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Class A/B and Class C PST Operator Training

new mexico

New Mexico pst Operator training courses

New Mexico PST Operator Training Course Descriptions

Click the tabs below for a description of our training courses.

Class A/B UST Operator inspecting UST spill buckets

Our New Mexico Class AB Petroleum Storage Tank (PST) Operator Training Course is approved by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau (PSTB). Click “Operator Training” at the PSTB leak prevention website to see our approval. New Mexico requires operator training for all regulated petroleum underground storage tanks (USTs) and aboveground storage tanks (ASTs).  It covers PST operator classifications, PST systems, PST operation, PST release detection, financial responsibility and investigation and reporting of suspected and confirmed releases from PSTs. The training includes video-based slides from our most senior UST operator trainer. It will keep track of your progress so that you can finish it at your own pace. Our New Mexico Class AB PST Operator Training Course includes a 30-question exam at the end of the course.

Class C Operator

We also received approval from the New Mexico PSTB of our New Mexico Class C PST Operator Training Course. It is designed to provide the initial Class C PST training needed to know how to recognize and respond to problems, alarms, fuel delivery, suspected releases, and spills at New Mexico UST and AST facilities.  The training of the New Mexico Class C PST operator is the responsibility of the New Mexico Class AB PST operator.  Our training includes a method to create-specific PST procedures that the New Mexico Class AB PST operator can utilize to provide site-specific training to the New Mexico Class C PST Operator.

New Mexico UST Operator Classifications

Operator training requirements became effective in New Mexico on June 15, 2009. As of June 1, 2012, all owners of existing petroleum storage tank systems regulated under 20.5 NMAC should have designated trained operators for each facility.

The New Mexico Class A Operator has primary responsibility to operate and maintain the storage tank systems for the facilities assigned to him or her, including managing resources and personnel to achieve and maintain  compliance with regulatory requirements; is knowledgeable of statutory& regulatory requirements; and ensures records are maintained. This class of operator is usually an owner or an environmental manager or company with multiple facilities.

The New Mexico Class B Operator implements the day-to-day aspects of operating & maintaining storage tank systems; ensures the methods of release detection are properly performed and release prevention equipment is properly maintained; and maintains records.

The New Mexico Class C PST Operator is typically an employee whose primary responsibility is emergency response. The Class C Operator must be trained by either the Class A or B Operator of the facility. Owners can designate as many employees as they want for each class. The Class C operator is typically a sales clerk behind the counter at a gas station.

New Mexico PST Operator References

Here are some helpful references for New Mexico PST Class A and Class B operators. Click the tab for more information.

New Mexico PST operators must register tanks with PSTB and notify PSTB whenever ownership changes by following the instructions and filling out forms below:

The list above is not an exhaustive list of owner and operator requirements. 

The NMED Storage Tank Bureau has a forms and guidance website that New Mexico Class A/B PST operators should utilize. Some of the most used forms are listed below:

On October 13, 2015, USEPA finalized the first significant changes to the federal UST regulations since 1988. The NMED published a slideshow of New UST requirements and New AST Requirements in May 2021.

The most significant revisions to the New Mexico PST regulations went fully into effect in July 2021 and are listed below.

  • PST system compatibility demonstration;
  • Monthly PST walkthrough inspections;
  • Annual PST walkthrough inspections;
  • Tri-Annual PST spill container and UST containment sump testing;
  • Annual PST overfill prevention equipment inspections;
  • Annual PST release detection equipment testing; and, but not limited to,
  • Emergency Generator PST System and Airport Hydrant PST Requirements.

If you have questions about New Mexico PST regulations, New Mexico UST operator training, Incident Reporting or any other New Mexico PST requirements, visit the Petroleum Storage Tank Bureau Staff website, email ([email protected]) or phone at 505-476-4397.

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