Underground Storage Tank Certification Examinations. Presentation to ASTSWMO November 27, 2007 UST SYSTEM OPERATOR CERTIFICATION

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1 INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL Underground Storage Tank Certification Examinations Presentation to ASTSWMO November 27, 2007 UST SYSTEM OPERATOR CERTIFICATION Doug Hatch Test Developer, Program Manager International Code Council

2 INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL What is ICC? A membership association of cities, counties and states dedicated to building safety and fire prevention

3 ICC Certification Program Certification Mission: Promote and enhance professionalism in construction-related related occupations by Providing professional examinations which support safety of the built environment.

4 Committees are a key element in the Certification Program Certification Advisory Committee

5 ICC exams are developed and validated with the help of Examination Development Committees

6 Appoint Representative E xpert Advisory Panel(s) * Define Dom ain * Assemble Survey Instrument * Develop Prelim inary Items * Conduct Job Task Analysis Survey * A ssemble Job Task Analysis Report and Test Outline * Validate Items and Determine Cut-Score Assem ble Final Test M aterials * Exam Committee Tasks Administer Standardized Tests Conduct Post Test Analysis * Maintain Item Banks * A dvisory Panel Participatio n Defend Tests

7 NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATIONS UST Installation / Retrofitting AST Installation / Retrofitting UST Decommissioning UST Tank Tightness Testing UST Cathodic Protection UST System Operator Several states use these exams: Arizona, Alaska, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Mexico

8 STATE SPECIFIC UST EXAMINATIONS Alaska State Specific UST Laws & Rules New Mexico State Specific UST Laws & Rules Oregon Soil Matrix Supervisor Oregon Heating Oil Tank Supervisor Washington State Site Assessment California UST Service Technician California UST Inspector

9 UST OPERATOR EXAMINATIONS State UST Operator Examinations California UST System Operator (Designated Operator) Tennessee UST System Operator Wyoming UST Operator Wyoming AST Operator

10 THERE IS A NEED FOR: Proper maintenance & operation of UST facilities

11 THERE IS A NEED FOR: Proper maintenance & operation of UST facilities

12 To Respond to These Needs, A Key Element is: CERTIFICATION of UST Operators by Examination

13 Importance of the Certification Credential UST SYSTEM OPERATOR Requiring Certification helps Protect Public Safety & the Environment

14 UST SYSTEM OPERATOR

15 Importance of the Certification Credential UST SYSTEM OPERATOR Promotes Professionalism & Expertise in Overseeing the Operation of Critical UST Facilities

16 Objectives of the Certification Program: 1) Provide a mechanism for INDIVIDUALS to demonstrate their knowledge of regulatory standards, and practices

17 Objectives of the Certification Program: 2) Provide a mechanism for government JURISDICTIONS to use to evaluate individuals for the necessary knowledge of regulatory standards and practices

18 ICC UST Certification Program UST Operator Certification Satisfies the requirements of the Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act 2005 ICC has a National UST System Operator certification program in place

19 UST SYSTEM OPERATOR ICC Certification: A Valuable Credential Recognized In Many States

20 Exams Are Part of our Culture,

21 Just Like The Petroleum Industry is Part of our Culture

22 And Just Like The Petroleum Industry Technology Has Advanced Since The Early Days,

23 Exam Technology Has Advanced!

24 Exam Technology Has Advanced! Exams Must Comply With Regulations and National Standards

25 High Stakes Exams Credentialing Examinations are high stakes since the tests have an impact on the livelihood of the candidates seeking a license to practice. The consequence of an error could delay or eliminate the candidate from working on the job.

26 LEGAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (EEOC) Standards for Educational & Psychological Testing (APA/AERA/NCME)

27 Exams must be job-relevant Job-Relevant Exams National Testing Standards and EEOC Guidelines Mandate: Exams must measure the knowledge & skills required to perform the job

28 Critical Elements in Exam Development Identify Relevant Job Tasks (Job Task Analysis) Determine Importance to Public Health & Safety Identify Relevant References & Standards Develop Exam Questions Based on Identified References & Standards Determine Standard of Competency

29 Exam Validation The use of properly validated certification and licensing examinations helps ensure the public s health safety and welfare.

30 Exam Validation Validity refers to how meaningful and useful the results of the exam are. What does it mean when a person passes the exam?

31 Exam Validation Passing the exam provides evidence that an individual possess critical knowledge of the standards and industry practices necessary to perform the job tasks competently

32 Job Task Analysis Job Analysis List of jobs performed by UST Operators

33 Job Task Analysis List of job tasks ranking of relative importance of job tasks Link to Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs) required to perform the tasks Exam specifications

34 UST Operator Exam Definition of UST Operator used by ICC in developing the exam: The UST System Operator is the person designated to be in control of or having responsibility for the operation and maintenance of a UST system.

35 ICC UST Certification Program Underground Storage Tank Compliance Act 2005 Requires UST Operator training ICC has a National UST System Operator certification program in place

36 ICC UST Certification Program Achieving ICC UST System Operator Certification: Demonstrates that the individual is trained and has attained a high level of proficiency with required standards and practices, and; Demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding public health, safety and welfare.

37 UST Operator Exam References The exam covers what Operators must know to maintain regulatory compliance.

38 UST Operator Exam References National UST Operator Exam Technical Standards and Corrective Action Requirements for Owners and Operators of USTs, (EPA 40 C.F.R.) Musts for USTs, (EPA 510-K ) Dollars and Sense, Financial Responsibility Requirements for USTs (EPA 510-K ) Operating & Maintaining UST Systems, (EPA 510-B ) 008) Straight Talk on Tanks, (EPA 510-B97-007)

39 UST Operator Exam References California UST (Designated) Operator California Code of Regulations. Title 23, Division 3, Ch 16. Underground Tank Regulations California Health & Safety Code. Ch 6.7. Underground Storage of Hazardous Substances Dollars and Sense, Financial Responsibility Requirements for USTs (EPA 510-K ) Operating & Maintaining UST Systems, (EPA 510-B ) 008) Straight Talk on Tanks, (EPA 510-B97-007)

40 UST Operator Exam References Tennessee UST Operator Exam Portions Of The Rules of The Department of Environment & Conservation, Division Of Underground Storage Tanks, Chapter , 15, July, 2007 Revised Portions Of The Tennessee Code, Title 68, Health, Safety, & Environmental Protection, Chapter 215, UST Program, Part 1, General Provisions Musts for USTs, (EPA 510-K ) Operating & Maintaining UST Systems, (EPA 510-B ) 008) Straight Talk on Tanks, (EPA 510-B97-007)

41 ICC UST Certification Program The ICC Certification Program can be used by regulatory agencies as a practical, effective, low-cost way to satisfy the requirements of USTCA 2005

42 For more information, get this Exam Information Bulletin at: or call

43 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions According to EPA 40 CFR, a leak should be suspected in a 1,560 gallon tank if the variation between the beginning and ending manual tank gauging liquid level measurements exceeds the weekly standard of gallons. A. 10 B. 13 C. 20 D. 26

44 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions Leak detection methods must be able to detect a leak from what part or parts of the UST system? A. Only the sumps B. Only the pressurized product piping C. Any portion of the UST system that routinely contains product D. Any portion of the UST system including vent, riser and vent recovery piping

45 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions Where a high level alarm is used as the tank overfill prevention method, the alarm must alert the transfer operator when the tank is a maximum of how full? A. 80% B. 85% C. 90% D. 95%

46 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions When a UST system is temporarily closed for three months or more without performing leak detection, an operator must do all of the following, EXCEPT: A. cap and secure the vent line. B. maintain corrosion protection. C. remove the product to less than one inch. D. cap and secure pumps, man ways, and product lines.

47 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions According to EPA 40 CFR 280, when using interstitial monitoring as a leak detection method, you must retain records of your monthly monitoring for: A. 6 months. B. 1 year. C. 3 years. D. 5 years.

48 ICC UST Certification Program Sample Questions - CA UST System Operator (Designated Operator) 60 multiple-choice questions, 1½-hour limit, Open book 1. Which of the following operational requirements must an operator comply with for an automatic line leak detector? A. Have the footvalve tested annually. B. Exercise the "automatic reset" monthly. C. Check the interstitial space weekly for liquid. D. Have the automatic line leak detector tested annually According to Title 23, CCR, UST Regulations, results of the tank tightness testing must be retained for what period of time? A. For a period of 3 years. B. For the life of the facility. C. Until the next tightness test is conducted. D. Until you are sure a release has not occurred.

49 ICC UST Certification Program 3. Records for UST construction, repairs, lining, and upgrades must be kept for: A. 10 years. B. 25 years. C. the life of the tank. D. the life of the warranty When used for release detection, Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG) systems must be certified: A. at start up only. B. every 6 months. C. every year. D. every 3 years

50 ICC UST Certification Program 5. If your tank has an impressed current rectifier how often does it need to be inspected? A. Once every week. B. Every 60 days. C. Every 6 months. D. The annual test is all that is required.