661—276.3 (100D) Licensing requirements. A fire protection system installer and maintenance worker shall meet all of the following requirements in order to receive a license from the fire marshal and shall continue to meet all requirements throughout the period of licensure. A licensee shall notify the fire marshal, in writing on a form designated by the fire marshal, within 30 calendar days if the licensee fails to meet any requirement for licensure.
	 276.3(1) Liability insurance. Each licensee, other than a trainee, shall maintain general and complete operations liability insurance covering any work that the licensee is authorized to perform pursuant to any endorsements on the license in the following amounts: $500,000 per person, $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $1,000,000 property damage.
	  a.   	 The carrier of any insurance coverage maintained to meet this requirement shall notify the fire marshal 30 days prior to the effective date of cancellation or reduction of the coverage.
	  b.   	 The licensee shall cease work immediately if the insurance coverage required by this subrule is no longer in force and other insurance coverage meeting the requirements of this subrule is not in force. A licensee shall not initiate any work which requires licensure pursuant to this chapter or to 2009 Iowa Code Supplement chapter 100D as amended by 2010 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2355, which cannot reasonably be expected to be completed prior to the effective date of the cancellation of the insurance coverage required by this subrule and of which the licensee has received notice, unless new insurance coverage meeting the requirements of this subrule has been obtained and will be in force upon cancellation of the prior coverage.
Exception: A licensee is not required to maintain insurance coverage provided that the licensee’s employer maintains insurance coverage equivalent to the requirements of this subrule.
	 276.3(2) Compliance. Each licensee shall maintain compliance with all other applicable provisions of law related to operation in the state of Iowa and in any political subdivision in which the licensee is performing work.
	 276.3(3) Training and experience requirements. An applicant for a license shall meet the following training and experience requirements:
	  a.   	 For endorsement for automatic sprinkler system installation and maintenance, the applicant shall show evidence of the following:
	 (1) 	 Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in fire sprinkler installation and maintenance approved by the United States Department of Labor, including four years of employment as an apprentice fire protection system installer and maintenance worker, and
	 (2) 	 A passing score on either the United Association Star Fire Sprinkler Mastery Exam or on another examination administered by a nationally recognized third-party testing organization and approved as equivalent by the state fire marshal.
Exception: Prior to August 1, 2012, an applicant who was employed as a fire protection system installer as of July 1, 2008, may receive endorsement for automatic sprinkler system installation and maintenance upon submission of evidence of completion of 8500 hours of employment as a fire protection system installer and maintenance worker and any of the following:
	  1. 	 Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in fire sprinkler installation and maintenance of four or more years in duration, approved by the United States Department of Labor.
	  2. 	 Passing the United Association Star Fire Sprinkler Mastery Exam or another examination administered by a nationally recognized third-party testing organization and approved as equivalent by the state fire marshal.
	  3. 	 Certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout at Level I, or another form of certification or testing administered by a nationally recognized organization and approved as equivalent by the state fire marshal. An applicant for licensure or the applicant’s employer may request approval from the state fire marshal of a form of certification or testing as equivalent to that required by this paragraph by contacting the program as indicated in subrule 276.1(4) and following the instructions given to request such approval. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	  b.   	 For endorsement for special hazards fire protection system installation and maintenance, the applicant shall show evidence of the following:
	 (1) 	 Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in installation and maintenance of special hazards fire protection systems approved by the United States Department of Labor, and
	 (2) 	 Certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies in Special Hazards Protection Systems at Level I, or another form of certification or testing by a nationally recognized organization approved as equivalent by the state fire marshal. An applicant for licensure or the applicant’s employer may request approval from the state fire marshal of a form of certification or testing as equivalent to that required by this subparagraph by contacting the program as indicated in subrule 276.1(4) and following the instructions given to request such approval. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
Exception 1: If the state fire marshal determines that no appropriate apprenticeship program is readily available, the fire marshal may allow the substitution of documentation of 8500 hours or more of employment in installation and maintenance of special hazards systems in lieu of meeting the apprenticeship requirement. Credit for such work experience obtained on or after October 1, 2010, shall be awarded only for work performed as an apprentice fire protection system installer and maintenance worker or as a licensed fire protection system installer and maintenance worker trainee. An applicant for a license, a certified contractor, or another employer of an applicant for a license may request determination by the state fire marshal that no appropriate apprenticeship is readily available to the applicant. In order to make such a request, the person making the request shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) for instructions regarding information to be submitted.
Exception 2:  Prior to August 1, 2012, an applicant who was employed as a fire protection system installer as of July 1, 2008, may receive endorsement for special hazards fire protection system installation and maintenance upon submission of evidence of completion of 8500 hours of employment as a fire protection system installer and maintenance worker and either of the following:
	  1. 	 Satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship program in installation and maintenance of special hazards fire protection systems of four or more years in duration, approved by the United States Department of Labor.
	  2. 	 Certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies in Special Hazards Systems Installation and Maintenance at Level I, or another form of certification or testing administered by a nationally recognized organization and approved as equivalent by the state fire marshal. An applicant for licensure or the applicant’s employer may request approval from the state fire marshal of a form of certification or testing as equivalent to that required by this paragraph by contacting the program as indicated in subrule 276.1(4) and following the instructions given to request such approval. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	  c.   	 For endorsement for installation or maintenance of preengineered dry chemical or wet agent fire protection systems, the applicant shall show evidence of the following:
	 (1) 	 To be endorsed as a preengineered kitchen fire extinguishing system installer, the applicant shall have successfully completed training and an examination verified by a preengineered system manufacturer, an agent of a preengineered system manufacturer, or an organization that is approved by the state fire marshal. Completion of training and examination which would qualify the applicant for equivalent endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this subparagraph. An organization which wishes to be approved pursuant to this subparagraph shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) and shall follow the instructions received from the program. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	 (2) 	 To be endorsed as a preengineered kitchen fire extinguishing system maintenance worker, the applicant shall have successfully completed training by the applicant’s employer or the system’s manufacturer and passed a written or online examination for preengineered kitchen fire extinguishing system maintenance that is approved by the state fire marshal. Completion of training and examination which would qualify the applicant for equivalent endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this subparagraph. An organization which wishes to be approved pursuant to this subparagraph shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) and shall follow the instructions received from the program. For any testing which occurs on or after January 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	 (3) 	 To be endorsed as a preengineered industrial fire extinguishing system installer, the applicant shall possess a training and examination certification from a preengineered system manufacturer, an agent of a preengineered system manufacturer, or an organization that is approved by the state fire marshal. Completion of training and examination which would qualify the applicant for equivalent endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this subparagraph. An organization which wishes to be approved pursuant to this subparagraph shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) and shall follow the instructions received from the program. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	 (4) 	 To be endorsed as a preengineered industrial fire extinguishing system maintenance worker, the applicant shall have been trained by the applicant’s employer and shall have passed a written or online examination for preengineered industrial fire extinguishing system maintenance that is approved by the state fire marshal. Completion of training and examination which would qualify the applicant for equivalent endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this subparagraph. An organization which wishes to be approved pursuant to this subparagraph shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) and shall follow the instructions received from the program. For any training which commences on or after January 1, 2011, or testing which occurs on or after July 1, 2011, such approval shall be obtained in advance.
	  d.   	 For endorsement for installation of preengineered water-based fire protection systems in one- and two-family dwellings, the applicant shall show evidence of satisfactory completion of any training required by the manufacturer for installation of any system that the applicant will install. Completion of training and examination which would qualify the person for equivalent endorsement as a responsible managing employee of a certified fire extinguishing system contractor shall be deemed to meet the requirement of this paragraph.
	 276.3(4) Continuing education. A license may be renewed only if the licensee has completed 16 or more hours of continuing education in subjects related to the license and its endorsements during the two years preceding the date on which the new license will become effective if it is issued. The continuing education must consist of courses approved by the fire marshal and must have been completed by the licensee during the two years prior to the effective date of the renewal. Any person or organization which wishes to obtain approval for continuing education courses to satisfy the provisions of this subrule shall contact the program as specified in subrule 276.1(4) and shall follow the instructions received from the program. After January 1, 2011, prior approval must be obtained before a licensee may take a course for which credit toward the requirements of this subrule will be sought.
	 276.3(5) Temporary license requirements. A person may be issued a temporary license upon submission of an application to the state fire marshal with proof of equivalent licensure or certification in another state, accompanied by the applicable fee. The state fire marshal may require the submission of any documentation of licensure or certification in another state that the state fire marshal deems necessary. A temporary license may be used only in an area which is or has been within the past 180 days subject to a disaster emergency proclamation issued by the governor pursuant to Iowa Code section 29C.6. A temporary license shall be in effect for 90 days from the date of issuance and may be renewed once for an additional 90 days.
[ARC 9032B, IAB 8/25/10, effective 10/1/10 (See Delay note at the end of chapter)]