92.18 Training and certification.

(1) The department shall, by rule, establish a program of training and certification for persons who review plans for, conduct inspections of or engage in activities under any of the following:

(a) This chapter.

(b) Section 281.65, if those activities relate to agricultural practices.

(2) The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Identify those persons involved in plan review or inspections who are required to obtain certification.

(b) Establish the requirements for and the term of initial certification, and the requirements for recertification upon expiration of that term. To the extent possible, the department shall establish the requirements for certification in conformance with the engineering approval system used by the federal soil conservation service in providing technical assistance under 7 CFR 610.1 to 610.5. The department may require applicants to pass an examination in order to receive initial certification.

(c) Establish different levels of certification as the department determines is appropriate.

(d) Identify persons other than inspectors and plan reviewers who may benefit from the training program, and encourage those persons to enroll in the training program.

(2m) If a person is certified under this section to review plans for, or conduct inspections of, a type of agricultural engineering practice at one of the levels under sub. (2) (c), the department shall allow the person to review plans for, or conduct inspections of, all types of agricultural engineering practices at that same level without requiring any additional certification.

(3) The department may impose fees for the training and certification program.

(4) The department shall promulgate rules under this section in consultation with the department of natural resources.

(5) Any training required under this section may be conducted by the department or the department of natural resources or by another person with the approval of the department.

(6) The department may suspend or revoke a certification under this section for failure to comply with this section or rules promulgated under this section.

History: 1991 a. 309; 1995 a. 227; 1999 a. 9.