CCLME.ORG - DIVISION 2. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES

(continued)

(ii) Identify safety precautions to take at the First Responder Awareness Level; and,
(iii) Identify required notifications the First Responder Awareness shall make.
(5) Certification for participants in First Responder Awareness -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include successful completion of a certified course as referenced in section 2520(y) as delivered by a CSTI certified instructor as referenced in section 2530. Student shall meet a minimum attendance of four (4) hours, and accomplish all objectives and participate in the required exercise.
(z) Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - First Responder Operations - Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents.
(1) Certified curriculum for First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include all of the following course objectives:
(A) Cite and describe the general types of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) weapons and agents. State the hazards each present to first responders. Describe the past use of such agents by terrorists or others.
(B) State the indicators that would help a first responder recognize when an incident may involve NBC weapons or agents.
(C) Describe basic First Responder actions upon discovery of an incident that potentially involves NBC weapons or agents. State basic actions to follow for each general type of NBC agent. Identify sources of assistance and/or information for such incidents.
(2) Certified curriculum for First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include all of the current course material listed in Section 2540(t).
(3) A First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course certified under these regulations shall be a minimum of six (6) hours in length.
(4) Certified curriculum for First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include the following training exercise:

(A) Participation in a table-top exercise including successful completion of the following objectives:
(i) Recognize the potential presence of a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical agent; and,
(ii) Identify response actions, including safety procedures, isolation distances, required notifications and agencies and resources needed; and,
(iii) Conduct safe identification and assessment using the current Emergency Response Guidebook.
(B) At the discretion of the course manager, if the student has not demonstrated all the objectives in (z)(4)(A) above, the course manager may require the student to take a CSTI certified FRO NBC written exam with a passing score of 70%.
(5) Certification for participants in First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include successful completion of a certified course as referenced in section 2520(z) as delivered by a CSTI certified instructor as referenced in section 2530. Student shall meet a minimum attendance of six (6) hours, accomplish all objectives and participate in the required exercise, and or complete the CSTI certified FRO NBC exam at or above the 70% standard as referenced in 2520(z)(4)(B).
(aa) Haz Mat Emergency Response - Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents.
(1) Certified curriculum for Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include all of the following course objectives:
(A) Cite and describe the general types of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) weapons and agents. State the hazards each present to first responders. Describe the past use of such agents by terrorists or others
(B) State the indicators that would help a first responder recognize when an incident may involve NBC weapons or agents.
(C) Describe the similarities and differences between a hazardous materials incident, a mass casualty incident and an incident involving nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) agents and identify the issues that make an NBC incident different from other emergency response incidents.
(D) Identify the role and responsibilities of an Incident Commander in an incident involving NBC agents.
(E) Cite the federal and state plans that apply to incidents involving NBC agents.
(F) Identify local, state and federal agencies that are most likely to respond to an incident involving NBC agents. State the response times expected for these agencies.
(G) Compare and contrast the Incident Command System and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's NBC response organization. Explain the need and benefits of unified command in an incident involving NBC agents.
(H) Identify at least 5 "Special/Unique" management issues the Incident Commander will address in managing a valid NBC incident.
(2) Certified curriculum for Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include all of the current course material listed in Section 2450(t).
(3) An Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course certified under these regulations shall be a minimum of six (6) hours in length.
(4) Certified curriculum for Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include the following training exercise:
(A) Given a Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical agent incident, students will participate in a table-top exercise including successful completion of the following objectives:
(i) Recognize the potential presence of a Nuclear, Biological or Chemical agent, including the primary hazard of the agent involved; and,
(ii) Identify safety concerns, management issues, preparedness issues and government resources needed; and,
(iii) Identify ICS positions needed to manage the response to an incident involving NBC agents; and,

(iv) Address and resolve at least one "special/unique" management issue given by the instructor.
(B) At the discretion of the course manager, if the student has not demonstrated all the objectives in (aa)(4)(A) above, the course manager may require the student to take a CSTI certified Haz Mat Emergency Response - Incident Commander - Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents written exam with a passing score of 70%.
(5) Certification for participants in Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents course shall include successful completion of a certified course as referenced in section 2520(aa) as delivered by a CSTI certified instructor as referenced in section 2530. Student shall meet a minimum attendance of eight (8) hours, accomplish all objectives and participate in the required exercise, and/or complete the CSTI certified Haz Mat Emergency Response - Incident Commander - Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents (at or above the 70% standard) as referenced in 2520(aa)(4)(B).
(bb) Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness

(1) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness Course shall include all of the following course objectives.
(A) Student shall recognize the general hazards of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
(B) Student shall recognize the risks associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and the potential for negative outcomes they present to first responders.
(C) Student shall recognize the risks associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories at the Awareness level.
(D) Student shall recognize basic clues or indicators which may include identifying a vehicle, building, room or other location as a possible clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.
(E) Student shall describe first responder actions upon discovering a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and state procedures to ensure responder safety, isolate the scene and make necessary notifications.
(2) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness shall be a minimum of 4 hours in length.
(3) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness shall include a tabletop exercise involving the recognition of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.
(4) Certification for participants in the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness Course shall include successful completion of the certified course as referenced in section 2520 (aa) as delivered by a CSTI certified instructor as referenced in section 2530. Student shall meet a minimum attendance of 4 hours, accomplish all objectives, and participate in the training exercise.
NOTE: Certification in the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness Course is not equivalent to certification in as First Responder Awareness Level as defined in section 2520(a).
(cc) Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations
(1) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course shall include all of the following course objectives.
(A) Student shall recognize the general hazards of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
(B) Student shall recognize the risks associated with clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and the potential for negative outcomes they present to first responders.
(C) Student shall describe the role of first responders at clandestine methamphetamine laboratories at the Awareness level.
(D) Student shall recognize basic clues or indicators, identify a vehicle, building, room or other location as a possible clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.
(E) Student shall describe first responder actions upon discovering a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and state procedures to ensure responder safety, isolate the scene and make necessary notifications.
(F) Student shall describe first responder actions upon discovering a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and state procedures to ensure responder safety, isolate the scene and make necessary notifications.
(G) Student shall identify the purpose and need to safely initiate command and explain the purpose and procedures of scene control; describe the basic implementation of the appropriate site specific Incident Command System (ICS); and, demonstrate proper information flow from the First Responder to the Incident Commander.
(H) Student shall explain the need for, types, selection criteria and limits of protective equipment commonly used in incidents involving clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
(I) Student shall describe safe defensive action options available to the First Responder and explain the protective action options available.
(J) Student shall identify the need for and describe procedures to implement the appropriate decontamination of victims, emergency response personnel and equipment.
(K) Student shall describe proper disposal and documentation procedures for responses to incidents involving clandestine methamphetamine laboratories.
(L) Student shall identify the need and describe the methods to communicate and coordinate with typical government agencies which respond to incidents involving clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. The student shall cite those agencies and describe their roles, responsibilities and capabilities.
(M) Student shall state the health effects that clandestine methamphetamine laboratories present to the First Responder's life and health.
(2) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations shall be a minimum of 8 hours in length.
(3) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations shall include a tabletop exercise involving the recognition of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory.

(4) Certified curriculum for Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course shall include the following evaluation method:
(A) Completion of a CSTI certified Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations written exam with a minimum passing score of 70% correct.
(5) Certification for participants in the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course shall include successful completion of the certified course as referenced in section 2520 (bb) as delivered by a CSTI certified instructor as referenced in section 2530. Student shall meet a minimum attendance of 8 hours, accomplish all objectives, participate in the training exercise, and complete the evaluation method at the 70% standard as referenced in 2540(e). NOTE:Certification in the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course is not equivalent to certification in as First Responder Operations Level as defined in section 2520(b).
(dd) Hazardous Materials Emergency Response -Mass Casualty Decontamination:
(1) Certified curriculum for Mass Casualty Decontamination shall include all of the following objectives:

(A) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cultural diversity that exists in their response areas and how that would relate to a mass decontamination process;
(B) Students shall recognize the need to protect the modesty of the general public when decontamination is required;
(C) Students shall recognize the challenges presented by multiple languages be used at an incident scene;
(D) Students shall demonstrate an understanding of what decontamination problems are presented by the various chemical, biological and radiological agents they may encounter;
(E) Students shall identify the need for appropriate field decontamination of victims, emergency response personnel and equipment in order to avoid additional contamination;
(F) Students shall identify the differences between Emergency and Planned Decontamination and indicate when they should be used in mass decontamination situations;
(G) Students shall identify methods of accessing technical experts and reference sources in determining the need for decontamination;
(H) Students shall become familiar with the various types of equipment that can be purchased or improvised to assist in mass casualty decontamination incidents;
(I) Students shall recognize the problems associated with the transportation of large numbers of victims, and the need to insure adequate decontamination has been performed prior to transport; and
(J) Students shall recognize the needs, operational procedures and limitations of their local hospitals and emergency departments.
(2) Certified curriculum for Mass Casualty Decontamination shall be a minimum of 8 hours in length and include all of the course material listed in Section 2540(t):
(3) Certified curriculum for Mass Casualty Decontamination shall include the following training exercises:
(A) Demonstrate the selection and use of the proper level of chemical protective clothing;
(B) Demonstrate the ability to utilize and set up assorted commercial mass casualty decontamination modesty structures;
(C) Demonstrate the ability to improvise modesty structures at an incident using available vehicles and equipment typically carried on fire apparatus;
(4) Certified curriculum for Mass Casualty Decontamination shall include the following evaluation method:
(A) Completion of the certified Mass Casualty Decontamination Course and participation in the hands on field exercises.
(5) Certification for participants in the Mass Casualty Decontamination Course shall include successful completion of a certified course as referenced by Section 2520(dd), delivered by a CSTI instructor as referenced in Section 2530. Students shall meet a minimum attendance of 8 hours, accomplish all objectives and participate in the field training exercises referenced in Section 2520(dd)

Note: Authority cited: Section 8574.20(a), Government Code. Reference: Section 8574.20(b), Government Code.

s 2530. Instructor Certification Requirements.
(a) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor for Haz Mat First Responder Awareness/Operations, Haz Mat Incident Commander, Haz Mat Executive Management, Haz Mat Investigations, Haz Mat Environmental Monitoring, or Haz Mat Incidents at Ports, or Haz Mat Emergency Response Incident Commander -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents and Haz Mat Emergency Response First Responder Operations -Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Agents courses, the applicant shall complete all of the following requirements:
(1) Submission of CSTI Application Form, as referenced in Section 2550(a)(11), to the Office of Emergency Services, California Specialized Training Institute; and
(2) Agreement to adhere to the policies, procedures and administrative requirements for delivering, documenting, and certifying the California Hazardous Substances Incident Response Training and Education Program as contained in title 2 of the California Government Code, division 1, chapter 7, sections 8574.19-8574.21 and title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, chapter 1, subchapter 2, sections 2510-2560; and
(3) Successful completion of the certified course(s), as referenced in section 2520(a)-(g) or (y)-(aa) in which the applicant is seeking instructor certification or take a 8 hour CSTI "specialized" train the trainer condensed course on courses listed under section 2520; and
(4) Submission of a resume and supporting documentation describing a minimum of 2 years work experience in hazardous materials response, training, production, investigations, monitoring, or research, or a combination of any six, at the level in which the applicant is seeking instructor certification, as referenced in section 2520(a)-(g) or (y)-(z); and

(5) Successful completion of either (A) or (B):
(A) Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification Course as referenced in section 2520(h); or
(B) Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification For Trainers Course as referenced in section 2520(i); and
(i) California State Fire Marshal Instructor IA and IB Course; or
(ii) University of California or California State University Techniques of Teaching Course; or
(iii) Four semester units of upper division credit in educational materials, methods, or curriculum development from an accredited college, university, community college, or institute; or
(iv) Instructor Certification Course or Teaching Credential from an accredited college, university, community college, or training institute; or
(v) Instructor Certification Course from a nonprofit organization or public agency.
(vi) A letter from the applicant's immediate supervisor or training officer verifying the applicant's competence as a hazardous materials trainer as per 29 CFR 1910.120 Appendix E (revised September 21, 1994).
(b) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F, 1G, Hazardous Waste General Site Worker or Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Technician -Private Industry Instructor, the applicant shall complete all of the following requirements:
(1) Submission of CSTI Application Form, as referenced in Section 2550(a)(11), to the Office of Emergency Services, California Specialized Training Institute; and
(2) Agreement to adhere to the policies, procedures and administrative requirements for delivering, documenting, and certifying the California Hazardous Substances Incident Response Training and Education Program as contained in Title 2 of the California Government Code, Division 1, Chapter 7, Sections 8574.19-8574.21 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1, Subchapter 2, Sections 2510-2560; and

(3) Successful completion of the certified course(s), as referenced in Section 2520(k)-(q), (s) and (t) in which the applicant is seeking instructor certification; and
(4) Submission of a resume and supporting documentation, including written verification from applicant's department head or designee, describing a minimum of 80 hours of teaching experience and a minimum of 3 years work experience in hazardous materials response, training, production, research, investigations or monitoring, or a combination of any six, relating to the subject area in which the applicant is seeking instructor certification, as referenced in Section 2520(k)-(q), (s) and (t). (To become certified to instruct the Hazardous Waste General Site Worker Course, an applicant's 3 years of work experience must be in the field of hazardous waste operations.); and
(5) Successful completion of either one of the following:
(A) Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification Course as referenced in Section 2520(h); or
(B) Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification For Trainers Course as referenced in Section 2520(i); and,
(c) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist 1A Instructor, the applicant shall complete all of the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530(b); and
(2) Submission of a photocopy, employer verification or valid supporting documentation for the following:
(A) Bachelor of Science, or Masters of Science or doctoral degree in a physical or life science that included at least two upper division semester (or equivalent quarters) courses in chemistry; or
(B) Two upper division semester (or equivalent quarters) courses in college chemistry with a passing grade of "C" or better; and,
(C) Submission of a resume and supporting documentation, including written verification from applicant's department head or designee, describing a minimum of 80 hours of teaching experience and a minimum of three years of work experience in chemistry training, chemical production or chemical research, or a combination thereof.
(d) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations - Decontamination Instructor, the applicant shall complete all of the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a); and
(2) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response First Responder Operations Level course, as specified in Section 2520(b); and
(3) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response First Responder Operations - Decontamination Course Course, as specified in Section 2520 (x).
(e) To become certified to teach a Hazardous Materials Refresher Course, the applicant shall complete all of the following requirements:
(1) To instruct refresher classes based on the courses specified in Section 2530 (a), the applicant shall complete;

(A) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a);
(2) To instruct refresher classes based on the courses specified in Section 2530 (b), the applicant shall complete;
(A) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (b);
(3) To instruct refresher classes based on the courses specified in Section 2530 (c), the applicant shall complete;
(A) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (c).
(f) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Emergency Medical Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents: A Guide for First Responders Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a); and
(2) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Medical Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents: A Guide for First Responders course, as specified in Section 2520 (v).

(3) If applicant will be the sole instructor: Submission of a photocopy, employer verification or valid supporting documentation for the following:
(A) Current certification as an EMT-P, at least two years of response experience as an EMT-P, or previously certified EMT-P with at least five (5) years field experience as an EMT-P, completion of First Responder Operations Level training and completion of the First Responder Operations - Decontamination Course as specified in Section 2520 (b) and (x); or
(B) Current certification as an EMT-II, at least two years of response experience as an EMT-II and certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician as specified in Section 2540 (o); or
(C) Current certification as an EMT-I, at least two years of response experience as an EMT-I, at least a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences and certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician or Specialist as specified in Section 2540 (o);
(5) If applicant will not be the sole instructor: Submission of a photocopy, employer verification or valid supporting documentation for the following: (Applicants certified under this paragraph shall not instruct the sections of the class involving paragraphs (1)(H)-(J) of Section 2520 (v)).
(A) Completion of First Responder Operational Level training as specified in Section 2520 (b) and at least two years of experience in emergency response.
(g) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Hazardous Materials Operations and Decontamination for Health Care Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a); and
(2) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Hazardous Materials Operations and Decontamination for Health Care course, as specified in Section 2520 (w); and be certified as a Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist and have been certified a minimum of five years as an EMT-P or have three years experience in a Health and Safety position in a Healthcare environment, or equivalent, or be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Medical Doctor certified to the First Responder Operations/Decontamination level as specified in Section 2520 (b) and 2520 (x).

(h) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Investigations Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a); and
(2) Complete the Hazardous Materials Investigations course, as specified in Section 2520 (e); and
(3) Provide evidence of current membership (or membership within the last five years) in an Environmental Crimes Investigations Task Force or Unit, and two years of work experience in environmental crimes investigations; and
(4) Provide evidence of specialized expertise in law enforcement and/or fire operations, environmental health and/or crimes investigations, or criminal justice system procedures and protocols.
(i) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Advanced Environmental Crimes Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a) and (g); and

(2) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Principles of Environmental Crimes Investigations course, as specified in Section 2520 (e); and
(3) Complete the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response - Advanced Environmental Crimes Investigations course, as specified in Section 2520(u); and
(4) Provide evidence of current membership (or membership within the last five years) in an Environmental Crimes Investigations Task Force or Unit, and;
(5) Provide evidence of four years of work experience in environmental crimes investigations.
(j) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness Course Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530(a); and

(2) Complete the First Responder Awareness Course, as specified in Section 2520 (a); and
(3) Complete the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Awareness Course, as specified in Section 2520(aa); and
(4) Provide evidence of specialized expertise in the chemical and physical hazards associated with the clandestine production of methamphetamine.
(k) To become a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course Instructor, the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in Section 2530 (a); and
(2) Complete the First Responder Operations Course, as specified in Section 2520 (b); and
(3) Complete the Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratory First Responder Operations Course, as specified in Section 2520 (bb); and

(4) Provide evidence of specialized expertise in the chemical and physical hazards associated with the clandestine production of methamphetamine.
(l) Reserved for future use.
(m) To become a California State Certified "Hazardous Materials - Mass Casualty Decontamination Instructor", the applicant shall complete the following requirements:
(1) All of the requirements specified in section 2530 (a); and
(2) Hold current certification as a Hazardous Materials Technician or Specialist, as defined by section 2540 (o).

Note: Authority cited: Section 8574.20(a), Government Code. Reference: Section 8574.20(b), Government Code.

s 2540. Administrative Procedures.
(a) Course Manager.
(1) A Course Manager is a California Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and teaching at least 20% of the certified course, as referenced in section 2520.
(2) A Course Manager shall ensure that all instructors (both State certified and noncertified) that teach in a certified course adhere to all requirements designated in Sections 2520 and 2540 as specified for the course being taught.

(3) A Course Manager is responsible for completing, signing, and submitting all required administrative forms as designated in section 2540(c).
(4) A Course Manager is responsible for requesting, signing, paying for and distributing course certificates to students who successfully complete the course as designated in section 2520.
(b) Noncertified Instructors.
(1) A Noncertified Instructor is any instructor who has not received State Certification as referenced in section 2530.
(2) Noncertified Instructors are permitted to teach in certified courses, as referenced in section 2520, only under the supervision of a Course Manager.
(3) Noncertified Instructors, who teach in certified courses, are required to adhere to all requirements designated in Sections 2520 and 2540 for the course being taught.
(c) Course Notification and Certification

(1) All Course Managers who request State certification for any of the courses referenced in section 2520 shall complete and submit a Training Course Notification Form (HM 100), as designated in section 2550, to the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section no later than six weeks prior to the start of the course in which certification is being requested. If there are any changes in class location, date or time, the Course Manager is required to submit those changes to the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section within 48 hours that the change or changes were made. If any of the changes described above occur within 48 hours of the course's start time, then the Course Manager is required to notify the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section immediately by telephone.
(2) Course Managers are not permitted to request State certification for Haz Mat Specialist (1F) or (1G) courses, as referenced in Section 2520(p)-(q), until a Field Training Facility for use in said courses has been inspected, approved, and certified according to the procedures established in Section 2560(b).
(3) All Course Managers who request State certification for any of the courses referenced in section 2520 shall complete, sign and submit all of the following administrative forms, as designated in section 2550, to the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials section no later than six weeks following the last day of the course in which certification is being requested:
(A) Course Roster Form (HM 150);
(B) Student Course Evaluation Forms (HM 140), one per student; and
(C) Class Schedule Form (HM 130).
(4) Completion of the Course Manager Course Evaluation Form (HM 160) is optional.
(5) When a Course Manager completes, signs, and submits the required administrative forms designated in section 2540, he or she is certifying that he/she taught the course according to all of the requirements designated in Sections 2520, 2530 and 2540 for the course being certified and that he/she used the current course curriculum specified in Section 2540(t).
(6) All courses shall be completed, including submission of all forms as designated in Section 2540(c)(3) and payment of all certificate fees and course material costs, to the California Specialized Training Institute within one year of course start date or the course will be considered null and void, unless said course has been granted an extension by the Chief of the Hazardous Materials Section per Section 2540(j)(2). Null and void courses are not eligible for certification.
(d) Certified Course Curriculum
(1) Course Managers shall not delete any material from a certified curriculum as referenced in section 2520.
(2) This section does not prohibit Course Managers from adding material which exceeds the minimum requirements established for course curriculum in Section 2520 under the condition that said additions do not contradict established State standards and recognized procedures pursuant to this code.
(3) Course Managers shall ensure that all students receive a copy of the appropriate student notebook, as referenced in Section 2520 and 2540(t), for students to retain for the duration of the class.

(4) Course Managers shall ensure that certified classes include all of the requirements specified in the applicable portion of Section 2520.
(5) Course Managers will ensure that courses requiring hands-on or practical application of skills, have sufficient supplies and equipment. Sufficient supplies means that there are enough tools, monitors, suits and other items to allow each student to meet the performance objectives within the course timeframe.
(A) Course Managers will ensure that there is sufficient equipment present at any given class to meet the student to equipment ratio required by the objectives found in section 2520.
(B) Student to Instructor/Equipment/etc. Ratios are used to assure students receive an adequate level of experiential learning. Course Managers may use break-outs or sectional training to reduce the required numbers of equipment (thereby reducing costs without sacrificing instructional quality).
(i) Example: The course: Technician C - Week, requires 1 computer for each 3 students. Given a class of 30 students, ten computers would be required, unless this practical application session were broken into three groups or break-outs. Each group having 10 students and one instructor. One group does air monitoring, one group does technical reference and one group uses the computers. In the case of the computer group, with only 10 students, only 3 computers are needed.
(e) Certified Course Exams
(1) Certified written exams for the courses referenced in section 2520 shall only be developed and revised by the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials section.
(2) Certified written exams shall only be administered, corrected, and scored by a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor as referenced in section 2530.
(3) No California State Certified Instructor or instructor/staff working with a Certified Instructor is permitted to reveal to any student any direct and verbatim answers derived directly from any certified exam prior to or during the administration of said exam.
(4) No California State Certified Instructor or instructor/staff working with a Certified Instructor is permitted to reveal to any student any direct and verbatim questions derived directly from any certified exam prior to the administration of said exam.
(5) All California State Certified Instructors shall use the most current revision of the certified written exam available from the California Specialized Training Institute at the time of administration of said exam.
(6) A student who fails to pass an exam on the first attempt may be permitted to retake the exam once, if either of the following cases occur:
(A) If, in the opinion of the certified instructor who administered the exam, it appears that the student failed the exam because of difficulty with the English language. In such a case, the certified instructor may give the exam orally to the student.
(B) If, in the opinion of the certified instructor who administered the exam, it appears that the student failed the exam because of lack of knowledge of course material, then the instructor may, at his or her discretion, retrain the student. In such a case, a certified instructor is required to administer the most current alternate version of the written exam, which the student has not taken. The alternate version of the exam shall be taken within 30 calendar days from the date that the student's first exam was administered.
(7) Any student who fails to pass an exam twice shall be required to retake the entire course in which the student seeks certification.
(8) Any student found to be cheating by a certified instructor during the administration of a certified exam shall not be permitted to pass the said exam. "Cheating" consists of, but is not limited to, acts by students such as consulting the Student Notebook, notes, Instructor Guide or other reference materials during the administration of a certified exam. Exceptions include item 14 below and the use of wall-mounted "Periodic Table of the Elements" as required in 2520 (k)(2).
(9) Any student not permitted to pass a certified exam because of alleged cheating or any student who failed an exam and seeks to contest any exam questions, may appear in person, within 60 days of said exam, before the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section Chief or his/her representative to request to retake an alternative exam. The Hazardous Materials Section Chief or his/her representative shall approve or deny the request based on evidence presented during the said interview with the student and a follow-up interview with the certified instructor(s) involved.
(10) Students are not permitted to retain or copy any certified exam. Course Managers must adequately ensure that all certified exams distributed during administration of said exam are returned and accounted for.
(11) Course Managers are required to retain all student answer sheets on which students marked answers for a minimum of 5 years after date exam was administered. If requested at any time during the five year retention period, the original answer sheets shall be forwarded by the Course Manager to the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section Chief within 10 days.
(12) The maximum time allowed for students to complete a certified written exam may be specified on said exam. If no time limit is specified, it shall be designated as a maximum of one minute per question (i.e. A 20-question exam shall have a time limit of 20 minutes, unless otherwise specified on said exam). The Course Manager shall inform the students of the specified or designated maximum time limit for said written exam prior to its distribution to students.

(13) All certified course exams, unless otherwise specified on the cover of the exam, shall be a "closed student notebook/workbook" exam.
(14) The use of the current ERG is allowed on the following CSTI certified exams: First Responder Awareness, 2520(a), First Responder Operations, 2520(b) and Incident Commander, 2520 (c).
(f) Quality Control/Audit Process
(1) Any course taught by a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor, in which he or she has requested to receive State certification, is subject to unannounced field audits conducted by a faculty member of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section or any Office of Emergency Services employee or authorized representative designated by the Chief of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section. Field audits may consist of any of the following:
(A) Routine audits designed to determine if instructors are meeting the requirements established in Sections 2520 and 2540 for the course in which certification is being requested.

(B) Special audits investigating complaints of an instructor's misconduct or unprofessional conduct.
(C) Follow-up audits designed to ensure an instructor's compliance with required course changes and corrections of identified deficiencies.
(2) Any course taught by a California State Certified Hazardous Materials Instructor, in which he or she has requested to receive State certification, is subject to mail or telephone audits conducted by a faculty member of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section or any Office of Emergency Services employee or authorized representative designated by the Chief of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section. Mail and telephone audits may consist of any of the following:
(A) Survey of student reactions/evaluations of presentations by an instructor(s) and course content of any certified course.
(B) Required submission to the California Specialized Training Institute of all instructors' lesson plans/guides, student notebooks, handouts, and any other written materials used in any certified course.

(3) The auditor shall complete a Course Audit Report (HM 180), as designated in section 2550, for each course audited and provide the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section Chief with a copy of said report for approval within 10 working days following completion of the audit. Upon receiving approval from the Section Chief, the Course Audit Report shall be forwarded to the Course Manager and/or Instructor within 10 working days of approval.
(4) If any deficiencies were identified in the audit, the auditor shall provide a written summary of deficiencies and recommendations for correcting the identified deficiencies to the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section Chief for approval within 10 working days following completion of the audit. Upon receiving approval from the Section Chief, the written summary of deficiencies and recommendations for correcting the identified deficiencies shall be forwarded to the Course Manager and/or Instructor within 10 working days of approval.
(A) If the deficiencies are major or willful violations of these regulations and the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief determines that they cannot reasonably be rectified through remedial training, then he/she shall immediately recommend decertification of the instructor as specified in Section 2540(g)(4) of these regulations. Major violations include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) Failure to teach a class as specified in the applicable portion of Section 2520.
(ii) Failure to cover all of the course objectives as specified in the applicable portion of Section 2520.
(iii) Failure to teach a class meeting the requirement for minimum hours as specified in the applicable portion of Section 2520.
(iv) Failure to use the curriculum material specified in the applicable portion of Section 2520 and Section 2540(t).
(v) Violation of Section 2540(e)(3)-(5).
(vi) Failure to follow the safety policy as specified in Section 2540(k)(1) and 2540(k)(3)-(5).

(vii) Failure to follow the "Professional Conduct" policy as specified in Section 2540(i).
(viii) Repeated or willful failure to follow administrative procedures as specified in Section 2540 after having been notified in writing of prior failure to follow those administrative procedures.
(5) A Course Manager and/or Instructor, who coordinated and/or taught a course that had been identified as being deficient, shall correct all identified deficiencies prior to coordinating or teaching in another certified course.
(6) Students who have attended a course that had been identified as being deficient shall not be issued certificates until said students have received remedial training in the areas identified as deficient. If the course was identified as being deficient after students have received certificates, the said students shall be notified by CSTI that their certificates are null and void until they receive remedial training in the areas identified as deficient.
(7) A follow-up audit, reported on a form HM 180 as designated in section 2550, shall be conducted by a faculty member of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section or any Office of Emergency Services employee or consultant designated by the Chief of the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section to ensure that deficiencies have been corrected.
(8) Follow-up audit reports shall be submitted to the California Specialized Training Institute Hazardous Materials Section Chief within 10 working days following completion of the follow-up audit.
(9) The Course Manager is responsible for ensuring that any auditor(s) conducting an audit of said Course Manager's course, in accordance to the procedures established in Section 2540(f), is permitted free and unhindered access to any course requesting State certification. If the Course Manager fails to provide said auditor(s) with free and unhindered access to said course, then said course may not receive State certification.
(g) Instructor Decertification
(1) A Certified Instructor can be decertified for failure to adhere to the policies, procedures or administrative requirements for delivering, documenting, or certifying a course through the California Hazardous Substances Incident Response Training and Education Program contained in Title 2 of the California Government Code, Division 1, Chapter 7, Sections 8574.19-8574.21 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1, Subchapter 2, Sections 2510-2560.
(2) A Certified Instructor can be decertified for failure to correct all deficiencies identified in an audit as referenced in Section 2540(f).
(3) A Certified Instructor can be decertified for failure to teach a minimum of four hours of instruction in any certified course, or any course using certified curriculum, as referenced in Section 2520, during a calendar year. The calendar year in which an instructor received State Certification is exempt from the four-hour requirement. A Certified Instructor who wants credit for teaching hours only, must ensure that the Course Manager, of the course in which the Certified Instructor taught, includes his/her name and hours to be credited on Class Schedule Form (HM 130) that is submitted to the California Specialized Training Institute. If a Certified Instructor wants to notify CSTI of a course that he/she is teaching and does not want certification for the course, but wants credit for teaching hours only, then the Certified Instructor shall submit a Training Course Notification Form (HM 100) and a Class Schedule Form (HM 130) to CSTI.

(4) The CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief shall recommend decertification of an instructor to the Director of CSTI. The final decision to decertify an instructor is determined by the Director of the California Specialized Training Institute within 45 calendar days of the recommendation from the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief.
(5) If the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief recommends decertification of an instructor to the Director of CSTI, then the Section Chief shall, at the same time, cause the instructor being recommended for decertification to be notified by written correspondence outlining the reason(s) for his/her pending decertification. The instructor being recommended for decertification shall be given 30 calendar days (from the date the notification was mailed) to respond in writing to the Director of CSTI for consideration in retaining his/her certification. The Director of CSTI shall review any written correspondence received within the 30-day notification period described above prior to decertifying an instructor.
(6) During the 30-day notification period, designated in Section 2540(g)(5), the instructor pending decertification shall be permitted to appear before the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief and/or the CSTI Hazardous Material Section Instructor Certification Program Coordinator for the purpose of requesting to retain his/her instructor certification. The instructor pending decertification shall be permitted, at the time of appearance, to present any evidence that would assist in a fair and impartial decision regarding the pending decertification. The CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief and/or the CSTI Hazardous Material Section Instructor Certification Program Coordinator shall prepare a written summary of the findings of the interview with the instructor pending decertification, including a recommendation to either maintain or withdraw the decertification request, within 10 days following the interview, to the Director of CSTI. The Director of CSTI shall review any written summary of an interview with an instructor pending decertification prepared by the CSTI Hazardous Materials Section Chief and/or the CSTI Hazardous Material Section Instructor Certification Program Coordinator prior to decertifying an instructor.
(7) Any instructor who has been notified that he/she is pending decertification, shall be designated as "under suspension" and shall not be permitted to manage, teach or assist in any course requesting State certification. An instructor suspension period shall not exceed 90 days.
(8) An instructor who has been decertified in accordance with Section 2540(g)(1) or (2) shall not be permitted to manage, assist, or teach in any course requesting State certification.
(h) Instructor Recertification
(1) An instructor who was decertified in accordance with Section 2540(g)(3) can be recertified by either of the following methods:
(A) Successful completion of the Hazardous Materials Instructor Recertification Course as referenced in Section 2520(j); or
(B) Successful recompletion of the Hazardous Materials Instructor Certification for Trainers Course as referenced in Section 2520(i). (continued)