Sec. 10. (a) Certificates in appropriate classification shall be issued upon application and payment of the fee to operators of wastewater treatment plants who, on July 1, 1968, hold certificates of competency attained by examination under the voluntary certification program administered by:
(1) the Indiana Water Pollution Control Association; or
(2) the Indiana Section, American Water Works Association.
However, application for a certificate under this subsection must be made not later than July 1, 1969.
(b) Certificates of proper classification shall be issued upon payment of the fee without examination to each person certified by the governing body or owner to have been in direct responsible charge of the wastewater treatment plant on July 1, 1968. A certificate issued under this subsection is valid only for that particular wastewater treatment plant, which the certificate must indicate.