Title of Regulation: 18VAC15-20. Virginia Asbestos Licensing Regulations (amending 18VAC15-20-70, 18VAC15-20-470, 18VAC15-20-520).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-501 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: May 1, 2015.

Agency Contact: Trisha Henshaw, Executive Director, Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8595, FAX (866) 350-5354, or email alhi@dpor.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments (i) allow a licensee or an accredited asbestos training provider to renew a license or accredited asbestos training program up to 12 months after the expiration of the license or accreditation without reapplying as a new applicant, (ii) extend the time frame for accredited asbestos training providers to submit course participant lists to 10 business days, and (iii) no longer require two instructors for most initial accredited asbestos training programs.

Summary of Public Comments and Agency's Response: No public comments were received by the promulgating agency.

18VAC15-20-70. Procedures for renewal.

A. The department shall mail a renewal notice to each licensee and to each approved accredited asbestos training program at the last known address. The notice shall outline the procedures for renewal and the renewal fee amount. Failure to receive the notice shall not relieve the licensee or the approved accredited asbestos training program of the obligation to renew in a timely fashion.

B. Prior to the expiration date shown on the license or approval letter, each licensed asbestos contractor and licensed asbestos analytical laboratory desiring to renew the license shall return the renewal notice together with the appropriate fee specified in 18VAC15-20-53 to the department. Should the licensee fail to receive the renewal notice, a copy of the current license may be submitted with the required fee.

C. Prior to the expiration date shown on the individual's current license, the individual desiring to renew that license shall provide evidence of meeting the annual refresher training requirement for license renewal and the appropriate fee specified in 18VAC15-20-53. The board will accept any asbestos training programs that are approved by EPA/AHERA or the board. A copy of the training certificate documenting the successful completion of the refresher training for the license discipline being renewed and meeting the requirements outlined in this chapter shall accompany the renewal notice and fee.

D. Prior to the expiration date shown on the approval letter, each accredited asbestos training program desiring to renew the approval shall return the renewal notice to the department together with the following:

1. Appropriate fee specified in 18VAC15-20-53.

2. Any changes made to the training program.

3. Dates on which the training material was last updated.

4. Statement indicating that the training program continues to meet the regulation requirements established in this chapter.

Should an approved accredited asbestos training program fail to receive the renewal notice, a letter indicating the desire to renew and the applicable fee may be submitted.

E. Project monitors who also hold a valid Virginia asbestos supervisor or project designer license may meet the renewal training requirements by completing the supervisor refresher or project designer refresher, whichever is applicable. Project monitors who hold only a project monitor license shall complete an accredited asbestos project monitor refresher training program to meet the renewal training requirements.

F. Annual refresher training certificates shall only be used once to renew an individual license.

G. Each license and each accredited asbestos training program approval that is not renewed within 30 days of the expiration date on the license or approval shall be subject to late renewal fees as established in 18VAC15-20-53.

H. Each license and each approved accredited asbestos training program not renewed within six 12 months after the expiration date shall not be renewed and the licensee or approved accredited asbestos training program shall apply for a new license or new approval.

18VAC15-20-470. Recordkeeping and provision of records to the board.

A. The training manager shall notify the board no less than 48 hours prior to the start date of any accredited asbestos training program.

B. The training manager shall provide an updated notification when an accredited asbestos training program will begin on a date other than the start date specified in the original notification as follows:

1. For accredited asbestos training programs beginning prior to the start date provided to the board, an updated notification must be received by the board at least 48 hours before the new start date.

2. For accredited asbestos training programs beginning after the start date provided to the board, an updated notification must be received by the board at least 48 hours before the start date provided to the board.

C. The training manager shall update the board of any change in location of an accredited asbestos training program at least 48 hours prior to the start date provided to the board.

D. The training manager shall update the board regarding any accredited asbestos training program cancellations or any other change to the original notification at least 48 hours prior to the start date provided to the board. This requirement shall not apply to situations or circumstances beyond the control of the training provider.

E. Each notification, including updates, shall include the following:

1. Notification type (original, update, cancellation).

2. Training program name, Virginia accreditation number, address, and telephone number.

3. Course discipline, type (initial/refresher), and the language in which the instruction will be given.

4. Dates and times of training.

5. Training locations, telephone number, and address.

6. Principal instructor's name.

7. Training manager's name and signature.

F. For all accredited asbestos training programs approved by the board, the training provider shall keep a training program participant list of all of the individuals attending the accredited asbestos training program. The training program participant list shall contain the following minimum information:

1. Training program name, Virginia accreditation number, address, and telephone number.

2. Course discipline and type (initial/refresher).

3. Dates of training.

4. Location of training program presentation.

5. Each participant's name, address, social security number, course completion certificate number, and course test score.

6. Principal instructor's name.

7. Training manager's name and signature.

G. The training program participant list shall be completed by the training program principal instructor and training program participants daily.

H. The training program participant list shall be retained by the training provider for three years following the date of completion of the training program.

I. The training manager shall provide to the board the accredited asbestos training program participant list no later than 24 hours 10 business days following the training program completion.

J. Notifications and training program participant lists shall be submitted electronically in the manner established by the board specifically to receive this documentation using a sample form designed by and available from the board. Any variation upon this procedure shall be approved by the board prior to submission.

K. The training provider shall retain all examinations completed by training program participants for a period of three years.

L. The department shall not recognize training certificates from approved training providers that fail to notify or fail to provide a training program participant list.

18VAC15-20-520. Number of instructors required to provide training.

A. The board strongly recommends a minimum of two instructors to teach an accredited asbestos initial worker training program.

B. At least two instructors shall be used for each supervisor, inspector, management planner, project designer and project monitor initial accredited asbestos training program.

C. B. One instructor is adequate per accredited asbestos refresher training program.

D. C. At least one instructor shall be in the classroom and available to the students at all times during the accredited asbestos training program.