Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 17 - PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESSES (§§ 17-1-101 — 17-107-311) › Subtitle 2 - NONMEDICAL PROFESSIONS (§§ 17-10-101 — 17-56-202) › Chapter 38 - PLUMBERS (§§ 17-38-101 — 17-38-409) › Subchapter 4 - APPRENTICE PLUMBER PROGRAM (§§ 17-38-401 — 17-38-409) › Section 17-38-409 - Supervision of apprentice plumbers - Definition

(a)
It is the intent of the General Assembly that an apprentice plumber should be trained in a manner that:
(1)
Develops the skills of the apprentice plumber;
(2)
Ensures the safety of plumbers and the public; and
(3)
Guarantees that the work of the apprentice plumber complies with legal requirements and meets industry standards.
(b)
(1)
Except as provided under subdivision (b)(5) of this section, an apprentice plumber shall not engage in plumbing unless he or she is supervised by a master plumber or a journeyman plumber.
(2)
The work done and the tools and methods utilized by the master plumber, journeyman plumber, and apprentice plumber in the course of supervision shall comply with legal requirements and meet industry standards.
(3)
(A)
(i)
The master plumber or journeyman plumber shall observe the work of an apprentice plumber in person at regular and reasonable intervals.
(ii)
One (1) master plumber or journeyman plumber may supervise up to three (3) apprentice plumbers on a single job.
(B)
The Career Education and Workforce Development Board shall promulgate rules that determine the regular and reasonable intervals under subdivision (b)(3)(A) of this section in consideration of the:
(i)
Nature of the work; and
(ii)
Skill and experience of the apprentice plumber.
(4)
(A)
The supervising master plumber or journeyman plumber shall remain within reasonable proximity of the apprentice plumber while work is being performed.
(B)
The proximity of the supervising plumber to the apprentice plumber is reasonable if:
(i)
The job site is a single-family residence or a project that does not require a contractor's license, and the supervising plumber is:
(a)
Within the line of sight of the apprentice plumber;
(b)
At the same street address at which the apprentice plumber is working;
(c)
At the street address adjacent to or adjoining the street address at which the apprentice plumber is working; or
(d)
Within the same geographical subdivision in which the apprentice is located; or
(ii)
The job site is not a single-family residence, requires a contractor's license, and:
(a)
The supervising plumber is within the line of sight of the apprentice plumber; or
(b)
The supervising plumber is within two hundred fifty (250) yards of the apprentice plumber, and the supervising plumber and the apprentice plumber are within the property boundaries of the job site.
(5)
(A)
An apprentice plumber who is in his or her final year of an apprenticeship may engage in plumbing without the direct supervision of a master plumber or journeyman plumber if he or she is working under the indirect supervision of a master plumber or journeyman plumber.
(B)
(i)
As used in this section, "indirect supervision" means that an apprentice plumber under subdivision (b)(5)(A) of this section is able to contact a master plumber or journeyman plumber for direction or advice, but the master plumber or journeyman plumber does not have to meet the reasonable proximity requirements under subdivisions (b)(4)(B)(i) and (ii) of this section.
(ii)
An apprentice plumber may contact a master plumber or journeyman plumber under this subdivision (b)(5)(B) in person or by telephone call, text message, electronic mail, or other similar form of communication.
(C)
An apprentice plumber under subdivision (b)(5)(A) of this section shall possess and be capable of providing to an inspector a valid and unexpired identification card issued by the local apprenticeship committee that indicates the apprentice is in his or her final year of apprenticeship.
(c)
One (1) master plumber or journeyman plumber may supervise up to three (3) apprentice plumbers on a single plumbing job.
Amended by Act 2017, No. 971,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017.
Added by Act 2015, No. 140,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.