15A NCAC 13C .0304. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTERED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS  


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  • In order to be approved to perform work as an REC, an environmental consulting or engineering firm shall meet the following requirements.

    (1)           REC applicants shall demonstrate that one or more persons in their employ individually meet all of the following standards and requirements and therefore qualify to perform the role of RSM for the REC.  To qualify as an RSM, an individual shall:

    (a)           Have the following minimum relevant professional experience:

    (i)            five years experience in investigation and remediation of hazardous substance or waste disposal sites;

    (ii)           three years direct experience in supervising site investigation and remedial action projects; and

    (iii)          eight years of total relevant professional experience, which shall be work of a professional grade and character performed for a minimum average of 20 hours per week that indicates the applicant is competent to render waste site cleanup activity opinions.  Total relevant professional experience performed for less than a minimum average of 20 hours per week shall be applied toward the satisfaction of these requirements on a pro rata basis.  If an individual works more than 40 hours in a week, even if having multiple jobs, that individual may get credit only for one week's worth of work.  The Department shall consider the following criteria in evaluating whether an applicant RSM's waste site cleanup decision-making experience and practical experience constitute sufficient relevant experience:  the nature of work activities; the field of work activities;  the types of reports, studies and documents prepared; the range of methods evaluated and selected; the number of individuals and disciplines of other professionals supervised or coordinated;  the extent of review of conclusions, recommendations and opinions by supervisors; the duration of employment; and any other factors the Department deems pertinent.

    (b)           Have sufficient training to meet the hazardous waste operations and emergency response training standard, 29 CFR 1910.120.

    (c)           Have a four-year or graduate degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency in one of the following fields or a field which the Department determines would provide the educational background necessary to oversee a remedial action:

    (i)            Biochemistry;

    (ii)           Biology;

    (iii)          Chemical Engineering;

    (iv)          Chemistry;

    (v)           Civil Engineering;

    (vi)          Earth Science;

    (vii)         Environmental Engineering;

    (viii)        Environmental Science;

    (ix)          Epidemiology;

    (x)           Geochemistry;

    (xi)          Geological Engineering;

    (xii)         Geology;

    (xiii)        Geophysics;

    (xiv)        Geotechnical Engineering;

    (xv)         Hydrogeology;

    (xvi)        Hydrology;

    (xvii)       Industrial Hygiene;

    (xviii)      Mechanical Engineering;

    (xix)        Physics;

    (xx)         Soil Science; and

    (xxi)        Toxicology.

    (d)           Have a record of professionalism and integrity, demonstrated by the absence of:

    (i)            conviction of a felony;

    (ii)           conviction of a misdemeanor involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or forgery;

    (iii)          an adverse civil judgment in an action involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or forgery;

    (iv)          disbarment or disciplinary action relating to any professional license; and

    (v)           disqualification from government contracts for negligent acts or failure to perform required work.

    (2)           The applicant shall demonstrate that it has an established environmental consulting practice.

     

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-310.12(b);

Eff. April 1, 1997.