(a) In this section, “licensed master plumber” means an individual who holds:
(1) a master plumber license or a limited master plumber license issued by the Board;
(2) a master plumber license issued by the Baltimore County Plumbing Board;
(3) a master plumber license issued by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; or
(4) a master plumber license issued by another state, if the individual became licensed in that state after passing an examination that is equivalent to the examination for a master plumber license given in this State.
(b) To qualify for a license, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.
(c) (1) An applicant for a journey plumber license:
(i) 1. shall have held, for a period of at least 4 years, an apprentice plumber license or a license of equal stature, as determined by the Board, that is issued by another state; and
2. during that period, shall have completed at least 7,500 hours of training in providing plumbing services under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber; and
(ii) shall have completed at least 32 hours of training in the testing of backflow prevention devices, in a manner approved by the Board.
(2) The Board may allow the applicant to apply up to 1,500 hours of accredited, approved school study toward the experience requirement of paragraph (1)(i)2 of this subsection.
(d) An applicant for a master plumber license:
(1) shall have completed at least 3,750 hours of training in providing plumbing services as a journey plumber licensed in this State or another state and under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber;
(2) (i) if an applicant resides in this State, shall have a journey plumber license for at least 2 years; or
(ii) shall have been licensed in another state as a journey plumber after:
1. completing at least 7,500 hours of training in providing plumbing services under the direction and control of a licensed master plumber; and
2. passing a written examination that is equivalent to the examination for a journey plumber license given in this State; and
(3) shall have completed at least 32 hours of training in the testing of backflow prevention devices, in a manner approved by the Board.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, an applicant for a master plumber license or a journey plumber license shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.
(f) An applicant for a propane gas fitter certificate shall:
(1) hold a current certification of completion of the National Propane Gas Association Certified Training Program for Distribution Systems Operations;
(2) hold a gas fitters license from a county or municipal corporation authorizing the individual to provide propane gas services under a licensing program that is in existence prior to July 1, 1995 and that is acceptable to the Board; or
(3) otherwise demonstrate qualifications that are satisfactory to the Board and that are at least equivalent to the qualifications required by the National Propane Gas Association Certified Training Program for Distribution Systems Operations.
(g) (1) An applicant for a journeyman natural gas fitters license:
(i) shall have acquired 3,750 working hours as an apprentice natural gas fitter over a period of at least 2 years; and
(ii) shall have demonstrated successful completion of a training course approved by the Board relating to natural gas services.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, an applicant for a journeyman natural gas fitters license shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.
(h) An applicant for a master natural gas fitters license shall:
(1) hold a gas fitters license from a county or municipal corporation authorizing the individual to provide natural gas services under a licensing program that is in existence prior to July 1, 1999, is acceptable to the Board, and at a minimum requires:
(i) successful completion of the licensing examination with a passing score of no less than 70; and
(ii) 2 years of work experience as a journeyman natural gas fitter under the direction of a:
1. licensed master plumber; or
2. licensed master gas fitter;
(2) apply to the Board for a master natural gas fitters license before October 1, 2002 and provide proof that:
(i) the applicant has completed a natural gas certification program offered by a third party that:
1. was in existence prior to July 1, 1999;
2. is approved by the Board; and
3. provides theoretical and practical training relating to natural gas services; and
(ii) the applicant has acquired 4 years of work experience in providing natural gas services; or
(3) pass a written examination given by the Board and meet any other requirements specified by the Board, and at a minimum requires:
(i) proof of a current master or master restricted heating license in good standing issued by the State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors that is deemed acceptable by the Board; and
(ii) 2 years of work experience as a journeyman natural gas fitter under the direction of a:
1. licensed master plumber;
2. licensed master gas fitter; or
3. holder of a master or master restricted heating license in good standing issued by the State Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors, who demonstrates qualification as a natural gas fitter that is deemed acceptable by the Board.