La. Admin. Code tit. 46 § LV-1002

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section LV-1002 - Gas Fitters and Master Gas Fitters

A. CPE Requirement

1. All persons seeking to renew a gas fitter license issued by the board are required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than 2 1/2 hours of a board-approved CPE class in the prior calendar year, as set out in this Section.

2. All persons seeking to renew a master gas fitter license or to convert an inactive master gas fitter license to an active master gas fitter license must attend and show proof of attendance at no less than four hours of a board-approved CPE class in the prior calendar year, as set out in this Section.

3. A holder of an inactive master gas fitter license who seeks to renew said license must file an affidavit in a form provided by the board, that they have been inactive as a gas fitter in the previous year, and that they will remain inactive and not work as a gas fitter for the year for which they seek to renew their license. Upon such filing with the board, the holder of an inactive master gas fitter license will not be required to meet the CPE requirements set out herein.

4. A holder of an inactive master gas fitter license who seeks to function as a gas fitter is required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than 2 1/2 hours of a board-approved CPE class in the prior calendar year, as set out in this Section.

5. All persons holding and seeking to renew both gas fitter and journeyman plumber licenses issued by the board are required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than 4 1/2 hours as set out in this Section and in §1001

6. All persons holding and seeking to renew both gas fitter and master plumber licenses issued by the board are required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than six hours as set out in this Section and in §1001

7. All persons holding and seeking to renew both master gas fitter and journeyman plumber licenses issued by the board are required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than six hours as set out in this Section and in §1001

8. All persons holding and seeking to renew both master gas fitter and master plumber licenses issued by the board are required to attend and show proof of attendance at no less than six hours as set out in this Section and in §1001

B. Course Materials

1. The board shall be the exclusive agency for distribution of CPE course materials.

2. The course materials will provide the basis for a minimum of 2 1/2 hours of study for gas fitters. One hour will be in the subjects of health protection, consumer protection or environmental protection, 1/2 hours shall include information concerning R.S. 37:1361 et seq., LAC 46:LV, and one hour covering current industry practices and codes, and subjects from a list approved and published by the board.

3. The course materials will provide the basis for a minimum of four classroom hours of study for master gas fitters. One hour will be in the subjects of health protection, consumer protection or environmental protection, 1/2 hour shall include information concerning R.S. 37:1361 et seq., LAC 46:LV, and one hour covering current industry practices, codes, and subjects from a list approved and published by the board, and 1 1/2 hours on business topics approved by the board.

4. The course materials will include board forms within the binding of the course materials that may be removed for use by the licensees. The forms will include CPE evaluation forms.

5. The publishers of course materials must have legal ownership of or an appropriate license for the use of all copyrighted material included within the course materials. Board-approved course materials will contain a prominently displayed approval statement in 10-point bold type or larger containing the following language.

"THIS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION COURSE MATERIAL HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE LOUISIANA STATE PLUMBING BOARD FOR USE IN THE (state year) CPE YEAR. BY ITS APPROVAL OF THIS COURSE MATERIAL, THE LOUISIANA STATE PLUMBING BOARD DOES NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS. FURTHER, THE LOUISIANA STATE PLUMBING BOARD HAS NOT MADE ANY DETERMINATION THAT THE PARTY PUBLISHING THE COURSE MATERIALS HAS COMPLIED WITH ANY APPLICABLE COPYRIGHT AND OTHER LAWS IN PUBLISHING THE COURSE MATERIAL AND THE LOUISIANA STATE PLUMBING BOARD DOES NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY THEREFOR. THE COURSE MATERIAL IS NOT BEING PUBLISHED BY NOR IS IT A PUBLICATION OF THE LOUISIANA STATE PLUMBING BOARD."

6. The publishers of course materials will conduct instructor training in the use of course materials.

C. Course Providers

1. Course providers shall offer classroom instruction in the course materials used for the CPE required for renewal of gas fitter and master gas fitter licenses issued under the Act. Board approval of course providers will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Section.

2. CPE courses shall be presented in one of the following formats:

a. for gas fitters a minimum of 2 1/2 classroom hours presented on one day; or

b. for master gas fitters, four hours on one day; or

c. for gas fitters two sessions totaling 2 1/2 classroom hours presented within a 30-day period; or

d. for master gas fitters, two sessions totaling four classroom hours presented within a 30-day period.

3. Continuing professional education must be based on the course materials and provided in a format approved by the board.

4. In addition to required classroom education provided in each region, material may be provided in additional formatting as approved by the board.

5. Each course provider shall, at its own expense and in a format approved by the board, mail, fax or electronically transmit to the board certification of each licensee's completion of CPE requirements within 10 days of completion.

6. The board is authorized to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with either the Louisiana Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors of Louisiana or the Louisiana Pipe Trades Association, or any subsidiary or affiliate of either non-profit organization, to jointly provide CPE services to licensed and master gas fitters. The board is authorized to share costs and expenses with either organization under terms and conditions that promote the public interest and avoid gratuitous donation of public funds.

7. Each course provider must notify the board at least seven working days before conducting classes; the notice shall contain the time(s) and place(s) where the classes will occur.

8. Each course provider will perform self-monitoring and reporting as required by the board, including a certified roster of all persons attending the course, with the license number of each attendee included.

9. Each course provider shall permit any board member or a duly designated representative of the board to monitor any CPE class for compliance purposes.

10. Each course provider shall use only course instructors that have been approved by the board. Each course provider shall initially submit to the board's office a list of course instructors it employs and the instructors' credentials for approval. Course instructors will be granted ongoing approval. Any changes to instructors shall be approved by the board.

a. Lists of course instructors to be approved for the following year must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the date of the board's last scheduled quarterly meeting for approval by the board, unless an extension is requested at or before the August board meeting and granted by the board.

b. Prior to allowing course instructors to teach CPE, course providers must provide documentation to the board showing the instructor's qualifications to teach CPE, including but not limited to detailed information on any experience in providing instruction, assistance in providing instruction or successful completion of training for providing instruction.

c. Course instructors must comply with this Section. Course providers shall notify the board within 10 working days of any change of an instructor's employment status with the course provider.

11. Any individual, business or association who wishes to be a course provider shall apply to the board for approval using application forms prepared by the board. In order to be approved, the application must satisfy the board as to the ability of the individual, business or association to provide quality instruction in the course materials as required in this Section and must include:

a. name and address of the applicant;

b. names and addresses of all officers, directors, trustees or members of the governing body of any business or association applying;

c. certificate of good standing issued by the Louisiana Secretary of State for corporate applicants;

d. taxpayer identification number;

e. facsimile number, statewide toll-free telephone number, internet website or electronic mail address;

f. fees to be charged to licensees for attending the course;

g. A CPE class scheduling plan providing for a least one course in each region. Course providers must, at a minimum, offer the CPE class in each of the following cities: Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Shreveport, Lake Charles and Monroe; any CPE provider for gas fitting shall conduct both plumber and gas fitter CPE classes. The board or its director may, solely at their discretion, grant a request that the course not be offered in one or more of these locations, upon a demonstration of economic infeasibility by the course provider;

h. a method for quarterly reporting compilations of licensee evaluations of course provider and course instructors to the board;

i. identification of the approved course material options which will be used by the course provider; and

j. an application fee to be set as provided by law.

12. The course provider shall purchase course materials from the board.

13. The fees charged to the licensees for attending the course will be determined by the course provider.

14. The board may refuse to accept any application for approval as a course provider that is not complete. The board may deny approval of an application for any of the following reasons:

a. failure to comply with the provisions of this Section;

b. inadequate instruction of the materials required to be included in course materials; or

c. unsatisfactory evaluations of the course provider by licensees, board members or board staff.

15. If an application is refused or disapproved, written notice detailing the basis of the decision shall be provided to the applicant within 90 days of the date of the decision.

16. A course provider's authority to offer instruction in the course materials for which CPE credit is given expires on December 31 of the calendar year following approval.

17. The board shall review course providers for quality of instruction. The board shall also investigate and take appropriate action, consistent with the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, up to and including revocation of authority to provide CPE, regarding complaints involving approved course providers.

18. A provider's failure to comply with this Section constitutes grounds for disciplinary action in accord with the Louisiana Administrative Procedure Act, up to and including revocation of authority to provide CPE, against the provider or for denial of future applications for approval as a course provider.

D. Course Instructors

1. The board will initially approve course instructors to provide instruction in the course materials used for the CPE required for renewal of gas fitter and master gas fitter licenses. Board approval of course instructors will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Section. An individual who wishes to be approved by the board as a course instructor must apply to the board using an application form approved by the board The following minimum criteria will be used by the board in considering approval of course instructors:

a. all course instructors for master gas fitters must hold a Louisiana state master gas fitter license, and those for gas fitter must hold a master or gas fitter license; and

b. demonstrate an ability to train others, including but not limited to providing a description of their previous training experience; and

c. must be employed by an approved course provider.

2. An approved course instructor may use, under its live supervision, a non-licensed supplemental lecturer to present subjects of health protection, consumer protection or environmental protection, information concerning R.S. 37:1361, et seq., LAC 46:LV published by the board. Prior to approval, a course instructor must identify to the board, any supplemental lecturer they intend to use, including a resume from the supplemental lecturer, and the subject matter the supplemental lecturer will discuss within 30 days prior to the course being conducted.

3. As a course instructor and licensee of the board, a course instructor must:

a. be well versed in and knowledgeable of the course materials;

b. maintain an orderly and professional classroom environment; and

c. coordinate with the course provider to develop an appropriate method for handling disorderly and disruptive students. A course instructor shall report to the course provider and the board any non-responsive or disruptive student who attends a CPE course. The board may deny CPE credit to any such student and require, at the student's expense, successful completion of an additional CPE course to receive credit.

4. The board shall review course instructors for quality of instruction. The board shall also respond to complaints regarding course instructors.

5. A course instructor's failure to comply with this Section constitutes grounds for disciplinary action against the instructor or for disapproval of future applications for approval as a course instructor, in accord with the Administrative Procedure Act.

6. A course instructor may use a vendor approved by the board to provide instruction on products specific to only one approved gas topic and/or one approved plumbing topic.

La. Admin. Code tit. 46, § LV-1002

Promulgated by the Workforce Commission, Plumbing Board, LR 43549 (3/1/2017), Amended LR 44635 (3/1/2018), Amended LR 481593 (6/1/2022).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 37:1366(I) and R.S. 37:1368(H).