(1) Any individual possessing the required education and experience may apply for certification in the manner designated by the board on such forms as required and approved by the board. The application shall be accompanied by such fee as required by section 25-9-108. Those applicants who meet the minimum qualifications as established by rules of the board promulgated in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., for certification shall be admitted for examination.

(2) When an individual desires certification in a field other than the field in which the individual has experience, the individual's experience shall be evaluated by the board or as directed by the board. The certificate issued is to be based upon the knowledge demonstrated by the applicant through examination and the individual's verified record of work experience in water and wastewater facility operation.

(3) Certificates shall be awarded by the board or at the direction of the board for a period of three years only to those applicants successfully meeting all of the requirements.

(4) (a) Certificates shall be renewed upon payment of the required renewal fee and a showing that the applicant for renewal has met the requirements established by the board for ongoing training.

(b) If any operator fails to renew the operator's certification before the expiration date of such certification, such certification is expired. If a certification expires because of failure to renew before the expiration date of such certification, the operator may renew the certification up to two years after the expiration date upon paying the required renewal fee and meeting the applicable ongoing training requirements for the certification being renewed. If an operator does not renew a certification within two years after the expiration date of such certification, the certification is automatically revoked and an applicant for recertification must meet all the requirements for certification as a new applicant.

(4.5) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 360, 8, effective July 1, 1996.)

(5) The board, upon application therefor, may issue a certificate, without examination, in a comparable classification to any person who holds a certificate in any state, territory, or possession of the United States or any country, providing the requirements for certification of operators under which the person's certificate was issued do not conflict with the provisions of this article and are of a standard not lower than that specified by regulations adopted under this article. Where there is a question as to the level of certification that should be granted, the board may authorize special examination or other procedures to confirm the appropriate certification level.

(6) to (8) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 360, § 8, effective July 1, 1996.)