Major Changes In Solid Waste Disposal Facility Manager/Operator Certification Program (NR 524)

1. Waste division classifications (i.e., Comprehensive, Inorganic and Sludge) are deleted. However, landfill categories based on waste types (i.e., Municipal, High Volume Industrial, and Construction and Demolition) have not been changed.
2. As of February 1, 2006, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will no longer organize or facilitate any training for candidates planning to take the certification examination. To help certification examination candidates prepare for the examination, DNR will provide a study guide to all applicants.
3. As of February 1, 2006, DNR will no longer organize or facilitate any refresher training for certified managers or operators. Since DNR will no longer organize refresher training, persons seeking recertification must arrange to obtain necessary continuing education training hours in solid/hazardous waste or safety related subjects.
4. The continuing education training hours necessary for recertification has been reduced to eight for managers (used to be sixteen) and four for operators (used to be eight).
   As of February 1, 2006 DNR will not pre-approve continuing education training. Those who want to renew their certificate need to submit the continuing education credit slip provided with their renewal reminder letter. This credit slip must be signed by a certified manager or landfill owner indicating that facility manager/site operator has taken the appropriate training required for recertification.
   (Note: Renewal reminders will be mailed approximately 6-8 weeks before the certification expiration date).
5. Recertification for both managers and operators is required every two years
   (Note: It used to be two years for managers and three years for operators).
6. As of February 1, 2006, DNR will no longer provide any interim training. Landfill owners may select a person with experience in solid waste facility issues, as an interim manager or operator. A designated manager must have 2 years of experience in solid waste facility management issues and a designated operator must have 1 year of experience in operation of a solid waste facility.
   For designated operators, experience in earth work construction is also acceptable. Department approval for the interim appointee must be obtained. A fee of $150.00 must be included with the interim appointment request.
7. Interim appointments will be valid for one year
   (used to be valid for up to 30 days following the next Department approved training and test).
8. A late fee of $100.00 must be paid if a certificate is renewed after the renewal date. The certificate will be cancelled if not renewed (with a $100.00 late fee) within 6 months of the renewal date (used to be 3 months).

For more information or questions on the landfill operator certification program, please contact:

Kelly Thompson
(608) 266-8948

Amalendu Bagchi
(608) 267-7576