Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=4038
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 00:14:55+00:00

Document:
Title of Regulation: 18VAC50-30. Individual License and Certification Regulations (amending 18VAC50-30-10, 18VAC50-30-40, 18VAC50-30-90, 18VAC50-30-100, 18VAC50-30-120, 18VAC50-30-130, 18VAC50-30-185, 18VAC50-30-190, 18VAC50-30-200, 18VAC50-30-220).
The amendments establish a program to certify accessibility mechanics, including criteria, fees, and continuing education requirements associated with certification. The amendments also include an endorsement for limited use/limited application elevators.
"Apprentice" means a person who assists tradesmen while gaining knowledge of the trade through on-the-job training and related instruction in accordance with the Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship Act (§ 40.1-117 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
"Backflow prevention device work" means work performed by a backflow prevention device worker as defined in § 54.1-1128 of the Code of Virginia.
"Building official/inspector" is an employee of the state, a local building department or other political subdivision who enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Certified accessibility mechanic" means an individual who is certified by the board who is engaged in erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or maintaining wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a capacity limit of 300 pounds, and private residence elevators.
"Certified elevator mechanic" means an individual who is certified by the board who is engaged in erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing or maintaining elevators, escalators, or related conveyances in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Division" means a limited subcategory within any of the trades, as approved by the department.
"Electrical work" consists of, but is not limited to, the following: (i) planning and layout of details for installation or modifications of electrical apparatus and controls including preparation of sketches showing location of wiring and equipment; (ii) measuring, cutting, bending, threading, assembling and installing electrical conduits; (iii) performing maintenance on electrical systems and apparatus; (iv) observation of installed systems or apparatus to detect hazards and need for adjustments, relocation or replacement; and (v) repairing faulty systems or apparatus.
"Electrician" means a tradesman who does electrical work including the construction, repair, maintenance, alteration or removal of electrical systems in accordance with the National Electrical Code and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Formal vocational training" means courses in the trade administered at an accredited educational facility; or formal training, approved by the board, conducted by trade associations, businesses, the military, correspondence schools or other similar training organizations.
"Gas fitter" means an individual who does gas fitting-related work usually as a division within the HVAC or plumbing trades in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. This work includes the installation, repair, improvement or removal of liquefied petroleum or natural gas piping, tanks, and appliances annexed to real property.
"Helper" or "laborer" means a person who assists a licensed tradesman and who is not an apprentice as defined in this chapter.
"HVAC tradesman" means an individual whose work includes the installation, alteration, repair or maintenance of heating systems, ventilating systems, cooling systems, steam and hot water heating systems, boilers, process piping, backflow prevention devices, and mechanical refrigeration systems, including tanks incidental to the system.
"Inactive tradesman" means an individual who meets the requirements of 18VAC50-30-73 and is licensed under that section.
"Incidental" means work that is necessary for that particular repair or installation and is outside the scope of practice allowed to the regulant by this chapter.
"Journeyman" means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency and qualifications to install, repair and maintain specific types of materials and equipment utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and according to plans and specifications.
"Limited use/limited application endorsement" means an addition to the certification record of a certified accessibility mechanic authorizing the certificate holder to erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair, test, or maintain limited use/limited application elevators as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Liquefied petroleum gas fitter" means any individual who engages in, or offers to engage in, work for the general public for compensation in work that includes the installation, repair, improvement, alterations or removal of piping, liquefied petroleum gas tanks and appliances (excluding hot water heaters, boilers and central heating systems that require a heating, ventilation and air conditioning or plumbing certification) annexed to real property.
"Maintenance" means the reconstruction or renewal of any part of a backflow device for the purpose of maintaining its proper operation. This does not include the actions of removing, replacing or installing, except for winterization.
"Master" means a person who possesses the necessary ability, proficiency and qualifications to plan and lay out the details for installation and supervise the work of installing, repairing and maintaining specific types of materials and equipment utilizing a working knowledge sufficient to comply with the pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Natural gas fitter provider" means any individual who engages in, or offers to engage in, work for the general public for compensation in the incidental repair, testing, or removal of natural gas piping or fitting annexed to real property, excluding new installation of gas piping for hot water heaters, boilers, central heating systems, or other natural gas equipment that requires heating, ventilation and air conditioning or plumbing certification.
"Periodic inspection" means to examine a cross connection control device in accordance with the requirements of the locality to be sure that the device is in place and functioning in accordance with the standards of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Plumber" means an individual who does plumbing work in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
"Regulant" means an individual licensed as a tradesman, liquefied petroleum gas fitter, natural gas fitter provider or certified as a backflow prevention device worker, elevator mechanic, or water well systems provider.
"Reinstatement" means having a license or certification card restored to effectiveness after the expiration date has passed.
"Renewal" means continuing the effectiveness of a license or certification card for another period of time.
"Repair" means the reconstruction or renewal of any part of a backflow prevention device for the purpose of returning to service a currently installed device. This does not include the removal or replacement of a defective device by the installation of a rebuilt or new device.
"Supervisor" means the licensed master or journeyman tradesman who has the responsibility to ensure that the installation is in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, one of whom must be on the job site at all times during installation.
"Testing organization" means an independent testing organization whose main function is to develop and administer examinations.
"Trade" means any of the following: electrical, gas fitting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), liquefied petroleum gas fitting, natural gas fitting, plumbing, and divisions within them.
"Water distribution systems" include fire sprinkler systems, highway/heavy, HVAC, lawn irrigation systems, plumbing, or water purveyor work.
18VAC50-30-40. Evidence of ability and proficiency.
5. On or after July 1, 1995, an applicant with 10 years of practical experience in the trade as verified by reference letters of experience from any of the following: building officials, building inspectors, current or former employers, contractors, engineers, architects or current or past clients attesting to the applicant's work in the trade, may be granted permission to sit for the journeyman's level examination without having to meet the educational requirements.
2. On or after July 1, 1995, an applicant with 10 years of practical experience in the trade, as verified by reference letters of experience from any of the following: building officials, building inspectors, current or former employers, contractors, engineers, architects or current or past clients, attesting to the applicant's work in the trade, may be granted permission to sit for the master's level examination without having to meet the educational requirements.
C. Individuals who have successfully passed the Class A contractors trade examination prior to January 1, 1991, administered by the Virginia Board for Contractors in a certified trade shall be deemed qualified as a master in that trade in accordance with this chapter.
2. Applicants with seven or more years of experience may qualify with 16 hours of formal vocational training in a school approved by the board.
The board accepts the American Society of Sanitary Engineers' (ASSE) standards for testing procedures. Other programs could be approved after board review. The board requires all backflow training to include instruction in a wet lab.
3. Successfully complete an elevator mechanic apprenticeship program that is approved by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council or registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, as evidenced by providing a certificate of completion or other official document, and satisfactorily complete a written examination administered by the board.
3. Six years of practical experience in the drilling, installation, maintenance, or repair of water wells or water well systems under the supervision of a certified master water well systems provider or other equivalent experience as approved by the board and 48 hours of formal vocational training in the trade to qualify for examination as a master water well systems provider.
3. Successfully complete an accessibility mechanic apprenticeship program that is approved by the Virginia Apprenticeship Council or registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, as evidenced by providing a certificate of completion or other official document, and satisfactorily complete a written examination administered by the board.
1. Hold a current certification as an accessibility mechanic issued by the board.
2. Have one year of practical experience in the construction, installation, maintenance, service, repair, and testing of limited use/limited application elevators and complete a vocational education program approved by the board; and satisfactorily complete a written examination administered by the board; or complete a limited use/limited application elevator training program determined to be equivalent to the requirements established by the board.
18VAC50-30-90. Fees for licensure and certification.
A. Each check or money order shall be made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia. All fees required by the board are nonrefundable and shall not be prorated. The date of receipt by the department or its agent is the date that will be used to determine whether or not it is on time. Fees remain active for a period of one year from the date of receipt and all applications must be completed within that time frame.
The examination fee shall consist of the administration expenses of the department resulting from the board's examination procedures and contract charges. Exam service contracts shall be established through competitive negotiation, in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). The current examination shall not exceed a cost of $100 for the journeyman exam, $125 for the master exam for any of the trades, or $100 for the backflow prevention device worker, elevator mechanic, accessibility mechanic, or water well systems provider exams.
A. Licenses and certification cards issued under this chapter shall expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued as indicated on the license or certification card.
B. Effective with all licenses issued or renewed after December 31, 2007, as a condition of renewal or reinstatement and pursuant to § 54.1-1133 of the Code of Virginia, all individuals holding tradesman licenses with the trade designations of plumbing, electrical and heating ventilation and cooling shall be required to satisfactorily complete three hours of continuing education for each designation and individuals holding licenses as liquefied petroleum gas fitters and natural gas fitter providers, one hour of continuing education, relating to the applicable building code, from a provider approved by the board in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. An inactive tradesman is not required to meet the continuing education requirements as a condition of renewal.
C. Certified elevator mechanics and certified accessibility mechanics, as a condition of renewal or reinstatement and pursuant to § 54.1-1143 of the Code of Virginia, shall be required to satisfactorily complete eight hours of continuing education relating to the provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code pertaining to elevators, escalators, and related conveyances. This continuing education will be from a provider approved by the board in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
D. Certified water well systems providers, as a condition of renewal or reinstatement and pursuant to § 54.1-1129.1 B of the Code of Virginia, shall be required to satisfactorily complete eight hours of continuing education in the specialty of technical aspects of water well construction, applicable statutory and regulatory provisions, and business practices related to water well construction from a provider approved by the board in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
F. The board will mail a renewal notice to the regulant outlining procedures for renewal. Failure to receive this notice, however, shall not relieve the regulant of the obligation to renew. If the regulant fails to receive the renewal notice, a photocopy of the tradesman license or backflow prevention device worker certification card may be submitted with the required fee as an application for renewal within 30 days of the expiration date.
G. The date on which the renewal fee is received by the department or its agent will determine whether the regulant is eligible for renewal or required to apply for reinstatement.
H. The board may deny renewal of a tradesman license or a backflow prevention device worker certification card for the same reasons as it may refuse initial issuance or to discipline a regulant. The regulant has a right to appeal any such action by the board under the Virginia Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
I. Failure to timely pay any monetary penalty, reimbursement of cost, or other fee assessed by consent order or final order shall result in delaying or withholding services provided by the department such as, but not limited to, renewal, reinstatement, processing of a new application, or exam administration.
E. In order to ensure that license or certification card holders are qualified to practice as tradesmen, liquefied petroleum gas fitters, natural gas fitter providers, backflow prevention device workers, elevator mechanics, or water well systems providers, no reinstatement will be permitted once one year from the expiration date has passed. After that date the applicant must apply for a new license or certification card and meet the then current entry requirements.
F. Any tradesman, liquefied petroleum gas fitter, or natural gas fitter provider activity conducted subsequent to the expiration of the license may constitute unlicensed activity and may be subject to prosecution under Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. Further, any person who holds himself out as a certified backflow prevention device worker, as defined in § 54.1-1128 of the Code of Virginia, or as a certified elevator mechanic or certified accessibility mechanic, as defined in § 54.1-1140 of the Code of Virginia, or as a water well systems provider as defined in § 54.1-1129.1 of the Code of Virginia, without the appropriate certification, may be subject to prosecution under Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. Any activity related to the operating integrity of an elevator, escalator, or related conveyance, conducted subsequent to the expiration of an elevator mechanic certification may constitute illegal activity and may be subject to prosecution under Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia.
18VAC50-30-185. Revocation of licensure or certification.
A. Licensure or certification may be revoked for misrepresentation or a fraudulent application or for incompetence as demonstrated by an egregious or repeated violation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
B. The board shall have the power to require remedial education and to fine suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of a license or certification card of any individual who is found to be in violation of the statutes or regulations governing the practice of licensed tradesmen, liquefied petroleum gas fitters, natural gas fitter providers, backflow prevention device workers or, elevator mechanics, or accessibility mechanics in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
17. Failure to obtain a building permit or applicable inspection where required.
A. Vocational training courses must be completed through accredited colleges, universities, junior and community colleges; adult distributive, marketing and formal vocational training as defined in this chapter; Virginia Apprenticeship Council programs; or proprietary schools approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
B. Backflow prevention device worker courses must be completed through schools approved by the board. The board accepts the American Society of Sanitary Engineers' (ASSE) standards for testing procedures. Other programs could be approved after board review. The board requires all backflow training to include instruction in a wet lab.
C. Elevator mechanic courses must be completed through schools approved by the board. The board accepts training programs approved by the National Elevator Industry Education Program (NEIEP). Other programs could be approved after board review.
D. Water well systems provider courses must be completed through schools or programs approved by the board.
E. Certified accessibility courses must be completed through education providers approved by the board.
A. All courses offered by continuing education providers must be approved by the board and shall cover articles of the current edition of the building code for the applicable license specialty. For tradesmen with the electrical specialty, the National Electrical Code; for tradesmen with the plumbing specialty, the International Plumbing Code; for tradesmen with HVAC specialty, the International Mechanical Code; for gas fitters, liquefied petroleum gas fitters, and natural gas fitters, the International Fuel Gas Code. Courses offered by continuing education providers for elevator mechanics shall cover articles of the current edition of the building code and other applicable laws governing elevators, escalators, or related conveyances. Courses offered by continuing education providers for accessibility mechanics shall cover articles of the current edition of the building code and other applicable laws governing wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters, and private residence elevators. Courses offered by continuing education providers for water well systems providers shall cover the specialty of technical aspects of water well construction, applicable statutory and regulatory provisions, and business practices related to water well construction.
C. Courses may be approved retroactively; however, no regulant will receive credit toward the continuing education requirements of renewal until such approval is received from the board.
Education Provider Listing Application, A503-27EDLIST-v2 (rev. 3/11).
Education Provider Registration/Course Approval Application, A503-27EDREG-v4 (rev.10/11).
Tradesman Additional Designation & License Upgrade Application, A503-2710_ADDLIC-v1 (rev. 10/11).
Tradesman Exam & License Application, A503-2710EXLIC-v1 (eff. 10/11).
Tradesman Individual Experience Form, A503-2710EXP-v1 (rev. 10/11).
Backflow Prevention Device Worker Certification Application, A503-2717BPD (rev. 10/11).
Certified Elevator Mechanic Application, A503-2718ELE (rev. 10/11).
Certified Water Well System Provider Application, A503-2719WSP (rev. 10/11).
VA.R. Doc. No. R11-2485; Filed October 28, 2013, 12:47 p.m.

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