(1) Between the 1993 legislation, Laws of 1997, chapter 387, and the adoption of these regulations implementing the legislation, the well operator licenses issued and renewed by the department met the requirements of the 1993 legislation and may be renewed for either a water well or resource protection well operator license or both as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) A holder of a valid license may renew the license if they:

(a) Submit a completed application on forms approved by the department; and

(b) Show proof that they successfully completed fourteen continuing education units during the past twenty-four months of the license term. A minimum of two continuing education units out of the fourteen required units must be about Washington state drilling or licensing regulations; and

(c) Pay a seventy-five dollar renewal fee for each license they wish to renew.

(3) If you fail to submit a completed application for renewal, the license shall expire at the end of its effective term. A complete application includes the submission of the renewal fee and proof of completion of the required continuing education.

(4) If your license has expired, you will have thirty days in which to renew it. The thirty-day extension period is to be used only to submit a late application and fee. It is not to be used to gain continuing education units. You must not engage in any licensed activities during this time. If you fail to submit your renewal application, fee, and proof of continuing education after the extension period has expired, you must apply for a new license as provided in this chapter.

(5) The department may refuse to renew a license if the license is currently suspended or revoked, or the licensee has not complied with an order issued by the department or has not paid a penalty imposed under RCW 18.104.155, unless the order or penalty is under appeal.

(6) Operators shall not construct or decommission a well after their license has expired.