Title: Section 5-4.4 - Education, experience, and/or training substitutions

5-4.4 Education, experience, and/or training substitutions. The Department will allow education, experience and/or training substitutions in lieu of the requirements outlined in section 5.4-3(b). Experience that is used to meet the experience requirement for any grade of certification may not be substituted for education. Education that is used to meet the education requirement for any grade of certification may not be substituted for experience. Experience and education may not be used more than once as a substitution. The following substitutions may be accepted:

(a) A New York State professional engineer’s license, or a bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural science or a related field from an accredited or New York State registered college or university, may be substituted for eight years of experience. A minimum of two years operating experience, at the level described in Table 5-4.3, must be obtained if this substitution is used.

(b) An associate degree in applied science, with at least a one semester course in water treatment plant operations, from an accredited or New York State registered college or university, may be substituted for six years of experience. A minimum of two years (four years for Grade(s) IA and IB) operating experience, at the level described in Table 5-4.3, must be obtained if this substitution is used.

(c) An associate degree in applied science, from an accredited or New York State registered college or university, may be substituted for four years of experience. A minimum of two years (six years for Grade(s) IA and IB) operating experience, at the level described in Table 5-4.3, must be obtained if this substitution is used.

(d) Experience and/or relevant training may be substituted for a high school diploma or GED for grades C and D.