COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ODOR MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS
§ 130f.11. Determination of competence.
(a) Commercial odor management specialist. Determination of competence for a commercial odor management specialist shall be based on the successful completion of provisional certification training and examinations as set forth in this section and the successful completion of the final certification requirements established under this chapter.
(1) Provisional certification requirements for a commercial odor management specialist include an orientation training course, an OMP writing course and a written examination approved by the Department.
(2) Final certification of a commercial odor management specialist requires the development of two approved OMPs as set forth in subsection (h)(1). OMPs developed under this subsection will be determined to be adequate by the Department or its designee.
(b) Public odor management specialist. Determination of competence for a public odor management specialist will be based on the successful completion of provisional certification training and examinations as set forth in this section and the successful completion of the final certification requirements established by this chapter.
(1) Provisional certification requirements for a public odor management specialist include an orientation training course, an OMP review course, an OMP writing course and a written examination approved by the Department. OMP reviews completed and OMPs developed under this subsection will be determined to be adequate by the Department or its designee.
(2) Final certification of a public odor management specialist requires the approved review of one OMP and the development of one approved OMP as set forth in subsection (h)(2).
(c) Future advancements. As advancements in science and technology make new odor management techniques and Odor BMPs available and after these techniques and Odor BMPs are approved by the Commission, the certification requirements may include other course work related to those techniques and best management requirements, as well as, any new requirements set forth in the odor management regulations, as part of the certification course and training requirements. The new techniques and Odor BMPs will not become part of the certification requirements until after training manuals and course work have been modified to include the information necessary to impart knowledge of these new techniques and Odor BMPs.
(d) Provisional certification training. The provisional certification training courses must, at a minimum, consist of the following areas of odor management planning:
(1) Understanding an odor evaluation methodology approved by the Commission which may include the Odor Site Index.
(i) Completion and application of an odor evaluation methodology approved by the Commission which may include the Odor Site Index.
(ii) Mapping principles and requirements.
(2) Understanding odor generation and transmission principles.
(3) Understanding environmental and economic impacts associated with odor management.
(4) Understanding and awareness of land use issues related to odor impact and management.
(5) Understanding OMP components and content.
(6) Understanding the technology, application and implementation of Odor BMPs.
(7) Understanding regulatory requirements of agricultural operations.
(i) Types of agricultural operations or activities/technologies that may require OMPs.
(ii) How to submit an OMP.
(iii) Other applicable laws and regulations related to or conjoined with odor management.
(8) Recordkeeping requirements.
(9) Proper OMP review procedures (public odor management specialists only).
(10) Proper OMP writing procedures (commercial and public odor management specialists only).
(11) Other areas and course work related to requirements in the odor management regulations, and determined appropriate by the Department in the manner delineated in subsection (c).
(e) Examination. The written examination will be proctored by the Department or its designee. The Department will administer the examination at least twice per year, or more often as deemed necessary by the Department. At a minimum, the successful completion of the examination will demonstrate an examinee’s technical knowledge relating to odor management planning and OMP plan development in the following areas:
(1) Application of an odor evaluation methodology approved by the Commission which may include the Odor Site Index.
(2) Odor generation and transmission principles.
(3) Environmental and economic impacts associated with odor management.
(4) Land use issues related to odor impacts and management.
(5) OMP components and content.
(6) Technology, application and implementation of Odor BMPs.
(7) Odor management regulatory requirements of agricultural operations.
(8) Recordkeeping requirements.
(9) Other applicable laws and regulations related to or conjoined with odor management.
(10) Other areas related to new technology and Odor BMPs that become available and are approved by the Commission, as well as, new requirements in the odor management regulations. These other areas will not become part of the final certification requirements until training manuals and course work have been modified to include information necessary to impart knowledge of these new techniques and Odor BMPs.
(f) Other examinations. The Department may approve the use of written examinations other than the Pennsylvania Odor Management Examination, if the written examinations meet the requirements in subsection (e).
(g) Provisional certification. Upon the successful completion of the requirements in subsections (d) and (e), the applicant for certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist will be issued the appropriate provisional certification. The holder of a provisional certification is qualified, dependent on the type of provisional certification attained, to develop or review OMPs for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of this section regarding final certification. Provisional certification is valid for 2 years ending on the last day of the month from the date of issuance.
(h) Final certification requirements. Once provisional certification has been granted, the provisionally certified specialist shall complete one of the following dependent on the type of provisional certification granted and final certification sought:
(1) Commercial odor management specialist. To attain final certification, a provisionally certified commercial odor management specialist shall develop two OMPs which meet the requirements of section 509 of the act (relating to odor management plans). One of the required OMPs may be developed based on a scenario developed or approved by the Department. OMPs developed by the applicant shall be submitted to the Department or its designee for approval.
(2) Public odor management specialist. To attain final certification, a provisionally certified public odor management specialist shall successfully review one OMP and develop one OMP which meets the requirements of section 509 of the act. The developed OMP may be based on a scenario developed or approved by the Department. OMP reviews completed and OMPs developed by the applicant shall be submitted to the Department or its designee for approval.
(i) Public odor management specialist to commercial odor management specialist. A certified public odor management specialist may obtain certification as a commercial odor management specialist. To attain this certification, a certified public odor management specialist shall develop one additional OMP in accordance with section 509 of the act. The certified public odor management specialist seeking this certification shall submit the OMP to the Department or its designee for review and approval.
(j) Commercial odor management specialist to public odor management specialist. A certified commercial odor management specialist who wishes to obtain certification as a public odor management specialist shall complete an OMP review course covering proper OMP review procedures and successfully review one OMP in accordance with section 509 of the act. The applicant seeking to attain this certification shall submit the OMP review to the Department or its designee for review and approval.
(k) Nutrient management specialist to odor management specialist. A person certified and in good standing as a commercial nutrient management specialist or a public nutrient management specialist under the Department’s nutrient management certification regulations (See Chapter 130b (relating to nutrient management certification.)) may obtain certification as a commercial or public odor management specialist upon meeting the requirements of this chapter for the level of certification sought.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 130f.2 (relating to definitions); 7 Pa. Code § 130f.12 (relating to final certification); 7 Pa. Code § 130.21 (relating to determination of competance); and 7 Pa. Code § 130f.31 (relating to recertification).
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