SECTION 165:29-3-90. Licensing for Environmental Consultants involved with closures and/or corrective action of releases from underground or aboveground storage tanks

(a)   Any individual seeking a license as an Environmental Consultant involved with closures, and/or corrective action of releases from either underground or aboveground storage tank sites must complete an application form prepared by PSTD. The application form requires information regarding education, experience, knowledge of applicable state and federal regulations, industry standards and practices and references.

(b)   All applicants must qualify in the following manner:

(1)   Satisfy requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) forty (40) hour course with eight (8) hour annual updates and the eight (8) hour supervisor course; must provide evidence of the successful completion of a PSTD approved Risk-Based Corrective Action course, seminar or school. At a minimum this course must include sixteen (16) hours of risk assessment/risk analysis and fate and transport of chemicals in the environment; eight (8) hours of which must be hands-on computer training with appropriate software; and

(2)   Have seven (7) years' environmental experience with at least two (2) years' experience at regulated petroleum storage tank facilities and pass an examination, which must be taken no more frequently than once every six (6) months, authorized by the State of Oklahoma, which demonstrates knowledge of reference materials published by EPA:NWWA (Technical Enforcement Guidance Document-TEGD) and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations; or

(3)   Have a four- (4-) year degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the state in Geology, Hydrology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geologic Engineering or an equivalent engineering degree and at least four (4) or more years of environmental experience with at least two (2) years' experience at regulated petroleum storage tank facilities, and pass an examination approved by the PSTD. The examination will test an applicant's knowledge of industry standards, reference materials, laws and regulations, and may be taken no more frequently than once every six (6) months.

(c)   Licensed Environmental Consultants are required to pay fees for applications, examinations, and certifications prior to examination and license issuance as set forth in OAC 165:5.

(d)   Licensed Environmental Consultants must provide proof of attending (online or in-class) eight (8) hours of PSTD approved continuing professional education courses, classes, seminars or conferences to PSTD every year. Licensees may request to rollover a maximum of eight (8) credit hours from the current year to satisfy the following year's continuing education requirements. Approval of any rollover hours will be at the discretion of PSTD after evaluating the class, conference, course, or seminar. Licensees must also provide proof of attending eight (8) hours of HAZWOPER Refresher class updates every year.

(e)   Sampling, sampling at tank closures, investigations, and remediation or any other activities directed by PSTD must be under the supervision of a Licensed Environmental Consultant. All work requiring supervision by Licensed Environmental Consultants must contain a verification statement signed by the consultant in supervisory control.

(f)   Licensed Environmental Consultants must supervise and/or perform work only in the areas in which they are educated and/or experienced.

[Source: Added at 18 Ok Reg 1085, eff 5-11-01; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1785, eff 7-1-05; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1841, eff 7-1-09; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 594, eff 7-1-13; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 811, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1033, eff 10-1-18; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 598, eff 8-1-19]