15A NCAC 02H .0806      FEES ASSOCIATED WITH CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

(a)  An applicant for laboratory Certification, excluding those laboratories seeking only Field Parameter Certification, shall submit to the Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources, Water Sciences Section, a non-refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) with each application.

(b)  Municipal, Industrial, and Other Laboratories shall pay an annual fee of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for each Parameter as instructed on the invoice; however, the minimum fee shall be one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($1,750) per year. Municipal Laboratories may cost-share among Municipal Laboratories or charge a cost recovery fee or surcharge to operate their Pretreatment Program.

(c)  Commercial Laboratories shall pay an annual fee of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for each Parameter as instructed on the invoice; however, the minimum fee will be three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) per year.

(d)  Prior to receiving initial Certification, a Field Laboratory shall pay the required fee as specified in Paragraph (k) or (l) of this Rule and all other laboratories shall pay the required fee as specified in Paragraph (b) or (c) of this Rule. Excluding Field Laboratories, the Certification fee shall be prorated on a quarterly basis. All Certification renewals shall be due on the first day of January.

(e)  Once certified, Field Laboratories shall pay a fifty dollar ($50.00) administrative fee for each Parameter Method added to their Certified Parameters Listing, and all other laboratories shall pay the full annual Parameter fee for each Parameter Method added to their Certified Parameters Listing.

(f)  A laboratory decertified for all Parameters shall pay initial Certification fees prior to Recertification.

(g)  A laboratory decertified for one or more Parameter Methods shall pay a fee of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each Parameter Method for which it was decertified prior to Recertification.

(h)  Out-of-state laboratories shall reimburse the State for actual travel and subsistence costs incurred by laboratory certification staff to perform inspections, provide technical assistance or investigate complaints. Out-of-state laboratories shall also be assessed for expenses for an on-site inspection based on the hourly rate of the laboratory certification staff, rounded to the nearest hour and inclusive of preparation time, travel time, and inspection time.

(i)  Annual Certification fees shall be due 60 days after receipt of invoice.

(j)  A fifty dollar ($50.00) late payment fee shall be paid by Field Laboratories when annual Certification fees have not been paid by the date due. For all other laboratories, a two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) late payment fee shall be paid when annual Certification fees are not paid by the date due.

(k)  Commercial Laboratories analyzing only samples for Field Parameters shall pay an annual fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per year.

(l)  Municipal, Industrial, and Other Laboratories analyzing only samples for Field Parameters shall pay an annual fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) per year.

(m)  A laboratory that voluntarily discontinues Certification shall pay all applicable Certification fees as specified in Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (k), and (l) of this Rule prior to regaining Certification.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143‑215.3(a)(1); 143‑215.3(a)(10);

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Amended Eff. November 2, 1992; December 1, 1984;

Temporary Amendment Eff. October 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2019.