Virginia Administrative Code › Title 18 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING › Agency 50 - BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS › Chapter 22 - BOARD FOR CONTRACTORS REGULATIONS › Part I - Definitions › Section 18VAC50-22-30 - Definitions of specialty services

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
The following words and terms when used in this chapter
					 unless a different meaning is provided or is plainly required by the context
					 shall have the following meanings:
"Accessibility services contracting" (Abbr: ASC) means the
					 service that provides for all work in connection with the constructing,
					 installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or maintenance of
					 wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a capacity limit of 300
					 pounds, and private residence elevators in accordance with the Virginia Uniform
					 Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63). The EEC specialty may also perform this
					 work. This specialty does not include work on limited use-limited application
					 (LULA) elevators.
"Accessibility services contracting - LULA" (Abbr: ASL)
					 means the service that provides for all work in connection with the
					 constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or
					 maintenance of wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a
					 capacity limit of 300 pounds, private residence elevators, and limited
					 use-limited application (LULA) elevators in accordance with the Virginia
					 Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63). The EEC specialty may also perform
					 this work.
"Alternative energy system contracting" (Abbr: AES) means
					 the service that provides for the installation, repair or improvement, from the
					 customer's meter, of alternative energy generation systems, supplemental energy
					 systems and associated equipment annexed to real property. This service does
					 not include the installation of emergency generators powered by fossil fuels.
					 No other classification or specialty service provides this function. This
					 specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC
					 functions.
"Alternative sewage disposal system contracting" (Abbr:
					 ADS) means the service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement,
					 or removal of a treatment works that is not a conventional onsite sewage system
					 and does not result in a point source discharge. No other classification or
					 specialty service provides this function.
"Asbestos contracting" (Abbr: ASB) means the service that
					 provides for the installation, removal, or encapsulation of asbestos containing
					 materials annexed to real property. No other classification or specialty
					 service provides for this function.
"Asphalt paving and sealcoating contracting" (Abbr: PAV)
					 means the service that provides for the installation of asphalt paving or
					 sealcoating, or both, on subdivision streets and adjacent intersections,
					 driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, running tracks, and play areas, using
					 materials and accessories common to the industry. This includes height
					 adjustment of existing sewer manholes, storm drains, water valves, sewer
					 cleanouts and drain grates, and all necessary excavation and grading. The H/H
					 classification also provides for this function.
"Billboard/sign contracting" (Abbr: BSC) means the service
					 that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or dismantling of any
					 billboard or structural sign permanently annexed to real property. H/H and CBC
					 are the classifications that can perform this work except that a contractor in
					 this specialty may connect or disconnect signs to existing electrical circuits.
					 No trade related plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work is included in this
					 function.
"Blast/explosive contracting" (Abbr: BEC) means the service
					 that provides for the use of explosive charges for the repair, improvement,
					 alteration, or demolition of any real property or any structure annexed to real
					 property.
"Commercial improvement contracting" (Abbr: CIC) means the
					 service that provides for repair or improvement to structures not defined as
					 dwellings and townhouses in the USBC. The CBC classification also provides for
					 this function. The CIC specialty does not provide for the construction of new
					 buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work.
"Concrete contracting" (Abbr: CEM) means the service that
					 provides for all work in connection with the processing, proportioning,
					 batching, mixing, conveying, and placing of concrete composed of materials
					 common to the concrete industry. This includes finishing, coloring, curing,
					 repairing, testing, sawing, grinding, grouting, placing of film barriers,
					 sealing, and waterproofing. Construction and assembling of forms, molds,
					 slipforms, and pans, centering, and the use of rebar are also included. The
					 CBC, RBC, and H/H classifications also provide for this function.
"Conventional sewage disposal system contracting" (Abbr:
					 CDS) means the service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement,
					 or removal of a treatment works consisting of one or more septic tanks with
					 gravity, pumped, or siphoned conveyance to a gravity distributed subsurface
					 drainfield. The ADS specialty may also perform this work.
"Drug lab remediation contracting" (Abbr: DLR) means the
					 service that provides for the cleanup, treatment, containment, or removal of
					 hazardous substances at or in a property formerly used to manufacture
					 methamphetamine or other drugs and may include demolition or disposal of
					 structures or other property. No other classification or specialty provides for
					 this function.
"Drywall contracting" (Abbr: DRY) means the service that
					 provides for the installation, taping, and finishing of drywall, panels and
					 assemblies of gypsum wallboard, sheathing, and cementitious board, and the
					 installation of studs made of sheet metal for the framing of ceilings and
					 nonstructural partitioning. The CBC and RBC classifications and HIC and CIC
					 specialties also provide for this function.
"Electronic/communication service contracting" (Abbr: ESC)
					 means the service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or
					 removal of electronic or communications systems annexed to real property
					 including telephone wiring, computer cabling, sound systems, data links, data
					 and network installation, television and cable TV wiring, antenna wiring, and
					 fiber optics installation, all of which operate at 50 volts or less. A firm
					 holding an ESC license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman
					 licensure standards. The ELE classification also provides for this
					 function.
"Elevator/escalator contracting" (Abbr: EEC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of
					 elevators or escalators permanently annexed to real property. A firm holding an
					 EEC license is responsible for meeting all applicable individual license and
					 certification regulations. No other classification or specialty service
					 provides for this function.
"Environmental monitoring well contracting" (Abbr: EMW)
					 means the service that provides for the construction of a well to monitor
					 hazardous substances in the ground.
"Environmental specialties contracting" (Abbr: ENV) means
					 the service that provides for installation, repair, removal, or improvement of
					 pollution control and remediation devices. No other specialty provides for this
					 function. This specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, gas
					 fitting, or HVAC functions.
"Equipment/machinery contracting" (Abbr: EMC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation or removal of equipment or machinery
					 including conveyors or heavy machinery. Boilers exempted by the Virginia
					 Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) but regulated by the Department of
					 Labor and Industry are also included in this specialty. This specialty does not
					 provide for any electrical, plumbing, process piping, or HVAC functions.
"Farm improvement contracting" (Abbr: FIC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, or improvement of a
					 nonresidential farm building or structure, or nonresidential farm accessory-use
					 structure, or additions thereto. The CBC classification also provides for this
					 function. The FIC specialty does not provide for any electrical, plumbing,
					 HVAC, or gas fitting functions.
"Finish carpentry contracting" (Abbr: FIN) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, and finishing of cabinets,
					 sash casing, door casing, wooden flooring, baseboards, countertops, and other
					 millwork. Finish carpentry does not include the installation of ceramic tile,
					 marble, and artificial or cultured stone. The CBC and RBC classifications and
					 HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.
"Fire alarm systems contracting" (Abbr: FAS) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, or improvement of fire
					 alarm systems that operate at 50 volts or less. The ELE classification also
					 provides for this function. A firm with an FAS license is responsible for
					 meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.
"Fire sprinkler contracting" (Abbr: SPR) means the service
					 that provides for the installation, repair, alteration, addition, testing,
					 maintenance, inspection, improvement, or removal of sprinkler systems using
					 water as a means of fire suppression when annexed to real property. This
					 specialty does not provide for the installation, repair, or maintenance of
					 other types of fire suppression systems. The PLB classification allows for the
					 installation of systems permitted to be designed in accordance with the
					 plumbing provisions of the USBC. This specialty may engage in the installation
					 of backflow prevention devices in the fire sprinkler supply main and incidental
					 to the sprinkler system installation when the installer has received formal
					 vocational training approved by the board that included instruction in the
					 installation of backflow prevention devices.
"Fire suppression contracting" (Abbr: FSP) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of
					 fire suppression systems including halon and other gas systems, dry chemical
					 systems, and carbon dioxide systems annexed to real property. No other
					 classification provides for this function. The FSP specialty does not provide
					 for the installation, repair, or maintenance of water sprinkler systems.
"Flooring and floor covering contracting" (Abbr: FLR) means
					 the service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal
					 of materials that are common in the flooring industry. This includes wood and
					 wood composite flooring, tack strips or other products used to secure carpet,
					 vinyl and linoleum, ceramic, marble, stone, and all other types of tile, and
					 includes the installation or replacement of subflooring, leveling products, or
					 other materials necessary to facilitate the installation of the flooring or
					 floor covering. This does not include the installation, repair, or removal of
					 floor joists or other structural components of the flooring system. The CBC and
					 RBC classifications and HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this
					 function.
"Framing subcontractor" (Abbr: FRM) means the service
					 which, while serving in the role of a subcontractor to a licensed prime
					 contractor, provides for the construction, removal, repair, or improvement to
					 any framing or rough carpentry necessary for the construction of framed
					 structures, including the installation and repair of individual components of
					 framing systems. The CBC and RBC classifications and HIC and CIC specialties
					 also provide for this function.
"Gas fitting contracting" (Abbr: GFC) means the service
					 that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of gas
					 piping and appliances annexed to real property. A firm holding a GFC license is
					 responsible for meeting all applicable individual (tradesman) licensure
					 regulations.
"Glass and glazing contracting" (Abbr: GLZ) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, assembly, repair, improvement, or
					 removal of all makes and kinds of glass, glass work, mirrored glass, and glass
					 substitute for glazing; executes the fabrication and glazing of frames, panels,
					 sashes and doors; or installs these items in any structure. This specialty
					 includes the installation of standard methods of weatherproofing, caulking,
					 glazing, sealants, and adhesives. The CBC and RBC classifications and HIC and
					 CIC specialties also provide for this function.
"Home improvement contracting" (Abbr: HIC) means the
					 service that provides for repairs or improvements to dwellings and townhouses
					 as defined in the USBC or structures annexed to those dwellings or townhouses
					 as defined in the USBC. The RBC classification also provides for this function.
					 The HIC specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas
					 fitting functions. It does not include new construction functions beyond the
					 existing building structure other than decks, patios, driveways, and utility
					 out buildings that do not require a permit per the USBC.
"Industrialized building contracting" (Abbr: IBC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation or removal of an industrialized
					 building as defined in the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations
					 (13VAC5-91). This classification covers foundation work in accordance with the
					 provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) and
					 allows the licensee to complete internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical,
					 and HVAC systems. It does not allow for installing additional plumbing, gas,
					 electrical, or HVAC work such as installing the service meter, or installing
					 the outside compressor for the HVAC system. The CBC and RBC classifications
					 also provide for this function.
"Insulation and weather stripping contracting" (Abbr: INS)
					 means the service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or
					 removal of materials classified as insulating media used for the sole purpose
					 of temperature control or sound control of residential and commercial
					 buildings. It does not include the insulation of mechanical equipment and
					 ancillary lines and piping. The CBC and RBC classifications and HIC and CIC
					 specialties also provide for this function.
"Landscape irrigation contracting" (Abbr: ISC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of
					 irrigation sprinkler systems or outdoor sprinkler systems. The PLB and H/H
					 classifications also provide for this function. This specialty may install
					 backflow prevention devices incidental to work in this specialty when the
					 installer has received formal vocational training approved by the board that
					 included instruction in the installation of backflow prevention devices.
"Landscape service contracting" (Abbr: LSC) means the
					 service that provides for the alteration or improvement of a land area not
					 related to any other classification or service activity by means of excavation,
					 clearing, grading, construction of retaining walls for landscaping purposes, or
					 placement of landscaping timbers. This specialty may remove stumps and roots
					 below grade. The CBC, RBC, and H/H classifications also provide for this
					 function.
"Lead abatement contracting" (Abbr: LAC) means the service
					 that provides for the removal or encapsulation of lead-containing materials
					 annexed to real property. No other classification or specialty service provides
					 for this function, except that the PLB and HVA classifications may provide this
					 service incidental to work in those classifications.
"Liquefied petroleum gas contracting" (Abbr: LPG) means the
					 service that includes the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration, or
					 removal of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances used in
					 transporting, storing, or utilizing liquefied petroleum gas. This excludes hot
					 water heaters, boilers, and central heating systems that require an HVA or PLB
					 license. The GFC specialty also provides for this function. A firm holding an
					 LPG license is responsible for meeting all applicable individual license and
					 certification regulations.
"Manufactured home contracting" (Abbr: MHC) means the
					 service that provides for the installation or removal of a manufactured home as
					 defined in the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations (13VAC5-95). This
					 classification does not cover foundation work; however, it does allow
					 installation of piers covered under HUD regulations. It does allow a licensee
					 to do internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC equipment. It does
					 not allow for installing additional plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC work
					 such as installing the service meter or installing the outside compressor for
					 the HVAC system. No other specialty provides for this function.
"Marine facility contracting" (Abbr: MCC) means the service
					 that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of any
					 structure the purpose of which is to provide access to, impede, or alter a body
					 of surface water. The CBC and H/H classifications also provide for this
					 function. The MCC specialty does not provide for the construction of accessory
					 structures or electrical, HVAC, or plumbing functions.
"Masonry contracting" (Abbr: BRK) means the service that
					 includes the installation of brick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate, or
					 other units and products common to the masonry industry, including mortarless
					 type masonry products. This includes installation of grout, caulking, tuck
					 pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging, and cleaning and welding of
					 reinforcement steel related to masonry construction. The CBC and RBC
					 classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this
					 function.
"Miscellaneous contracting" (Abbr: MSC) means the service
					 that may fall under another classification or specialty service but is more
					 limited than the functions provided by the other classification or specialty.
					 This specialty is limited to a single activity and will be restricted to that
					 specialty only. This specialty may not be used for work that would fall under
					 the ELE, HVA, PLB, GFC, LPG, NGF, EEC, WWP, ASC, LAC, or ASB classification or
					 specialty. Contractors applying for the MSC specialty will have their
					 applications reviewed by the Board for Contractors.
"Natural gas fitting provider contracting" (Abbr: NGF)
					 means the service that provides for the incidental repair, testing, or removal
					 of natural gas piping or fitting annexed to real property. This does not
					 include new installation of gas piping for hot water heaters, boilers, central
					 heating systems, or other natural gas equipment that requires an HVA or PLB
					 license. The GFC specialty also provides for this function. A firm holding an
					 NGF license is responsible for meeting all applicable individual license and
					 certification regulations.
"Painting and wallcovering contracting" (Abbr: PTC) means
					 the service that provides for the application of materials common to the
					 painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, the
					 installation of surface coverings such as vinyls, wall papers, and cloth
					 fabrics. This includes surface preparation, caulking, sanding, and cleaning
					 preparatory to painting or coverings and includes both interior and exterior
					 surfaces. The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also
					 provide for this function.
"Radon mitigation contracting" (Abbr: RMC) means the
					 service that provides for additions, repairs, or improvements to buildings or
					 structures, for the purpose of mitigating or preventing the effects of radon
					 gas. No electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions are provided by
					 this specialty.
"Recreational facility contracting" (Abbr: RFC) means the
					 service that provides for the construction, repair, or improvement of any
					 recreational facility, excluding paving and the construction of buildings,
					 plumbing, electrical, and HVAC functions. The CBC classification also provides
					 for this function.
"Refrigeration contracting" (Abbr: REF) means the service
					 that provides for installation, repair, or removal of any refrigeration
					 equipment (excluding HVAC equipment). No electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or
					 HVAC functions are provided by this specialty. This specialty is intended for
					 those contractors who repair or install coolers, refrigerated casework,
					 ice-making machines, drinking fountains, cold room equipment, and similar
					 hermetic refrigeration equipment. The HVA classification also provides for this
					 function.
"Roofing contracting" (Abbr: ROC) means the service that
					 provides for the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials
					 common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for
					 roofs and decks. This includes roofing system components when installed in
					 conjunction with a roofing project, application of dampproofing or
					 waterproofing, and installation of roof insulation panels and other roof
					 insulation systems above roof deck. The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC
					 and CIC specialties also provide for this function.
"Steel erection contracting" (Abbr: STL) means the service
					 that provides for the fabrication and erection of structural steel shapes and
					 plates, regardless of shape or size, to be used as structural members, or
					 tanks, including any related riveting, welding, and rigging. This specialty
					 includes the fabrication, placement and tying of steel reinforcing bars (rods),
					 and post-tensioning to reinforce concrete buildings and structures. The CBC and
					 RBC classifications and HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this
					 function.
"Swimming pool construction contracting" (Abbr: POL) means
					 the service that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal
					 of in-ground swimming pools. The CBC and RBC classifications and the RFC
					 specialty also provide for this function. No trade related plumbing,
					 electrical, backflow, or HVAC work is included in this specialty.
"Tile, marble, ceramic, and terrazzo contracting" (Abbr:
					 TMC) means the service that provides for the preparation, fabrication,
					 construction, and installation of artificial marble, burned clay tile, ceramic,
					 terrazzo, encaustic, faience, quarry, semi-vitreous, cementitious board, and
					 other tile, excluding hollow or structural partition tile. The CBC and RBC
					 classifications and HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this
					 function.
"Underground utility and excavating contracting" (Abbr:
					 UUC) means the service that provides for the construction, repair, improvement,
					 or removal of main sanitary sewer collection systems, main water distribution
					 systems, storm sewer collection systems, and the continuation of utility lines
					 from the main systems to a point of termination up to and including the meter
					 location for the individual occupancy, sewer collection systems at property
					 line, or residential or single-occupancy commercial properties, or on
					 multi-occupancy properties at manhole or wye lateral extend to an invert
					 elevation as engineered to accommodate future building sewers, water
					 distribution systems, or storm sewer collection systems at storm sewer
					 structures. This specialty may install empty underground conduits in rights-of
					 way, easements, platted rights-of-way in new site development, and sleeves for
					 parking lot crossings if each conduit system does not include installation of
					 any conductor wiring or connection to an energized electrical system. The H/H
					 classification also provides for this function.
"Vessel construction contracting" (Abbr: VCC) means the
					 service that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of
					 nonresidential vessels, tanks, or piping that hold or convey fluids other than
					 sanitary, storm, waste, or potable water supplies. The H/H classification also
					 provides for this function.
"Water well/pump contracting" (Abbr: WWP) means the service
					 that provides for the installation of a water well system, including geothermal
					 wells, which includes construction of a water well to reach groundwater, as
					 defined in § 62.1-255 of the Code of Virginia, and the installation of the
					 well pump and tank, including pipe and wire, up to and including the point of
					 connection to the plumbing and electrical systems. No other classification or
					 specialty service provides for construction of water wells. This regulation
					 shall not exclude the PLB, ELE, or HVA classification from installation of
					 pumps and tanks.
Note: Specialty contractors engaging in construction that
					 involves the following activities or items or similar activities or items may
					 fall under the CIC, HIC, and FIC specialty services, or they may fall under the
					 CBC or RBC classification.
Appliances
Fences
Railings
Awnings
Fiberglass
Rigging
Blinds
Fireplaces
Rubber linings
Bulkheads
Fireproofing
Sandblasting
Carpeting
Fixtures
Scaffolding
Ceilings
Grouting
Screens
Chimneys
Guttering
Shutters
Chutes
Interior decorating
Siding
Curtains
Lubrication
Skylights
Curtain walls
Metal work
Storage bins and lockers
Decks
Millwrighting
Stucco
Doors
Mirrors
Vaults
Drapes
Miscellaneous iron
Wall panels
Epoxy
Ornamental iron
Waterproofing
Exterior decoration
Partitions
Windows
Facings
Protective coatings
Statutory Authority: § 54.1-201 of the Code of
						Virginia.