A. Every applicant to the Board for Waste Management Facility Operators for licensure shall meet the requirements and have the qualifications provided in this subsection.

1. The applicant shall be at least 18 years of age.

2. Unless otherwise exempt, the applicant shall have successfully completed a basic training course approved by the board. Additionally, an applicant for a Class II, III, or IV license shall complete a training course approved by the board specific to the license for which he applies.

3. Unless exempt, the applicant shall have passed the applicable examination provided by the board or by a testing organization acting on behalf of the board.

4. Each applicant shall document a minimum of one year of verified operational experience with a waste management facility of the same class for which he applies. Experience claimed on the application for licensure shall be verified by the individual's supervisor or personnel officer. Individuals who are under contract with a facility owner may obtain a letter from the facility owner to verify experience.

5. Applicants certified or licensed as waste management facility operators by governing bodies outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be considered to be in compliance with this chapter if the board or its designee has determined the certifying system to be substantially equivalent to the Virginia system.

6. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant shall disclose a conviction, in any jurisdiction, of any non-marijuana misdemeanor or felony. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purpose of this subdivision. The record of conviction received from a court shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of a conviction or finding of guilt. The board, at its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

7. The applicant shall report suspensions, revocations, or surrendering of a certificate or license in connection with a disciplinary action. The applicant shall report if a license has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure in Virginia. The board, at its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant based on prior suspensions, revocations, or surrender of certifications or licenses based on disciplinary action by any jurisdiction.

B. The board may make further inquiries and investigations with respect to the qualifications of the applicant.