Reciprocity

(a)On or after the effective date of this Act, certification of operators by any State which, as determined by the Administrator, accepts certification made or certification requirement, deemed satisfied pursuant to the provisions of this Act, shall be accorded reciprocal treatment and shall be recognized as valid and sufficient within the purview of this Act, if in the judgment of the Administrator the certification requirements of such state COL120106 CH. 52 WATER AND WASTE WATER OPERATOR’S M ANDATORY CERTIFICATION ACT are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this Act or any rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.

(b)In making determinations pursuant to Subsection

(a)of this Section, the Administrator shall consult with the Board of Certification and may consider any generally applicable criteria and guidelines developed by the Association of Boards of Certification for Operating Personnel in Water and Waste Water Utilities.