(a) Certificate issuance or reissuance. After submitting an application, each applicant for the issuance or reissuance of an OSM blaster certificate shall pass a written examination, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Administration and content.

(1) On a regular basis OSM shall schedule and hold a written examination on the technical aspects of blasting operations and State and Federal laws governing the storage, transportation and use of explosives, as provided in §850.14 of this chapter.

(2) The examination at a minimum shall cover the topics specified in §850.13(b) of this chapter, and shall include:

(i) Objective questions;

(ii) Blasting log problems; and

(iii) Initiation system and delay sequence problems.

(c) Reexamination.

(1) Any person who fails the examination may apply to OSM for reexamination by submitting a new application, including the prescribed fee, but no person may take the examination more than 2 times in any 12-month period.

(2) Any person who fails the examination and submits a new application within 2 years of completing training as provided in §955.12(a) need not repeat, or resubmit evidence of having completed, training.

(d) Failure to attend. Except where the applicant shows and OSM finds good cause, OSM may reject the pending application of any applicant who fails to take the examination after OSM has granted his or her request for admission.