Section 300.237 Application and Licensure

Section 300

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 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 of this Part, and

affirming that the applicant has had at least two years blasting experience

within the previous five years as it relates to aggregate mining; or

B)        A notarized 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 blasting zone security and safety.  The

applicant's experience shall have included detailed involvement with at least

120 aggregate mining blasts which have taken place within the previous five

years.

2)         Proof that the applicant has successfully completed a blaster

training course or courses that cover the material listed in Section 300.235.

3)         An applicant for original licensure, except for an applicant

who has previously submitted fingerprint-based data to the Department, shall

submit with the application, fingerprint-based data or two sets of fingerprint

cards on forms specified by the Department.  The fingerprint cards shall be

accompanied by the required non-refundable application fee

terial listed in Section 300.235.

3)         An applicant for original licensure, except for an applicant

who has previously submitted fingerprint-based data to the Department, shall

submit with the application, fingerprint-based data or two sets of fingerprint

cards on forms specified by the Department.  The fingerprint cards shall be

accompanied by the required non-refundable application fee.

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. The minimum passing score shall be 70

points. 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. Reasons for such denial shall be included with the notification.

Each applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (a) and who passes the

examination required in subsection (c) 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 applicant may, upon written request, review their 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

o 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 applicant may, upon written request, review their 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 applicant who does not pass the

examination shall be scheduled for the next reexamination session, pursuant to

Section 300.236(b).

e)         An employed blaster shall have their Illinois Surface

Aggregate 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.  Any

applicant whose license has been expired for a period of two years or more from

the date of expiration will be required to complete the training set forth in

Section 300.235.

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 their

license from loss, theft or unauthorized duplication

he date of expiration will be required to complete the training set forth in

Section 300.235.

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 their

license from loss, theft or unauthorized duplication. Such loss, theft or

duplication shall be reported to an authorized representative of the Department

immediately by phone.  Telephone numbers can be found at www.dnr.illinois.gov/mines/ead/documents/districtmap.pdf.

A written notice, which can be in the form of email, must be submitted to the

Department within 5 days after the phone notification, shall be executed under

penalties of perjury, and shall include a description of the time, location,

and circumstances surrounding the loss, theft or destruction of the license.

k)         Applicants for blasting licensure must meet and maintain the

qualifications as per Section 300.239.