Section 300.237  Application and Licensure

a)         Each applicant shall submit a completed application for licensure on forms supplied by the Department. The application shall be accompanied by the required fee, which is non-refundable.  Any applicant whose completed application has been received, reviewed and accepted by the Department prior to a regularly scheduled examination session shall be scheduled for that session. The completed application shall include:

1)         Proof of the applicant's blasting experience, which shall include: A

A)        A notarized statement from the applicant's employer or a licensed blaster having personal knowledge of the applicant's blasting experience relating to the subjects listed in Section 300.235(b) of this Part, and affirming that the applicant has had at least two years blasting experience; or

B)        A notorized statement from an Illinois licensed blaster who directly supervised the applicant, affirming that the applicant has experience with the following: proper blast design to comply with the regulatory requirements of this Part, drilling, loading, initiation systems and delay timing, monitoring requirements, and blast zone security and safety.  The applicant's experience shall have included detailed involvement with at least 120 blasts.

2)         Proof that the applicant has successfully completed a blaster training course or courses that cover the material listed in Section 300.235(b) of this Part.

b)         The Department shall review each application, including required documents, for completeness and the accuracy of the statements contained in the application and required documents. The Department's acceptance of an application shall be based on the applicant's compliance with the requirements of this Part.

c)         Each applicant shall be required to pass a written examination established and administered by the Department. The examination shall  cover the subjects set forth in Section 300.235(b) of this Part. The minimum passing score shall be 70% correct answers. The Department retains the sole right to determine whether any or all responses to examination questions are correct.

d)         Any applicant whose application is denied shall be so informed in writing, within 30 days after the date the applicant is found to be not qualified. Reason(s) for such denial shall be included with the notification. Each applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (a) above and who passes the examination required in subsection (b) above shall be issued a blaster license as soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than 45 days after the examination date. Any applicant who meets the requirements of Section 300.237(a) but who does not pass the examination shall be so notified within 15 days of the examination date. That person may, upon written request, review his or her examination at the Department's Springfield office. Such request must be made and the review completed not less than ten days prior to the reexamination date for which the applicant is scheduled. The review must be done during the Department's regular business hours. Any person who does not pass the examination shall be scheduled for the next reexamination session, pursuant to Section 300.236(b) of this Part.

e)         An employed blaster shall have his or her license readily available for inspection at the operation.

f)         A temporary blaster license will be issued to any individual who applies to the Department for such licensure and who provides a photocopy of his or her valid blaster license issued in another state, or the name of the state where the license was issued and the license number. The period of the temporary blaster license shall not exceed six months from the date of issuance. Such a temporary license shall be issued only once to any individual in any continuous five year period.

g)         Each license shall be valid for five years from the date of issuance. Renewal following expiration shall be in accordance with the application, examination and licensure requirements of this Part.

h)         Blaster licensure shall not be assigned or transferred.

i)          Blasters shall not delegate their responsibility to any individual who is not a licensed blaster.

j)          The blaster shall take reasonable precaution to protect his or her license from loss, theft or unauthorized duplication. Such loss, theft or duplication shall be reported to the Department without delay.

(Source:  Amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 11231, effective August 26, 1999)