§ 5-20-35. Persons and acts exempt — Issuance of licenses in special cases.
(a) The provisions of this chapter do not apply to the installation of automatic sprinkler
systems or other fire protection appliances in this state and do not apply to employees
of public utilities (publicly or privately owned); provided, that any resident of
Rhode Island not licensed, as provided in this chapter, desiring a license as a master
plumber or journeyperson plumber who on or before August 14, 1966, presents to the
department of labor and training of the state reasonably satisfactory evidence, in
writing, that he or she was actively engaged in the business of plumbing as a master
plumber or working as a journeyperson plumber for a master plumber in any city or
town for five (5) years prior to May 16, 1966, and that he or she is at the time of
presenting that evidence to the department of labor and training operating in any
city or town as a master plumber or working as journeyperson plumber, shall, upon
payment of a fee of five dollars ($5.00) in the case of a master plumber or one dollar
($1.00) in the case of a journeyperson plumber, have issued to him or her by the department
of labor and training a certificate of license as a master plumber or a journeyperson
plumber without an additional application, fee, or other condition precedent. Farms,
golf courses, and nurseries performing irrigation work on their premises only shall
not be required to be licensed under the chapter.
(b) Solar thermal professional. A renewable energy professional certificate (REPC) shall be issued to any person,
firm, or corporation, qualified under this chapter, engaged in, or about to engage
in, the business of installing solar thermal technologies. Solar thermal plumbing
or mechanical work must be performed by persons, firms, or corporations properly licensed
under this chapter or chapter 27 of title 28. REPC holders may advertise and bid for solar thermal work provided that they contract
with persons, firms, or corporations who or that are properly licensed under this
chapter or chapter 27 of title 28 to perform all related plumbing or mechanical work. The REPC shall specify the name
of the person, firm, or corporation applying for it and the name of the person, who,
in the case of a firm, is one of its members, and in the case of a corporation, is
one of its officers, passing the examination by which he or she is authorized to enter
upon or engage in business as prescribed in the certificate.
(c) Solar thermal professional's certificate. The Rhode Island department of labor and training shall issue a certificate of competency
in the design and installation of solar thermal systems to any person, firm, or corporation
who or that has received a certification from a nationally recognized, or equivalent,
renewable energy certification training program and has demonstrated proof of such
certification to the Rhode Island office of energy resources.
(d) Nothing in this or any other chapter of the general laws shall prohibit municipalities
or water districts from using employees, or engaging the services of licensed plumbers
or other contractors and/or service providers that meet certain requirements determined
by the municipality or water district, for the purpose of replacing water meters or
meter reading devices.