(1) On a form prescribed by the board, an applicant shall apply for and the board may issue a sanitarian-in-training permit to an applicant who meets the minimum educational requirements for a registered sanitarian under 37-40-301 and 37-40-302, MCA, and ARM 24.216.502. A person who has not completed an approved general microbiology course, but who otherwise meets the minimum standards for licensure, may be approved as a sanitarian-in-training.

(2) A sanitarian-in-training must work under the supervision of a licensed sanitarian. The supervising sanitarian must submit a plan for supervision for approval by the board. The supervising sanitarian must file quarterly reports with the board regarding the status and progress of the sanitarian-in-training.

(a) The plan of supervision shall include:

(i) an estimate of time of supervision provided;

(ii) number of hours of training to be provided per month; and

(iii) method of maintaining contact and supervision, including an alternate supervisor in cases of unavailability of designated supervisor.

(b) A sanitarian-in-training who satisfies the requirements of ARM 24.216.502(3) shall inform the board regarding his or her participation in a general microbiology course.

(3) "Supervision," for purposes of this rule, means the availability of a licensed sanitarian for purposes of immediate communication and consultation on a weekly and as-needed basis as identified in the approved plan of supervision.

(4) A sanitarian-in-training permit is valid for a period of one year. A sanitarian-in-training who meets all the minimum standards for licensure is eligible to take the examination in Montana. There is no limit to the number of times a sanitarian-in-training may take the examination during the one-year exemption period.