AN ACT Relating to certification of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration contractors and mechanics; adding a new chapter to Title 18 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   DEFINITIONS. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Applicant" means a person who has submitted the appropriate form or forms to be considered for an HVAC/R mechanic certificate, a temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate, a trainee certificate, or an HVAC/R operator certificate, as required by the department.
     (2) "Board" means the HVAC/R board established in section 23 of this act.
     (3) "Boiler" means a closed vessel in which water is heated, steam is generated, steam is superheated, or a combination thereof, under pressure or vacuum by the application of heat, electricity, or nuclear energy. "Boiler" also includes fired units for heating or vaporizing liquids other than water where these systems are complete within themselves.
     (4) "BTUH" means British thermal units per hour.
     (5) "Certified HVAC/R mechanic" means a person who has been issued a valid HVAC/R mechanic certificate under section 15 of this act.
     (6) "Certified specialty mechanic" means a person who has been issued one or more valid specialty mechanic certificates under section 15 of this act.
     (7) "CFM" means cubic feet per minute.
     (8) "Department" means the department of labor and industries.
     (9) "Director" means the director of the department or the director's designee.
     (10) "Gas company service piping" means gas piping that is owned by or under the control of a gas company and used for transmission or distribution of natural gas to the point of contact at the premises or property supplied or to be supplied, including service connections, meters, or other apparatus or appliance used in the measurement of the consumption of natural gas by the customer.
     (11) "Gas piping" means pipes, valves, or fittings used to convey fuel gas installed on a premise or in a building. "Gas piping" does not include gas company service piping.
     (12) "Gas piping work" means to design, fabricate, construct, install, replace, or service gas piping and venting related to gas piping.
     (13) "Hours of HVAC/R work" means any combination of accrued hours of HVAC/R work performed while:
     (a) Employed by an HVAC/R contractor or a person exempt from the requirements of chapter 18.27 RCW, chapter 19.28 RCW, or this chapter;
     (b) Employed by a registered or licensed general or specialty contractor, or the equivalent, in another state or country; or
     (c) Serving in the United States armed forces.
     (14) "HVAC" means heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.
     (15)(a) "HVAC equipment and systems" means equipment necessary for any system that heats, cools, conditions, ventilates, filters, humidifies, or dehumidifies environmental air for residential, industrial, or commercial use, including all related ventilation and ducting systems.
     (b) "HVAC equipment and systems" does not include: (i) Solid fuel burning devices, such as wood stoves and coal stoves; (ii) gas piping other than that necessary to deliver fuel; or (iii) boilers.
     (16) "HVAC work" means to design, fabricate, construct, install, replace, service, test, or adjust and balance HVAC equipment and systems.
     (17) "HVAC/R" means heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
     (18) "HVAC/R contractor" means any person who:
     (a) Advertises for, offers to perform, submits a bid for, or performs any HVAC/R work covered by the provisions of this chapter;
     (b) Employs anyone, or offers or advertises to employ anyone, to perform any HVAC/R work that is subject to the provisions of this chapter; or
     (c) Is registered under section 2(1)(b) of this act.
     (19) "HVAC/R equipment and systems" means HVAC equipment and systems, refrigeration systems, and gas piping.
     (20) "HVAC/R mechanic certificate" means any of the certificates identified under section 6 of this act.
     (21) "HVAC/R operator certificate" means the certificate identified under section 9 of this act.
     (22) "HVAC/R work" means all HVAC work, refrigeration work, and gas piping work not otherwise exempted by this chapter.
     (23) "Person" or "company," used interchangeably throughout this chapter, means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, organization, or any other entity whatsoever, whether public or private.
     (24) "Property management company" means a company that is operating in compliance with state real estate licensing rules and is under contract with a property owner to manage the buildings.
     (25) "Refrigeration system" means a combination of interconnected refrigerant-containing parts constituting one closed refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant is circulated for the purpose of extracting heat and includes systems in which a secondary coolant, cooled or heated by the refrigeration system, is circulated to the air or other substance to be cooled or heated.
     (26) "Refrigeration work" means to design, fabricate, construct, install, replace, or service refrigeration systems.
     (27) "Service" means to repair, modify, or perform other work required for the normal continued performance of HVAC/R equipment and systems.
     (28) "Specialty certificate" means any of the certificates identified under section 5 of this act.
     (29) "Technical college" means a public community or technical college, or a not-for-profit nationally accredited technical or trade school licensed by the workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 28C.10 RCW.
     (30) "Temporary certificate" means any of the certificates issued under section 7 of this act.
     (31) "Trainee" means a person who has been issued a trainee certificate by the department under section 8 of this act.
     (32) "Trainee certificate" means any certificate issued under section 8 of this act.
     (33) "Valid" means not expired, revoked, or suspended.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION--CONCURRENT REGISTRATION--REQUIREMENTS. (1) Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for:
     (a) Any person to engage in business as an HVAC/R contractor, within the state, without having been issued a valid registration as a contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW;
     (b) Any person to engage in business as an HVAC/R contractor, within the state, without having been issued a valid registration as an HVAC/R contractor from the department; and
     (c) Any person, on and after January 1, 2010, to employ a person to perform or offer to perform HVAC/R work who has not been issued a valid HVAC/R mechanic certificate, specialty certificate, temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate, trainee certificate, or HVAC/R operator certificate issued by the department under this chapter.
     (2) The department shall prescribe an application form to be used to apply for an HVAC/R contractor registration under this chapter, and shall ensure that the person applying for an HVAC/R contractor registration is also a registered general or specialty contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW before it issues that person an HVAC/R contractor registration.
     (3) For a person who may be issued two or more registrations or licenses provided for in chapter 18.27 RCW, chapter 19.28 RCW, or this chapter, the department shall establish a single registration/licensing document. The document shall list all of the person's registrations and licenses.
     (4) Regardless of when the HVAC/R contractor registration is issued, it shall become suspended, revoked, expired, or renewed at the same time as the registration issued under chapter 18.27 RCW.
     (5) No bond or security in addition to that required of contractors under chapter 18.27 RCW shall be required of an HVAC/R contractor under this chapter.
     (6) This section does not apply to:
     (a) A person who is contracting for HVAC/R work on his or her own residence; or
     (b) Property management companies whose employees perform only HVAC/R work exempted under section 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   CERTIFICATE REQUIRED--LOCAL PREEMPTION. (1) Except as provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person, on and after January 1, 2010, to perform or offer to perform HVAC/R work without having been issued a valid HVAC/R mechanic certificate, specialty certificate, temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate, or trainee certificate under this chapter.
     (2) No political subdivision of the state shall require a person possessing a valid HVAC/R certificate, specialty certificate, temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate, trainee certificate issued by the department under this chapter, or any person who is exempted under this chapter to demonstrate any additional proof of competency in, obtain any license for, or pay any fee to perform HVAC/R work in that political subdivision.
     (3) The department, with approval of the HVAC/R board, may adopt rules to establish specific criteria for recognizing a national certification for propane gas in place of an appropriate or equivalent level of certification required under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   EXEMPTIONS FROM CERTIFICATION. (1) The provisions of section 3(1) of this act do not apply to a person:
     (a) Cleaning or replacing air filters, lubricating bearings, replacing fan belts, cleaning evaporators or condensers, cleaning cooling towers, or equipment logging on any HVAC/R equipment or systems;
     (b) Performing HVAC/R work on HVAC/R equipment or systems that: (i) Contain six pounds or less of any refrigerant and is actuated by a motor or engine having a standard rating of one-quarter horsepower or less; or (ii) are an absorption system that has a rating of one-quarter ton or less refrigeration effect;
     (c) Setting oil tanks and related piping to a furnace;
     (d) Setting propane tanks and related piping outside a building;
     (e) Performing gas piping work on fuel burning appliances and systems with a maximum capacity of five hundred thousand BTUH pursuant to a valid certificate issued under chapter 18.106 RCW;
     (f) Performing HVAC/R work at his or her residence, farm, place of business, or on other property owned by him or her, unless the HVAC/R work is performed in the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease;
     (g) Performing HVAC/R work on his or her own property or to regularly employed persons working on the premises of their employer, unless the HVAC/R work is performed in the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease;
     (h) Performing HVAC/R work for or on behalf of a gas company when such HVAC/R work is incidental to the business of delivering natural gas to the premises. For the purposes of this chapter, "gas company" has the same meaning as in RCW 80.04.010;
     (i) Licensed under chapter 18.08 or 18.43 RCW who is designing HVAC/R equipment or systems, but who is not otherwise performing HVAC/R work;
     (j) Making a like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance; or
     (k) Installing wood or pellet stoves.
     (2) Nothing in this section precludes any person who is exempted under this section from obtaining an HVAC/R mechanic certificate, specialty certificate, temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate, trainee certificate, or HVAC/R operator certificate if they otherwise meet the requirements of this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   SPECIALTY CERTIFICATES--SCOPE OF WORK. The department may issue the following specialty certificates to an applicant who has successfully met the requirements under this chapter for a specialty certificate, and the scope of work that may be performed by a person under each of the specialty certificates is as follows:
     (1) Gas piping specialty mechanic I. A person issued a gas piping specialty mechanic I certificate may perform gas piping work on fuel burning appliances and systems with a maximum capacity of five hundred thousand BTUH.
     (2) Refrigeration specialty mechanic I. A person issued a refrigeration specialty mechanic I certificate may perform refrigeration work on a refrigeration system with one or more compressors not exceeding ninety thousand BTUH per compressor using class A1 refrigerants.
     (3) HVAC specialty mechanic I. A person issued an HVAC specialty mechanic I certificate may perform HVAC work on HVAC equipment and systems of seven and one-half tons or less or HVAC equipment and systems of three thousand three hundred seventy-five CFM or less.
     (4) Refrigeration specialty mechanic II. A person issued a refrigeration specialty mechanic II certificate may perform:
     (a) Refrigeration work authorized to be performed by a refrigeration specialty mechanic I;
     (b) Installation or replacement of a self-contained refrigeration system up to three hundred thousand BTUH; and
     (c) With the exception of installation or replacement, refrigeration work on a refrigeration system with one or more compressors not exceeding three hundred thousand BTUH per compressor using class A1 refrigerants.
     (5) HVAC specialty mechanic II. A person issued an HVAC specialty mechanic II certificate may perform:
     (a) HVAC work authorized to be performed by an HVAC specialty mechanic I; and
     (b) HVAC work on HVAC equipment and systems of twenty tons or less or HVAC equipment and systems of nine thousand CFM or less.
     (6) Gas piping specialty mechanic III. A person issued a gas piping specialty mechanic III certificate may perform all gas piping work on any fuel burning appliances and systems.
     (7) Refrigeration specialty mechanic III. A person issued a refrigeration specialty mechanic III certificate may perform refrigeration work on any refrigeration system using any refrigerant.
     (8) HVAC specialty mechanic III. A person issued an HVAC specialty mechanic III certificate may perform all HVAC work on HVAC equipment and systems.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   HVAC/R MECHANIC CERTIFICATES--SCOPE OF WORK. The department may issue the following HVAC/R mechanic certificates to an applicant who has successfully met the requirements under this chapter for an HVAC/R certificate, and the scope of work that may be performed by a person under each of the HVAC/R mechanic certificates is as follows:
     (1) HVAC/R mechanic I. A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic I certificate may perform:
     (a) Gas piping work authorized to be performed by a gas piping specialty mechanic I;
     (b) Refrigeration work authorized to be performed by a refrigeration specialty mechanic I; and
     (c) HVAC work authorized to be performed by an HVAC specialty mechanic I.
     (2) HVAC/R mechanic II. A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic II certificate may perform:
     (a) Gas piping work authorized to be performed by a gas piping specialty mechanic I;
     (b) Refrigeration work authorized to be performed by a refrigeration specialty mechanic II; and
     (c) HVAC work authorized to be performed by an HVAC specialty mechanic II.
     (3) HVAC/R mechanic III. A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate may perform:
     (a) Gas piping work authorized to be performed by a gas piping specialty mechanic III;
     (b) Refrigeration work authorized to be performed by a refrigeration specialty mechanic III; and
     (c) HVAC work authorized to be performed by an HVAC specialty mechanic III.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   TEMPORARY HVAC/R CERTIFICATE--APPLICATION--EXAMINATION REQUIRED. (1) On and after January 1, 2010, a person who has performed HVAC/R work in other states or countries may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for a temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate to perform HVAC/R work in this state. The application shall contain evidence of the person's hours of HVAC/R work in the other states or countries that is verifiable by the department.
     (2) Upon review of the application provided in subsection (1) of this section, the department may:
     (a) If the applicant has accrued less than two thousand hours of HVAC/R work, not issue a temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate;
     (b) If the applicant has accrued two thousand hours or more, but less than four thousand hours of HVAC/R work, issue a temporary HVAC/R mechanic I certificate;
     (c) If the applicant has accrued four thousand hours or more, but less than eight thousand hours of HVAC/R work, issue a temporary HVAC/R mechanic II certificate; or
     (d) If the applicant has accrued eight thousand hours or more of HVAC/R work, issue a temporary HVAC/R mechanic III certificate.
     (3) The temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate issued under this section shall clearly indicate on the document that it is temporary in nature and contain the period for which it is valid.
     (4) A person issued a temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate shall have that certificate in his or her possession when performing any HVAC/R work and shall show the certificate to any authorized representative of the department upon request.
     (5) A person issued a temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate under this section may only perform the scope of work authorized under section 6 of this act for the equivalent HVAC/R mechanic certificate and may not supervise any person with a trainee certificate issued under this chapter.
     (6) A temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate issued under this section shall be valid for ninety days from the date the applicant submitted their application to the department or until the date the department furnishes to the applicant the results of their examination for the equivalent HVAC/R mechanic certificate, whichever is later. The applicant must take the examination provided under this chapter for the equivalent HVAC/R mechanic certificate within the ninety-day period granted under this subsection.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   TRAINEE CERTIFICATE. (1) A person may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for a trainee certificate to perform HVAC/R work in the state.
     (2) Upon receipt of the application, the department shall issue a trainee certificate to the applicant.
     (3) The HVAC/R work performed under a trainee certificate issued pursuant to this section must be:
     (a) Within the scope of work authorized under that certificate;
     (b) On the same job site and under the direction of an appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or an appropriately certified specialty mechanic; and
     (c) Under the applicable supervision ratios required in section 16 of this act.
     (4) A trainee shall have his or her certificate in his or her possession when performing any HVAC/R work and shall show the certificate to any authorized representative of the department upon request.
     (5) A trainee certificate shall be valid for a maximum of two years and shall expire on the trainee's birthdate. The certificate shall include the expiration date.
     (6) The department may only renew a training certificate when the trainee provides the department with:
     (a) An accurate list of the persons who employed the trainee in HVAC/R work for the previous two-year period and the number of hours of HVAC/R work performed under each employer; and
     (b) Evidence that the trainee has met the continuing education requirements in section 18 of this act.
     (7) If a person applies for a trainee certificate under this section and electrical trainee status under chapter 19.28 RCW, the department shall create a single document for that person that represents this concurrent trainee status.
     (8) A trainee who has not successfully passed any portion of the examinations provided for in section 12 of this act is prohibited from performing HVAC/R work in excess of two thousand hours beyond the amount of hours required to become eligible under the requirements of section 13(2)(c) of this act to take the examination for an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   HVAC/R OPERATOR CERTIFICATION. (1) An HVAC/R operating engineer may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for an HVAC/R operator certificate. For the purposes of this subsection, "HVAC/R operating engineer" means a full-time employee who spends a substantial portion of time in the maintenance and operation of HVAC/R equipment and systems in a building, or portion thereof, used for occupant comfort, manufacturing, processing, or storage of materials or products including, but not limited to, chemicals, food, candy, and ice cream factories, ice-making plants, meat packing plants, refineries, perishable food warehouses, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, and similar occupancies and equipped with a refrigeration system and whose duty it is to operate, maintain, and keep safe and in serviceable condition all of the employer's HVAC/R equipment and systems.
     (2) The department may issue an HVAC/R operator certificate to an applicant who has successfully passed the examination provided for in subsection (8) of this section.
     (3) The scope of work that may be performed by a person under an HVAC/R operator certificate is as follows:
     (a) Cleaning or replacing air filters, lubricating bearings, replacing fan belts, cleaning evaporators or condensers, cleaning cooling towers, or equipment logging on any HVAC/R equipment or systems; or
     (b) Performing minor HVAC/R equipment and systems repair and HVAC/R work on sealed HVAC/R equipment and systems.
     (4) A person who performs HVAC/R work on HVAC/R equipment or systems that: (a) Contain six pounds or less of any refrigerant and is actuated by a motor or engine having a standard rating of one-quarter horsepower or less; or (b) are an absorption system that has a rating of one-quarter ton or less refrigeration effect, is not required to obtain a certificate under this section.
     (5) Any person issued a valid refrigeration operating engineer license by the city of Seattle shall be issued an HVAC/R operator certificate without meeting any additional requirements.
     (6) A person issued a valid HVAC/R operator certificate under this section shall have his or her certificate in his or her possession when performing any HVAC/R work and shall show the certificate to any authorized representative of the department upon request.
     (7) An HVAC/R operator certificate issued under this section shall be valid for a maximum of three years and shall expire on the holder's birthdate. The certificate shall include the expiration date.
     (8) The department shall develop an examination that an applicant must pass before they can be issued an HVAC/R operator certificate under this section. The exam shall be comparable to the current refrigeration operating engineer license test used by the city of Seattle.
     (9) The hours accrued as an HVAC/R operating engineer under this section may accrue towards the hours required to be eligible to take an examination for an HVAC/R mechanic certificate under section 13 of this act only if the HVAC/R operating engineer is supervised by an appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately supervised specialty mechanic and was issued a trainee certificate under section 8 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   HVAC/R MECHANIC CERTIFICATION WITHOUT EXAMINATION. (1) From January 1, 2009, until December 31, 2009, a person who has performed HVAC/R work may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for an HVAC/R mechanic certificate without examination. The application shall contain evidence of the person's hours of HVAC/R work or other required information that is verifiable by the department.
     (2) Upon review of the application provided in subsection (1) of this section, the department shall:
     (a) If the applicant has, since January 1, 1988, accrued less than two thousand hours of HVAC/R work, not issue any HVAC/R mechanic certificate;
     (b) If the applicant has, since January 1, 1988, accrued two thousand hours or more, but less than four thousand hours of HVAC/R work, issue an HVAC/R mechanic I certificate;
     (c) If the applicant has, since January 1, 1988, accrued four thousand hours or more, but less than eight thousand hours of HVAC/R work, issue an HVAC/R mechanic II certificate; or
     (d) If the applicant has, since January 1, 1988:
     (i) Accrued eight thousand hours or more of HVAC/R work;
     (ii) Completed an appropriately related apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW; or
     (iii) Completed an appropriately related apprenticeship program in another state or country equivalent to that provided in chapter 49.04 RCW, issue an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate.
     (3) Once the appropriate level of HVAC/R mechanic certificate is issued to a person under this section, that person shall become subject to the other provisions of this chapter for any additional certifications.
     (4) This section expires January 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION WITHOUT EXAMINATION. (1) From January 1, 2009, until December 31, 2009, a person who has performed HVAC/R work may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for specialty certificates without examination. The application shall contain evidence of the person's hours of HVAC/R work or other required information that is verifiable by the department.
     (2) Upon review of the application provided in subsection (1) of this section, the department shall:
     (a) If the applicant holds a valid journey refrigeration mechanic license issued by the city of Seattle, issue a refrigeration specialty mechanic III certificate and an HVAC specialty mechanic III certificate;
     (b) If the applicant has, since January 1, 1988, accrued one thousand hours of gas piping work, issue a gas piping specialty mechanic I certificate;
     (c) If the applicant was licensed in any local jurisdiction to perform gas piping work on fuel burning appliances or systems with a maximum capacity of five hundred thousand BTUH or less, issue a gas piping specialty mechanic I certificate; and
     (d) If the applicant was licensed in any local jurisdiction to perform all gas piping work on any fuel burning appliances and systems, issue a gas piping specialty mechanic III certificate.
     (3) The specialty certificates provided for in subsection (2) of this section shall be in addition to any HVAC/R mechanic certificate issued by the department under section 10 of this act.
     (4) Once the appropriate level of specialty certificate is issued to a person under this section, that person shall become subject to the other provisions of this chapter for any additional certifications.
     (5) This section expires January 1, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   EXAMINATION. (1) The department, with advice from the board, shall prepare three separate examinations for the assessment of each level of HVAC/R mechanic certification created in section 6 of this act. Within each examination, there shall be a distinct portion that assesses the competency of the applicant in the appropriate level of gas piping work, refrigeration work, and HVAC work. The department shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
     (2) The examinations provided for under this section shall be constructed to determine:
     (a) Whether the applicant possesses general knowledge of the technical information and practical procedures that are identified within the relevant scope of work; and
     (b) Whether the applicant is familiar with the applicable laws and administrative rules of the department pertaining to the relevant scope of work.
     (3) The department, with advice from the board, may enter into a contract with a professional testing agency to develop, administer, and score the examinations provided for in this section.
     (4) The department must administer, at least four times annually, each examination provided under this section to applicants who are eligible for examination under this chapter.
     (5) The department must certify the results of each examination administered under this section upon the terms and after such a period of time as the department, with the advice of the board, deems necessary and proper.
     (6) A person may be given the appropriate level of examination they are eligible to take as many times as necessary without limit.
     (7) The department, with the advice of the board, shall adopt policies and procedures to make examinations available in alternative languages or formats to accommodate all applicants who are eligible for examination under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13   APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION--ELIGIBILITY. (1) A person with a valid temporary HVAC/R mechanic certificate or trainee certificate may, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, apply for any of the examinations provided for in section 12 of this act. The application shall contain evidence of the person's hours of HVAC/R work or other required information that is verifiable by the department.
     (2) Upon receipt of an application for examination under this section, the department shall review the application and determine whether the applicant is eligible to take an examination for an HVAC/R mechanic certificate using the following criteria:
     (a) HVAC/R mechanic I certificate. To be eligible to take the examination for an HVAC/R mechanic I certificate, the applicant must have:
     (i) Performed a minimum of one thousand hours of HVAC/R work and the entire amount of those hours must be supervised;
     (ii) Performed two thousand hours of HVAC/R work and seventy-five percent of those hours must be supervised; or
     (iii) Successfully completed an appropriately related apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW that meets the requirements of this level of certification.
     (b) HVAC/R mechanic II certificate. To be eligible to take the examination for an HVAC/R mechanic II certificate, the applicant must have:
     (i) Performed a minimum of four thousand hours of HVAC/R work and seventy-five percent of those hours must be supervised; or
     (ii) Successfully completed an appropriately related apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW that meets the requirements of this level of certification.
     (c) HVAC/R mechanic III certificate. To be eligible to take the examination for an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate, the applicant must have:
     (i) Performed under appropriate supervision levels the amount of HVAC/R work required for an HVAC/R mechanic II certificate under (b)(i) of this subsection plus an additional two thousand hours and the entire amount of the additional hours required under this subsection must be supervised;
     (ii) Performed HVAC/R work for a minimum of eight thousand hours and seventy-five percent of those hours must be supervised; or
     (iii) Successfully completed an appropriately related apprenticeship program under chapter 49.04 RCW that meets the requirements of this level of certification.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "supervised" means:
     (a) A person has performed HVAC/R work on the same job site and under the direction of an appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or an appropriately certified specialty mechanic; and
     (b) The appropriate supervision ratios required in section 16 of this act were followed.
     (4) If any of an applicant's certificates issued prior to the current application have been revoked, the department may deny the current application for up to two years.
     (5) Upon determining that the applicant is eligible to take an examination under this section, the department shall so notify the applicant, indicating the time and place for taking the examination.
     (6) Work hours being accrued by an applicant as hours of HVAC/R work under this chapter or towards electrical certification under chapter 19.28 RCW may be credited for both the hours of HVAC/R work required under this chapter and the hours of work required under chapter 19.28 RCW.
     (7) If an applicant is eligible for an examination under this section and an examination under chapter 19.28 RCW, the department may administer all such examinations at the same examination session. However, upon request of the applicant, the department may administer each examination at the time required in statute or rule for each examination.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14 ALTERNATIVES TO WORK EXPERIENCE. (1) A person who has applied for an examination under section 13 of this act and who has successfully completed a board-approved program in HVAC/R work at a technical college, may substitute technical college program hours for hours of HVAC/R work as follows:

	Type of Certificate	Substitution for Hours of HVAC/R Work
(a)	HVAC/R Mechanic I	Up to 1,000 hours of technical college program may be substituted for up to 1,000 hours of HVAC/R work.
(b)	HVAC/R Mechanic II	Up to 2,000 hours of technical college program may be substituted for up to 2,000 hours of required HVAC/R work.
(c)	HVAC/R Mechanic III	Up to 4,000 hours of technical college program may be substituted for up to 4,000 hours of HVAC/R work.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15   ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES FOLLOWING EXAMINATION--RENEWAL. (1) If an applicant passes all portions of the examination administered to him or her under this act, that person:
     (a) Is entitled to be issued the appropriate level of HVAC/R mechanic certificate; and
     (b) Is subject to the other provisions of this chapter for additional certifications.
     (2) If an applicant fails to pass one or more portions of an examination administered to him or her under this act, that person:
     (a) Is still entitled to be issued the appropriate specialty certificate for each portion of the examination that was passed; and
     (b) Is subject to the other provisions of this chapter for additional certifications.
     (3) An HVAC/R mechanic certificate or specialty certificates issued under this section shall be valid for a maximum of three years and shall expire on the holder's birthdate. All certificates shall include the expiration date.
     (4) A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic certificate or specialty certificates under this section may only perform the scope of work authorized under sections 5 and 6 of this act for those certificates.
     (5) A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic certificate or specialty certificates shall have those certificates in his or her possession when performing any HVAC/R work and shall show the certificates to any authorized representative of the department upon request.
     (6) The department shall renew an HVAC/R mechanic certificate or specialty certificates issued under this section if the person issued the certificates:
     (a) Applies for renewal of his or her certificates not more than ninety days after the certificates expire; and
     (b) Has complied with the continuing education requirement in section 18 of this act.
     (7) The department may not renew a certificate that has been revoked or suspended.
     (8) The department may deny renewal of a certificate if the person seeking renewal owes outstanding penalties for a final judgment under this chapter.
     (9) The department shall create a single document and establish a single expiration date for a person who holds two or more certificates or specialty certificates under chapter 18.106 RCW, chapter 19.28 RCW, and this chapter. The document shall list all of the person's certificates and specialty certificates.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16   SUPERVISION RATIOS--SUPERVISION. (1) The ratio of trainees to appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanics or appropriately certified specialty mechanics on the same job site must not be greater than:
     (a) For trainees not in a technical college program, two trainees to each appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic; or
     (b) For trainees in a technical college program, four trainees to each appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic.
     (2) When the ratio of trainees to appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanics or appropriately certified specialty mechanics on a job site is one appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic to one or two trainees, the appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic must be on the same job site as the trainees for a minimum of seventy- five percent of each working day.
     (3) When the ratio of trainees to appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanics or appropriately certified specialty mechanics on a job site is one appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic to three or four trainees, the appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanic or appropriately certified specialty mechanic must:
     (a) Directly supervise and instruct the trainees and may not directly make or engage in HVAC/R work; and
     (b) Be on the same job site as the trainees for one hundred percent of each working day.
     (4) Hours of HVAC/R work that are performed when the supervision ratios are not in compliance with this section do not qualify as supervised hours when accruing hours of HVAC/R work under this chapter.
     (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a person:
     (a) Who has successfully completed, or is currently enrolled in, an approved appropriately related apprenticeship program or an HVAC/R program at a technical college may perform, unsupervised, the remaining six months of the experience requirements of this chapter;
     (b) Determined to be eligible for examination under section 13(2)(a)(i) of this act and who passes all portions of that examination, may perform, unsupervised, the remaining one thousand hours of HVAC/R work required under this chapter for an HVAC/R mechanic I certificate. However, all HVAC/R work performed by this person must be within the scope of work for an HVAC/R mechanic I certificate and this person may not supervise other trainees until they have completed the full two thousand hours of HVAC/R work required by this act;
     (c) Determined to be eligible for examination under section 13(2)(c)(i) of this act and who passes all portions of that examination, may perform, unsupervised, the remaining two thousand hours of HVAC/R work required under this chapter for an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate. However, all HVAC/R work performed by this person must be within the scope of work for an HVAC/R mechanic III certificate and this person may not supervise other trainees until they have completed the full eight thousand hours of HVAC/R work required by this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17   CONTRACTOR REPORTING--AUDIT OF RECORDS. (1) Every person who employs a trainee performing HVAC/R work shall report to the department:
     (a) The names and certificate numbers of any trainee who performed HVAC/R work for them and the hours of HVAC/R work performed by each trainee; and
     (b) The names and certificate numbers of the appropriately certified HVAC/R mechanics or appropriately certified specialty mechanics who supervised the trainees identified in (a) of this subsection.
     (2) Every person who reported hours of HVAC/R work performed by trainees under subsection (1) of this section shall attest that all of the reported hours of HVAC/R work performed by trainees was in compliance with the supervision ratio requirements in section 16 of this act.
     (3) The department may audit the records of a person who reported hours of HVAC/R work performed by trainees under subsection (1) of this section in the following circumstances: (a) Excessive hours were reported; (b) hours were reported outside the normal course of the HVAC/R contractor's business; (c) the type of hours reported do not reasonably match the type of permits purchased; or (d) for other similar circumstances in which the department demonstrates a likelihood of excessive hours being reported. The department shall limit the audit to records necessary to verify hours.
     (4) Information obtained by the department from any person under this section is confidential and exempt from public disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 18   CONTINUING EDUCATION. (1) A person issued an HVAC/R mechanic certificate or any specialty certificates under this chapter must, prior to the renewal date on their certificate, demonstrate satisfactory completion of twenty-four hours of continuing education.
     (2) The department, with the advice of the board, shall determine the contents of the continuing education courses required in subsection (1) of this section and establish the requirements for satisfactory completion of such courses. If the department determines that a continuing education course offered in another state is comparable to courses offered in Washington, the department shall accept proof of satisfactory completion of the out-of-state course as meeting the continuing education requirement in this section.
     (3) A trainee must, prior to the renewal date on their certificate, demonstrate satisfactory completion of sixty hours of related supplemental instruction or equivalent training courses, or courses taken as part of an appropriately related apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW.
     (4) The department, with the advice of the board, shall determine the contents of the related supplemental instruction or equivalent training courses, or courses taken as part of an appropriately related apprenticeship program approved under chapter 49.04 RCW required under subsection (3) of this section, and establish the requirements for satisfactory completion of such courses.
     (5) All hours required under this section shall be accrued concurrently and shall not exceed sixty hours for any person in any certificate renewal period.
     (6) Hours of approved continuing education required under this section and hours of approved continuing education required under chapter 19.28 RCW may be accrued concurrently. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to relieve any person from having to complete any continuing education mandated by the department by rule pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to chapter 19.28 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 19 RECIPROCITY. The department may enter into a reciprocity agreement with another state whose certification requirements are equal to the standards set under this chapter. The reciprocity agreement shall provide for the acceptance of Washington and the other state's certification program or its equivalent by Washington and the other state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 20 SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION. (1) The department may revoke any certificate issued under this chapter if the department determines that the recipient: (a) Obtained the certificate through error or fraud; (b) is incompetent to perform HVAC/R work; or (c) committed a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter that presents imminent danger to the public.
(2) The department shall immediately suspend the certificates of any person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the certificate shall be automatic upon the department's receipt of a release issued by the department of social and health services stating that the person is in compliance with the order.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 21 APPLICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT. The proceedings for denying applications, suspending or revoking certificates, and imposing civil penalties or other remedies issued pursuant to this chapter and any appeal from those proceedings or review of those proceedings shall be governed by the provisions of the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 22 LIABILITY. (1) This chapter may not be construed to relieve from or lessen the responsibility or liability of any person for injury or damage to person or property caused by or resulting from any HVAC/R work performed by the person.
(2) The state of Washington and its officers, agents, and employees may not be held liable for any acts performed pursuant to this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 23   HVAC/R BOARD. (1) An HVAC/R board is established.
     (2) The board shall consist of thirteen members to be appointed by the governor with the advice of the director.
     (a) Four members shall be certified HVAC/R mechanics, of which at least one, but not more than two, shall be a certified HVAC/R mechanic performing HVAC/R work east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.
     (b) Four members shall be HVAC/R contractors, of which at least one, but not more than two, shall be an HVAC/R contractor doing business east of the crest of the Cascade mountains.
     (c) One member shall be from the general public and be familiar with HVAC/R work.
     (d) One member shall be a building operator representing the commercial property management industry.
     (e) One member shall be from the stationary operating engineers.
     (f) One member shall be from a technical college or an approved apprenticeship training program.
     (g) One member shall be a building official familiar with enforcement of HVAC/R work.
     (3) Except as provided in this subsection, the term of each member shall be three years. The term of each initial member shall expire as follows: (a) The terms of the first certified HVAC/R mechanic and the first HVAC/R contractor shall expire July 1, 2009; (b) the terms of the second certified HVAC/R mechanic, the second HVAC/R contractor, and the public member shall expire July 1, 2010; and (c) the terms of the third certified HVAC/R mechanic and the third certified HVAC/R contractor shall expire July 1, 2011. To ensure that the board may continue to act, a member whose term expires shall continue to serve until his or her replacement is appointed. In the case of any vacancy on the board for any reason, the governor shall appoint a new member to serve out the term of the person whose position has become vacant.
     (4) The board shall, at its first meeting, elect one of its members to serve as chair.
     (5) The board shall meet at least quarterly in accordance with a schedule established by the board.
     (6) The board shall:
     (a) Conduct proceedings for denying applications, suspending or revoking certificates, and imposing civil penalties or other remedies. Such proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW;
     (b) Review and make recommendations to adopt, amend, or repeal any rules under this chapter. The director may not adopt, amend, or repeal any rules until the board has conducted its review and made its recommendations;
     (c) Establish an alternative method or methods for persons to attest for hours of HVAC/R work when applying for certificates under this chapter, but only when all traditional methods allowing for verification of hours of HVAC/R work have been exhausted;
     (d) Approve expenditures from the plumbing and HVAC/R certificate fund; and
     (e) Advise the department on all other matters relative to this chapter.
     (7) The members of the board are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 24   ADMINISTRATION. (1) The director may adopt rules necessary for the administration of this chapter.
     (2) The department shall administer this chapter in conjunction with its administration of chapter 18.106 RCW.
     (3) In the administration of this chapter, the department shall not enter any controversy arising over work assignments with respect to the trades involved in the construction industry.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 25   EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. With the exception of sections 2(3), 8(7), 13 (6) and (7), 15(9), and 18(6) of this act, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:
     (1) Modify, amend, or supersede chapter 18.106 or 19.28 RCW;
     (2) Prohibit or restrict an individual who is certified under chapter 18.106 or 19.28 RCW from engaging in the trade in which he or she is certified; or
     (3) Regulate or include plumbing work defined in chapter 18.106 RCW and its applicable rules or electrical work defined in chapter 19.28 RCW and its applicable rules.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 26 COMPLIANCE AGENTS. (1) The director shall appoint compliance agents to investigate alleged or apparent violations of this chapter. The director, or authorized compliance agent, upon presentation of appropriate credentials, may inspect and investigate job sites at which an HVAC/R contractor had bid or presently is working to determine whether the HVAC/R contractor is registered and their employees are certified and working in accordance with this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter or whether there is a violation of this act. Upon request of the compliance agent, an HVAC/R contractor or an employee of the HVAC/R contractor shall provide information identifying the HVAC/R contractor and those employees working on-site.
(2) If the employee of an unregistered HVAC/R contractor is cited by a compliance agent, that employee is cited as the agent of the employer, and issuance of the infraction to the employee is notice to the unregistered HVAC/R contractor that the contractor is in violation of this chapter. An employee who is cited by a compliance agent shall not be liable for any of the alleged violations contained in the citation unless the employee is also the unregistered HVAC/R contractor or the employee is performing HVAC/R work that requires a certification under this chapter without proper proof of the certification.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 27 NOTICE OF INFRACTION. The department may issue a notice of infraction if the department reasonably believes that a person has committed an infraction under this chapter. A notice of infraction issued under this section shall be personally served on the person named in the notice by the department's compliance agents or service can be made by certified mail directed to the person named in the notice of infraction at the last known address as provided to the department.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 28   NOTICE OF INFRACTION FORM. The form of the notice of infraction issued under this chapter shall include the following:
     (1) A statement that the notice represents a determination that the infraction has been committed by the person named in the notice and that the determination shall be final unless contested as provided in this chapter;
     (2) A statement that the infraction is a noncriminal offense for which imprisonment shall not be imposed as a sanction;
     (3) A statement of the violation that necessitated issuance of the infraction;
     (4) A statement of penalty involved if the infraction is established;
     (5) A statement of the options provided in this chapter for responding to the notice and the procedures necessary to exercise these options;
     (6) A statement that at any hearing to contest the notice of infraction the state has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the infraction was committed; and that the person may subpoena witnesses, including the compliance agent of the department who issued and served the notice of infraction;
     (7) A statement that, at any hearing to contest the notice of infraction against a person who is not properly registered or certified as required under this chapter, the person given the infraction has the burden of proving that the infraction did not occur;
     (8) A statement that the person named on the notice of infraction must respond to the notice in one of the ways provided in this chapter; and
     (9) A statement that the person's failure to timely select one of the options for responding to the notice of infraction after receiving a statement of the options provided in this chapter for responding to the notice of infraction and the procedures necessary to exercise these options is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine or imprisonment in jail.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 29 VIOLATIONS. A violation designated as an infraction under this chapter shall be heard and determined by an administrative law judge of the office of administrative hearings. If a person desires to contest the notice of infraction, the person shall file a notice of appeal with the department specifying the grounds of the appeal within twenty days of service of the infraction in a manner provided by this chapter. The administrative law judge shall conduct hearings in these cases at locations in the county where the infraction occurred.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 30   RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF INFRACTION. (1) A person who is issued a notice of infraction shall respond within twenty days of the date of issuance of the notice of infraction.
     (2) If the person named in the notice of infraction does not elect to contest the notice of infraction, then the person shall pay to the department, by check or money order, the amount of the penalty prescribed for the infraction. When a response that does not contest the notice of infraction is received by the department with the appropriate penalty, the department shall make the appropriate entry in its records.
     (3) If the person named in the notice of infraction elects to contest the notice of infraction, the person shall respond by filing with the department specifying the appeal to the department in the manner specified in this chapter.
     (4) If any person issued a notice of infraction fails to respond within the prescribed response period, the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and prosecuted in the county where the infraction occurred.
     (5) After final determination by an administrative law judge that an infraction has been committed, a person who fails to pay a monetary penalty within thirty days, that is not waived pursuant to this chapter, and who fails to file an appeal shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be prosecuted in the county where the infraction occurred.
     (6) A person who fails to pay a monetary penalty within thirty days after exhausting appellate remedies shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and be prosecuted in the county where the infraction occurred.
     (7) If a person who is issued a notice of infraction is a person who has failed to register or be certified as required under this chapter, the person is subject to a monetary penalty per infraction as provided in the schedule of penalties established by the department, and each day the person works without becoming registered or certified is a separate infraction.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 31 CODIFICATION. Sections 1 through 30 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 18 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 32 CAPTIONS. Captions used in this act are not any part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 33 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.