Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-21-.02
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 720-X-21-.02 - [Operative 1/1/2025] Continuing Education General Standards1. All certified contractors shall obtain a minimum of four (4) hours of CE annually, regardless of the number of certifications held. Individuals who hold two certifications must obtain two hours of CE per certification held. Example 1: If a certified contractor only holds certification as a Master Plumber, he/she is required to obtain 4-hours of plumbing CE annually.
Example 2: If a certified contractor holds both Master Plumber and Master Gas Fitter certifications, he/she is required to obtain 2-hours of plumbing CE and 2-hours of gas fitting CE annually.
2. All certified contractors shall be individually accountable for continued competence to renew annually.3. The Board may prescribe additional continuing education courses as disciplinary action.4. All certified contractors shall meet continuing education requirements as stated in Section 34-37-8 Code of Ala. 1975. 5. Continuing education is not required for an individual who is acquiring and renewing their initial certification from the Plumbers & Gas Fitters Examining Board during the current calendar year. Continuing Education is not required for individuals who have applied for and been placed on inactive status. Inactive contractors who wish to become active again must complete all continuing education requirements as a prerequisite to being approved to be placed on active status. Individuals whose certification is delinquent must pay back fees and penalties, unless they qualify for a waiver of annual fees and penalties and complete the required 4 hours of CE prior to being made active again.
6. Failure to complete the minimum continuing education requirements before November 1st annually will prevent the renewal of a certified contractor's license until proof of compliance is submitted to the Board. Example 1: A Master Gas Fitter who has obtained 4-hours of CE prior to October 1, 2026, may renew his/her certification as soon as renewal season (October 1-December 31) begins, but under any circumstance 4-hours of CE must be completed prior to November 1, 2026, to avoid a penalty.
Example 2: A Master Gas Fitter wishes to renew his/her certification on or after November 1, 2026, but has not obtained 4-hours of CE. He/she will be required to submit a CE Deficiency Plan to the board that details how the licensee will obtain the required CE hours. He/she would then be required to pay the deficiency fee, then complete the CE and renew the certification prior to December 31, 2026, in order to avoid paying a late certification renewal penalty.
7. Units of measure for continuing education in hours. One hour equals at least 50 minutes.8. Continuing education hours are awarded in increments of one hour not to exceed four hours.9. Certified contractors who obtain CE hours in excess of what is required for a specific year may NOT use those hours toward CE credit for the following year.10. The Board may accept continuing education earned from an alternative continuing education provider by submitting a request for approval of non-traditional continuing education and paying the prescribed fee.11. Continuing education courses and activities may not be repeated within the earning period for credit. 12. Proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements must be submitted to the Board before November 1st annually.Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-21-.02
Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLII, Issue No. 12, September 30, 2024, eff. 11/14/2024, operative 1/1/2025.Author: James M. Morgan
Statutory Authority: 34-37-2.
Penalty: Non-compliance will prevent renewal of certification.