SF 2022 (LSB 5478SS (4) 83)

SENATE FILE 2022

BY  JOHNSON

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the training and licensure requirements for certain persons working on the installation and repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems, and providing for a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 105.2, subsection 1, Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  “Apprentice” means any person, other than a helper, journeyperson, or master, who, as a principal occupation, is engaged in working as an employee of a plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems contractor under the supervision of either a master or a journeyperson and is progressing toward completion of an apprenticeship training program registered by the office of apprenticeship of the United States department of labor while learning and assisting in the design, installation, and repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems, as applicable.
    Sec. 2.  Section 105.9, subsection 1, Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The board shall set the fees for the examination of all applicants, by rule, which fees shall be based upon the cost of administering the examinations.  However, the fee for an apprentice examination shall be set at seventy-five dollars.
    Sec. 3.  Section 105.18, subsection 2, paragraph a, subparagraph (3), Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   (3)  Be enrolled in an applicable apprentice program which is registered with the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship.
    Sec. 4.  Section 105.18, subsection 2, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (c), Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   (c)  Provide the board with evidence of having completed at least four years of practical experience as an apprentice. Commencing January 1, 2010, the four years of practical experience required by this subparagraph division must be an apprenticeship training program registered by the United States department of labor office of apprenticeship.
    Sec. 5.  Section 105.18, subsection 2, paragraph b, subparagraph (1), Code Supplement 2009, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph division:
   NEW SUBPARAGRAPH DIVISION.  (d)  In lieu of subparagraph division (c), provide the board with evidence of having passed the state apprentice examination in the applicable discipline and of having completed at least two years of practical experience as an apprentice.
    Sec. 6.  Section 105.20, subsection 6, Code Supplement 2009, is amended by striking the subsection and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
   6.  The board shall not establish continuing education requirements as a condition to license renewal, notwithstanding the provisions of section 272C.2.
    Sec. 7.  Section 272C.2, subsection 1, Code Supplement 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  Each Except as otherwise provided by law, each licensing board shall require and issue rules for continuing education requirements as a condition to license renewal.
EXPLANATION
   This bill makes changes relating to training and licensure under Code chapter 105, the Iowa Plumber, Mechanical Professional, and Contractor Licensing Act.
   Currently, an apprentice working on the installation and repair of plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, or hydronic systems must be enrolled in an applicable apprentice program that is registered with the United States department of labor’s office of apprenticeship. This bill eliminates the requirement that the program be registered with the federal government.
   The bill also allows an apprentice seeking a journeyperson license to test out of the four-year apprenticeship after completing two years. The bill sets the fee for this examination at $75.
   The bill eliminates the requirement that licensees under Code chapter 105 meet any continuing education requirements as a condition of licensure renewal.