HB232: HB232 Interstate Massage Compact Act; enact

26 LC 56 0677S The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities offered the following substitute to HB 232: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, re lating to professions and1 businesses, so as to repeal Chapter 14, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers,2 conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors, and enact a new3 Chapter 14; to provide for the State Construction Industry Licensing Board; to provide for4 the Division of Electrical Contractors; to provide for the Divi sion of Master Plumbers; to5 provide for the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors; to provide for the Division of Low6 Voltage Contractors; to provide for the Division of Utility Con tractors; to provide for7 membership, powers, and duties of each; to provide for licensure or certification within the8 fields of plumbing, electrical , air conditioning, low voltage, and utility contracting; to9 provide for application; to provide for requirements for licensure or certification; to provide10 for recertification; to provide for continuing education; to provide for prohibitions; to provide11 for exceptions; to provide for reciprocity; to provide for licensing or certification of current12 or former members of the military; to provide for a misdemeanor; to provide for definitions;13 to provide for legislative intent; to provide for conformity with federal law; to amend Code14 Section 48-7-38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, rela ting to deduction for15 payments to classified subcontractors, disclosure of tax returns, and maintenance of list of16 classified subcontractors, so as to provide for a definition; to amend Code Section 43-24A-817 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensur e of massage therapists,18 - 1 - 26 LC 56 0677S application, and requirements, so as to increase the required h ours of initial educational19 training to be a massage therapist; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;20 and for other purposes.21 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:22 SECTION 1.23 Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,24 is amended by adding a new paragraph to subsection (d) of Code Section 43-1-34, relating25 to licenses for transitioning members of the armed forces, to read as follows:26 "(5) The provisions of this subsection shall be cumulative to those provided in 50 U.S.C.27 Section 4025a, and nothing in this subsection shall be interpreted as limiting or imposing28 additional obligations on portability pursuant to 50 U.S.C. Section 4025a."29 SECTION 2.30 Said title is further amended by repealing Chapter 14, relating to electrical contractors,31 plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors, and32 enacting a new Chapter 14 to read as follows:33 "CHAPTER 1434 43-14-1.35 This chapter is enacted for the purpose of safeguarding homeown ers, other property36 owners, tenants, and the general public against faulty, inadequ ate, inefficient, or unsafe37 electrical, plumbing, low voltage wiring, utility contracting, or conditioned air installations. 38 The practices of electrical contracting, plumbing contracting, low voltage contracting,39 utility contracting, and conditioned air contracting are declar ed to be businesses or40 - 2 - 26 LC 56 0677S professions affecting the public interest; and this chapter shall be liberally construed so as41 to accomplish the purposes stated in this Code section.42 43-14-2.43 As used in this chapter, the term:44 (1) 'Alarm system' means any device or combination of devices used to detect a situation,45 causing an alarm in the event of a burglary, fire, robbery, med ical emergency, or46 equipment failure, or on the occurrence of any other predetermi ned life safety event. 47 Such term shall also include any alarm system communication system used or required48 to transmit notice of a life safety or intrusion event to a loc al or remote monitoring49 facility.50 (2) 'Board' means the State Construction Industry Licensing Board.51 (3) 'Conditioned air contracting' means the installation, repair, or service of conditioned52 air systems or conditioned air equipment, which includes, but is not limited to, the service53 to or installation of the electrical circuit from the electrica l distribution panel to the54 conditioned air equipment, provided that the electrical service to the building or site is55 a single-phase electrical circuit not exceeding 200 amperes performed by conditioned air56 contractors licensed under this chapter.57 (4) 'Conditioned air contractor' means any person engaged in conditioned air contracting58 under express or implied contract or that bids for, offers to perform, purports to have the59 capacity to perform, or does perform conditioned air contracting services under express60 or implied contract.61 (5) 'Conditioned Air Contractor Class I' means any individual licensed under this chapter62 to conduct business as a Residential and Light Commercial entity for air conditioning and63 heat pump systems of 60,000 BTUs of cooling or less, and for ga s heating systems of64 175,000 BTUs or less. The scope of practice for a Conditioned Air Contractor Class I65 shall include, but is not limited to, the business of permitting jobs, bidding on projects,66 - 3 - 26 LC 56 0677S and performing maintenance, service, and repairs of equipment and components, as well67 as installing new equipment and components, including ductwork, refrigerant lines, gas68 piping, controls, and accessories.69 (6) 'Conditioned Air Contractor Class II' means any individual licensed under this70 chapter to conduct business as a residential and commercial ent ity, without limitations71 or restrictions on project size or equipment types, except for the installation of boilers,72 which is licensed under the Office of the Commissioner of Insur ance and Safety Fire. 73 The scope of practice for a Conditioned Air Contractor Class II shall include, but is not74 limited to, the design, bidding, permitting, and the performance of maintenance, service,75 and repairs of equipment and components, as well as the install ation of new and76 replacement systems, including split air conditioning and heat pump systems, package77 units, variable refrigerant flow systems, chillers, ventilation systems, and all associated78 components.79 (7) 'Conditioned air equipment' means heating and air conditioning equipment covered80 under state codes and the fuel gas piping system on the outlet side of the gas meter.81 (8) 'Electrical contracting' means the installation, maintenan ce, alteration, or repair of82 any electrical equipment, apparatus, control system, or electrical wiring device which is83 attached to or incorporated into any building or structure in this state but shall not include84 low voltage contracting.85 (9) 'Electrical contractor' means any individual licensed under this chapter as Electrical86 Contractor Class I or Electrical Contractor Class II by the Div ision of Electrical87 Contractors, engaged in the business of electrical contracting under express or implied88 contract or that bids for, offers to perform, purports to have the capacity to perform, or89 does perform electrical contracting services under express or implied contract.90 (10) 'Electrical Contractor Class I' means any individual licensed under this chapter by91 the Division of Electrical Contractors to perform work as an el ectrical contractor on92 residential multifamily structures of not more than two levels or single-family dwellings93 - 4 - 26 LC 56 0677S of up to three levels, provided that structures shall have sing le-phase electrical94 installations which do not exceed 400 amperes at the service drop or the service lateral.95 (11) 'Electrical Contractor Class II' means any individual licensed under this chapter by96 the Division of Electrical Contractors to perform work as an electrical contractor without97 restriction, including, but not limited to, the installation of raceway systems, including98 pull boxes, junction boxes, conduit bodies, service entrances, metering devices, cabinets,99 switchboards, service risers, and fasteners, overcurrent protective devices, disconnecting100 means, ground electrodes, main bonding jumpers, g round fault pr otectors, switches,101 disconnects, and controls that supply lighting fixtures, applia nces, electrical circuits,102 controls for heating and air conditioning equipment, and other utilization and general use103 equipment, according to installation requirements set by the st ate minimum standard104 codes, the National Electrical Code, and any successor code.105 (12) 'Executive director' means the executive director of the State Construction Industry106 Licensing Board.107 (13) 'Full-time experience' means working at least 2,000 hours in a calendar year in a108 qualifying capacity, with each 2,000 hours of documented work equating to one year of109 experience for purposes of licensure or qualifications requirements.110 (14) 'General low voltage system' means any electrical system, other than an alarm or111 telecommunications system, that involves low voltage wiring and consists of a group or112 combination of interconnected components functioning together t o perform a specific113 purpose using low voltage power or signaling, including devices , wiring, control114 equipment, software, and network connections operating as a single, integrated system.115 (15) 'Journeyman plumber' means any individual licensed under this chapter by the116 Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers who engages in the installation,117 maintenance, alteration, or repair of piping, fixtures, and app liances, including water118 heaters, and all appurtenances thereto, in connection with sani tary drainage systems,119 storm drainage systems, venting systems, fuel gas piping system s on the outlet side of120 - 5 - 26 LC 56 0677S tanks or gas meters, or public or private water supply systems, whether located within or121 adjacent to any building, structu re, conveyance, or manhole und er the direction of a122 plumbing contractor. A journeyman plumber shall have the ability to install or service123 a single phase of the electrical connection between the electri cal disconnect and water124 heater, plumbing appliance or appurtenance, provided that the work performed adheres125 to the state minimum standard plumbing code, state minimum electrical code, and state126 minimum standard fuel gas code.127 (16) 'License' means a valid license or certification issued b y a division of the board,128 which authorizes the named person to engage in the activity prescribed thereon.129 (17) 'Low voltage contracting' means the installation, alteration, service, or repair of a130 power limited or signal based system that utilizes low voltage wiring and components to131 transmit information, control devices, or monitor conditions. Such term shall not include132 electrical power distribution systems.133 (18) 'Low voltage contractor' means any person licensed under this chapter by the134 Division of Low Voltage Contractors who purports to have the capacity to perform, or135 does perform low voltage contracting services under express or implied contract,136 including the installation, alteration, servicing, or repair of integrated systems made up137 of wiring, devices, software, and networked components that fun ction together as a138 complete solution.139 (19) 'Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A' means any individual licensed under this140 chapter by the Division of Low Voltage Contractors to perform work restricted to alarm141 systems and general low voltage systems.142 (20) 'Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G' means any individual licensed under this143 chapter by the Division of Low Voltage Contractors to perform work restricted to general144 low voltage systems.145 - 6 - 26 LC 56 0677S (21) 'Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T' means any individual licensed under this146 chapter by the Division of Low Voltage Contractors to perform w ork restricted to147 telecommunications systems and general low voltage systems.148 (22) 'Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U' means any individual licensed under this149 chapter by the Division of Low Voltage Contractors to engage in low voltage contracting150 without limitation as to specialty or system type, and who is authorized to design, install,151 alter, service, repair, and maintain all low voltage systems, including general low voltage152 systems, alarm and life-safety systems, and telecommunications systems for voice, data,153 and network infrastructure, based on demonstrated competence ac ross multiple low154 voltage disciplines.155 (23) 'Low voltage wiring' means wiring systems and associated control circuits which156 include, but are not limited to:157 (A) Wiring systems of 50 volts or less;158 (B) Wiring systems having a voltage in excess of 50 volts, pro vided such systems159 consist solely of power limited circuits meeting the definition of a Class II and Class160 III wiring system as defined in Article 725 of the National Electrical Code; or161 (C) Line voltage wiring having a voltage not in excess of 300 volts to ground and162 installed from the load-side terminals of a suitable disconnecting means which has been163 installed for the specific purpose of supplying the low voltage wiring system involved164 or installed from a suitable junction box.165 (24) 'Master Plumber Class I' means any individual licensed un der this chapter by the166 Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers, who is aut horized to perform167 plumbing work and contract for on residential single-family dwellings, townhomes, and168 multifamily dwellings, including duplexes, hotels, motels, and apartment buildings, not169 exceeding three stories in height, and on commercial buildings not exceeding 20,000170 square feet in total building area.171 - 7 - 26 LC 56 0677S (25) 'Master Plumber Class II' means any individual licensed under this chapter by the172 Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers, who is aut horized to perform173 work and contract for all scopes of plumbing work, without limitation, as defined in the174 state minimum standard plumbing code and the state minimum standard fuel gas code. 175 Such work shall include, but is not limited to, plumbing work on commercial buildings176 of any size; industrial facilities; institutional occupancies; multistory structures of any177 occupancy classification; and specialized use facilities.178 (26) 'Plumbing' means:179 (A) The practice of installing, maintaining, altering, or repa iring piping fixtures,180 appliances, and appurtenances in connection with sanitary drainage or storm drainage181 facilities, venting systems, medical gas piping systems, natural gas piping systems on182 the outlet side of gas meters, or public or private water suppl y systems within or183 adjacent to any building, structure, conveyance, or manhole; and184 (B) The practice of and materials used in installing, maintaining, extending, or altering185 the natural gas, storm-water, sewerage, and water supply system s of any premises to186 their connection with any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal.187 (27) 'Plumbing contractor' means any person licensed under thi s chapter as a Master188 Plumber Class I or Master Plumber Class II by the Division of M aster Plumbers and189 Journeyman Plumbers, who is engaged in the business of plumbing contracting, including190 bidding for, offering to perform, purporting to have the capaci ty to perform, or191 performing plumbing contracting services under an express or implied contract, and who192 is responsible for obtaining required permits, ensuring compliance with applicable codes,193 coordinating inspections, performing or correcting work as necessary, and securing final194 approval of permitted work. Such term shall not include a licensed journeyman plumber.195 (28) 'Telecommunications system' means a system of transmission facilities, conductors,196 equipment, and associated apparatus used to convey voice, data, video, or other197 information by electromagnetic means, whether wired or wireless , consistent with198 - 8 - 26 LC 56 0677S telecommunications circuits and systems recognized under the state minimum standard199 codes, including systems capable of local or remote monitoring, management, or200 administration through secured access.201 (29) 'Utility contracting' means undertaking to construct, ere ct, alter, or repair or have202 constructed, erected, altered, or repaired any utility system.203 (30) 'Utility contractor' means a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation licensed204 under this chapter by the Division of Utility Contractors which is engaged in utility205 contracting under express or implied contract or which bids for , offers to perform,206 purports to have the capacity to perform, or does perform utili ty contracting under207 express or implied contract.208 (31) 'Utility foreman' means any individual certified under this chapter by the Division209 of Utility Contractors who is employed by a licensed utility co ntractor to directly210 supervise a project performing the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility211 systems in the field.212 (32) 'Utility manager' means any individual certified under this chapter by the Division213 of Utility Contractors who is employed by a licensed utility contractor to oversee multiple214 projects performing the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility systems.215 (33) 'Utility system' means:216 (A) Any system at least five feet underground, when installed or accessed by trenching,217 open cut, cut and cover, or other similar construction methods which install or access218 the system from the ground surface, including, but not limited to, gas distribution219 systems, electrical distribution systems, communication systems, water supply systems,220 and sanitary sewerage and drainage systems; and221 (B) Reservoirs and filtration plants, water and waste-water treatment plants, leachate222 collection and treatment systems associated with landfills, and pump stations, when the223 system distributes or collects a service, product, or commodity for which a fee or price224 - 9 - 26 LC 56 0677S is paid for said service, product, or commodity or for the disp osal of said service,225 product, or commodity.226 43-14-3.227 (a) There is created within the executive branch of state government the State Construction228 Industry Licensing Board. The board shall be assigned to the Secretary of State's office for229 administrative purposes and shall be under the jurisdiction of the division director, in230 accordance with Code Section 43-1-2.231 (b) The board shall be composed of 27 members as follows:232 (1) Five members known as the Division of Electrical Contractors, one of whom shall233 be a professional engineer engaged in electrical practice, anot her of whom shall have234 experience as an inspector with electrical inspection duties of a county or municipality235 or a third-party inspector regularly providing inspections to a county or municipality, and236 the remaining three of whom shall be licensed electrical contractors in this state;237 (2) Five members known as the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers,238 one of whom shall have experience as an inspector with plumbing inspection duties of239 a county or municipality or a third-party inspector regularly p roviding inspections to a240 county or municipality, three of whom shall be master or contracting plumbers, and one241 of whom shall be a journeyman plumber;242 (3) Five members known as the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors, one of whom243 shall be a licensed professional engineer engaged in mechanical practice, one of whom244 shall have experience as an inspector with conditioned air inspection duties of a county245 or municipality or a third-party inspector regularly providing inspections to a county or246 municipality, and three of whom shall be conditioned air contractors with more than five247 years of installation and service experience in the trade;248 (4) Five members known as the Division of Low Voltage Contractors, one of whom shall249 be a Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A, one of whom shall be a Low Voltage250 - 10 - 26 LC 56 0677S Contractor Class LV-U, one of whom shall be a Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T, one251 of whom shall be a professional electrical engineer, and one of whom shall have252 experience as an inspector with electrical inspection duties of a county or municipality253 or contracted by a county or municipality to perform electrical inspections;254 (5) Five members known as the Division of Utility Contractors, three of whom shall be255 utility contractors, one of whom shall be a registered professional engineer, and one of256 whom shall be an insurance company representative engaged primarily in the bonding of257 construction projects; and258 (6) Two members who shall not have any connection with the uti lity contracting, low259 voltage contracting, electrical contracting, plumbing, or condi tioned air contracting260 businesses whatsoever but who shall have a recognized interest in consumer affairs and261 consumer protection concerns.262 (c) All members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the263 Senate, for four-year terms. Each member shall serve until a s uccessor has been duly264 appointed and qualified. Members shall be eligible for reappoi ntment. Vacancies265 occurring prior to the expiration of a term, for whatever cause , shall be filled by266 appointment of the Governor for the unexpired portion of the te rm. Any member who267 ceases to meet the qualifications required for original appoint ment during the member's268 term shall automatically forfeit membership on the board.269 (d) Each member of the board shall take an oath of office befo re the Governor or the270 Governor's designee to faithfully perform the duties of such office.271 (e) The Governor may remove any member for failure to attend meetings, neglect of duty,272 incompetence, revocation or suspension of professional trade license, or other dishonorable273 conduct.274 (f) Members of the board shall be reimbursed as provided for in subsection (f) of Code275 Section 43-1-2.276 - 11 - 26 LC 56 0677S 43-14-4.277 (a) The board chairperson shall be rotated among the five divisions enumerated in Code278 Section 43-14-3. In the instance of a vacancy by the board cha irperson, the members of279 the board shall select a current member to serve the former board chairperson's unexpired280 term. The individual selected to fill the vacancy shall be a member of the same division281 as the previous board chairperson.282 (b) The board shall meet at the call of the board chairperson or upon the recommendation283 of a majority of its members.284 (c) Each division within the board shall also elect from its m embership a division285 chairperson who shall serve for a term of two years. Any vacancy in the office of division286 chairperson shall be filled by one of the members for the unexpired term.287 (d) Any member elected division chairperson may serve more than one consecutive term288 of office.289 (e) Each division shall carry out its powers and duties provided for in this chapter with the290 assistance of the division director and staff of the board.291 (f) Each division shall meet at the call of its division chairperson.292 (g) Three members of each division shall constitute a quorum f or the transaction of293 business of such division.294 43-14-5.295 The board shall have the power to:296 (1) Request from the various state departments and other agencies and authorities of the297 state and its political subdivisions and their agencies and aut horities such available298 information as it may require in its work; and all such agencie s and authorities shall299 furnish such requested available information to the board within a reasonable time;300 (2) Provide by regulation for reciprocity with other states in the registration and licensing301 of electrical contractors, master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, low voltage contractors,302 - 12 - 26 LC 56 0677S utility contractors, or conditioned air contractors and in the certification of utility303 contracting foremen, provided that such other states have requi rements substantially304 similar to the requirements in force in this state for registra tion, licensure, and305 certification; provided, further, that a similar privilege is offered to residents of this state;306 (3) Adopt an official seal for its use and modify such seal as the board deems necessary;307 (4) Establish rules and regulations, consistent with this chapter, for the protection of the308 health, safety, and welfare of the public and for regulating th e licensing of electrical309 contracting, plumbing contracting, low voltage contracting, uti lity contracting, and310 conditioned air contracting professionals; and311 (5) Upon notice and hearing authorized and conducted in accordance with Code Section312 43-14-17 and any rules and regulations promulgated by the board , either by the board313 directly or through a valid delegation of the board's enforceme nt power to a division314 thereof, assess civil penalties in an amount up to $10,000.00 p er violation against any315 person found to be in violation of any requirement of this chapter.316 43-14-6.317 (a) The Division of Electrical Contractors, with respect to ap plicants for a license to318 engage in or licensees engaging in the business of electrical c ontracting; the Division of319 Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers, with respect to applic ants for a license to320 engage in or licensees engaging in the business of plumbing as a Master Plumber Class I,321 Master Plumber Class II, or journeyman plumber; the Division of Low Voltage322 Contractors, with respect to applicants for a license to engage in or licensees engaging in323 the business of low voltage contracting; the Division of Utility Contractors, with respect324 to applicants for a license to engage in or licensees engaging in the business of utility325 contracting and with respect to applicants for a certificate to be a utility manager or utility326 foreman or holders of a utility manager or utility foreman certificate; and the Division of327 - 13 - 26 LC 56 0677S Conditioned Air Contractors, with respect to applicants for a l icense to engage in or328 licensees engaging in the business of conditioned air contracting, shall:329 (1) Assess and approve examination requirements for each class or type of license or330 certificate issued under this chapter, as follows:331 (A) The Division of Electrical Contractors shall approve separ ate examinations for332 Electrical Contractor Class I and Electrical Contractor Class II;333 (B) The Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers shall approve separate334 examinations for Master Plumber Class I, Master Plumber Class I I, and Journeyman335 Plumbers;336 (C) The Division of Conditioned Air Contractors shall approve separate examinations337 for Conditioned Air Contractor Class I and Conditioned Air Contractor Class II; and338 (D) The Division of Low Voltage Contractors shall approve separate examinations for339 Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A, Low Voltage Contractor Class L V - T , L o w340 Voltage Contractor Class LV-G, and Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U;341 (2) Register and license or grant a certificate and issue rene wal licenses and renewal342 certificates biennially to all persons meeting the qualifications for a license or certificate. 343 The following licenses or certificates shall be issued by the divisions:344 (A) Electrical Contractor Class I;345 (B) Electrical Contractor Class II;346 (C) Master Plumber Class I;347 (D) Master Plumber Class II;348 (E) Journeyman Plumber;349 (F) Conditioned Air Contractor Class I;350 (G) Conditioned Air Contractor Class II;351 (H) Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A;352 (I) Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T;353 (J) Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G;354 - 14 - 26 LC 56 0677S (K) Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U;355 (L) Utility Contractor;356 (M) Utility Manager (certificate); and357 (N) Utility Foreman (certificate);358 (3) Investigate, with the aid of the division director, alleged violations of this chapter or359 other laws and rules and regulations of the board relating to the profession;360 (4) After notice and hearing, have the power to reprimand any person, licensee, or361 certificate holder, or to suspend, revoke, or cancel the license or certificate of or refuse362 to grant, renew, or restore a license or certificate to any per son, licensee, or certificate363 holder upon any one of the following grounds:364 (A) The commission of any false, fraudulent, or deceitful act or the use of any forged,365 false, or fraudulent document in connection with the license or certificate requirements366 of this chapter or the rules and regulations of the board;367 (B) Failure at any time to comply with the requirements for a license or certificate368 under this chapter or the rules and regulations of the board;369 (C) Engaging in any fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest conduct in the practice of the370 profession regulated under this chapter that is likely to decei ve, defraud, or harm the371 public, including knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untru e, or fraudulent372 representations in the practice of the profession or on any doc ument connected373 therewith;374 (D) Knowingly aiding, abetting, assisting, or permitting any unlicensed or noncertified375 person or entity to engage in the practice of the profession regulated under this chapter,376 including by lending, leasing, renting, assigning, or otherwise allowing the use of one's377 license, or by combining or conspiring with such person or enti ty to evade the378 provisions of this chapter;379 (E) Knowingly performing any act which in any way assists an u nlicensed or380 noncertified person to practice such profession;381 - 15 - 26 LC 56 0677S (F) Violating, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abet ting any violation of any382 provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation of the board; or383 (G) The performance of any faulty, inadequate, inefficient, or unsafe electrical384 contracting, plumbing, low voltage contracting, utility contracting, or conditioned air385 contracting likely to endanger life, health, or property. The performance of any work386 that does not comply with the standards set by state codes or b y local codes in387 jurisdictions where such codes are adopted, provided that such local codes are as388 stringent as the state codes, or by other codes or regulations which have been adopted389 by the board, shall be prima-facie evidence of the faulty, inad equate, inefficient, or390 unsafe character of such electrical, plumbing, low voltage cont racting, utility391 contracting, or conditioned air contracting; provided, however, that the board, in its sole392 discretion, for good cause shown and under such conditions as it may prescribe, may393 restore a license to any person whose license has been suspended or revoked;394 (5) Review amendments to or revisions in the state minimum standard codes as prepared395 pursuant to Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8; and the Department of Community396 Affairs shall be required to provide to the division director a copy of any amendment to397 or revision in the state minimum standard codes at least 45 day s prior to the adoption398 thereof; and399 (6) Do all other things necessary and proper to exercise their powers and perform their400 duties in accordance with this chapter.401 (b) The divisions mentioned in subsection (a) of this Code section shall also hear appeals402 resulting from the suspension of licenses by an approved municipal or county licensing or403 inspection authority pursuant to Code Section 43-14-16.404 - 16 - 26 LC 56 0677S 43-14-7.405 (a) All orders and processes of the board and the divisions of the board shall be signed and406 attested by the division director; and any notice or legal proc ess necessary to be served407 upon the board or the divisions may be served upon the division director.408 (b) The division director or his or her designee is vested with the power and authority to409 make such investigations in connection with the enforcement of this chapter and the rules410 and regulations of the board as the director, the board, the di visions of the board, or any411 district attorney may deem necessary or advisable.412 (c) In accordance with Code Section 43-1-2, the division direc tor shall be authorized to413 review each application for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a license under this414 chapter, and upon determining that an application satisfies all of the qualifications,415 attainments, and other conditions required for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a416 particular license under this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to417 this chapter, shall be authorized, on behalf of the board, to i ssue, renew, or reinstate the418 license of the applicant.419 43-14-8.420 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means th e Division of Electrical421 Contractors.422 (b)(1) No person shall engage in electrical contracting unless such person has a valid423 license issued by the division.424 (2) A person that is not licensed as an electrical contractor shall be prohibited from425 advertising in any manner that such person is in the business or profession of electrical426 contracting unless the work is performed by a licensed electrical contractor.427 (c) The division shall certify all applicants for licensure un der this Code section who428 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.429 - 17 - 26 LC 56 0677S (d) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall have the right to engage430 in the business of electrical contracting unless there is regul arly connected with such431 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation a person or persons actively engaged432 in the performance of such business on a full-time basis who have valid licenses issued to433 them as provided for in this chapter; provided, however, that p artners, officers, and434 employees of any individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements shall continue to be435 authorized to engage in the business of electrical contracting under a license which was436 valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the date of such death. 437 The division may, at its discretion, grant one additional 90 da y grace period for such438 partners, officers, and employees. It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liability439 companies, and corporations qualified under this chapter to notify the appropriate division440 within seven days of the severance of connection with such part nership, limited liability441 company, or corporation of any person or persons upon whom such qualification rested.442 (e) Any individual seeking to obtain a license as an Electrical Contractor Class I under the443 provisions of this chapter shall file a completed application w ith division on a form444 prescribed by the division, pay the required fees established b y the State Construction445 Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following requirements:446 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;447 (2) Meet eligibility requirements according to one of the following criteria:448 (A) At least three years of full-time experience in the electr ical field as would be449 covered by the Georgia Electrical Code, the National Electrical Code, or any successor450 code, which shall mean working experience gained through the di rect installation of451 electrical systems and directly related activities of a type co vered by the National452 Electrical Code or its successor code. To satisfy the experien tial requirements for453 licensure as an Electrical Contractor Class I under this criter ia, an applicant shall454 demonstrate successful completion of electrical projects encompassing not fewer than455 five of the experience areas described in divisions (i) through (vii) of this subparagraph456 - 18 - 26 LC 56 0677S and shall additionally demonstrate competency in the experience area described in457 division (viii) of this subparagraph:458 (i) Installation of raceway sys tems, including pull boxes, jun ction boxes, conduit459 bodies, and the connections in the system and to cabinets, panelboards, switchboards,460 and boxes;461 (ii) Installation of conductors, including flexible cords, cab les, splices, taps,462 terminations, bonding jumpers, overcurrent protective devices, and metering devices,463 in cabinets, panelboards, switchboards, boxes, and conduit, whi ch meet all sizing,464 ampacity, and voltage installation requirements;465 (iii) Installation of service entrances, metering devices, cab inets, switchboards,466 service risers and fasteners, overcurrent protective devices, d isconnecting means,467 ground electrodes, main bonding jumpers, and ground fault prote ctors, which meet468 sizing, rating, clearances, and weatherproofing installation requirements;469 (iv) Installation of motors and generators with feeders, branch circuits, overcurrent470 protective devices, disconnect means, and controllers, which me et sizing, rating,471 usage, and location requirements;472 (v) Installation of switches, disconnects, and controls that s upply lighting fixtures,473 appliances, electrical circuits, controls for heating and air c onditioning equipment,474 and other utilization and general use equipment;475 (vi) Installation of materials and equipment required for use in special occupancies476 according to the state minimum standard codes;477 (vii) Bonding of interior metal piping systems, installation o f properly sized478 equipment grounding conductors, grounding of exposed noncurrent carrying metal479 parts of electrical equipment, and protection of grounding conductors from physical480 damage; and481 (viii) Determination of general lighting loads, minimum branch circuits, minimum482 ampacity of conductors in feeder and branch circuits, maximum allowable conductor483 - 19 - 26 LC 56 0677S fill for raceways, net loads, using specified or optional metho ds, rates or demand484 factors, and derating factors given in the state minimum standard codes; and485 (B) Completed a two-year academic diploma or certificate progr am in electrical486 contracting offered by an accredited technical college, university, or other institution487 recognized by the division, and has completed two years of full-time experience, which488 experience shall meet the definition of qualifying experience s e t f o r t h i n489 subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and shall consist of work of a type covered by the490 state minimum standard codes, or has successfully completed an electrical491 apprenticeship program accredited or approved by the United Sta tes Department of492 Labor;493 (3) Submit a signed affidavit attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential494 requirements set forth in this subsection. Such affidavit shal l be executed by the495 supervising licensed contractor or, in the alternative, by a licensed architect, professional496 engineer, or electrical engineer, and shall be made under oath. Where the applicant's497 qualifying full-time experience was obtained under the supervision of more than one such498 individual, a separate affidavit shall be submitted from each individual for the period of499 experience supervised; and500 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section501 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the502 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration503 documentation for noncitizen applicants.504 (f) Any individual seeking to obtain a license as an Electrical Contractor Class II under the505 provisions of this chapter shall file a completed application w ith the division on a form506 prescribed by the division, shall pay the required fees established by the State Construction507 Industry Licensing Board, and shall meet the following requirements:508 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;509 (2) Meet one of the following criteria:510 - 20 - 26 LC 56 0677S (A) At least four years of full-time experience in the electri cal field as would be511 covered by the Georgia Electrical Code, the National Electrical Code, or any successor512 code of which not less than two years shall have been in the installation, alteration, or513 repair of three-phase electrical systems, including the following:514 (i) Work involving electrical installations exceeding single-phase, 200 amperes, as515 governed by the National Electrical Code or its successor code;516 (ii) Installation of raceway systems, including pull boxes, ju nction boxes, conduit517 bodies, and the connections in the system and to cabinets, panelboards, switchboards,518 and boxes;519 (iii) Installation of conductors, including flexible cords, ca bles, splices, taps,520 terminations, bonding jumpers, overcurrent protective devices, and metering devices,521 in cabinets, panelboards, switchboards, boxes, and conduit, whi ch meet all sizing,522 ampacity, and voltage installation requirements;523 (iv) Installation of service entrances, metering devices, cabi nets, switchboards,524 service risers and fasteners, overcurrent protective devices, d isconnecting means,525 ground electrodes, main bonding jumpers, and ground fault protectors which meet all526 sizing, rating, clearances, and weatherproofing installation requirements;527 (v) Installation of motors and generators with feeders, branch circuits, overcurrent528 protective devices, disconnect means, and controllers, which meet all sizing, rating,529 usage, and location requirements;530 (vi) Installation of switches, disconnects, and controls that supply lighting fixtures,531 appliances, electrical circuits, controls for heating and air c onditioning equipment,532 and other utilization and general use equipment;533 (vii) Installation of materials and equipment required for use in special occupancies534 according to use and code installation requirements, as defined by the National535 Electrical Code or its successor code;536 - 21 - 26 LC 56 0677S (viii) Bonding of interior metal piping systems, installation of properly sized537 equipment grounding conductors, grounding of exposed noncurrent carrying metal538 parts of electrical equipment, and protection of grounding conductors from physical539 damage; and540 (ix) Determination of general lighting loads, minimum branch c ircuits, minimum541 ampacity of conductors in feeder and branch circuits, maximum allowable conductor542 fill for raceways, net loads, using specified or optional metho ds, rates or demand543 factors, and derating factors given in the state minimum standard codes;544 (B) Completed a two-year academic diploma or certificate progr am in electrical545 contracting offered by an accredited technical college, university, or other institution546 recognized by the division, and has completed four years of ful l-time experience, of547 which not less than two years shall have been in the installation, alteration, or repair of548 three-phase electrical systems which experience shall meet the definition of qualifying549 experience set forth in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and shall consist of work of550 a type covered by the Georgia Electrical Code, the National Ele ctrical Code, or any551 successor code; or552 (C) Completed an electrical apprenticeship program accredited or approved by the553 United States Department of Labor and has completed one year of full-time experience554 in the installation, alteration, or repair of three-phase elect rical systems which555 experience shall meet the definition of qualifying experience set forth in paragraph (2)556 of this subsection and shall consist of work of a type covered by the Georgia Electrical557 Code, the National Electrical Code, or any successor code;558 (3) Submit a signed affidavit attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential559 requirements set forth in this subsection. Such affidavit shal l be executed by the560 supervising licensed contractor or, in the alternative, by a licensed architect, professional561 engineer, or electrical engineer, and shall be made under oath. Where the applicant's562 qualifying full-time experience was obtained under the supervision of more than one such563 - 22 - 26 LC 56 0677S individual, a separate affidavit shall be submitted from each individual for the period of564 experience supervised; and565 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section566 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the567 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration568 documentation for noncitizen applicants.569 (g) An application for a license under this Code section shall constitute express consent570 and authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her repr esentative to perform a571 criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary572 of State for licensure agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all information573 necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but no t limited to, classifiable574 sets of fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for a ll fees associated with the575 performance of such background check.576 (h) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the577 absence of fraud, be conclusive. All individuals, individuals serving as partners in578 partnerships, applicants for limited liability companies, or ap plicants for corporations579 desiring to engage in electrical contracting shall be licensed under this Code section before580 engaging in such vocation and business, including at the local level.581 (i) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and582 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,583 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement584 action authorized by the division.585 43-14-9.586 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means th e Division of Low Voltage587 Contractors.588 - 23 - 26 LC 56 0677S (b) No person shall engage in alarm system, general low voltag e system, or589 telecommunications system low voltage contracting unless such person has a valid license590 issued by the division.591 (c) No individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall advertise,592 offer, bid, contract, or perform, for compensation, Low Voltage General (LV-G), Low593 Voltage Telecommunications (LV-T), Low Voltage Alarm (LV-A), or Low Voltage594 Unrestricted (LV-U) work in this state unless such individual or entity holds a valid low595 voltage contractor license issued by the division in the applicable classification.596 (d) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall have the right to engage597 in the business of low voltage contracting unless there is regu larly connected with such598 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation a person or persons, actively engaged599 in the performance of such business on a full-time basis and supervising the low voltage600 systems installation, repair, alteration, and service work of a ll employees of such601 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, who hav e valid licenses issued to602 them as provided in this chapter; provided, however, that partners, officers, and employees603 of any individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements shall continue to be authorized604 to engage in the business of low voltage contracting under a license which was valid at the605 time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the d ate of such death. The606 division may, at its discretion, upon application by the low vo ltage contractor showing607 good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period.608 (e) The division shall certify all applicants for licensure un der this Code section who609 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.610 (f) It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liabilit y companies, and corporations611 qualified under this chapter to notify the appropriate division within seven days of the612 severance of connection with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation613 of any person or persons upon whom such qualification rested.614 - 24 - 26 LC 56 0677S (g) Partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations having more than one office615 location from which low voltage contracting is performed shall have at least one person616 stationed in each branch office of such partnership, limited li ability company, or617 corporation who is engaged in the performance of low voltage contracting on a full-time618 basis; who is supervising the low voltage wiring systems installation, repair, alteration, and619 service work of all employees of such branch office locations; and who has a valid license620 issued as provided in this Code section.621 (h) Any individual seeking to obtain a state-wide Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G622 license under the provisions of this chapter shall file a compl eted application with the623 division on a form prescribed by the division, pay the required fees established by the State624 Construction Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following requirements:625 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;626 (2) Have completed at least one year of full-time experience p erforming low voltage627 wiring in general low voltage systems under the direct supervis ion of a licensed Low628 Voltage Class LV-U, LV-A, LV-T, or LV-G Contractor or another s tate equivalent629 contractor, which experience shall have been obtained within si x years immediately630 preceding the date of application, and which shall include:631 (A) The installation, alteration, service, or repair of power limited low voltage632 electrical systems, including, but not limited to, intercom, pu blic address, and sound633 systems, residential and commercial low voltage audio systems, low voltage lighting634 systems, including associated controls, transformers, and power supplies, and other635 general power limited low voltage wiring systems that do not co nstitute alarm or636 telecommunications systems; or637 (B) Completion of coursework in electronics or low voltage sys tems through an638 accredited technical college, university, or certificate program shall be credited toward639 the experience requirement for low voltage general (LV-G), base d on the actual640 instructional time completed, up to a maximum of six months;641 - 25 - 26 LC 56 0677S (3) Submit a signed affidavit from the supervising Low Voltage Class LV-U, LV-A,642 LV-T, or LV-G contractor(s), attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential643 requirements set forth in this subsection; and644 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section645 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the646 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration647 documentation for noncitizen applicants.648 (i) Any individual seeking to obtain a state-wide Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T649 license under the provisions of this chapter shall file a compl eted application with the650 division on a form prescribed by the division, pay the required fees established by the State651 Construction Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following requirements:652 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;653 (2) Have completed a minimum of three years of full-time experience performing low654 voltage wiring under the direct supervision of a licensed Low V oltage Class LV-U655 Contractor, a licensed Low Voltage Class LV-T Contractor, anoth er state equivalent656 contractor, or the general manager of a tier 2 local exchange company, as defined in Code657 Section 46-5-162, regardless of whether such general manager holds a Low Voltage Class658 LV-U or LV-T Contractor license, which experience shall have been obtained within six659 years immediately preceding the date of application and includes:660 (A) At least one year of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in general661 low voltage systems. Qualifying experience under this subsecti on shall include the662 installation, alteration, service, or repair of power limited l ow voltage electrical663 systems, including, but not limited to:664 (i) Intercom, public address, and sound systems;665 (ii) Residential and commercial low voltage audio systems;666 (iii) Low voltage lighting systems, including associated controls, transformers, and667 power supplies; and668 - 26 - 26 LC 56 0677S (iv) Other general power limited low voltage wiring systems th at do not constitute669 alarm or telecommunications systems; or670 (B) At least two years of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in671 telecommunications. Qualifying experience under this subsection may include work672 involving installation, configuration, testing, administration, management, maintenance,673 or repair of low voltage telecommunications systems, including, but not limited to, the674 following:675 (i) Telecommunications and communications systems, including v oice and data676 systems such as plain old telephone service, Voice over Interne t Protocol,677 telecommunications equipment connections, terminations, cross-connects, patching,678 and related infrastructure;679 (ii) Audio, video, and security systems, including residential and commercial audio680 and video systems, video surveillance systems, intercom systems , public address681 systems, access control systems, and power over ethernet based systems;682 (iii) Networked and wireless systems, including residential an d commercial Wi-Fi683 systems, local area or home area network based systems, internet protocol networking684 equipment such as routers, switches, hubs, and related devices, and distributed685 antenna systems for voice and data communications; and686 (iv) Fiber optic, commercial wireless, and other communications systems, including687 fiber optic system installation, termination, testing, and mana gement; commercial688 wireless systems such as cellular and private communications sy stems, and689 proprietary, specialized, or otherwise unregulated communications systems within the690 scope of low voltage work; or691 (C) Completion of coursework in electronics or low voltage sys tems through an692 accredited technical college, university, or certificate program shall be credited toward693 the experience requirement for low voltage general (LV-G), base d on the actual694 instructional time completed, up to a maximum of six months;695 - 27 - 26 LC 56 0677S (3) Submit a signed affidavit from the supervising Low Voltage Class LV-U or LV-T696 contractor(s), or the general manager of a tier 2 local exchange company, as defined in697 Code Section 46-5-162, regardless of whether such general manager holds a Low Voltage698 Class LV-U or LV-T Contractor license, attesting to the applica nt's completion of the699 experiential requirements set forth in this subsection; and700 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section701 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the702 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration703 documentation for noncitizen applicants.704 (j) Any individual seeking to obt ain a state-wide Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A705 license under the provisions of this chapter shall file a compl eted application with the706 division on a form prescribed by the division, shall pay the required fees established by the707 State Construction Industry Licensing Board, and shall meet the following requirements:708 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;709 (2) Have completed a minimum of three years of full-time experience performing low710 voltage wiring under the direct supervision of a licensed Low V oltage Class LV-U or711 LV-A Contractor, or another state equivalent contractor, which experience shall have712 been obtained within six years immediately preceding the date o f application and713 includes:714 (A) At least one year of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in general715 systems. Qualifying experience under this subsection shall inc lude the installation,716 alteration, service, or repair of power limited low voltage electrical systems, including,717 but not limited to:718 (i) Intercom, public address, and sound systems;719 (ii) Residential and commercial low voltage audio systems;720 (iii) Low voltage lighting systems, including associated controls, transformers, and721 power supplies; and722 - 28 - 26 LC 56 0677S (iv) Other general power limited low voltage wiring systems th at do not constitute723 alarm or telecommunications systems;724 (B) At least two years of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in alarm725 systems. Qualifying experience under this paragraph shall include work involving the726 installation, configuration, testing, administration, management, maintenance, or repair727 of the following alarm systems and related technologies:728 (i) Life safety alarm systems, including any alarm system desi gned, intended, or729 configured to transmit life safety related alarm events to a central monitoring station730 or other supervising entity;731 (ii) Alarm system communication pathways, including the utilization of approved and732 recognized transmission methods such as analog telephone lines, cellular networks,733 internet based protocols, Voice over Internet Protocol, or othe r comparable734 communication technologies; and735 (iii) Alarm system planning and lifecycle activities, including the planning, design,736 engineering, installation, programming, testing, inspection, se rvicing, repair, and737 ongoing maintenance of proprietary or open-source alarm systems; and738 (C) Completion of coursework in electronics or low voltage sys tems through an739 accredited technical college, university, or certificate program shall be credited toward740 the experience requirement for low voltage general (LV-G), base d on the actual741 instructional time completed, up to a maximum of six months;742 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from the supervising Low Voltage Class LV-U or LV-A743 contractor(s) attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential requirements set744 forth in this subsection; and745 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section746 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the747 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration748 documentation for noncitizen applicants.749 - 29 - 26 LC 56 0677S (k) Any individual seeking to obtain a state-wide Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U750 license under the provisions of this chapter shall file a compl eted application with the751 division on a form prescribed by the division, shall pay the required fees established by the752 State Construction Industry Licensing Board, and shall meet the following requirements:753 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;754 (2) Have completed a minimum of four years of full-time experi ence performing low755 voltage wiring under the direct supervision of a licensed Low V oltage Class LV-U756 Contractor, another state equivalent contractor, or the general manager of a tier 2 local757 exchange company, as defined in Code Section 46-5-162, regardle ss of whether such758 general manager holds a Low Voltage Class LV-U Contractor license, which experience759 shall have been obtained within six years immediately preceding the date of application,760 and also includes:761 (A) At least one year of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in general762 systems. Qualifying experience under this subsection shall inc lude the installation,763 alteration, service, or repair of power limited low voltage electrical systems, including,764 but not limited to:765 (i) Intercom, public address, and sound systems;766 (ii) Residential and commercial low voltage audio systems;767 (iii) Low voltage lighting systems, including associated controls, transformers, and768 power supplies; and769 (iv) Other general power limited low voltage wiring systems th at do not constitute770 alarm or telecommunications systems;771 (B) At least one year of full-time experience performing low v oltage wiring in772 telecommunications. Qualifying experience under this paragraph shall include work773 involving installation, configuration, testing, administration, management, maintenance,774 or repair of low voltage telecommunications systems, including, but not limited to, the775 following:776 - 30 - 26 LC 56 0677S (i) Telecommunications and communications systems, including v oice and data777 systems such as plain old telephone service, Voice over Interne t Protocol,778 telecommunications equipment connections, terminations, cross-connects, patching,779 and related infrastructure;780 (ii) Audio, video, and security systems, including residential and commercial audio781 and video systems, video surveillance systems, intercom systems , public address782 systems, access control systems, and Power over Ethernet based systems;783 (iii) Networked and wireless systems, including residential an d commercial Wi-Fi784 systems, local area or home area network based systems, Interne t Protocol 785 networking equipment such as routers, switches, hubs, and relat ed devices, and786 distributed antenna systems for voice and data communications; and787 (iv) Fiber optic, commercial wireless, and other communications systems, including788 fiber optic system installation, termination, testing, and mana gement; commercial789 wireless systems such as cellular and private communications sy stems; and790 proprietary, specialized, or otherwise unregulated communications systems within the791 scope of low voltage work;792 (C) At least two years of full-time experience performing low voltage wiring in alarm793 systems. Qualifying experience under this paragraph shall include work involving the794 installation, configuration, testing, administration, management, maintenance, or repair795 of the following alarm systems and related technologies:796 (i) Life safety alarm systems, including any alarm system desi gned, intended, or797 configured to transmit life safety related alarm events to a central monitoring station798 or other supervising entity;799 (ii) Alarm system communication pathways, including the utilization of approved and800 recognized transmission methods such as analog telephone lines, cellular networks,801 internet based protocols, Voice over Internet Protocol, or othe r comparable802 communication technologies; and803 - 31 - 26 LC 56 0677S (iii) Alarm system planning and lifecycle activities, including the planning, design,804 engineering, installation, programming, testing, inspection, se rvicing, repair, and805 ongoing maintenance of proprietary or open-source alarm systems; and806 (D) Completion of coursework in electronics or low voltage sys tems through an807 accredited technical college, university, or certificate program shall be credited toward808 the experience requirement for low voltage general (LV-G), base d on the actual809 instructional time completed, up to a maximum of six months;810 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from the supervising Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U,811 or the general manager of a tier 2 local exchange company, as defined in Code Section812 46-5-162, regardless of whether such general manager holds a Low Voltage Class LV-U813 Contractor license, attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential requirements814 set forth in this paragraph; and815 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section816 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the817 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration818 documentation for noncitizen applicants.819 (l) An application for a license under this Code section shall constitute express consent and820 authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her representative to perform a criminal821 background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary of State for822 licensure agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all information necessary823 to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of824 fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance825 of such background check.826 (m) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the827 absence of fraud, be conclusive. All individuals, individuals serving as partners in828 partnerships, applicants for limited liability companies, or ap plicants for corporations829 - 32 - 26 LC 56 0677S desiring to engage in the vocation of low voltage contracting shall be licensed under this830 Code section before engaging in such vocation.831 (n) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and832 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,833 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement834 action authorized by the division.835 43-14-10.836 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means th e Division of Utility837 Contractors.838 (b)(1) No person shall engage in utility contracting unless such person has a valid license839 issued by the division.840 (2) A person that is not licen sed as a utility c ontractor shal l be prohibited from841 advertising in any manner that such person is in the business o r profession of utility842 contracting unless the work is performed by a licensed electrical contractor.843 (c) The division shall certify all applicants for licensure un der this Code section who844 satisfy the requirements in this Code section.845 (d) Any utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter shall846 be authorized to bid for and perform work on any utility system in this state without847 obtaining a license under Chapter 41 of this title. It shall b e unlawful for the owner of a848 utility system or anyone soliciting work to be performed on a u tility system to refuse to849 allow a utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter to bid850 for or perform work on a utility system on the basis that such contractor does not hold a851 license under Chapter 41 of this title.852 (e) Any company which holds a valid utility contractor's licen se shall be qualified to853 construct, alter, or repair any plumbing system which extends from the property line up to854 but not within five feet of any building, structure, or conveyance, regardless of the cost or855 - 33 - 26 LC 56 0677S depth of any such plumbing system; provided, however, that only persons who hold a valid856 license to engage in plumbing under this chapter shall be quali fied to construct, alter, or857 repair any plumbing system within five feet of any building, structure, or conveyance.858 (f)(1) No sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation shall have the right to engage859 in the business of utility contracting unless:860 (A) Such business holds a utility contractor license; and861 (B) There is regularly connected with such business a person o r persons who hold a862 valid utility manager certificate issued under this chapter, and such utility manager must863 be actively engaged in the performance of such business on a full-time basis and must864 oversee the utility contracting work of all employees of the business.865 (2) If a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation has more than one permanent866 office, then each permanent office shall be registered with the division and at least one867 person who holds a valid utility manager certificate issued und er this chapter shall be868 stationed in each office on a full-time basis and shall oversee the utility contracting work869 of all employees of that office.870 (3) The requirements of this Code section shall not prevent any person holding a valid871 license issued by the State Construction Industry Licensing Boa rd, or any division872 thereof, pursuant to this chapter, from performing any work defined in the Code section873 or sections under which the license held by said person was issued.874 (g) Any corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship desir ing to qualify for and be875 issued a utility contractor license under the provisions of thi s Code section shall file an876 application with the division on a form prescribed by the division, pay the application fee877 established by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following878 requirements:879 (1) Submit a completed application to the division on the form provided indicating:880 (A) The names and addresses of proprietor, partners, or officers of such applicant;881 - 34 - 26 LC 56 0677S (B) The place and date such partnership was formed, or such co rporation was882 incorporated;883 (C) The address of each permanent office location of the business registered with the884 division, defined under this article as a place of business whe re utility contracting is885 undertaken from in terms of bid or proposed acquisition, procur ement, utility886 construction, is not a temporary structure, has permanent utilities installed, and has been887 in service for a period of more than three years;888 (D) The name and certification number of the qualifying utilit y manager holding a889 current utility manager certificate issued under this chapter w ho is employed at each890 permanent office location of the business from which utility contracting is performed;891 and892 (E) If the applicant operates more than one permanent office location, the name of the893 qualifying utility manager holding a current utility manager certificate issued under this894 chapter who is employed on a full-time basis at each permanent office location of the895 business from which utility contracting is performed; and896 (2) Submit a written safety policy that meets the minimum standards established by the897 board and the United States Department of Labor Occupational Sa fety and Health898 Administration.899 (h) An application for licensure under this Code section shall constitute express consent900 and authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her repr esentative to perform a901 criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary902 of State for licensure or a permit agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all903 information necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to,904 classifiable sets of fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated905 with the performance of such background check.906 (i) The decision of the division as to the qualifications of applicants shall, in the absence907 of fraud, be conclusive.908 - 35 - 26 LC 56 0677S (j) It shall be the duty of t he utility manager certificate holders and the licensed utility909 contractor to notify the division, in accordance with board rul es, of the severance of910 connection between such utility contractor and the utility mana ger certificate holder or911 holders upon whom the qualification of the utility contractor rested.912 (k) In the event that a li censed utility contractor temporaril y does not have employed a913 utility manager certificate holder to oversee its utility contr acting work, upon notice by914 such utility contractor to the division within seven days follo wing the last day of915 employment of the utility manager certificate holder, the divis ion shall grant the utility916 contractor a 90 day grace period in which to employ a utility manager certificate holder to917 oversee its utility contracting work before any action may be t aken by the division to918 revoke the utility contractor's license. The division may, at its discretion, upon application919 by the utility contractor showing good cause, grant one additio nal 90 day grace period. 920 Grace periods totaling not more than 180 days may be granted during any two-year period. 921 Failure to have employed a utility manager certificate holder t o oversee the utility922 contracting work of the utility contractor shall be grounds for the revocation or suspension923 of the utility contractor license after a notice of hearing.924 (l) It shall be unlawful for any person to contract with any o ther person for the925 performance of utility contracting work who is known by such person not to have a current,926 valid license as a utility contractor pursuant to this chapter.927 (m) It shall be unlawful for any person to violate the provisions of Chapter 9 of Title 25928 applicable to utility contractors.929 (n) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and930 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,931 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement932 action authorized by the division.933 - 36 - 26 LC 56 0677S 43-14-11.934 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means th e Division of Utility935 Contractors.936 (b) No person shall be employed as a utility manager unless suc h person holds a valid937 utility manager certificate issued by the division.938 (c) No utility system shall be constructed, erected, altered, or repaired unless a certified939 utility manager or certified utility foreman who holds a current certification is present at940 the job site of such construction, erection, alteration, or repair of the utility system.941 (d) The division shall certify all applicants for certification under this Code section who942 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.943 (e) Any individual seeking certification as a utility manager under the provisions of this944 chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form prescribed by the945 division, pay the required fees established by the State Constr uction Industry Licensing946 Board, and meet the following requirements:947 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;948 (2) Submit proof of completion of 12 hours of board approved safety training courses,949 which shall include eight hours of Competent Person Training for Excavations and four950 hours of Competent Person Training for Confined Spaces;951 (3) Have completed a minimum of three years of full-time exper ience in the field,952 performing the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility systems. Such953 experience shall be obtained as follows:954 (A) At least one year of full-time experience working under the supervision of a utility955 manager holding a valid certificate issued under this chapter, which experience shall956 qualify the applicant for certification as a utility foreman; and957 (B) At least two additional years of full-time experience obtained while holding a valid958 utility foreman certificate issued under this chapter;959 - 37 - 26 LC 56 0677S (4) Submit a signed affidavit from each utility manager who is employed by a utility960 contractor and who is or was the applicant's current or former employer, attesting to the961 applicant's completion of the experiential requirements set for th in this subsection. 962 Qualifying experience under this subsection shall be obtained through a combination of963 roles, including, but not limited to, supervisory, construction management, or utility964 operations positions in the field on a utility construction project, as well as:965 (A) Participation in the management of multiple utility construction projects, including966 scheduling work activities; coordinating labor, equipment, and materials; supporting967 field supervision; tracking productivity; and assisting with resolution of routine onsite968 issues during the course of the construction project;969 (B) Involvement in administering scopes of work or construction contracts; managing970 risks related to utility conflicts, permitting, inspections, tr affic control, and public971 safety; and ensuring compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration972 requirements and applicable federal, state, and local regulations;973 (C) Implementation and enforcement of safety procedures, inclu ding excavation,974 trenching, and confined space entry requirements; participation in safety programs,975 conducting or participating in daily job safety analyses and safety meetings, reporting976 incidents, near misses, and hazards; and ensuring proper use of required personal977 protective equipment;978 (D) Supervision or lead responsibility for utility personnel, including training,979 assigning duties, evaluating performance, monitoring safe operation of equipment, and980 administering discipline in accordance with established policies;981 (E) Assisting with review of construction plans, utility maps, and job specifications;982 identifying underground and overhead utilities; verifying permi ts, locates, and983 clearances; and coordinating activities with project managers, engineers, inspectors, and984 utility representatives;985 - 38 - 26 LC 56 0677S (F) Assisting with planning crew assignments, equipment needs, and work schedules;986 coordinating material delivery and staging; inspecting material s and equipment for987 damage or irregularities; reporting findings; and participating in the proper use and988 routine maintenance of heavy equipment;989 (G) Participating in the installation of water, sewer, gas, el ectrical, and990 telecommunications utility systems installed on a fee-for-servi ce basis, including991 bedding, backfill, compaction, and erosion and sediment control measures, in992 accordance with project specifications and utility standards;993 (H) Inspecting work for compliance with plans and specifications under supervision;994 assisting with daily logs, production reports, and as-built doc umentation; and995 documenting utility locations and field changes; and996 (I) Communicating job site conditions, safety concerns, and wo rk progress to a997 supervising Utility Foreman or Utility Manager; and998 (5) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section999 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, and submit an a ffidavit verifying lawful1000 presence in the United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, t o g e t h e r w i t h a n y1001 required immigration documentation for noncitizen applicants.1002 (f) Application for a license under this Code section shall constitute express consent and1003 authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her representative to perform a criminal1004 background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary of State for1005 licensure agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all information necessary1006 to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of1007 fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance1008 of such background check.1009 (g) An applicant may request an oral administration of the examination.1010 (h) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the1011 absence of fraud, be conclusive.1012 - 39 - 26 LC 56 0677S (i) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and1013 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,1014 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement1015 action authorized by the division.1016 43-14-12.1017 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means th e Division of Utility1018 Contractors.1019 (b) No person shall be employed as a utility foreman unless su ch person holds a valid1020 current utility foreman certificate issued by the division.1021 (c) The division shall certify all applicants for certification under this Code section who1022 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.1023 (d) No utility system shall be constructed, erected, altered, or repaired unless a certified1024 utility manager or certified utility foreman who holds a current certification is present at1025 the job site of such construction, erection, alteration, or repair of the utility system.1026 (e) Any individual seeking certification as a utility foreman under the provisions of this1027 chapter shall file an application with the division on a form prescribed by the division, pay1028 the required fees established by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, and meet1029 the following requirements:1030 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1031 (2) Have completed at least one year of full-time experience in the field performing the1032 construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility systems under the supervision of a1033 licensed Utility Manager;1034 (3) Submit proof of completion of 12 hours of board approved safety training courses,1035 which shall include eight hours of Competent Person Training for Excavations and four1036 hours of Competent Person Training for Confined Spaces; and1037 - 40 - 26 LC 56 0677S (4) Provide a signed affidavit by a current or former employer attesting to the completion1038 of experiential requirements. Each employer who oversaw the co mpletion of projects1039 which satisfied the experiential requirements shall provide the ir own signed affidavit. 1040 Qualifying experience under this subsection shall be obtained through a combination of1041 roles, including, but not limited to, crew member, lead worker, assistant foreman, utility1042 operations, construction support, or other field based positions, provided the work was1043 performed under the required supervision, and shall include:1044 (A) Assisting with review of construction plans, utility maps, and job specifications,1045 identifying underground and overhead utilities, coordinating ac tivities with project1046 managers, engineers, inspectors, and utility representatives, verifying permits, locates,1047 and clearances, and assisting with planning crew assignments, e quipment needs, and1048 work schedules;1049 (B) Participating in daily job safety analyses and safety meetings, performing work in1050 compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration s tandards and1051 applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including traffic control requirements,1052 working in properly protected trenches, participating in confined space entry activities,1053 using required personal protective equipment, and reporting incidents, near misses, and1054 hazards;1055 (C) Assisting with supervision of utility crews, monitoring sa fe operation of1056 equipment, supporting productivity tracking and daily work coordination, and assisting1057 with resolution of routine onsite issues;1058 (D) Assisting with coordination of material delivery and staging, inspecting materials1059 and equipment for damage or irregularities and reporting findings, and participating in1060 the proper use and routine maintenance of heavy equipment;1061 (E) Participating in the installation of water, sewer, gas, el ectrical, and1062 telecommunications utility systems installed on a fee-for-servi ce basis, including1063 - 41 - 26 LC 56 0677S bedding, backfill, compaction, and erosion and sediment control measures, in1064 accordance with project specifications and utility standards;1065 (F) Inspecting work for compliance with plans and specifications under supervision,1066 assisting with daily logs, production reports, as-built documentation, and documenting1067 utility locations and field changes; and1068 (G) Communicating job site conditions, safety concerns, and wo r k p r o g r e s s t o a1069 supervising Utility Foreman or Utility Manager.1070 (f) An application for a certification under this Code section shall constitute express1071 consent and authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her representative to perform1072 a criminal background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary1073 of State for certification agrees to provide the Secretary of S tate with any and all1074 information necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to,1075 classifiable sets of fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated1076 with the performance of such background check.1077 (g) An applicant may request an oral administration of the examination.1078 (h) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the1079 absence of fraud, be conclusive.1080 (i) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and1081 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,1082 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement1083 action authorized by the division.1084 43-14-13.1085 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means the Division of Master Plumbers1086 and Journeyman.1087 (b) No person shall engage in plumbing contracting as a Master Plumber Class I or a1088 Master Plumber Class II unless such person has a valid license issued by the division.1089 - 42 - 26 LC 56 0677S (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person who holds a valid1090 license as a Master Plumber Class I or a Master Plumber Class II or any company which1091 holds a valid utility contractor license shall be qualified to construct, alter, or repair any1092 plumbing system which extends from the property line up to but not within five feet of any1093 building, structure, or conveyance, regardless of the cost or d epth of any such plumbing1094 system; provided, however, that only persons who hold a valid l icense to engage in1095 plumbing under this chapter shall be qualified to construct, alter, or repair any plumbing1096 system within five feet of any building, structure, or conveyance.1097 (d) A person that is not licensed as a Master Plumber Class I or a Master Plumber Class1098 II shall be prohibited from advertising in any manner that such person is in the business or1099 profession of plumbing contracting.1100 (e) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall have the right to engage1101 in the business of plumbing unless there is regularly connected with such partnership,1102 limited liability company, or corporation a person actively engaged in the performance of1103 such business on a full-time basis who has a valid license as a Master Plumber Class I or1104 a Master Plumber Class II; provided, however, that partners, officers, and employees of any1105 individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements shall conti nue to be authorized to1106 engage in the business of plumbing contracting under a license which was valid at the time1107 of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the date o f such death. The division1108 may, at its discretion, upon application by the plumbing contractor showing good cause,1109 grant one additional 90 day grace period.1110 (f) The division shall certify all applicants for licensure un der this Code section who1111 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.1112 (g) It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liabilit y companies, and corporations1113 qualified under this chapter to notify the appropriate division within seven days of the1114 severance of connection with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation1115 of any person or persons upon whom such qualification rested.1116 - 43 - 26 LC 56 0677S (h) Application for a license under this Code section shall constitute express consent and1117 authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her representative to perform a criminal1118 background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary of State for1119 licensure agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all information necessary1120 to run a criminal background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of1121 fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with the performance1122 of such background check.1123 (i) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the1124 absence of fraud, be conclusive.1125 (j) Any individual seeking to be licensed as a journeyman plumber under the provisions1126 of this chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form prescribed by1127 the division, pay the required fees established by the State Construction Industry Licensing1128 Board, and meet the following requirements:1129 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1130 (2) Have completed one year of full-time experience performing plumbing work of a1131 type covered by the state minimum standard plumbing code, regardless of whether such1132 code applied to the work in the area or at the time such work w as performed by the1133 applicant. Qualifying experience under this paragraph shall be obtained under the1134 supervision of a licensed Master Plumber Class I or a Master Plumber Class II and shall1135 include participation in plumbing work demonstrating practical competency in the1136 following areas, as applicable to the scope of licensure requested and consistent with the1137 requirements of this paragraph:1138 (A) Installation, maintenance, alteration, service, or repair of plumbing systems,1139 including potable water supply and distribution systems; sanita ry, waste, storm1140 drainage, and venting systems; plumbing fixtures and equipment; and fuel gas piping1141 systems and fuel-gas-fired appliances, including piping downstream of the gas meter1142 or storage tank;1143 - 44 - 26 LC 56 0677S (B) Plumbing system layout, pipe sizing, material selection, i nspection, testing,1144 diagnosing, and troubleshooting of plumbing and fuel gas system s, including the1145 application of applicable plumbing codes, standards, and manufa cturer installation1146 requirements, performed under appropriate supervision;1147 (C) Application of safe work practices, including job site and trench safety, confined1148 space awareness, fall protection, lockout and tagout procedures , and the proper1149 selection and use of personal protective equipment;1150 (D) Performance of supporting plumbing related work directly a ssociated with the1151 installation, alteration, service, or repair of plumbing system s, including support of1152 plumbing system components, trenching, excavation, and backfilling, material handling1153 and staging, demolition and general labor, operation of tools or equipment commonly1154 used in plumbing work, assisting licensed plumbers, and installation of pipe and tubing1155 supports, including hangers, strut, supports, and bracing; and1156 (E) Full-time employment as an estimator or project manager for a Class I or Class II1157 Master Plumbing Contractor, where such employment involves regu lar exposure to1158 plumbing systems, plans, specifications, and job site coordination;1159 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from the licensed Master Plumber C l a s s I o r M a s t e r1160 Plumber Class II who supervised or otherwise oversaw the applicant's work, whether as1161 a current or former employer, attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential1162 requirements set forth in this subsection. When the applicant's qualifying experience was1163 obtained under the supervision of more than one such individual , a separate signed1164 affidavit shall be submitted by each individual who supervised or oversaw the applicable1165 portion of the applicant's experience; and1166 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section1167 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the1168 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration1169 documentation for noncitizen applicants.1170 - 45 - 26 LC 56 0677S (k) Any individual seeking to be licensed as a Master Plumber Class I under the provisions1171 of this chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form prescribed by1172 the division, pay the required fees established by the State Construction Industry Licensing1173 Board, and meet the following requirements:1174 (1) Successfully pass the board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1175 (2) Have completed a minimum of four years of full-time experience in plumbing work1176 as would be covered by items of the Georgia State Plumbing Code, at least three years1177 of which shall have been performed while licensed as a Journeyman Plumber under this1178 chapter; provided, however, that an applicant licensed as a Journeyman Plumber under1179 this chapter prior to March 1, 2025, shall be required to have completed one of such four1180 years while licensed as a Journeyman Plumber. Qualifying exper ience under this1181 subsection shall include participation in plumbing work demonst rating practical1182 competency, as applicable to the scope of licensure requested a nd consistent with the1183 requirements of this paragraph. Such experience shall be obtained under the supervision1184 of a licensed master plumber; provided, however, that for licensure as a Statewide Master1185 Plumber Class I, qualifying experience shall be limited to plum bing work performed1186 within the restricted scope of practice applicable to a Master Plumber Class I, as defined1187 in this chapter. Such qualifying experience includes, but is not limited to:1188 (A) Installation, maintenance, alteration, service, or repair of plumbing systems,1189 including potable water supply and distribution systems, sanita ry, waste, storm1190 drainage, and venting systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment, and fuel gas piping1191 systems and fuel-gas-fired appliances, including piping downstream of the gas meter1192 or storage tank, and piping downstream of any municipal or county water meter from1193 the point of service connection and extending into and througho ut the building or1194 structure served;1195 (B) Plumbing system layout, pipe sizing, material selection, i nspection, testing,1196 diagnosing, and troubleshooting of plumbing and fuel gas system s, including the1197 - 46 - 26 LC 56 0677S application of applicable plumbing codes, standards, and manufa cturer installation1198 requirements, performed under appropriate supervision;1199 (C) Application of safe work practices, including job site and trench safety, confined1200 space awareness, fall protection, lockout and tagout procedures , and the proper1201 selection and use of personal protective equipment;1202 (D) Performance of supporting plumbing related work directly a ssociated with the1203 installation, alteration, service, or repair of plumbing system s, including support of1204 plumbing system components; trenching, excavation, and backfilling; material handling1205 and staging, demolition and general labor, operation of tools or equipment commonly1206 used in plumbing work, assisting licensed plumbers, and installation of pipe and tubing1207 supports, including hangers, strut, supports, and bracing; and1208 (E) Full-time employment as an estimator or project manager fo r a Master Plumber1209 Class I or Master Plumber Class II, where such employment involves regular exposure1210 to plumbing systems, plans, specifications, and job site coordination;1211 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from any licensed Master Plumber Class I or Master1212 Plumber Class II who supervised or otherwise oversaw the applicant's work, whether as1213 a current or former employer, attesting to the applicant's comp letion of the primary1214 experiential requirements set forth in this subsection. When t he applicant's qualifying1215 full-time experience was obtained under the supervision of more than one such1216 individual, a separate signed affidavit shall be submitted by e ach individual who1217 supervised or oversaw the applicable portion of the applicant's experience; and1218 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section1219 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the1220 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration1221 documentation for noncitizen applicants.1222 (l) Any individual seeking to be licensed as a Master Plumber Class II under the provisions1223 of this chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form prescribed by1224 - 47 - 26 LC 56 0677S the division, pay the required fees established by the State Construction Industry Licensing1225 Board, and meet the following requirements:1226 (1) Successfully pass the board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1227 (2) Have completed a minimum of five years of full-time experience in plumbing work1228 as would be covered by items of the state minimum standard plumbing code, with at least1229 four of the five years being licensed as a Journeyman Plumber; provided, however, that1230 an applicant licensed as a Journeyman Plumber under this chapter prior to March 1, 2025,1231 shall be required to have completed two of such five years whil e licensed as a1232 Journeyman Plumber. Qualifying experience under this subsectio n shall include1233 participation in plumbing work demonstrating practical competen cy in the following1234 areas, as applicable to the scope of licensure requested and co nsistent with the1235 requirements of this paragraph. Such experience shall be obtained under the supervision1236 of a licensed master plumber; provided, however, that for licensure as a Master Plumber1237 Class II, not less than two years of the required experience sh all have been obtained1238 performing plumbing work within the unrestricted scope of pract ice applicable to a1239 Master Plumber Class II, as defined in this chapter:1240 (A) Participation in the installation, maintenance, alteration , service, or repair of1241 plumbing systems, including potable water supply and distribution systems, sanitary,1242 waste, storm drainage, and venting systems, plumbing fixtures and equipment, and fuel1243 gas piping systems and fuel-gas-fired appliances, including piping downstream of the1244 gas meter or storage tank, and piping downstream of any municip al or county water1245 meter from the point of service connection and extending into a nd throughout the1246 building or structure served;1247 (B) Involvement in plumbing system layout, pipe sizing, materi al selection, and1248 installation methods, performed under appropriate supervision where required;1249 - 48 - 26 LC 56 0677S (C) Participation in the inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and correction of plumbing1250 and fuel gas systems, including verification of system performa nce and compliance1251 with applicable plumbing codes, standards, and manufacturer installation requirements;1252 (D) Implementation and application of safe work practices, inc luding job site and1253 trench safety, confined space awareness, fall protection, lockout and tagout procedures,1254 and the proper selection and use of personal protective equipment; and1255 (E) Supervision or lead responsibility for plumbing personnel, including training,1256 assignment of duties, oversight of work quality, and enforcemen t of safety and code1257 compliance requirements;1258 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from any licensed Master Plumber Class I or Master1259 Plumber Class II who supervised or otherwise oversaw the applicant's work, whether as1260 a current or former employer, attesting to the applicant's comp letion of the primary1261 experiential requirements set forth in this subsection. When t he applicant's qualifying1262 experience was obtained under the supervision of more than one such individual, a1263 separate signed affidavit shall be submitted by each individual who supervised or1264 oversaw the applicable portion of the applicant's experience; and1265 (4) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section1266 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the1267 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration1268 documentation for noncitizen applicants.1269 (m) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and1270 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,1271 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement1272 action authorized by the division.1273 - 49 - 26 LC 56 0677S 43-14-14.1274 (a) As used in this Code section, the term 'division' means the Division of Conditioned Air1275 Contractors.1276 (b) No person shall engage in conditioned air contracting unless such person has a valid1277 license issued by the division.1278 (c) The division shall certify all applicants for licensure un der this Code section who1279 satisfy the requirements of this Code section.1280 (d) A person that is not licensed as a conditioned air contractor shall be prohibited from1281 advertising in any manner that such person is in the business or profession of a conditioned1282 air contractor unless the work is performed by a licensed conditioned air contractor.1283 (e) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall have the right to engage1284 in the business of conditioned air contracting unless there is regularly connected with such1285 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation a person or persons actively engaged1286 in the performance of such business on a full-time basis who have valid licenses issued to1287 them as provided for in this chapter; provided, however, that p artners, officers, and1288 employees of the individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements shall continue to be1289 authorized to engage in the business of conditioned air contracting under a license which1290 was valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the date of such1291 death. The division may, at its discretion, upon application b y the conditioned air1292 contractor showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period.1293 (f) Partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations having more than one office1294 location from which conditioned air contracting is performed shall have at least one person1295 stationed in each branch office of such partnership, limited li ability company, or1296 corporation who is engaged in the performance of conditioned air contracting on a full-time1297 basis who is supervising the installation, repair, alteration, and service work of air1298 conditioning and heating systems of all employees of such branch office locations; and who1299 has a valid license issued as provided in this Code section.1300 - 50 - 26 LC 56 0677S (g) It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liabilit y companies, and corporations1301 qualified under this chapter to notify the appropriate division within seven days of the1302 severance of connection with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation1303 of any person or persons upon whom such qualification rested.1304 (h) Any individual seeking to be licensed as a Conditioned Air Contractor Class I under1305 the provisions of this chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form1306 prescribed by the division, pay the required fees established b y the State Construction1307 Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following requirements:1308 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1309 (2) Have completed a minimum of years of full-time experience performing conditioned1310 air work of a type covered by the state minimum standard codes, regardless of whether1311 such code applied to the work in the area or at the time such work was performed by the1312 applicant;1313 (A) Qualifying experience under this subsection shall consist o f t w o y e a r s o f1314 residential installation experience as a lead mechanic, one year as a service technician,1315 one year of residential supervisory experience; and1316 (B) An applicant shall receive credit toward the experience requirements of this section1317 based on the actual instructional time completed in relevant co ursework, meaning1318 coursework directly related to the scope of licensure requested , provided that such1319 credit shall not exceed two years for completion of a technical school or technical1320 college diploma program in air conditioning technology, engineering, or engineering1321 technology from an i nstitution accredited by an accrediting bod y recognized by the1322 division, or one year for completion of a vocational-technical school certificate program1323 from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the division;1324 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from any licensed architect, licensed professional engineer,1325 public building official or building inspector, or licensed conditioned air contractor who1326 directly supervised or otherwise oversaw the applicant's work, whether as a current or1327 - 51 - 26 LC 56 0677S former employer, attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential requirements1328 set forth in this Code section. When the applicant's qualifying experience was obtained1329 under the supervision of more than one such individual, a separate signed affidavit shall1330 be submitted by each individual who supervised or oversaw the applicable portion of the1331 applicant's experience;1332 (4) Complete the Type II Federal Environmental Protection Agen cy Section 6081333 Technician Certification;1334 (5) Complete a board approved heat loss and gain and duct design course; and1335 (6) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section1336 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, and submit an a ffidavit verifying lawful1337 presence in the United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, t o g e t h e r w i t h a n y1338 required immigration documentation for noncitizen applicants.1339 (i) Any individual seeking to be licensed as a Conditioned Air Contractor Class II under1340 the provisions of this chapter shall file a completed application with the division on a form1341 prescribed by the division, pay the required fees established b y the State Construction1342 Industry Licensing Board, and meet the following requirements:1343 (1) Successfully pass a board approved examination with a minimum score of 70;1344 (2)(A) Have completed a minimum of five years of full-time exp erience performing1345 conditioned air work covered by the state minimum standard code s, regardless of1346 whether such code applied to the work in the area or at the tim e such work was1347 performed by the applicant. Qualifying experience under this subsection shall consist1348 of two years of commercial supervisory experience, one year as a service technician or1349 service supervisor, and two years of installation as a lead mechanic with at least one of1350 the years being commercial only, installing conditioned air systems that exceed a net1351 175,000 BTU of heating and 60,000 BTU of cooling.1352 (B) An applicant shall receive credit toward the experience requirements of this Code1353 section based on the actual instructional time completed in rel evant coursework,1354 - 52 - 26 LC 56 0677S meaning coursework directly related to the scope of licensure requested, provided that1355 such credit shall not exceed two years for completion of a technical school or technical1356 college diploma program in air conditioning technology, engineering, or engineering1357 technology from an institution accredited by an accrediting bod y recognized by the1358 division, or one year for completion of a vocational-technical school certificate program1359 from an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the division;1360 (3) Submit a signed affidavit from a licensed architect, licensed professional engineer,1361 public building official or building inspector, or licensed conditioned air contractor who1362 directly supervised or otherwise oversaw the applicant's work, whether as a current or1363 former employer, attesting to the applicant's completion of the experiential requirements1364 set forth in this subsection. When the applicant's qualifying experience was obtained1365 under the supervision of more than one such individual, a separate signed affidavit shall1366 be submitted by each individual who supervised or oversaw the applicable portion of the1367 applicant's experience;1368 (4) Complete the Type II and Type III Federal Environmental Protection Agency Section1369 608 Technician Certification;1370 (5) Complete a board approved heat loss and gain and duct design course; and1371 (6) Submit at least one secure and verifiable document, as def ined in Code Section1372 50-36-2, establishing the applicant's identity, an affidavit verifying lawful presence in the1373 United States pursuant to Code Section 50-36-1, and any require d immigration1374 documentation for noncitizen applicants.1375 (j) Application for a license under this Code section shall constitute express consent and1376 authorization for the Secretary of State or his or her representative to perform a criminal1377 background check. Each applicant who submits an application to the Secretary of State 1378 for licensure agrees to provide the Secretary of State with any and all information1379 necessary to run a criminal background check, including, but no t limited to, classifiable1380 - 53 - 26 LC 56 0677S sets of fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for a ll fees associated with the1381 performance of such background check.1382 (k) The decision of the division regarding the qualifications of licensure shall, in the1383 absence of fraud, be conclusive. All individuals, individuals serving as partners in1384 partnerships, applicants for limited liability companies, or ap plicants for corporations1385 desiring to engage in conditioned air contracting shall be licensed under this Code section1386 before engaging in such vocation and business, including at the local level.1387 (l) Any person or entity violating this Code section shall be subject to discipline and1388 penalties as provided in this chapter, including, but not limit ed to, license denial,1389 suspension, revocation, administrative fines, injunction, or any other lawful enforcement1390 action authorized by the division.1391 43-14-15.1392 Whenever it shall appear to a division of the board or to the e xecutive director or to a1393 county or municipal inspection authority that any person is or has been violating this1394 chapter or any of the lawful rules, regulations, or orders of t he board, the division of the1395 board, the local inspection authority, or the appropriate prose cuting attorney may file a1396 petition for an injunction in the proper superior court of this state against such person for1397 the purpose of enjoining any such violation. It shall not be necessary to allege or prove that1398 there is no adequate remedy at law. The right of injunction pr ovided for in this Code1399 section shall be in addition to any other legal remedy which the board has and shall be in1400 addition to any right of criminal prosecution provided for by law.1401 43-14-16.1402 (a) Any municipal or county inspection authority which meets the standards established1403 by the board shall be authorized, after notice and hearing, to suspend the license or1404 certification, or refuse to restore a license or certification to any person or licensee upon1405 - 54 - 26 LC 56 0677S the grounds set out in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Code Section 43-14-6; provided,1406 however, that such suspension of a license by a local inspectio n authority shall be1407 applicable only within the jurisdiction of such local authority. Any person aggrieved by1408 an action of a local authority shall be entitled to an appeal to the appropriate division of the1409 board and a hearing.1410 (b)(1) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibit the governing authority1411 of any county or municipality in the state from adopting and enforcing codes at the local1412 level; provided, however, that no county or municipality may re quire any licensed1413 conditioned air contractor or licensed plumber who has executed and deposited a bond1414 as authorized in paragraph (2) of this subsection to give or furnish or execute any code1415 compliance bond or similar bond for the purpose of ensuring tha t all construction,1416 installation, or modifications are made or completed in complia nce with the county or1417 municipal ordinances or building and construction codes.1418 (2) In order to protect the public from damages arising from a ny work by a licensed1419 conditioned air contractor or licensed plumber, which work fail s to comply with the1420 ordinances or building and construction codes adopted by any co unty or municipal1421 corporation, any such licensed conditioned air contractor or li censed plumber may1422 execute and deposit with the judge of the probate court in the county of his or her1423 principal place of business a bond in the sum of $10,000.00. Such bond shall be a cash1424 bond of $10,000.00 or executed by a surety authorized and qualified to write surety bonds1425 in the State of Georgia and shall be approved by the judge of t he probate court. Such1426 bond shall be conditioned upon all work done or supervised by such licensee complying1427 with the provisions of any ordinances or building and construction codes of any county1428 or municipal corporation wherein the work is performed. Action on such bond may be1429 brought against the principal and surety thereon in the name of and for the benefit of any1430 person who suffers damages as a consequence of said licensee's work not conforming to1431 the requirements of any ordinances or building and construction codes; provided,1432 - 55 - 26 LC 56 0677S however, that the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons so damaged shall in no1433 event exceed the sum of such bond.1434 (3) In any case where a bond is required under this subsection , the conditioned air1435 contractor or plumber shall file a copy of the bond with the bu ilding official in the1436 political subdivision wherein the work is being performed.1437 (4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to or af fect any bonding1438 requirements involving contracts for public works as provided in Chapter 10 of Title 13.1439 (c) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed as prohibi ting or preventing a1440 municipality or county from fixing, charging, assessing, or col lecting any license fee,1441 registration fee, tax, or gross receipt tax on any related business or on anyone engaged in1442 any related business governed by this chapter.1443 43-14-17.1444 (a) If a person is in violation Code Section 43-14-8, 43-14-9, 43-14-10, 43-14-13, or1445 43-14-14, it shall not be necessary for an investigator to observe or witness the unlicensed1446 person engaged illegally in the process of work or to show work in progress or work1447 completed in order to prove the unlawful practice of electrical contracting, low voltage1448 contracting, utility contracting, plumbing contracting, or conditioned air contracting, by an1449 unlicensed person.1450 (b) It shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of this chapter if any person not licensed1451 as a conditioned air contractor, plumbing contractor, electrical contractor, utility contractor,1452 or low voltage contractor advertises that such person is in the business or profession of a1453 conditioned air contractor, plumbing contractor, electrical contractor utility contractor, or1454 low voltage contractor or advertises in a manner such that the general public would believe1455 that such person is a licensed conditioned air contractor or in the business or profession of1456 a conditioned air contractor, is a licensed plumbing contractor in the business or profession1457 of a plumbing contractor, or is a licensed electrical contractor in the business or profession1458 - 56 - 26 LC 56 0677S of an electrical contractor, is a licensed utility contractor in the business or profession of1459 a utility contractor, or is a licensed low voltage contractor in the business or profession of1460 a low voltage contractor. Advertising under this subsection includes, but is not limited to,1461 newspaper, internet, social media and digital applications, tel evision, radio, telephone1462 directory listings, mailings, business cards, or signage at a place of business or attached to1463 a vehicle.1464 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 43-1-20.1, after notice and hearing,1465 the board may issue a cease and desist order prohibiting any pe rson from violating the1466 provisions of this chapter by engaging in the business or profe ssion of a conditioned air1467 contractor, plumbing contractor, electrical contractor, or low voltage contractor without a1468 license as required under this chapter or by constructing, erecting, altering, or repairing a1469 utility system without a properly certified utility manager or properly certified utility1470 foreman present at the job site.1471 (d) With respect to plumbing contracting, conditioned air cont racting, low voltage1472 contracting, and electrical contr acting, the violation of any c ease and desist order of the1473 board issued under subsection (c) of this Code section shall subject the person violating the1474 order to further proceedings before the board, and the board shall be authorized to impose1475 a fine not to exceed $1,500.00 for each violation thereof. Each day that a person practices1476 in violation of this Code section and chapter shall constitute a separate violation.1477 (e) With respect to utility contracting, the violation of any cease and desist order of the1478 board issued under subsection (c) of this Code section shall subject the person violating the1479 order to further proceedings before the board, and the board shall be authorized to impose1480 a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 for each violation thereof. Each day that a person practices1481 in violation of this Code section and chapter or constructs, erects, alters, or repairs a utility1482 system without a properly certified utility manager or properly certified utility foreman1483 present at such job site shall constitute a separate violation.1484 - 57 - 26 LC 56 0677S (f) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibi t the board from seeking1485 remedies otherwise available by statute without first seeking a cease and desist order in1486 accordance with the provisions of this Code section.1487 (g) Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a mis demeanor and, upon1488 conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than1489 six months, or both.1490 43-14-18.1491 (a) Every person holding a license issued by a division of the board shall display it in a1492 conspicuous manner at his or her place of business.1493 (b) All commercial vehicles used by licensees and certificate holders exclusively in the1494 daily operation of their business shall have prominently displayed thereon the company or1495 business registration or certificate number issued by the Secretary of State's office. Such1496 registration number or certificate number, or website address where such number can be1497 found, shall also be prominently displayed on any advertising r elating to work which a1498 licensee or certificate holder purports to have the capacity to perform. Said registration or1499 certificate number shall also be printed on all invoices and proposal forms.1500 43-14-19.1501 (a) This chapter shall apply to all installations, alterations , and repairs of plumbing, air1502 conditioning and heating, or electrical or low voltage wiring or utility systems within or on1503 public or private buildings, structures, or premises except as otherwise provided in this1504 Code section.1505 (b) Any person that holds a license issued under this chapter may engage in the business1506 of plumbing contracting, electrical contracting, conditioned ai r contracting, low voltage1507 contracting, or utility contracting but only as prescribed by the license, throughout the state;1508 and except as provided in Code Section 43-14-16, no municipality or county may require1509 - 58 - 26 LC 56 0677S such person to comply with any additional licensing requirement s imposed by such1510 municipality or county.1511 (c) This chapter shall not apply to:1512 (1) The installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing, air conditioning and heating, utility1513 systems, or electrical services, except low voltage wiring serv ices, up to and including1514 the meters where such work is performed by and is an integral part of the system owned1515 or operated by a public service corporation, an electrical, water, or gas department of any1516 municipality in this state, a railroad company, a pipeline company, or a mining company1517 in the exercise of its normal function as such;1518 (2) Low voltage wiring performed by public utilities, except t hat the portion of the1519 business of public utilities which involves the installation, a lteration, repair, or service1520 of telecommunications systems for profit shall be covered under this chapter;1521 (3) The installation, construction, or maintenance of power sy stems or1522 telecommunications systems for the generation or distribution o f electric current1523 constructed under the National Electrical Safety Code, which re gulates the safety1524 requirements of utilities; but the interior wiring regulated by the National Electrical1525 Safety Code shall not be exempt and must be done by an electrical contractor, except as1526 otherwise provided by law; provided, however, that a tier 2 local exchange company, as1527 defined in Code Section 46-5-162, may perform low-voltage inter ior wiring without1528 licensure as an electrical contractor solely to the extent such wiring is necessary for the1529 installation, maintenance, repair, or operation of its own telecommunications systems and1530 network infrastructure. Such work shall be performed only by e mployees of the tier 21531 local exchange company and shall not include general electrical service work or1532 modification of building power distribution systems unrelated t o the provider's1533 telecommunications systems;1534 - 59 - 26 LC 56 0677S (4) Any technician employed by a municipal or county franchised community antenna1535 television (CATV) system or a municipally owned CATV system in the performance of1536 work on the system;1537 (5) Regular full-time employees of an institution, manufacturer, or business who perform1538 plumbing, electrical, low voltage wiring, utility contracting, or conditioned air contracting1539 when working on the premises of their employer;1540 (6) A contractor certified by the Department of Public Health to make the connection to1541 any on-site waste-water management system from the stub out exiting the structure to an1542 on-site waste-water management system;1543 (7) Any employee or authorized agent of a regulated gas utilit y or municipally owned1544 gas utility while in the course and scope of such employment; or1545 (8) Persons licensed as manufactured or mobile home installers by the state fire marshal1546 when:1547 (A) Coupling the electrical connection from the service entran ce panel outside the1548 manufactured housing to the distribution panel board inside the manufactured housing;1549 (B) Connecting the exterior sewer outlets to the aboveground sewer system; or1550 (C) Connecting the exterior water line to the aboveground water system.1551 (d) This chapter shall not prohibit:1552 (1) An individual from installi ng, altering, or repairing plum bing fixtures, air1553 conditioning and heating, air conditioning and heating fixtures , utility systems, or1554 electrical or low voltage wiring services in a residential dwelling owned or occupied by1555 such individual; provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformity with1556 all other provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board, and any1557 applicable county or municipal resolutions, ordinances, codes, or inspection1558 requirements;1559 (2) An individual employed on the maintenance staff of a facility owned by the state or1560 by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision from installing, altering, or1561 - 60 - 26 LC 56 0677S repairing plumbing, plumbing fixtures, air conditioning and hea ting fixtures, utility1562 systems, or electrical or low voltage wiring services when such work is an integral part1563 of the maintenance requirements of the facility; provided, howe ver, that all such work1564 must be done in conformity with all other provisions of this chapter and the orders, rules,1565 and regulations of the board;1566 (3) Any person from installing, altering, or repairing plumbin g, plumbing fixtures, air1567 conditioning and heating fixtures, utility systems, or electric al or low voltage wiring1568 services in a farm or ranch service building or as an integral part of any irrigation system1569 on a farm or ranch when such system is not located within 30 feet of any dwelling or any1570 building devoted to animal husbandry. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to1571 limit the application of any resolution, ordinance, code, or inspection requirements of a1572 county or municipality relating to such connections;1573 (4) Any person from installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing component of a lawn1574 sprinkler system from a backflow preventer which was installed by a licensed plumber;1575 provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformit y with all other1576 provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board, and ordinances of the1577 county or municipality; or1578 (5) Any propane dealer that is properly insured as required by law and that holds a1579 liquefied petroleum gas license issued by the Safety Fire Commissioner from installing,1580 repairing, or servicing a propane system or the gas piping or components of such system;1581 provided, however, that such propane dealers shall be prohibite d from performing the1582 installation of conditioned air systems or forced air heating systems unless licensed to do1583 so under this chapter.1584 (e) Any person qualified by the Department of Transportation t o perform work for the1585 department shall not be required to be licensed under:1586 (1) Code Section 43-14-10 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-11 and 43-14-12 in1587 order to perform work for the department; or1588 - 61 - 26 LC 56 0677S (2) Code Section 43-14-10 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-11 and 43-14-12 in1589 order to perform work for a county, municipality, authority, or other political subdivision1590 when such work is of the same nature as that for which the pers on is qualified when1591 performing department work; provided, however, that such work is not performed on a1592 utility system as defined in Code Section 43-14-2 for which the person receives1593 compensation.1594 (f) Any person who contracts with a licensed conditioned air contractor:1595 (1) As part of a conditioned air contract to install, alter, or repair duct systems, control1596 systems, or insulation is not required to hold a license from the Division of Conditioned1597 Air Contractors. The conditioned air contractor must retain responsibility for completion1598 of the contract, including any subcontracted work;1599 (2) To perform a complete installation, alteration, or repair of a conditioned air system1600 must hold a valid license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors; or1601 (3) To perform for or on behalf of a conditioned air contractor the installation, alteration,1602 or repair of the electrical, low voltage, or plumbing component s of a conditioned air1603 system must hold a valid license from the appropriate division of the board.1604 (g) Any utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter shall1605 be authorized to bid for and perform work on any utility system in this state without1606 obtaining a license under Chapter 41 of this title. It shall b e unlawful for the owner of a1607 utility system or anyone soliciting work to be performed on a u tility system to refuse to1608 allow a utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter to bid1609 for or perform work on a utility system on the basis that such contractor does not hold a1610 license under Chapter 41 of this title.1611 43-14-20.1612 (a) All licenses and certificates issued under this chapter shall be valid for a period of two1613 years and shall be subject to biennial renewal upon expiration.1614 - 62 - 26 LC 56 0677S (b) All applications for renewal of a license or certificate shall be filed with the division1615 director prior to the expiration date, accompanied by the biennial renewal fee prescribed1616 by the board and certifying that all current requirements of co ntinuing education as1617 determined by the board have been fulfilled.1618 (c) Any person who fails to renew a license or certificate on or before its expiration date1619 may apply for late renewal during a period not to exceed 31 days immediately following1620 the expiration of the biennial license. Such application shall be submitted and shall include1621 the required renewal information and late renewal fee, as prescribed by the board.1622 (d) Any license or certificate that is not renewed on or before its expiration date or during1623 the late renewal period provided in subsection (c) of this Code section shall lapse and shall1624 not be in good standing unless reinstated pursuant to this Code section.1625 (e) If an application for reinstatement is submitted less than three years after the expiration1626 date of the license or certificate, the applicant shall submit a reinstatement application, the1627 required reinstatement fee, verification that the licensee or certificate holder has completed1628 the required continuing education requirements, and any other information, as prescribed1629 by the board.1630 (f) If an application for reinstatement is submitted more than three years after the1631 expiration date of a license or certificate, the applicant shall, in addition to satisfying the1632 applicable continuing education requirements, comply with any a dditional requirements1633 prescribed by the board or the appropriate division. Such requirements may include, when1634 applicable to the license or certificate sought, reexamination and the submission of an1635 affidavit attesting that the applicant meets the applicable experience requirements.1636 (g) Each division of the board is authorized to require individuals seeking renewal of any1637 license or certificate issued under this chapter to complete co ntinuing education courses1638 approved by that division.1639 (h) Each division may approve continuing education courses or programs offered within1640 or outside this state for licensees and certificate holders, su bject to reasonable,1641 - 63 - 26 LC 56 0677S nondiscriminatory fees. Such courses or programs shall relate to the licensed activity and1642 shall be offered by qualified providers in accordance with rule s adopted by the board. 1643 Courses conducted primarily to promote specific products or ser vices shall not be1644 permitted.1645 (i) Each division may waive the continuing education requirements in cases of hardship,1646 disability, or illness or under such other circumstances as the division deems appropriate.1647 (j) Each division shall make all reasonable efforts to make th e continuing education1648 offered pursuant to this Code section available online or through home study courses and1649 accessible at times outside of the normal work hours of those licensed by such division.1650 (k) Continuing education hours shall not be carried forward to a subsequent renewal1651 period.1652 (l) Failure to comply with the continuing education or renewal requirements of this Code1653 section shall render the license or certificate invalid and subject the licensee or certificate1654 holder to disciplinary action, including denial of renewal or revocation of the license. Such1655 licensee or certificate holder shall not be authorized to engage in the business or profession1656 for which licensed until the license or certificate is renewed or reinstated in accordance1657 with applicable procedures.1658 43-14-21.1659 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:1660 (1) 'Discharge' means an honorable discharge or a general discharge from active military1661 service. Such term shall not mean a discharge under other than honorable conditions, a1662 bad conduct discharge, or a dishonorable discharge.1663 (2) 'Military' means the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the1664 armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard.1665 (b) A committee composed of the division director, members of the Governor's Office of1666 Workforce Development, and members of the relevant divisions of the licensing board1667 - 64 - 26 LC 56 0677S representing the profession for which the applicant is seeking a license shall determine the1668 military specialties or certifications the training or experience for which substantially meets1669 or exceeds the requirements to obtain a license for Electrical Contractor Class I,1670 Journeyman Plumber, Conditioned Air Contractor Class I, or Util ity Foreman. The1671 Governor shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the committee.1672 (c) Any current or former member of the military may apply to the licensing board for the1673 expedited issuance of a license or certification based upon his or her having obtained a1674 military specialty or certification, the training or experience for which substantially meets1675 or exceeds the requirements to obtain a license or certification identified in subsection (b)1676 of this Code section.1677 (d) In order to qualify under this Code section, an applicant shall make application not1678 later than two years after his or her discharge. The licensing board, in its discretion, may1679 by rule or regulation extend such two-year period for a license or certification, or class1680 thereof, or may extend such two-year period for an individual a pplicant if certain1681 circumstances, including, but not limited to, health, hospitali zation, or other related1682 emergencies or exigencies, prevented the member of the military from making an1683 application.1684 (e) Such application shall be in such form and shall require s uch documentation as the1685 division director shall determine. If the applicant satisfies the requirements of this Code1686 section, the division director shall direct the appropriate division to issue the appropriate1687 license, and the division shall immediately issue such license; provided, however, that the1688 applicant shall satisfy all financial and insurance requirement s for the issuance of such1689 license. This Code section shall only apply to the initial issuance of a license. After the1690 initial issuance of a license, the licensee shall be subject to any provisions relating to the1691 renewal of the license applicable to all licensees.1692 - 65 - 26 LC 56 0677S 43-14-22.1693 The board may establish a process through rules and regulations for licenses issued under1694 this chapter to be placed on inactive status and the qualificat ions necessary for such1695 licenses to be returned to active status; provided, however, that engaging in any conduct1696 that requires a license under this chapter while holding an ina ctive license shall be1697 considered an unlicensed practice and shall be prohibited.1698 43-14-23.1699 Each division of the board may, in its discretion, grant a license or certificate to any person1700 who, at the time of application, is licensed or certified in another state whose requirements1701 for licensure are substantially equal to the requirements for a similar license or certificate1702 issued under this chapter, and to grant such person full privileges to engage in equivalent1703 practice authorized under this chapter without requiring an exa mination, if applicable,1704 provided that:1705 (1) The applicant has been principally engaged in the practice authorized by such license1706 or certificate for a period of not less than two years immediat ely preceding the1707 application;1708 (2) The applicant submits a proper application, pays a fee in an amount established by1709 the board, and completes any additional safety training courses required by the board; and1710 (3) The state in which the applicant is licensed or certified affords substantially1711 equivalent licensure or certification privileges to persons licensed or certified under this1712 chapter by the State of Georgia.1713 43-14-24.1714 This chapter shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia1715 Administrative Procedure Act.'"1716 - 66 - 26 LC 56 0677S SECTION 3.1717 Code Section 48-7-38 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to deduction for1718 payments to classified subcontractors, disclosure of tax returns, and maintenance of list of1719 classified subcontractors, is amended by revising paragraph (2) of subsection (a) as follows:1720 "(2) 'Small business' shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 50-5-1211721 means a business which is independently owned and operated and:1722 (A) Tier one: has ten or fewer employees or $1 million or less in gross receipts per1723 year;1724 (B) Tier two: has 100 or fewer employees or $10 million or less in gross receipts per1725 year; or1726 (C) Tier three: has 300 or fewer employees or $30 million or less in gross receipts per1727 year."1728 SECTION 4.1729 Code Section 43-24A-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to licensure of1730 massage therapists, application, and requirements, is amended by revising paragraph (6) of1731 subsection (b) as follows:1732 "(6) The applicant has completed successfully a board recognize d massage therapy1733 educational program consisting of a minimum of 500 600 hours of course and clinical1734 work;"1735 SECTION 5.1736 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.1737 - 67 -