Coal Miners

Certification or Licensing

Requirements for certification of mine workers vary. A state may require that any person engaged at the face of the mine must first obtain a certificate of competency as a miner from the state's miner's examining board. In some cases, a miner may obtain a certificate of competency after completing one year of underground work. A miner who has an associate's degree in coal mine technology may be able to obtain the certificate after completing six months of underground work.

For those seeking a certificate of competency as a mine examiner or manager, a state may require at least four years of underground experience; graduates with associate's degrees in coal mining technology, however, may be able to qualify after only three years of experience.

Coal mining technician students can usually meet the state's criteria for employment while still in their technician preparatory program. It is important to be familiar with these criteria if technicians plan to work in a state other than the one where they begin their education and receive work experience.