must be paid. The notification will generally be given 60 days prior to the due date. (d) The Director may alter the due date for the annual certification program fee upon receipt of a written request from a wastewater system owner demonstrating need. The Commission may reduce or suspend the annual operator certification program support fee based on hardship. (e) Any wastewater system owner who fails to pay the annual operator certification program support fee within 30 days of the due date will be assessed a late fee by the Department according to OAR 340-049-0065(2)(b), which will be due and payable immediately with the annual fee. (3) All fees are payable to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality or Oregon DEQ. (4) Fees will not be refundable unless: (a) The Department has taken no action on a certification application; (b) The Department determines the wrong application has been filed; (c) The Department determines that no fee is required; (d) An overpayment has been made.