SECTION 380:25-19-1. Boiler operator licensing

(a)   Any company, corporation, business, school, city, county, or other governmental agency may adopt the boiler operator licensing program herein described, and require that individuals within its employ or jurisdiction abide by these rules when engaged in the operation and maintenance of boilers.

(b)   Any individual may apply for the license herein described.

(c)   No provision of this act shall place a mandatory requirement on any person to be in possession of the Boiler Operator License described in these rules other than those that may be required by individual companies, businesses, or jurisdictional authorities as allowed in 380:25-19-1 (a).

(d)   Application for a Boiler Operator License shall be on forms provided by the Department of Labor.

(e)   Evidence of the satisfactory completion of qualifications for, or the issuance of, a Boiler Operator License, Stationary Engineer License, or other comparable certification from another jurisdictional authority or nationally recognized organization may be used to satisfy all or part of the qualifications outlined in these rules. All such requests shall be subject to the review and approval of the Chief Boiler Inspector. Applicants for a Boiler Operator License must have completed all of the specified license requirements within the five (5) calendar years preceding the examination date.

(f)   A Boiler Operator License will be issued and renewed after the satisfactory completion of the requirements of these rules and the receipt of the licensing fee specified in Section 141.16.A.2.c, of this act. When a Boiler Operator License addressed in these rules is issued as a matter of reciprocity for the possession of a valid license from another jurisdictional authority or national organization, a fee equal to that specified in Section 141.16.A.2.c of this act will be paid to the Department of Labor. A non-refundable fee may be charged to and shall be collected from each individual who applies for a duplicate or replacement Boiler Operator License.

(g)   A license is valid for a period of two (2) years and shall expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month. Each such license shall be prorated in accordance with the licensing procedures adopted by the Department. A license must designate the name of the holder, the class of the license, the issue date of the license, and the expiration date of the license. Any license issued under this chapter is automatically renewable upon payment of the fee set forth in OAC 380:25-19-1(f). Any license not renewed within 90 days of the expiration date will be subject to all of the provisions of a new issuance.

(h)   The licenses herein described are applicable to all single burner power boilers, all low pressure steam boilers, all water heating boilers, and all electric boilers. Exemption. This license shall not be applicable to those boilers associated with antique traction engines. The Boiler Operator License herein described does not grant the holder of such license the right to engage in the installation, service and/or repair of boilers for any other company, corporation, organization, facility, person or governmental agency beyond those boilers that the licensee is responsible for as a function of the licensee's permanent employment.

(i)   Jurisdictions adopting the Boiler Operator Licensing requirements in these rules may enact local regulations dealing with requirements for licensed operator attendance, daily checks, documentation of operating parameters, and availability of operators during off duty hours.

(j)   A Boiler Operator License may be suspended by the Commissioner of Labor or his or her designee, after due investigation for the falsification of information contained on the application, incompetence, untrustworthiness, gross carelessness or intoxication while operating or performing maintenance to boilers. Notification of proposed suspension will be provided to the licensee and his or her employer, if known. All proposed suspensions are subject to notice and an opportunity for hearing as provided by the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act.

(k)   Boiler Operator License Classes:

(1)   First Class Boiler Operator License (supervisory level license):

(A)   Any person holding a First Class Boiler Operator License is qualified to operate and maintain, and to supervise others in the operation and maintenance of all single burner boilers regardless of energy input.

(B)   Qualifications:

(i)   A minimum of three years of experience in the operation and maintenance of Power Boilers with a heat input in excess of 12,500,000 btu/hr, and

(ii)   A minimum of one year experience in a supervisory capacity, with documented responsibility for the supervision of others in the operation and maintenance of boilers in this class, or

(iii)   The documented satisfactory completion of a course of instruction in Physical Plant Management, the contents of which are agreeable to the Chief Boiler Inspector as a substitute for direct supervision experience, and

(iv)   A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor, or other documentation acceptable to the Chief Boiler Inspector.

(v)   A passing grade on the Boiler Operator License Examination.

(2)   Second Class Boiler Operator license:

(A)   In addition to those boilers operable with a Third and Fourth Class Boiler Operator License, any person holding a Second Class Boiler Operator License is qualified to operate and maintain all boilers with energy inputs exceeding 12,500,000 btu/hr. or its equivalent.

(B)   Qualifications:

(i)   A minimum of three years documented experience in the direct operation and maintenance of boilers covered by this class of license, one year of which must be with power boilers, or

(ii)   A minimum of three years of experience in the direct operation and maintenance of boilers as a Third Class Boiler Operator, and

(iii)   A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor, or other documentation acceptable to the chief Boiler Inspector.

(iv)   A passing grade on the Boiler Operator License Examination.

(3)   Third Class Boiler Operator License:

(A)   In addition to those boilers operable with a Fourth Class Boiler Operator license, any person holding a Third Class Boiler Operator License shall be qualified to operate and maintain steam boilers and water heating boilers with a temperature not to exceed 250 F. and a pressure not to exceed 160 psig., Energy inputs shall not exceed 12,500,000 Btu/hr maximum, or its equivalent.

(B)   Qualifications:

(i)   A minimum of two years documented experience in the direct operation and maintenance of boilers covered by this class of license, or

(ii)   A minimum of one year experience in the operation and maintenance of boilers as a Fourth Class Boiler Operator, and

(iii)   A letter of recommendation from the current supervisor or other documentation acceptable to the Chief Boiler Inspector.

(iv)   A passing grade on the Boiler Operator License Examination.

(4)   Fourth Class Boiler Operator License:

(A)   Any person holding a Fourth Class Boiler Operator License is qualified to operate and maintain water heating boilers with a temperature not exceeding 250 F. and a pressure not exceeding 160 psig, any steam boiler operating at 15 psig or below. Energy inputs shall not exceed 5,000,000 btu/hr. maximum or its equivalent.

(B)   Qualifications:

(i)   A minimum of one year documented experience in the direct operation and maintenance of boilers and equipment covered by this class of license, or

(ii)   A minimum of six months experience under the supervision of a qualified boiler operator, or

(iii)   Completion of an acceptable training course, and

(iv)   Pass the appropriate written examination.

[Source: Added at 19 Ok Reg 2788, eff 11-1-02; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2697, eff 8-12-03; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 845, eff 7-1-13; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1773, eff 9-15-18]