(1) Any sole proprietor, firm or corporation wishing to engage in the business of installation, alteration, service, replacement of maintenance of equipment covered by this chapter within the state of Washington shall apply for a license with the department of labor and industries.

The entities above shall obtain and maintain a valid specialty or general contractor registration under chapter 18.27 RCW to engage in the business of conveyance work.

(2) The potential licensee shall complete and submit a department-approved application. As part of the application the following shall be provided:

(a) The employee who is the licensed elevator contractor's primary point of contact.

(b) The number of years the applicant has been engaged in the business of installing, constructing, altering, replacing, maintaining, removing, dismantling and/or servicing conveyances.

(c) Documentation that at least one licensed elevator mechanic is employed by the applicant.

(3) The person representing the company, firm or corporation who is applying for the elevator contractor's license shall be considered the company's primary point of contact and shall:

(a) Provide acceptable proof to the department that shows that the person representing the company, firm, or corporation has five years of work experience in performing conveyance work as verified by current and previous state of Washington elevator licenses; or

(b) Pass a written examination administered by the department on chapter 70.87 RCW and this chapter with a minimum score of seventy percent.

(c) Failure to pass the examination will require the submittal of a new application.

(4) Pay the fees specified in WAC 296-96-00922.

(5) The department may deny application or renewal of a license under this section if the applicant owes outstanding final judgments to the department.

(6) If the primary point of contact identified in subsection (2)(a) of this section separates employment, his/her relationship or designation is terminated, or death of the designated individual occurs, the elevator contractor shall, within ninety days, designate a new individual who has met the requirement noted above to serve as the elevator contractor's primary point of contact. The elevator contractor shall inform the department of the change in writing or the contractor's license will be automatically suspended.

(7) Where unique or product-specific procedures or methods are required to inspect or test equipment, such procedures, or methods shall be:

(a) Provided in the maintenance control program.

(b) Provided by the manufacturer or installer or their license may be suspended.

(c) Available to owners for their use or used by their qualified service provider.

(d) Accessible on-site to elevator personnel (see also ASME A17.1-8.6.1.2.1(f)).

(e) Where special tools or devices are necessary for maintenance and testing of conveyances, they shall remain on-site for the life of the conveyance.

(8) Contractor licenses may be revoked for failure to comply with this subsection.

Legal maintenance contracts notwithstanding, all elevator companies and other approved maintenance providers (see RCW 70.87.270) who continuously demonstrate noncompliance with the maintenance, examination, testing, documentation, and performance of work outlined in ASME A17.1/CSA B44 and this chapter shall:

(a) Be notified in writing by the department outlining the reason or reasons for noncompliance;

(b) Respond to the department inquiry within fifteen days;

(c) Outline a solution(s) agreeable to the department within thirty days;

(i) Otherwise the elevator company's license may be suspended until such a time as they can demonstrate compliance; and

(ii) Other approved maintenance providers shall cease maintenance, examination, and testing until such a time as they can demonstrate compliance. Continuous demonstrations of maintenance, examination, and testing noncompliance shall result in approval being revoked.