(1) Fire-resistant material applicator training providers and courses may be sponsored by an apprenticeship program registered with the Washington state apprenticeship and training council, by fire-resistant material manufacturers, or other certified training providers that have been approved by the department to provide training in the application of fire-resistant materials. There are four separate courses which are approved separately. An authorized training provider's sponsors may be approved to train in more than one course listed in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Fire-resistant material applicator courses include:

• Spray fire-resistant material full course (32 hours)

• Spray fire-resistant material refresher course (8 hours)

• Firestop full course (24 hours)

• Firestop refresher course (8 hours)

(3) An approved course must include in-person and hands-on instruction, and meet the minimum required elements for an approved course in WAC 296-156-050 including topics and hours.

(4) Prior to receiving initial or renewal approval by the department, each course must be evaluated for the breadth of knowledge, course content, training techniques, and experience required to properly train course participants. To apply for approval, the following must be submitted:

(a) Background information about the authorized training provider course sponsors and instructors;

(b) Course locations;

(c) Course fees;

(d) Copies of course handouts;

(e) A detailed description of course content and the amount of time allotted to each major topic based on WAC 296-156-050;

(f) A description of teaching methods to be utilized and a list of all audio-visual materials; the department may, in its discretion, request that copies of the materials be provided for review;

(g) Training must be taught by competent instructors;

(h) A description of course participant evaluation methods;

(i) A description of course evaluation methods;

(j) Any restrictions on attendance (including, but not limited to: Language, class size, affiliation);

(k) A list of any other states that currently approve the training course.

(5) Applications for course approval must be submitted timely. Course instruction cannot begin until department approval has been received. For timely approval (earlier submissions are encouraged):

(a) The initial application for training course approval and course materials must be submitted to the department at least 60 days prior to the requested approval date.

(b) The renewal application for the training course approval must be received by the department no later than 30 days before the approval expiration date.

(6) The decision to grant or renew approval of a training course is the sole discretion of the department.

(7) Following approval of a training course, the department will issue the course sponsor an approval that is valid for three years from the date of issuance.

(8) Any changes to a training course must be approved by the department in advance of those changes being incorporated into and used in a training course.

(9) A representative of the department may, at the department's discretion, attend a training course as an observer to verify that the training course is conducted in accordance with the program approved by the department.

(a) The authorized training provider conducting training outside the state of Washington must reimburse the department for reasonable travel expenses associated with department audits of the training courses.

(b) Reasonable travel expenses are defined as current state of Washington per diem and travel allowance rates including airfare, surface transportation rates, or both. Such reimbursement must be paid within 30 days of receipt of the billing notice.

(10) The authorized training provider must limit each class to a maximum of 40 participants.

(11) There must be at least one instructor for every 20 students for classroom instruction and one instructor for every 10 students during hands-on instruction.

(12) Recordkeeping requirements: All approved authorized training providers must comply with the following minimum recordkeeping requirements and provide to the department upon request the following:

(a) Training course materials. The authorized training provider must retain copies of all instructional materials used in delivery of the classroom training such as course participant manuals, instructor notebooks, and handouts.

(b) Instructor qualifications. The authorized training provider must retain copies of all instructors' resumes and qualifications. Records must accurately identify the instructors that taught each particular class for each date that a course is offered.

(c) Record retention and access. The authorized training provider must maintain the records in a manner that allows verification of the required information via telephone, or other communication.

(i) All required training records must be maintained for 10 years, it may be advantageous to retain these records for a longer period.

(ii) The authorized training provider must allow reasonable access to all of the records which may be required by the department for the approval of training courses on request.

(iii) If an authorized training provider ceases to conduct training, the authorized training provider must notify the department and give it the opportunity to take possession of that authorized training provider's training records.

(13) The course sponsor must provide the department with a list of all persons who have completed a basic or refresher training course. The list must be provided no later than 10 days after course completion and must include the name, email address, and mailing address of each trainee.

(14) The department may deny, suspend, or revoke approval of a training course as provided in WAC 296-156-060.