STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 283	By:	Marlatt

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to mechanical licenses; amending 59 O.S. 2001, Section 1850.8, as last amended by Section 12, Chapter 4, O.S.L. 2008 (59 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 1850.8), which relates to journeyman qualifications; providing for tradesman license; amending 59 O.S. 2001, Section 1850.9, which relates to apprentice registration; authorizing application for tradesman, limited license and journeyman license after certain time period; directing Construction Industries Board to develop criteria for examination and evaluation of skill for certain license; requiring separate examination and qualification for specific areas of mechanical work; directing issuance of license upon successful completion of certain process; construing completion of journeyman examination and qualification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2001, Section 1850.8, as last amended by Section 12, Chapter 4, O.S.L. 2008 (59 O.S. Supp. 2010, Section 1850.8), is amended to read as follows:
Section 1850.8  A.  The Construction Industries Board shall issue a license as a mechanical tradesman, mechanical journeyman or mechanical contractor to any person who:
1.  Has been certified by the Committee of Mechanical Examiners as having successfully passed the appropriate examination; and
2.  Has paid the license fee and has otherwise complied with the provisions of the Mechanical Licensing Act.  The license fees shall be established by rule by the Board pursuant to Section 1000.5 of this title.
B.  All licenses shall be nontransferable.  No license shall be issued for longer than one (1) year and all licenses shall expire on the last day in the birth month of the licensee.  Licenses renewed more than thirty (30) days following the date of expiration may only be renewed upon application and payment of the required fees and payment of any penalty for late renewal, as shall be established by the Board.  No mechanical tradesman, journeyman or contractor license shall be renewed unless the licensee has completed the required hours of continuing education as determined by the Committee.  Persons who are licensed as contractors under the Mechanical Licensing Act may have their license placed on inactive status by paying the annual renewal fee and eliminating the bonding and insurance requirements.  No late fee shall be charged to renew a license which expired while the applicant was in military service, if application is made within one (1) year of discharge from the military service.
C.  The Board is authorized to establish and issue, subject to the provisions of the Mechanical Licensing Act, tradesman or limited licenses in each area of mechanical work based on the experience, ability, examination scores and the education of the applicant.  The tradesman or limited licenses shall authorize the licensee to engage in only those activities and within the limits specified in the license.
SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2001, Section 1850.9, is amended to read as follows:
Section 1850.9  A.  The Construction Industries Board, upon proper application and payment of an apprentice registration fee, shall register as a mechanical apprentice and issue a certificate of such registration to any person who furnishes satisfactory proof to the Board that the applicant is:
1.  Sixteen (16) years of age or older; and
2.  Enrolled in a school or training course for mechanical apprentices recognized by the Board or has arranged for employment as a mechanical apprentice with a licensed mechanical contractor.
B.  Apprentice registration certificates shall expire one (1) year after date of registration, at which time the apprentice may reregister as an apprentice and receive, upon payment of the apprentice registration renewal fee, a renewal certificate.
C.  An apprentice registration certificate holder may, any time after one (1) year of full-time employment as a mechanical apprentice, apply for a tradesman or limited license or journeyman license as provided in the Mechanical Licensing Act.  The Construction Industries Board shall develop criteria for examination and evaluation of the qualifications, experience and skill of an applicant desiring a tradesman or limited license following a one-year term as an apprentice.  The examination and qualification process shall be available to the applicant separately for each specialized area of mechanical work.  Upon successful completion of the tradesman or limited license examination and qualifications in a specific area of mechanical work, and payment of the required fees, the person shall be issued a tradesman or limited license for that area of work and shall, upon licensure, be qualified to practice mechanical work in that area of expertise stated on the license as approved by the Board.  Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, any person successfully completing the journeyman examination, qualifications and paying the required fees shall be issued a journeyman license without limitation.
SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2011.

53-1-1244	NP	1/14/2011 2:31:35 PM