1303.04 EXAMINATION; FEES.

   (a)   Master and Journeyman Plumbers. Any person desiring to engage in or work at the trade or occupation of plumbing or to perform any of the work comprehended in this chapter either as master plumber or journeyman plumber shall make application in writing to the Board of Examiners, hereinafter provided for, on a printed form to be furnished by the Board of Health. Such person shall, at such time and place as the Board may designate, undergo such examination as the Board of Examiners may direct as to that person's qualifications and competency to do such work.

   (b)   Apprentice Plumber. An apprentice plumber may work at the trade and occupation of plumbing under the direction and supervision of a certified master plumber or journeyman plumber after the apprentice's name and address and that person's employer's name and address are first filed with the Board of Health and the Board of Health is paid a nonrefundable registration fee of eighteen dollars ($18.00) (thirty dollars ($30.00) effective January 1, 1993), for a three-year period. Only one apprentice plumber shall be employed with one master or journeyman plumber.

   (c)   Examination Fees. Every applicant for examination as a master plumber shall pay a nonrefundable examination fee of sixty dollars ($60.00) (seventy dollars ($70.00) effective January 1, 1993), and every applicant for examination as a journeyman, a nonrefundable examination fee of six dollars ($6.00) (thirty-five dollars ($35.00) effective January 1, 1993) before qualifying to undergo such examination. No part of such fee shall be refunded on account of failure of the applicant to qualify for such a certificate.

   (d)   Reexamination. Any applicant who fails to pass an examination shall be ineligible for reexamination for a period of thirty days. An applicant who fails to pass a second examination shall be ineligible for reexamination for a period of twelve months.

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.05 CERTIFICATE; FEES.

   (a)   After an applicant for a certificate of competency has passed such examination, the Board of Examiners shall so certify (and whether as master plumber or journeyman plumber) to the Board of Health. Upon the payment by the applicant to the Board of Health of the fee hereinafter prescribed, such Board shall issue to the applicant a certificate of competency authorizing the person named thereon to engage in, work at or follow the trade or occupation of master plumber or journeyman plumber in the City in the capacity specified in such certificate.

   (b)   Master plumbers shall pay an original certificate fee of one hundred fifteen dollars ($115.00) (one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) effective January 1, 1993) and shall thereafter annually pay a renewal fee of ninety dollars ($90.00) (one hundred dollars ($100.00) effective January 1, 1993).

   (c)   Journeyman plumbers shall pay an original certificate fee of thirty-five dollars ($35.00) (fifty dollars ($50.00) effective January 1, 1993) and shall thereafter annually pay a renewal fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) (thirty-five dollars ($35.00) effective January 1, 1993).

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.06 RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATES.

   (a)   A certificate of competency shall expire December 31 of each year and shall be subject to renewal on or before that date. Persons failing to renew such certificate of competency, as required above, shall be considered as a new applicant subject to the requirements of obtaining an original certificate of competency.

   (b)   A person who, at the effective date of this section, holds an unrevoked and unexpired plumber's certificate issued to him by the Board of Health shall be deemed a master plumber or journeyman, as the case may be as provided herein, and shall be entitled to continue with such certificate under this chapter as a master plumber or journeyman plumber until December 31 next following the effective date of this chapter, at which time the holder of a certificate of competency based upon an examination may secure a certificate of competency as a master or journeyman plumber upon application therefor being made to the Board of Examiners anytime prior to December 31 next following, and the payment of a fee as provided in this chapter for annual renewal fees of a master or journeyman plumber.

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.07 BOARD OF EXAMINERS.

   (a)   Members. There is hereby created and established a board to be known and designated as the Board of Plumbing Examiners. This Board shall consist of four persons appointed by the Board of Health of whom one shall be a master or employing plumber of not less than ten years experience in the business of plumbing, one journeyman plumber of like experience, the Health Commissioner and the Plumbing Inspector, ex officio.

   (b)   Terms of Office and Qualifications. The term of office of each member shall be two years and they shall serve without compensation.

   (c)   Powers; Duties; Organization.

      (1)   The Board of Examiners shall meet and organize by the selection of a chairman. They shall prepare rules for conducting examinations and designate the time and place for the examination of applicants for certificates of competency.

      (2)   A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and it shall require a concurrence of a majority of all members to approve or disapprove of the competency of the applicant.

      (3)   The Board shall examine applicants for master plumber's certificate as to their practical and theoretical knowledge of plumbing, house drainage, laws, rules and regulations in relation to plumbing, also as to their ability to lay out plumbing work.

      (4)   All applicants for journeyman's certificates shall be examined by the Board as to their knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations and also their practical knowledge of, and their mechanical competency in the performance of plumbing work.

      (5)   Such examination may be made in whole or in part in writing.

         (Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.08 BOND.

   Any person desiring to engage in or perform any of the work comprehended in this chapter as master plumber shall furnish, after they have successfully passed the examination hereinabove provided for and before the issuance of the certificate herein provided for, a bond to the approval of the Board of Health and the City Law Director of the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) (five thousand dollars ($5,000) effective January 1, 1993), conditioned to reimburse the City for all actual damage caused by any act or omission by the master plumber to any property which the City may own or for which it may be responsible, and to hold the City free and harmless from all claims for damages on account of negligence or misfeasance of the plumber and from all cost and expense growing out of the defense of such claims. The bond shall be in force from the date of its acceptance and the issuance of certificate by the Board of Health to the end of the period covered by the certificate and shall be renewed on the reissue of the certificate.

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.09 TRANSFER OR REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE.

   (a)   Transfer of Certificate. No person having procured a certificate under this chapter shall permit or allow the use of that person's name or certificate by any other person, for the purpose of obtaining a permit to do plumbing.

   (b)   Revocation of Certificate. Certificates of competency may be revoked by the Board of Health on recommendation of the Board of Examiners on account of violations of the provisions of this chapter, or the rules and regulations of the Board of Health.

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)

1303.10 OWNER'S CONSTITUTIONAL PRIVILEGE.

   Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any bona fide owner from installing plumbing in his or its own building provided that:

   (a)   Plans and specifications are filed with and approved by the Plumbing Inspector.

   (b)   The owner applies for and secures the necessary permit.

   (c)   The owner pays the necessary fees.

   (d)   The work is installed in accordance with these rules and regulations.

   (e)   The owner applies for inspection of his work.

   (f)   The owner receives the approval of the Inspector of his work.

   (g)   This privilege does not extend to an owner having in his or its employ one whose regular duties consist of plumbing.

   Personal installation by an owner shall be by and for that owner and in the owner's building and without compensation or pay from any other person for such labor or installation. The owner exercising this privilege shall conform to all requirements of the Plumbing Code, and the owner shall not be set up as a master plumber nor employ journeyman plumbers.

(Ord. 92-139. Passed 7-7-92.)