Section 920.210  Examination for Closed Loop Well Contractor Certification and Fees

a)         Applications

1)         Each person who desires to apply for admittance to the examination for closed loop contractor certification shall file an application for examination on forms provided by the Department.  Forms may be obtained by writing to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, 525 W. Jefferson Street, Springfield IL 62761.

2)         The Department will establish examination dates and locations.  A completed application, a current photograph of the applicant, proof of 180 days working as a geothermal well driller and a fee of $175 shall be filed with the Department at least 45 days prior to the examination date.

3)         Members of the Closed Loop Well Contractors Certification Board shall be allowed to take the examination.

b)         Examination Requirements and Results

1)         Examination Content.  The examination for closed loop well contractor certification will test the applicant's knowledge of the location of closed loop wells in relation to water wells and sources of contamination, drilling of boreholes and grouting of the borehole.

2)         Passing Grade.  The examination shall consist of questions with a grade value of 100 points.  To successfully pass the examination to obtain certification, a grade of not less than 70 shall be obtained.

3)         Notification of Results.  The Department will notify each examinee by letter of the results of the applicant's examination.

4)         Failure to Pass.  Any person who fails to pass the examination shall be admitted to a subsequent regularly scheduled examination after filing a new examination application and fee with the Department in accordance with subsection (a).

5)         Review of Examinations.  Individuals may not review their examinations once they have been taken.

c)         A person holding a valid water well contractor's license issued under the Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act may apply to the Department and shall receive, without examination or fee, closed loop well contractor certification if, as part of the application, the person submits a copy of his or her current Water Well Contractor's License and provided that all other requirements of the Illinois Water Well Construction Code are met.

d)         Any person who installs horizontal closed loop wells using only the open trench method shall be exempt from certification under this Section.

e)         Certification shall expire if the person holding the certifications fails to register within two years after becoming certified, or a person registered in accordance with Section 920.220 allows his or her registration to lapse for more than three years.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 15751, effective August 30, 2022)