Definition exemption combined registration and licensing process for plumbers and mechanical professionals.

1. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

a. “Contractor” means a person who engages in the business of construction, as the term “construction” is defined in the Iowa administrative code for purposes of chapter 96, the Iowa employment security law. However, a person who earns less than two thousand dollars annually or who performs work or has work performed on the person’s own property is not a contractor for purposes of this chapter.

b. “Department” means the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing.

c. “Director” means the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing.

2. The state, its boards, commissions, agencies, departments, and its political subdivisions including school districts and other special purpose districts, are not contractors for purposes of this chapter.

3. If a contractor’s registration application shows that the contractor is self-employed, does not pay more than two thousand dollars annually to employ other persons in the business, and does not work with or for other contractors in the same phases of construction, the contractor is exempt from the fee requirements under this chapter.

4. A contractor licensed under chapter 105 shall register as a contractor under this chapter in conjunction with the contractor licensing process established by the department. The department shall collect both the registration and licensing applications as part of one combined application. The director shall design the contractor registration application form to exclude from the department’s contractor registration application process those contractors who are also covered by chapter 103 or 105. The director is authorized to adopt rules as needed to accomplish a merger of the application systems including transitional registration periods and fees.