validation rule for select list with default value of '0'

validation rule for select list with default value of '0'

I have a select list #technology. Due to some back end processing it's default value is "0" (Please Select) I am trying to write a validation rule to make it required. The problem I'm having is that if you hit submit when it shows "Please Select" which has the value="0" then make a different selection it's not removing the error msg. Also if you hit submit multiple times when it is showing Please Select it just keeps adding the error msg

here's what I have so far:

<script type="text/javascript">
        $(document).ready(function() {
            $.validator.addMethod(
                "SelectTechnology",
                function(value, element) {
                    //var selectedCountry = $('#Country').val();
                    if ($("#singleTech").val() === '0'){
                        return false;
                    } else return true;
                },
                "Please Select a Technology"
            );
            var validator = $("#SinglePmnt").validate({
                rules: {
                        technology: {
                            SelectTechnology: true
                        }
                },
                errorElement: "span",
                errorPlacement: function(error, element) {
                    error.appendTo(element.parent("td"));
                }
            });
        });
    </script>

Kane Leins