(1) Any person required to obtain a boiler operating engineer's license shall make application to the department on form(s) and in a manner prescribed by the department.

(2) Applications for licensure must include:

(a) a completed application;

(b) applicant's birth date and declaration that the applicant is 18 years of age or older;

(c) a nonrefundable application fee; and

(d) documentation acceptable to the department establishing that the applicant has the requisite experience and qualifications to take the examination.

(3) Applicants for other than a first- or second-class boiler operating engineer's license may provide documentation in lieu of the requisite experience and qualification requirements. An applicant for other than a first- or second-class boiler operating engineer's license may furnish documentation which provides:

(a) proof the applicant has successfully completed department-approved training course(s) specific to the class of boiler license sought; and

(b) verification acceptable to the department from a boiler operating engineer with a license at least equal to the class of license sought by the applicant, that the applicant has worked with the type of boiler for which the license is sought under the engineer's supervision for a minimum of 40 hours, and that the applicant is competent to operate the boiler of the class for which the license is being sought.

(4) The department will review applications for licensure on a case-by-case basis and approve only those applicants meeting the requirements established by 50-74-304 or 50-74-307, MCA, as applicable. The department may accept credentials and documentation it believes to be substantially equal to the training and experience requirements established above.