Section 5.3. Examining boards and examinations

(a) The Department will appoint examining boards for the purpose of conducting examinations for blaster’s licenses and issuing credentials to eligible persons. There will be established in each district office of the Bureau of Inspection, an examining board consisting of five members, one to represent manufacturers of explosives, one to represent the mining and quarry industries, one to represent highway and heavy construction industries, one to represent insurance underwriters and a representative of the Department who will be chairperson. Three members attending a board meeting will constitute a quorum.

(b) The examining boards shall hold regular meetings quarterly in each district office and shall at that time conduct the examination of applicants for blaster’s licenses. Special meetings for the purpose of conducting examinations may also be held if in the judgment of the chairperson, the number of applicants for examination warrants the action.

(c) The questions comprising examinations will be prepared by the Division of Mines, Quarries Explosives of the Department and will be forwarded to each district office, with acceptable answers, in sealed envelopes, which seals are not to be broken until the start of the examination. A score of 70% or more will establish a successful applicant.

(d) Forms for application will be furnished on request by the Bureau of Inspection, Division of Mines, Quarries and Explosives, Labor and Industry Building, 7th and Forster Streets, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Applications shall be mailed to the Chief of the Division at the above address and shall be accompanied by a check or money order in the amount of $10, payable to the Commonwealth.

(e) Each application for a blaster’s license shall be accompanied by a signed statement from the employer of the applicant, or other responsible person, certifying that, in the opinion of that person, the applicant is qualified by experience and is physically and mentally fit to hold a license for general blasting.

(f) Applicants for blaster’s license will be notified as to when and where to appear for examination. Each applicant shall appear personally before the assigned examining board on the date designated and take the examination then given.

(g) Applicants failing to appear for scheduled examinations forfeit the fee paid unless they have submitted either written notice to the Division prior to the examination date or a valid certified medical excuse, also in writing. Final determination of refund of fee or admittance to subsequent examination without a reapplication fee will be at the discretion of the examining board.

(h) Examining boards may issue blaster’s licenses without examination to applicants who have had at least three years experience in the handling and use of explosives prior to the effective date of the act. An applicant for a blaster’s license on the basis of prior experience shall attach to his application an affidavit itemizing the experience, indicating dates and employers.

(i) Applicants will be notified in writing as to whether they have qualified for the license. Applicants failing to qualify in examination may apply for reexamination by submitting a new application accompanied by a fee of $10.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 5.4 (relating to issuance and status of licenses).