The director may, with the approval of the board of advisors, waive examinations for applicants who hold valid incinerator or landfill operators certificates, or inspector certificates issued by other states, a province, the federal government, or a professional association that has comparable standards as determined by the board.

(1) Applications for reciprocity will be considered when:

(a) The training received by the applicant is comparable to training offered by the state of Washington. A detailed syllabus outlining all relevant training must be released by the appropriate training facility for review and approval by the board. Those applicants with deficiencies shall resolve the deficiencies before certification is granted. Applicants must contact the department within one year of application;

(b) The department receives written confirmation from the certifying authority of the state, province, the federal government, or professional association in which the applicant is certified, that the certificate is currently valid and was earned by passing a written examination. A copy of the exam passed by the applicant must also be released for review by the board; and

(c) The application fee is received.

(2) The board shall review and compare out-of-state examinations with Washington's examinations to determine at which level the examination is most equivalent.

(3) Training in state of Washington solid waste law is required for certification.

(4) Incinerator operators are required to successfully complete an examination to determine the competency needed to operate and maintain the facility for which the operator is currently responsible.

(5) Certificates must be issued to each reciprocity applicant who meets the minimum training and examination requirements set forth in WAC 173-300-080. Upon notification by the department that the applicant meets all the criteria, the certification fee is due within thirty days from the date of notification.