| (1) Any individual who is currently licensed as a master
or journeyman plumber by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
or who is currently licensed with a Class A or B Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration Contractors License issued by the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation, may register with AFS and be granted
an exemption to the service and installation technician employee-level
examination requirements, provided the applicant:
(A) holds an active license in compliance with Texas
Occupations Code, §1302.260, relating to Issuance and Term of
License, and §1301.351, relating to License, Endorsement, or
Registration Required;
(B) submits a completed CNG Form 1016B;
(C) submits the required $30 original filing fee, except
as described in paragraph (8) of this subsection;
(D) submits a legible copy of a current Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration Contractors License or Master/Journeyman Plumbers
certificate; and
(E) submits a legible copy of a current picture state-issued
identification card or driver's license.
(2) This exemption does not become effective until
the examination exemption card is issued by AFS.
(3) The examination exemption accrues to the individual
and is nontransferable. An exemption does not allow other individuals
to perform CNG related activities under the supervision of the registered
individual. Each individual performing CNG related activities must
be registered or certified by examination in accordance with subsection
(a) of this section.
(4) Any individual granted such exemption shall maintain
registered status at all times. Upon failure to maintain registered
status, the individual shall immediately cease all affected CNG activities
until proper status has been regained.
(5) In order to maintain an exemption, each individual
issued an examination exemption card must maintain a valid master
or journeyman plumbers license or Class A or B Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration Contractors license. Each individual shall also pay
a $20 annual renewal fee to AFS on or before May 31 of each year.
Failure to pay the annual renewal fee by May 31 shall result in a
lapsed exemption. If an individual's exemption lapses, that individual
shall cease all CNG activities until the exemption has been renewed.
To renew a lapsed exemption, the individual shall pay the $20 annual
renewal fee plus a $20 late‑filing fee. Failure to do so shall
result in the expiration of the examination exemption. If the individual's
examination exemption has been expired for more than two years, the
individual shall complete all requirements necessary to apply for
a new exemption.
(6) Individuals issued an exemption must maintain a
valid master or journeyman plumbers license or ACR Contractors license
to renew their Commission registration.
(7) Any individual who is issued an exemption under
this subsection agrees to comply with the current edition of the rules
in this chapter. In the event the exempt individual surrenders, fails
to renew, or has the license revoked either by the Texas State Board
of Plumbing Examiners or Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation,
that individual shall immediately cease performing any CNG activity
granted by this section.
(8) A military service member, military veteran, or
military spouse shall be exempt from the original registration fee
pursuant to the requirements in §13.76 of this title. An individual
who receives a military fee exemption is not exempt from renewal fees
specified in subsection (h) of this section.
(h) Requirements for certificate holder renewal.
(1) In order to maintain active status, certificate
holders shall renew their certificate or exemption annually as specified
in this subsection.
(2) AFS shall notify licensees of any of their employees'
pending renewal deadlines and shall notify the individual, if not
employed by a licensee, in writing, at the address on file with AFS,
no later than March 15 of a year for the May 31 renewal date of that
year.
(3) Certificate holders shall pay the nonrefundable
$25 annual certificate renewal fee to AFS on or before May 31 of each
year. Individuals who hold more than one certificate shall pay only
one annual renewal fee.
(A) Failure to pay the nonrefundable annual renewal
fee by the deadline shall result in a lapsed certificate.
(i) To renew a lapsed certificate, the individual shall
pay the nonrefundable $25 annual renewal fee plus a nonrefundable
$20 late-filing fee. Failure to do so shall result in the expiration
of the certificate.
(ii) If an individual's certificate lapses or expires,
that individual shall immediately cease performance of any CNG activities
authorized by the certificate.
(iii) If an individual's certificate has been expired
for more than two years from May 31 of the year in which the certificate
lapsed, that individual shall comply with the requirements of subsection
(a) of this section.
(B) Upon receipt of the annual renewal fee and late
filing fee, AFS shall verify that all applicable requirements have
been met. After verification, AFS shall renew the certificate and
send a copy of the certificate, and the individual may continue or
resume CNG activities authorized by that certificate.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §13.70 adopted to be effective November 15, 1990, 15 TexReg 5941; amended to be effective October 15, 1993, 18 TexReg 6457; amended to be effective August 30, 1999, 24 TexReg 6733; amended to be effective October 22, 2001, 26 TexReg 8342; amended to be effective June 9, 2003, 28 TexReg 4416; amended to be effective June 5, 2006, 31 TexReg 4604; amended to be effective October 29, 2007, 32 TexReg 7677; amended to be effective February 1, 2008, 33 TexReg 141; amended to be effective December 24, 2012, 37 TexReg 9917; amended to be effective January4,2016, 41 TexReg 239; amended to be effective February 15, 2021, 46 TexReg 1035; amended to be effective February 7, 2023, 48 TexReg 507 |
