I. No person shall use explosives unless at least one natural person with a current and valid certificate of competency is physically present to conduct the blasting operation. A certificate of competency shall not constitute a license under RSA 158:9-b but shall be in addition to any other license required under that section.
   II. No natural person shall conduct blasting operations without a current certificate of competency issued by the director of the division of state police and valid for the category of use involved. Such certificate shall be valid for 4 years from the date of issue unless suspended or revoked by the director.
   III. The commissioner of the department of safety shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, establishing the categories of certificates of competency based on the use of the explosives and the procedure and criteria for issuing, renewing, suspending, and revoking such certificates.
   IV. Any person convicted of violating the provisions of RSA 158:9-h, I, and any natural person convicted of violating RSA 158:9-h, II, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for the first and second offense and of a felony for any subsequent offense.
   V. The fee for a certificate of competency or its renewal shall be as stated in RSA 158:9-c, VI.
Source. 1995, 226:13, eff. Aug. 13, 1995.