527.0201 Qualifiers; master qualifiers; examinations.
527.0201 Qualifiers; master qualifiers; examinations.
(1) In addition to the requirements of s. 527.02, any person applying for a license to engage in the activities of a pipeline system operator, category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, category II liquefied petroleum gas dispenser, category IV liquefied petroleum gas dispenser and recreational vehicle servicer, category V liquefied petroleum gases dealer for industrial uses only, LP gas installer, specialty installer, requalification of cylinders, or fabricator, repairer, and tester of vehicles and cargo tanks must prove competency by passing a written examination administered by the department or its agent with a grade of 75 percent or above. Each applicant for examination shall submit a $20 nonrefundable fee. The department shall by rule specify the general areas of competency to be covered by each examination and the relative weight to be assigned in grading each area tested.
(2) Application for examination for competency may be made by an individual or by an owner, a partner, or any person employed by the license applicant. Upon successful completion of the competency examination, the department shall issue a qualifier identification card to the examinee.
(a) Qualifier identification cards, except those issued to category I liquefied petroleum gas dealers and liquefied petroleum gas installers, shall remain in effect as long as the individual shows to the department proof of active employment in the area of examination and all continuing education requirements are met. Should the individual terminate active employment in the area of examination for a period exceeding 24 months, or fail to provide documentation of continuing education, the individual’s qualifier status shall automatically expire. If the qualifier status has expired, the individual must apply for and successfully complete an examination by the department in order to reestablish qualifier status.
(b) Every business organization shall employ at all times a full-time qualifier who has successfully completed an examination in the corresponding category of the license held by the business organization. A person may not act as a qualifier for more than one licensed location.
(3) Qualifier cards issued to category I liquefied petroleum gas dealers and liquefied petroleum gas installers shall expire 3 years after the date of issuance. All category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifiers and liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifiers holding a valid qualifier card upon the effective date of this act shall retain their qualifier status until July 1, 2003, and may sit for the master qualifier examination at any time during that time period. All such category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifiers and liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifiers may renew their qualification on or before July 1, 2003, upon application to the department, payment of a $20 renewal fee, and documentation of the completion of a minimum of 12 hours approved continuing education courses, as defined by department rule, during the previous 3-year period. Applications for renewal must be made 30 calendar days prior to expiration. Persons failing to renew prior to the expiration date must reapply and take a qualifier competency examination in order to reestablish category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifier and liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifier status. If a category I liquefied petroleum gas qualifier or liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifier becomes a master qualifier at any time during the effective date of the qualifier card, the card shall remain in effect until expiration of the master qualifier certification.
(4) A qualifier for a business organization involved in installation, repair, maintenance, or service of liquefied petroleum gas appliances, equipment, or systems must actually function in a supervisory capacity of other company employees installing, repairing, maintaining, or servicing liquefied petroleum gas appliances, equipment, or systems. A separate qualifier shall be required for every 10 such employees. Additional qualifiers are required for those business organizations employing more than 10 employees that install, repair, maintain, or service liquefied petroleum gas equipment and systems.
(5) In addition to all other licensing requirements, each category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer and liquefied petroleum gas installer must, at the time of application for licensure, identify to the department one master qualifier who is a full-time employee at the licensed location. This person shall be a manager, owner, or otherwise primarily responsible for overseeing the operations of the licensed location and must provide documentation to the department as provided by rule. The master qualifier requirement shall be in addition to the requirements of subsection (1).
(a) In order to apply for certification as a master qualifier, each applicant must be a category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifier or liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifier, must be employed by a licensed category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, liquefied petroleum gas installer, or applicant for such license, must provide documentation of a minimum of 1 year’s work experience in the gas industry, and must pass a master qualifier competency examination. Master qualifier examinations shall be based on Florida’s laws, rules, and adopted codes governing liquefied petroleum gas safety, general industry safety standards, and administrative procedures. The examination must be successfully completed by the applicant with a grade of 75 percent or more. Each applicant for master qualifier status shall submit to the department a nonrefundable $30 examination fee prior to the examination.
(b) Upon successful completion of the master qualifier examination, the department shall issue the examinee a certificate of master qualifier status which shall include the name of the licensed company for which the master qualifier is employed. A master qualifier may transfer from one licenseholder to another upon becoming employed by the company and providing a written request to the department.
(c) Master qualifier status shall expire 3 years after the date of issuance of the certificate and may be renewed by submission to the department of documentation of completion of at least 12 hours of approved continuing education courses during the 3-year period; proof of employment with a licensed category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer, liquefied petroleum gas installer, or applicant; and a $30 certificate renewal fee. The department shall define, by rule, approved courses of continuing education.
(d) Each category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer or liquefied petroleum gas installer licensed as of August 31, 2000, shall identify to the department one current category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer qualifier or liquefied petroleum gas installer qualifier who will be the designated master qualifier for the licenseholder. Such individual must provide proof of employment for 3 years or more within the liquefied petroleum gas industry, and shall, upon approval of the department, be granted a master qualifier certificate. All other requirements with regard to master qualifier certificate expiration, renewal, and continuing education shall apply.
(6) A vacancy in a qualifier or master qualifier position in a business organization which results from the departure of the qualifier or master qualifier shall be immediately reported to the department by the departing qualifier or master qualifier and the licensed company.
(a) If a business organization no longer possesses a duly designated qualifier, as required by this section, its liquefied petroleum gas licenses shall be suspended by order of the department after 20 working days. The license shall remain suspended until a competent qualifier has been employed, the order of suspension terminated by the department, and the license reinstated. A vacancy in the qualifier position for a period of more than 20 working days shall be deemed to constitute an immediate threat to the public health, safety, and welfare. Failure to obtain a replacement qualifier within 60 days after the vacancy occurs shall be grounds for revocation of licensure or eligibility for licensure.
(b) Any category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer or LP gas installer who no longer possesses a master qualifier but currently employs a category I liquefied petroleum gas dealer or LP gas installer qualifier as required by this section, shall have 60 days within which to replace the master qualifier. If the company fails to replace the master qualifier within the 60-day time period, the license of the company shall be suspended by order of the department. The license shall remain suspended until a competent master qualifier has been employed, the order of suspension has been terminated by the department, and the license reinstated. Failure to obtain a replacement master qualifier within 90 days after the vacancy occurs shall be grounds for revocation of licensure or eligibility for licensure.
(7) The department may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any qualifier card or master qualifier certificate for any of the following causes:
(a) Violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order of the department;
(b) Falsification of records relating to the qualifier card or master qualifier certificate; or
(c) Failure to meet any of the renewal requirements.
(8) Any individual having competency qualifications on file with the department may request the transfer of such qualifications to any existing licenseholder by making a written request to the department for such transfer. Any individual having a competency examination on file with the department may use such examination for a new license application after making application in writing to the department. All examinations are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
(9) If a duplicate license, qualifier card, or master qualifier certificate is requested by the licensee, a fee of $10 must be received before issuance of the duplicate license or card. If a facsimile transmission of an original license is requested, upon completion of the transmission a fee of $10 must be received by the department before the original license may be mailed to the requester.
(10) All revenues collected herein shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter.
History. s. 3, ch. 2003-132.