Virginia Law

A. Boiler operators and pressure vessel operators covered under this chapter shall be duly certified in the proper class by the examining agent or board of the jurisdiction adopting a boiler certification ordinance.

B. The agent or board shall be appointed by the adopting jurisdiction. Any such agent or board shall provide for the examination of applicants for boiler and pressure vessel operator certification no less than 12 times per year.

C. The written examination for boiler operator certification shall be administered by the agent or board.

Such examination shall include questions, diagrams and practical tests of sufficient scope to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary qualifications, experience and knowledge of the basic principles involved in operation, care and maintenance to operate safely the boiler and auxiliary pressure vessels of the class for which an application for certification has been made.

Specific competencies shall include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Principles of boiler design;

2. General operation practices;

3. Effects of water treatment;

4. Inspection requirements; and

5. Emergency shutdown procedures.

D. The class of certification and the training and experience requirements are as follows:

1. Class-1 Boiler Operator - To take charge of and operate or maintain any steam plant.

Requirements:

Two years experience as an operator of high pressure boiler beyond that experience which is required for a Class-2 operator.

Substitution of a degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college, university or school of technology or successful completion of an approved boiler operator apprenticeship program or a U.S. military training course may be permitted for one year of the required experience.

2. Class-2 Boiler Operator - To take charge of and operate any of the following:

a. A high pressure steam plant where the total horsepower rating of the boiler is not in excess of 500 boiler horsepower, or a combination of high pressure boilers and heating boilers and auxiliary pressure vessels; or

b. A heating plant having low pressure boilers with a pump return with no limitation on total capacity; or

c. A heating plant having hot water heating boilers, with no limitation on total capacity.

Requirements:

At least two years experience as a boiler operator or an assistant boiler operator, fireman or oiler, in a high pressure steam plant of more than 75 boiler horsepower; or

Four years of such experience in a plant of not less than 50 boiler horsepower.

Substitution of a degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited college, university or school of technology or successful completion of any approved boiler operator apprenticeship program or a U.S. military training course may be permitted for one year of the required experience.

E. In cases where a boiler operator has been operating a plant for a period of at least one year prior to the effective date of implementation of this chapter by the adopting jurisdiction, or where the classification of such a boiler operator has been changed by this chapter, such an operator may be conditionally certified for a three-year period by the agent or board in order that the operator may continue operation of that plant and no other. A suitable endorsement should be noted on his certification documents.

F. Application for examination in the class of certification shall be made on an approved form provided by the agent or board of the adopting jurisdiction. A notarized statement of education, training and experience in operating steam boilers or low pressure boiler plants and auxiliary pressure vessels shall be provided with the application.

G. No certification shall be required of an individual holding a valid license or certificate, under Chapter 3.1 (§ 40.1-51.5 et. seq.) of Title 40.1 of the Code of Virginia, or certified under this chapter by another jurisdiction. An applicant who holds a valid certificate or license from any state or local government outside the Commonwealth may be certified without examination upon the presentation of the following to the agent or board (i) a valid certificate or license from that authority and (ii) the certification or licensure requirements of that authority; provided that the authority's requirements for certification or licensure are equal to or greater than those established under this chapter.

H. Applicants must successfully complete an examination and the other requirements to be deemed certified, except as indicated in subsection G above.

I. The agent or board shall evaluate the applications and examinations and issue certificates of competency to applicants successfully completing the examination process.

J. The agent or board of the adopting jurisdiction may permit an applicant to sit for a written examination at a lower class than that for which the applicant has applied, if it is determined that an applicant lacks either experience or requisite knowledge of the class applied for.

K. Applicants who fail to pass the required examination may not be reexamined until 90 days after the date of the last examination.

L. Applicants shall be notified in writing by the agent or board of the results of their application within 30 days following the date of the examination.

M. The certification fee shall be established by the adopting jurisdiction.

N. Certificates of Competency shall be provided by the adopting jurisdiction at a frequency established by the adopting jurisdiction.

O. When a Certificate of Competency has been lost or destroyed, the owner shall present a notarized statement to that effect and pay a processing charge established by that jurisdiction for issuance of a duplicate certificate.