260-RICR-30-15-9
260-RICR-30-15-9. Licensing of Plumbers, Irrigators and Water System Installers (version Adoption, 01/06/2002 to 09/11/2002)
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RULES AND REGULATIONS
FOR THE
LICENSING OF PLUMBERS
(RIGL 5-20)
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Department of Labor & Training
Division of Professional Regulation
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INTRODUCTION
These amended Rules and Regulations For The Licensure Of Plumbers (RIGL 5-20) are
promulgated pursuant to the authority conferred under Chapter 5-20 of the General Laws of Rhode
Island, as amended, and are established for the purpose of adopting minimum requirements for the
licensure of plumbers in this state.
In accordance with the provisions of section 42-35-3I of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as
amended, consideration was given to: (1) alternative approaches to the regulations; (2) duplication or
overlap with other state regulations; and (3) any significant economic impact on small business as
defined in Chapter 42-35 of the General Laws. Based on the available information, no known
alternative approach or duplication or overlap were identified, nor any significant economic impact.
These amended rules and regulations shall supersede all previous rules and regulations for the
licensing of plumbers promulgated by the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training and filed with
the Rhode Island Secretary of State.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I DEFINITIONS
Page
1.0 Definitions
4
PART II
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
2.0
General Requirements
5
3.0
Qualifications For Licensure
5
4.0
Application for licensure and fee
8
5.0
Application Fees
9
6.0
Examination
9
7.0
Issuance and renewal of license / registration
10
8.0
Posting licenses in place of business
10
PART III
VIOLATIONS / SANCTIONS / SEVERABILITY
9.0
Violations/Sanctions
11
10.0
Practices and Procedures
11
11.0
Severability
11
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PART I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.0
Definitions
Wherever used in these rules and regulations, the terms listed below shall be construed in the following manner:
1.1
"Accredited Program" means a training program approved by the Office of Higher Education, or the Division of
Vocational and Adult Education of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the State Board
of Plumbing Examiners.
1.2
"Act" refers to Chapter 5-20 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, entitled "Plumbers."
1.3
"Apprentice plumber". as used herein, means and shall include any employee whose principal occupation is
service with a master plumber with a view to learning the art or trade of maintenance, installation, or repair of
plumbing.
1.4
"Board" refers to the State Board of Plumbing Examiners established pursuant to the provisions of section 5-20-6
of the Act.
1.5
"Continuously engaged in the supervision", means supervision that is provided by a master or journeyperson
plumber that involves monitoring at the job site throughout the duration of the plumbing work being performed.
1.6
"Department" refers to the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.
1.7
"Director" refers to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.
1.8
"Division " refers to the Division of Professional Regulation of the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training.
1.9
"Journeyperson plumber” said herein, means and shall include any employee except an apprentice plumber or a
master plumber, as herein defined, whose principal occupation is the installation, maintenance or repair of
plumbing.”
1.10
Master plumber” as used herein, means and shall include:
a.
any person who as an independent contractor engages in this state in the business of installation,
maintenance or repair of plumbing in the building or upon premises that plumbing is or is to be located,
either by contract or agreement with the owner, lessee, tenant or agent of those premises or building;
b.
any person who employs one or more journeymen plumbers, one or more plumber's apprentices or other
persons to assist in that installation, maintenance, or repair work; or
c.
any person who performs any acts specified herein for performance by a “master plumber.”
1.11
Plumbing”.. as used herein, means and shall include:
a.
All fittings, fixtures, appliances and connections, connecting buildings or premises where a person or
persons, live, work or assemble, with the source of public or private water supply used or intended for
domestic or personal use.
b.
All piping, fittings, fixtures, and appliances for a sanitary drainage and related, ventilation system, direct or
indirect, within that building.
c.
Air piping, medical and laboratory gas systems, including but not limited to, oxygen and nitrous oxide.
1. 12
“Source of private water supply” shall be deemed and construed to mean the water connection located at the
mean water level.
1. 13
“Source of public water supply” shall be deemed and construed to mean the water connection located at the curb
line of any actual or platted public highway.
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PART 11
LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS RIGL 5-20
Section 2.0 General Requirements
2.1
Pursuant to section 5-20-8 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended, no person shall engage in this state in
the business of plumbing, employ a journeyperson plumber or plumber’s apprentice, enter into contracts or
agreements for the installation, maintenance or repair of plumbing, perform any of the acts specified in the Act for
performance by a master plumber, or shall advertise or represent in any form or manner that he or she is a master
plumber or that he or she will install plumbing unless such a person possesses a certificate of license in
accordance with the provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations herein.
2.2
Furthermore, any individual licensed as a master plumber, journeyperson, or registered as an apprentice plumber
shall carry his or her license or registration certificate at all times on his or her person while engaged in plumbing
activities and shall affix his or her plumber’s license number to any contract he or she executes or any bid filed
with any person for their professional services and to any applicable permit required for the performance of those
services.
2.3 Nothing in the Act or the regulations herein shall prohibit any city or town from granting a license to any person as a
drainlayer to engage in the laying of drains outside buildings, making connections with the public sewers, private
drains and cesspools: provided that the holder of a certificate or license issued hereunder shall not be required by
any city or town to obtain any other license for the installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing or the laying of
drains. Also,
2.4
Persons licensed as master plumbers pursuant to the provisions herein shall not be required to obtain an
installer’s license as required by Chapter 5-56 of the Rhode Island General Laws, as amended; provided however,
master plumbers shall be required to comply with the performance and conduct requirements of section 5-56-7 of
the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended.
2.5
No corporation, firm, association or partnership shall engage in business as a master plumber or represent itself
as a plumbing contractor unless a licensed master plumber shall be continuously engaged in the supervision of its
plumbing installation, maintenance and repair work and provided further that said master plumber is a partner or
an officer in the firm or corporation pursuant to section 5-20-12 of the Act.
2.6
Supervision: Apprentice plumbers shall be under the direct supervision of a licensed journeyperson and/or master
plumber; that is, the licensed journeyperson and/or master plumber must be on the premises with the apprentice
plumber. The number of apprentice plumbers which a licensed journeyperson and/or master plumber may
supervise shall be based on the size and workload of the shop; that is the corporation, the firm, or partnership. In
no case, however, shall a licensed joureyperson and/or master plumber supervise more than one (1) apprentice
plumber on a given job.
2.7
No Licensee shall engage in business under any other name than that stated on his,her license.
Section 3.0 Qualifications for Licensure
3.1
Master Plumbers
An applicant seeking licensure to practice as a master plumber must:
a.
Have completed one (1) year of experience as a licensed journeyperson, employed by a master plumber
licensed in this state;
b.
have satisfactorily passed a written examination approved by the Director.
c.
meet such other requirements as set forth by regulations or as may be established by the Board.
3.2
Journeyperson Plumbers
An applicant seeking licensure to practice as a journeyperson plumber must:
a.
Have held a Rhode Island certificate of registration as an apprentice plumber for the appropriate number
of years in accordance with section below
b. Have completed the required education, training and experience as follows:
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3.3 For those applicants registering as an apprentice on and after January 1, 1999:
Either:
a.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in
the state of Rhode Island and have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice
plumber in the state of Rhode Island for eight thousand (8,000) hours of on the job training during
a five (5) year period, and in accordance with the requirements herein; and
b.
Have successfully completed five hundred seventy-six (576) hours of related instruct ion at a
training program recognized by the Department 0f Labor & Training;
c.
Have been registered as a student in a recognized college, university or trade school and have
successfully completed a course of study in plumbing or sanitary engineering requiring at least
two (2) academic years or be the recipient of an associate degree in either plumbing or sanitary
engineering, and have thereafter been registered in this state as an apprentice plumber and
employed as a registered apprentice plumber by a duly licensed master plumber in this state for a
period of at least two (2) years;
3.4
For those applicants registering as an apprentice on and after Jan. 1, 1998 but before Jan. 1, 1999:
Either:
a.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in
the state of Rhode Island and have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice
plumber in the state of Rhode Island for eight thousand (8,000) hours of on the job training during
a five (5) year period, and in accordance with the requirements herein; and
b.
Have successfully completed three hundred (300) hours of related instruction as set forth in
Appendix I at a training program accredited by the Department 0f Labor & Training; Or:
c.
Have been registered as a student in a recognized college university or trade school and have
successfully completed a course of study in plumbing or sanitary engineering requiring at least
two (2) academic years or be the recipient of an associate degree in either plumbing or sanitary
engineering, and have thereafter been registered in this state as an apprentice plumber and
employed as a registered apprentice plumber by a duly licensed master plumber in this state for a
period of at least two (2) years;
3.5
For those applicants registered as an apprentice on and after July 1, 1989 but before January 1, 1998:
Either:
a.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in the State
of Rhode Island and
b.
have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice plumber in the State of Rhode Island
during four (4) years of apprenticeship, and in accordance with the requirements herein; and
c.
Have successfully completed one hundred forty-four (144) hours per year throughout the four (4) year
apprenticeship related instruction at an accredited training program;
Or:
e.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in the state
of Rhode Island and have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice plumber in the state
of Rhode Island for eight thousand (8,000) hours of on the job training during a five (5) year period, and in
accordance with the requirements herein; and
f.
have successfully completed three hundred (300) hours of related instruction as set forth in Appendix I at
a training program accredited by the Department 0f Labor & Training;
Or:
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g.
Have been registered as a student in a recognized college, university or trade school and have
successfully completed a course of study in plumbing or sanitary engineering requiring at least two (2)
academic years or be the recipient of an associate degree in either plumbing or sanitary engineering, and
h.
have thereafter been registered in this state as an apprentice plumber and employed as a registered
apprentice plumber by a duly licensed master plumber in this state for a period of at least two (2) years;
3.6
For those applicants registered as an apprentice on and after June 3, 198
but before July 1, 1989:
Either:
a.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in the State
of Rhode Island and have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice plumber in the State
of Rhode Island during four (4) years of apprenticeship, and in accordance with the requirements herein;
and
b.
have successfully completed three hundred (300) hours of related instruction as set forth in Appendix I at
a training prograrn accredited by the Department 0f Labor & Training;
Or:
c.
Have been registered as a student in a recognized college, university or trade school and have
successfully completed a course of study in plumbing or sanitary engineering requiring at least two (2)
acadernic years or be the recipient of an associate degree in either plumbing or sanitary engineering, and
have thereafter been registered in this state as an apprentice plumber and employed as a registered
apprentice plumber by a duly licensed master plumber in this state for a period of at least two (2) years;
3.7
For those applicants registered as an apprentice before June 3, 1986:
Either:
a.
Have been employed by a master plumber(s) (licensed in this state) as an apprentice plumber in the state
of Rhode Island and
b.
have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice plumber in the state of Rhode Island
during four (4) years of apprenticeship, and in accordance with the requirements herein;
Or:
c.
Have been registered as a student in a recognized college, university or trade school and have
successfully completed a course of study in plumbing or sanitary engineering requiring at least two (2)
academic years or be the recipient of an associate degree in either plumbing or sanitary engineering, and
d.
have thereafter been registered in this state as an apprentice plumber and employed as a registered
apprentice plumber by a duly licensed master plumber in this state for a period of at least two (2) years.
e.
There is no requirement to submit supportive certified transcripts of successful completion of related
instruction at an accredited training program.
f.
The records of the hours of on-the-job training and the hours of related instruction should be maintained in
a mutually responsible manner, through a joint effort on the part of the master plumber and the apprentice.
And:
Meet such other requirements as set forth by regulation or as may be established by the Board.
Plumbing apprentice educationl hours & on the job training breakdown
Plumbing Apprenticeship Dates
Total Educational Hours
Total OJT *
6/3/1986 thru 6/30/1989
300
8000
7/1/1989 thru 12/31/1997
300
8000
1/1/1998 thru 12/31/1998
300
8000
1/1/1999 thru Present
576
8000
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* On the job training is a registered plumbing apprentice performing work under a registered master plumber for
approximately 4 years of employment in which they work approximately 2000 hours each year.
Section 4.0 Application for Licensure and Fee
4.1
Application for licensure/registration shall be made on forms provided by the Division which shall be completed,
notarized and submitted to the Department. For licensure as a master plumber or a journeyperson, such
application and supporting materials shall be submitted not less than 15 days prior to the scheduled date of
examination. Such application shall be accompanied by the following documents:
4.2
For Apprentice Plumber:
a.
Completion of application form provided by the Division, signed by the master plumber employer(s) and
accompanied by a statement from the master plumber attesting that the number of students under his
supervision meets the requirements;
b.
proof of US citizenship or legal residency:
c.
for US citizen applicants: a certified or notarized copy of his or her birth certificate, or if a naturalized
citizen, proof of naturalization;
d.
non-citizen applicants: proof of lawful eligibility for employment in the United States;
e.
a recent identification photograph of the applicant (head and shoulder front view) approximately 2 x 3
inches in size;
f.
the fee as required;
g.
a copy of a current apprenticeship card from the state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure,
to be submitted to the Board of this state attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time
period applicants held licensure in said state.
4.3
For Journeyperson Plumber:
Completion of application form provided by the Division and accompanied by the following documents:
a.
proof of US citizenship or legal residency:
b.
for US citizen applicants: a certified or notarized copy of his or her birth certificate, or if a naturalized
citizen, proof of naturalization;
c.
for non-citizen applicants: proof of lawful eligibility for employment in the United States;
d.
a recent identification photograph of the applicant (head and shoulder front view) approximately 2 x 3
inches in size;
e.
a chronological resume of experience from the time of completion of academic requirements and/or
registration as an apprentice plumber;
f.
the fee as required;
g.
A copy of lisensure in each state in which the applicant has held or holds licensure, to be submitted to the
Board of this state attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period applicants held
licensure in said state.
h.
Evidence of education, training and experience as required, including:
Either:
i.
An affidavit(s) from the applicant’s employer(s) or former employer(s) or other evidence satisfactory to the
Board, showing the applicant to have been actually engaged in plumbing work as an apprentice plumber
in the state of Rhode Island in accordance with the requirements herein; and
j.
Supportive certified transcripts of successful completion of related instruction in accordance with the
requirements herein at a training -program recognized and/or accredited by the Department 0f Labor &
Training, signed by the dean and/or principal of the education facility and/or institution and bearing the
imprint of the education facility and/or institution;
k.
Exemption: For those applicants registering as an apprentice before June 3, 1986, there is no requirement
to submit supportive certified transcripts - of successful completion of related instruction at an accredited
training program.
Or:
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l.
Supporting certified transcripts of education credentials as required herein, and signed by the dean or
registrar of the educational institution. Such documents must consist of original statements or photocopies
bearing the signature of the dean or registrar and the imprint of the school, and
m.
Satisfactory evidence of successful completion of two (2) years as apprentice plumber as required herein.
4.4
For Master Plumber:
Completion of application form provided by the Division and accompanied by the following as required herein:
a.
the fee as required herein;
b.
Supporting documentation of successful completion of requirements for licensure as journeyperson in
accordance herein and supporting affidavit(s) certifying that the applicant was employed by a master
plumber licensed in Rhode Island for one (1) year as a journeyperson licensed in this state.
c.
A statement from the Board of Plumbing Examiners in each state in which the applicant has held or holds
licensure, to be submitted to the Board of this state attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during
the time period applicants held licensure in said state.
5.0
Application Fees
5.1
Such application shall also be accompanied by the appropriate application fee (non-refundable and
non-returnable) made payable to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island.
Other Requirements;
5.2
The Board at its discretion reserves the right to require any or all applicants to appear before the Board for an
intervicw.
5.3
The Board at its discretion reserves the right to require any such other information as may be deemed necessary
and appropriate by the Board.
6.0
Examination
6.1
Examination
Applicants shall be required to pass such examination as the Board deems necessary to test the applicant's
knowledge and skills to engage in this state in the practice of plumbing either as a master plumber or a
journeyperson pursuant to the statutory and regulatory provisions herein.
a.
For written examinations, the Board requires applicants to successfully pass such examination for master
plumber or journeyperson as approved by the Board.
b.
The Board shall determine the passing score of each written examination administered.
c.
Confidential identification numbers shall be assigned to each applicant by the Administrator of the Division
and the names shall not be made known to the Board until the scores have been recorded.
d.
Examinations shall be given at least three (3) times a year at such time and place as designated by the
Director.
Re-examination
a.
In case of failure of any applicant to satisfactorily pass an examination, such applicant shall be entitled to
take further examination upon payment for each examination of the prescribed fee.
b.
Any applicant who has failed to qualify may, within thirty (30) days after notification of failure, appeal to the
Board in writing requesting a review of the decision to the. Administrator of the Division. A further appeal
may then be taken pursuant to section 5-20-22 of the Act.
Out-Of-State Licensed Plumbers
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A master plumber or a journeyperson plumber duly licensed by examination in a state(s) other than Rhode Island, may be
issued a license in this state provided that the requirements are the same as this state specifying that person as a
journeyperson plumber. Provided, further that:
a.
the applicant submits a copy of his or her current license;
b.
the Board of Plumbing in each state in which the applicant holds or has held licensure submits to the
Board of this State a statement attesting to the licensure status of the applicant during the time period the
applicant held licensure in said state(s);
c
the applicant submits affidavits of having successfully passed a written examination for licensure in the
state in which he or she holds current licensure and that such examination was for the classification for
which the applicant is seeking licensure in this state; and
d.
the applicant has successfully passed in this state a written examination approved by the Board in the
classification for which the applicant is seeking licensure.
Section 7.0 Issuance and Renewal of License / Registration
7.1
Upon completion of the aforementioned requirements, the Director may issue a license to those applicants found
to have satisfactorily met all the requirements herein. Said license unless sooner suspended or revoked shall
expire annually on the last day of the applicants birth month following the date of issuance.
7.2
On or before the, last day of the applicants birth month in each year, the Administrator of the Division shall mail an
application for renewal of license to every person to whom a license has been issued or renewed during the
current year. Every person licensed who intends to engage in plumbing as a master plumber or journeyperson
during the ensuing year shall file a renewal application duly executed together with the renewal fee made payable
to the General Treasurer, state of Rhode Island on or before the last day of the applicants birth month in each
year.
7.3
Upon receipt of a renewal application and payment of fee, the accuracy of the application shall be verified and a
license renewal shall be granted for one (1) year expiring on the last day of the applicants birth month following the
date of issuance.
7.4
Any contractor, master plumber or journeyperson who fails to renew his or her license on or before the last day
of assessment fee for the first two (2) years of delinquency, plus outstanding license fees. If a license is not
renewed within two (2) years of its experation it shall result in a forfeiture of the license. Not withstanding any other
provisions of this chapter. In the case of forfeiture, a license may only be reinstated by the person taking a test for
a new license
7.5
Checks shall be made payable to the General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island
Section 8.0 Posting License in Place of Business
8.1
Pursuant to section 5-20-24 of the Act, in every place in this state within and from which a plumbing business is
conducted as specified for a contractor or master plumber, there shall be on display at all times a certificate of
license. Furthermore, any sign listing or advertisement of any type of a contractor or master plumber shall contain
his or her name, address and license number. This information shall be included on all trucks used by a master
plumber in connection with his or her business.
PART III VIOLATIONS/ SANCTIONS/ SEVERABILITY
Section 9.0 Violations / Sanctions
9.1
Any person violating any provision of the Act or the regulations herein shall be subject to the penalties as follows,
Any person,firm,or corporation licensed or unlicensed by the Dept of Labor and Training, Division of Professional
Regulation is subject to a fine of ($500.00) Five Hundred dollars for a first offense and for a second or subsequent
violationsof this chapter to be subject to a fine of ($750.00) Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars.
9.2
All hearings and reviews required under the provisions of the Act and the rules and regulations herein shall be
conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
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Section 10.0 Rules Governing Practices and Procedures
10.1
All hearings and reviews conducted under the provisions of Chapter 5-20 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as
amended, shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Rules and Regulations of the Rhode Island
Department 0f Labor & Training regarding practices and procedures before the Department of Labor & Training
and access to public records of the Department of Labor & Training.
Section 11.0 Severability
11.1
If any provision of the rules and regulations herein on the application to any facility or circumstances shall be held
invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of the rules and regulations which can be given
effect, and to this end the provisions of the rules and regulations are declared to be severable.
These rules and regulations constitute the entire rules and regulations under Title 5,Chapter 20 of the Rhode Island
General Laws. All prior rules and regulations are hereby rescinnded
Adopted by the Bureau of Plumbers as formal rules and regulations pursuant to R.I.G.L. 5-20 and 45-35-3
Approved, as required by R.I.G.L. 5-20
Dr. Lee Arnold
Director, Dept. of Labor and Training