Relating to the practice of licensed professions and the duties of the professional licensing boards, including applications, renewals, and fees, and including applicability provisions

The bill strikes a requirement for the electrical board to adopt an official seal and requires a license issued under Code chapter 103 (electricians and electrical contractors) to be in the form of a certificate under the seal of the department and signed by the director of the department. The bill requires the department to adopt rules to set renewal fees for all licenses issued under Code chapter 103. The bill also requires a licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered to apply for reinstatement of the license. The changes to the term of licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 103 apply to licenses issued on or after the effective date of the bill and on or after the date on which the department adopts rules setting the term for licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 103. The bill applies the inspection and enforcement provisions of Code chapter 103 to all new electrical installations for single-family residential applications, rather than only those requiring new electrical service equipment. The bill strikes a provision making the home address and telephone number of licensees in a database of persons licensed pursuant to Code chapter 103 confidential. The bill allows the chairperson of the electrical examining board or the administrative staff of the department to designate a hearing officer for appeals from among members of the electrical board or administrative law judges employed by the department. The bill changes the definition of “apprentice” under Code chapter 105 (plumbers, mechanical professionals, and contractors) to include a person participating in a training program registered by the IOA. The bill removes the director of health and human services or the director’s designee, and the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner’s designee, from the membership of the plumbing and mechanical systems board. The bill strikes a provision limiting the length of an application form to take an examination for a license issued pursuant to Code chapter 105. The bill also strikes a provision allowing the plumbing and mechanical systems board (plumbing board) to request a recent photograph of an applicant. The bill strikes a requirement that the plumbing board submit an annual report to the general assembly, an authorization for the board to charge a fee for a paper application, and a provision requiring licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 105 to expire on the same date every third year. The bill strikes a provision making the home address and telephone number of licensees in a registry of persons licensed pursuant to Code chapter 105 confidential. The bill requires a person licensed pursuant to Code chapter 105 to inform the department if the person changes residence or place of practice. Commencing January 1, 2027, the bill requires a person seeking a journeyperson license pursuant to Code chapter 105 to have four years of practical experience with an apprenticeship training program registered by the IOA. The bill strikes a requirement that the plumbing board establish a special, restricted license fee and instead allows the department to create a special, restricted license fee. The bill requires the department to adopt rules to set the renewal fees for all licenses issued under Code chapter 105. The bill also requires a licensee whose license has been revoked, suspended, or voluntarily surrendered to apply for reinstatement of the license. The changes to the term of licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 105 apply to licenses issued on or after the effective date of the bill and on or after the date on which the department adopts rules setting the term for licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 105. The bill adds architects, engineers and land surveyors, landscape architects, and interior designers to Code Title IV (public health), subtitle (health-related professions), by moving provisions formerly located in Code chapters regulating those professions, including those related to board composition and title protection. The bill makes conforming changes regarding the practice of persons licensed pursuant to an interstate licensure compact. The bill strikes a provision protecting a person from ineligibility for a license due to citizenship status. The bill requires every license to practice a profession to be in the form of a certificate issued by the department. The bill strikes a provision requiring a board to keep the address of record of licensees available for public inspection and requires a licensee to inform the department of a change in the licensee’s address. The bill requires the department to adopt rules for the expiration, renewal, and reinstatement of all professional licenses, and makes conforming changes throughout the Code. A license shall not have a renewal interval of more than five years. The changes to the term of licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 147 apply to licenses issued on or after the effective date of the bill, and on or after the date on which the department adopts rules setting the term for licenses issued pursuant to Code chapter 147. The bill allows a professional licensing board to issue a temporary license to practice a profession regulated by the board and allows each board to adopt rules for the issuance and revocation of a temporary license. The bill requires the department to set by rule the duration of a temporary license, not to exceed one year. The bill allows a person to renew a temporary license but prohibits a person from practicing under a temporary license for more than three years. The bill also allows a professional licensing board to grant a license, registration, or certification by reciprocity. The bill allows the director of the department to accept a voluntary surrender of a license if accompanied by a written statement of intention, which shall have the same force and effect as an order of revocation. The bill makes conforming changes throughout the Code. The bill allows the department to set fees related to the issuance and renewal of all professional licenses, and shall be deposited in the licensing and regulation fund, and the department shall annually review and adjust the fees. The bill also allows the department to establish by rule the process for issuing reciprocal licenses. The bill requires professional boards to adopt rules necessary and proper to administer and interpret Code chapter 272C (regulation of licensed professions and occupations) and Code chapters 542 through 544C. The bill allows professional licensing boards to refer violations of Code Title IV (public health), subtitle (health-related professions), to the attorney general or relevant county attorney. Following an investigation, a board may refer a knowing violation to the attorney general of any state or any other appropriate law enforcement official. The bill allows a professional board to impose a penalty, injunction, restraining order, or conviction for a single violation of a law related to professional regulation without showing evidence of a general course of conduct. The bill requi