HB 834

Present law requires the board of certification for water and wastewater operators to p repare, conduct , and grade examinations . This bill specifies the following with regard to such examinations: (1) Examinations prepared and administered by the board must d emonstrate that an operator has the necessary skills, k nowledge, ability, and judgment for the specified operator classification of the certification program , c onsist of the same questions for all applicants , and i nclude a minimum of 10% of the total questions for each classification on state regulatory questi ons germane to the specific operator classification ; (2) T o receive a certificate, applicants must c orrectly answer 70% or more of t he total questions on an examination or t he state regulatory questions and o therwise meet the requirements of the Water an d Wastewater Operator Certification Act ; (3) T he board is prohibited from collect ing data pertaining to, or otherwise us ing , an applicant's age, race, sex, or cultural background ; ( 4 ) The board is prohibited from delegat ing to a third-party its authori ty to determine minimum operator competency or to prepare, conduct, or grade examinations ; and ( 5 ) The board is authorized to use staff under its direct supervision to prepare, conduct, and grade examinations .