CERTIFICATION FOR COAL MINE SURFACE BLASTERS

TBA- Wyoming Blaster Certification Class: Rock Springs, Wyoming 2026

Wyoming DEQ is evaluating the need for a class in Rock Springs during 2026. Please contact Reo Barney (Email: reo.barney@wyo.gov Office: 307-675-5612) if you have blasters that would like to attend

Best in the West Drill and Blast Conference

Registration is now open for the Annual Best in the West Drill and Blast Conference April 22-24, 2026 at the Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center in Spearfish, South Dakota. This conference is approved for 14.5 hours (pending final schedule) in the Wyoming Blasting Program.

Please contact Reo Barney (Email: reo.barney@wyo.gov Office: 307-675-5612) for hours from past conferences.

Wyoming Blaster Certification Class- May 2026 in Rock Springs, Wyoming

Reo Barney of the Wyoming DEQ will hold a Blaster Certification Course and offer the Wyoming Blaster Certification Exam in Rock Springs, Wyoming from May 12-14. Please contact Mr. Barney at reo.barney@wyo.gov to register. For more information, read the course information flyer.

This course and exam satisfy the requirements for blaster certification in Utah. If you wish to apply for Coal Mine Surface Blaster Certification in Utah, please email your completed Utah Blaster Application to Levy Woodruff at lkwoodruff@utah.gov.

Wyoming DEQ Webinars for Blaster Continuing Education Hours

Wyoming DEQ-LQD has hosted a series of Webinars that were previously recorded and can be used for up to sixteen (16) Blaster Continuing Education Hours (BCEH). There is no charge for the Webinars and are available to blasters outside of Wyoming.

How the Webinar process works:

Wyoming DEQ Blasting Web page

Wyoming DEQ has published a WDEQ-LQD Blasting Webpage.  Visit this webpage for blasting regulations, information on Blaster Certification issuance, upcoming training announcements, Wyoming DEQ Recorded Webinars, and other useful links.

Each training program will culminate in an examination to be administered by the course instructor. Following the training and examination, the Division will review each applicant's requisite one year of blasting experience, examination results, completed application, and instructor recommendation, and determine whether the applicant qualifies for certification as a coal mine surface blaster under Utah Admin. R645-105.

Send questions about the application process, training examination session for coal mine surface blasters, or completed applications to:

Levy Woodruff
Division of Oil, Gas and Mining
1594 West North Temple, Suite 1210
Box 145801 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5801
(801) 538-5352 FAX (801) 359-3940

Blaster training and certification are an annual offering by the Division and occur around the first of the New Year. Follow this page for related information.

Download the Surface Coal Mine Blaster Certification Application Form in Acrobat PDF format. (You must have the Acrobat Reader to view/complete/print or a full version of Acrobat to save the completed form with the completed information.)

Blasting at Non-Coal Mines
Blasting at non-coal mines may be regulated by some federal agencies, depending on the nature of the blasting activity. The Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) regulates health and safety standards when using or working near explosive materials in mines. The federal Bureau of alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) regulates the importation, manufacture, distribution and storage of explosives. The federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the interstate and intrastate transportation of explosives. Blasting may also be regulated by some local agencies. Contact local municipal and/or county authorities for any rules and regulations or permit requirements related to mine blasting.