CHAPTER 1. REGULATION OF PLUMBERS; CREATION OF COMMISSION; LICENSING
IC 25-28.5
ARTICLE 28.5. PLUMBERS
IC 25-28.5-1
Chapter 1. Regulation of Plumbers; Creation of Commission;
Licensing
IC 25-28.5-1-1
Declaration of policy
Sec. 1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Indiana
that, in order to safeguard the life, health, and public welfare of its
citizens, the business of plumbing construction and improvements is
a matter affecting the public interest, and any person engaging in the
business as herein defined should be required to establish his
competency and qualifications to be licensed as herein provided.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-2
Definitions
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter:
(1) "Plumbing" means the practice of and the materials and
fixtures used in the installation, maintenance, extension, and
alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in
connection with any of the following:
(A) Sanitary drainage or storm drainage facilities, the venting
system, and the public or private water supply systems, within
or adjacent to any building or structure.
(B) The practice and materials used in the installation,
maintenance, extension, or alteration of the stormwater, liquid
waste, or sewerage, and water supply systems of any premises
to the private property line or to their connection with any point
of public disposal or other acceptable terminal.
The term does not include the planning, designing, and installation
of sanitation and water systems in vehicles commonly known as
mobile homes, the drilling of wells, the installation of pumps,
pressure tanks, and piping incidental to the drilling or repair of a well
system, the sale or installation of water softening equipment and
apparatuses and services of the same, or the business of
manufacturing or selling plumbing fixtures; appliances, equipment,
or hardware; the installation of automatic sprinklers, the overhead or
underground water supplies or standpipes when connected to an
automatic sprinkler system or to their related devices or
appurtenances connecting thereto; nor does the term include the work
referred to in section 32(i) of this chapter; nor does the term include
the planning or design of water supply or sewage systems which
would ordinarily be performed as "the practice of engineering", as
defined in IC 25-31-1, or the "practice of architecture", as defined in
IC 25-4-1.
(2) "Plumbing contractor" means any person who, for
compensation, undertakes to, or submits a bid to, or does himself or
herself or by others, construct, repair, alter, remodel, add to, subtract
from, or improve plumbing and who is responsible for substantially
all the plumbing within the entire project, or one who fabricates units
or plumbing substantially completed and ready for installation.
(3) "Journeyman plumber" means a person who engages or offers
to engage in, as an occupation or trade, the construction, installation,
alteration, maintenance, repair, remodeling, or removal and
replacement of plumbing under the supervision, direction, and
responsibility of a licensed plumbing contractor.
(4) "Maintenance man" means a person who is employed on a
permanent basis to keep the premises of a business establishment in
good repair.
(5) "Contracting" means, except as exempted in this chapter,
engaging in a business as a contractor.
(6) "Person" means a natural person, except in the case of a
plumbing contractor, in which case it may mean the partners or
members of a partnership, limited partnership, or any form of
unincorporated enterprise, owned by two (2) or more persons, and as
applied to "corporation" in addition to the corporate entity means the
officers or directors and employees thereof.
(7) "Commission" means the Indiana plumbing commission
created by this chapter.
(8) "License" means a certificate issued by the commission
established by this chapter which confers upon the holder the
privilege to act as a plumbing contractor or a journeyman plumber as
defined in this chapter.
(9) "Farmstead" means a farm dwelling together with other
buildings, structures, equipment, piping, and other plumbing
materials and supplies, located upon a parcel of real estate used
primarily for agricultural purposes located outside the corporate
limits of a municipality and not connected to a public water supply.
(10) "Licensing agency" means the Indiana professional licensing
agency established under IC 25-1-5-3.
(11) "Apprentice plumber" means an individual who:
(A) is learning the plumbing trade; and
(B) is under the direction and immediate supervision of a
licensed plumbing contractor or a licensed journeyman
plumber.
(12) "Registration" means the granting of a certificate by the
commission that authorizes an individual to act as an apprentice
plumber.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.202; P.L.132-1984, SEC.36; P.L.248-1985, SEC.1;
P.L.1-2006, SEC.469.
IC 25-28.5-1-3
Indiana plumbing commission; creation; administration and
enforcement of chapter
Sec. 3. The Indiana plumbing commission is hereby created. The
commission shall have general charge of the administration and
enforcement of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1980,
P.L.166, SEC.1.
IC 25-28.5-1-4
Members of commission; appointment; terms; vacancies; dual
office holding prohibited
Sec. 4. (a) The commission shall consist of six (6) members to be
appointed by the governor. Each member appointed shall be a citizen
and resident of this state. Two (2) of the members shall be actively
engaged in the plumbing contracting business for not less than five
(5) years immediately prior to his appointment or shall have had ten
(10) years experience in the plumbing contracting business. Two (2)
of the members shall be persons who for not less than five (5) years
immediately prior to their appointment have been employed as
journeymen plumbers. One (1) member shall be the commissioner of
the state department of health or a member of the commissioner's
professional staff. One (1) member, appointed to represent the
general public, may never have been associated with plumbing in any
way other than as a consumer. The term of all members of the
commission shall be for three (3) years and until their successors are
appointed and qualified.
(b) Members appointed by the governor to fill vacancies shall
hold office for the unexpired term. At no time shall there be more
than four (4) members of the same political faith on the commission.
No person, other than the representative of the state department of
health, shall act as a member of the commission while holding
another elective or appointive office either state or federal.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.203; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.68; P.L.8-1984,
SEC.120; P.L.20-1991, SEC.6; P.L.2-1992, SEC.778.
IC 25-28.5-1-5
Compensation of members of commission
Sec. 5. The members of the commission shall receive no salary,
but are entitled to reimbursement for traveling and other expenses as
provided in the state travel policies and procedures, established by
the department of administration and approved by the state budget
agency.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1980,
P.L.166, SEC.2.
IC 25-28.5-1-6
Organization and records of commission
Sec. 6. The commission shall annually organize and select one (1)
of the members as chairman and one (1) of the members to serve as
secretary, both to serve for a term of one (1) year. The commission,
through the licensing agency, shall keep a record of all its
proceedings, transactions, communications, official acts, and records
and shall perform said other duties as required by law.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.204; P.L.132-1984, SEC.37.
IC 25-28.5-1-7
Duties of commission
Sec. 7. The commission shall do the following:
(1) Adopt a seal with the words "Indiana Plumbing
Commission" and such other device as may be selected by
which it shall authenticate the acts of the commission. Copies
of all records and papers, when certified by the secretary and
issued under the seal of the commission, shall be received in
evidence in all cases equally and with like effect as the original
commission records.
(2) Prescribe the form of licenses and issue the same under its
seal. All such licenses, while in force, shall be under the
supervision and control of the commission.
(3) Issue licenses as plumbing contractors and journeymen
plumbers, to any person who qualifies and complies with the
provisions of this chapter and pay required license fees.
(4) Adopt rules in accordance with IC 4-22-2 which establish
standards for the competent practice of plumbing.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.205; P.L.132-1984, SEC.38; P.L.2-2005, SEC.66.
IC 25-28.5-1-8
Powers of commission
Sec. 8. The commission may:
(1) Adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for its guidance
and for the regulation of its business and procedure consistent
with the provisions of this chapter and in the manner provided
in IC 4-22-2.
(2) Enter into such other contracts and authorize expenditures
as its duties require, subject to the provisions of this chapter and
IC 25-1-6.
(3) Do all things necessary for carrying into effect the
provisions of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.206; P.L.2-2005, SEC.67.
IC 25-28.5-1-9
Meetings of commission; notice; quorum; record
Sec. 9. The secretary shall call all meetings of the commission as
directed by the chairman or upon request in writing by two (2)
members, and at such time and places, within the state of Indiana as
the commission business may require. Sufficient notice shall be
given to permit members to attend all meetings. The presence of four
(4) members of the commission in attendance at a commission
meeting subject to notice as herein required, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of commission business. Meetings of the
commission may be held pursuant to written waiver of notice signed
by all the members of the commission. A record shall be kept of all
proceedings at meetings and of the vote taken on each act or
transaction of the commission and a majority vote of all members
shall be required to bind the commission.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.207.
IC 25-28.5-1-10
Office and supplies of commission; employees
Sec. 10. (a) The department of administration shall provide office
space, furniture, and necessary supplies and the office files, records,
and property of the commission.
(b) The licensing agency shall provide the board with employees
necessary to administer the provisions of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.208; P.L.132-1984, SEC.39.
IC 25-28.5-1-11
Unlawful acts
Sec. 11. It shall be unlawful for any person to act in the capacity
of a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber within this state
without first obtaining a license as a plumbing contractor or
journeyman plumber from the commission. This chapter however
does not apply to helpers, laborers, registered apprentices, and other
employees of a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber, who do
not in any manner hold themselves out to the public as being
plumbers.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.209; P.L.248-1985, SEC.2.
IC 25-28.5-1-12
Licensing requirements; apprenticeship; nonresidents
Sec. 12. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a natural
person over the age of eighteen (18) years who resides in Indiana and
any corporation which satisfies the further requirements of this
chapter may be licensed by the commission as a plumbing contractor.
Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a natural person over
the age of eighteen (18) years may be licensed by the commission as
journeyman plumber.
(b) A person who desires to be licensed as a plumbing contractor
or journeyman plumber is eligible for such a license upon the
successful taking of the examination provided in section 15 of this
chapter.
(c) To qualify for a journeyman plumber examination under
subsection (b), an applicant who is an Indiana resident must provide
evidence that the applicant has completed at least four (4) years in an
apprenticeship program approved by the commission or present to
the commission a notarized statement providing evidence that the
applicant has at least four (4) years of experience in the plumbing
trade in employment as set forth in section 32(2), 32(6), or 32(7) of
this chapter. To qualify for a plumbing contractor license
examination under subsection (b), an applicant who is an Indiana
resident must provide evidence that the applicant has completed at
least four (4) years in an apprenticeship program approved by the
commission or present to the commission a notarized statement
providing evidence that the applicant has at least four (4) years of
experience in the plumbing trade in employment as set forth in
section 32(2), 32(6), or 32(7) of this chapter, or has worked in a
plumbing business under the direction of a licensed plumbing
contractor for at least four (4) years.
(d) An applicant who is not an Indiana resident may qualify to
take an examination under subsection (b) in the following manner:
(1) If the applicant holds a license in a state that does not have
a reciprocity agreement with Indiana, the applicant must present
the license to the commission to be eligible to take the
examination.
(2) If the applicant resides in a state that does not have licensing
requirements, the applicant before taking the examination must
meet the appropriate requirements of subsection (b).
(e) If the applicant holds a license in a state that has a reciprocity
agreement with Indiana, the appropriate license shall be issued
automatically.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1; Acts 1973, P.L.252, SEC.13.)
As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.210; P.L.20-1991, SEC.7;
P.L.194-2005, SEC.69.
IC 25-28.5-1-13
Application for license; corporations, partnerships, or associations;
requisites
Sec. 13. (a) A person wishing to be licensed as a plumbing
contractor or journeyman plumber must file with the commission a
written application, on a form provided by the commission, that
contains information the commission considers necessary to
determine the qualifications of the applicant.
(b) All members of a firm, a copartnership, or an association who
engage in the activities defined in this chapter as those of a plumbing
contractor must be individually licensed as a plumbing contractor. In
the case of a limited partnership, only the general partner must be
licensed under this chapter.
(c) In the case of a corporation engaged in the business of a
plumbing contractor, the corporation must be licensed as a plumbing
contractor and must file with the commission an application as
provided for in this chapter. A corporation may not be licensed as a
plumbing contractor unless one (1) of the officers or employees of
the corporation holds a valid license as a plumbing contractor issued
by the commission. Where a license is issued to a corporation, at
least one (1) officer or employee of the corporation must be:
(1) licensed as a plumbing contractor;
(2) designated in the application; and
(3) named in the license.
(d) An officer or employee of a corporation desiring to act as a
plumbing contractor in connection with the business of the
corporation must take out a separate plumbing contractor's license in
the officer's or employee's own name.
(e) An application must be signed by the applicant, or the
applicant's duly authorized officer or officers. The applicant must
make a statement that the applicant has not been convicted of:
(1) an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary
sanction under IC 25-1-11; or
(2) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to
practice competently.
(f) A business that provides plumbing services and is required to
file a certificate of assumed business name under IC 23-15-1 must
register the name, address, and telephone number of the business
with the commission.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.211; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.69; P.L.241-1989,
SEC.1; P.L.143-1990, SEC.4; P.L.214-1993, SEC.60.
IC 25-28.5-1-14
Refusal to examine or license
Sec. 14. Upon the filing of an application, the commission may
investigate the statements contained therein and, if it finds the
statements to be untrue, may refuse to examine or license the
applicant.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-15
Examinations
Sec. 15. (a) Except as otherwise provided, individual applicants
for a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber must
pass an examination. The contents of the examination must, for each
license category, test the current level of skills required of persons to
be licensed in that category.
(b) Examinations may be conducted at times and locations the
commission may prescribe.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.241-1989, SEC.2.
IC 25-28.5-1-16
Preparation and administration of examination
Sec. 16. The commission or the commission's designee shall
prepare and administer examinations for each license category. The
subject matter to be covered and the passing grade for licensing shall
be established and made known to the applicants prior to the date of
the examination.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.241-1989, SEC.3.
IC 25-28.5-1-17
Reexamination
Sec. 17. (a) An applicant who fails the applicant's first
examination for a license as a plumbing contractor or journeyman
plumber may be reexamined.
(b) Reexamination of an applicant who fails the examination after
two (2) attempts may be conditioned on the satisfactory completion
of additional study or training as prescribed by the commission.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by
P.L.241-1989, SEC.4.
IC 25-28.5-1-18
Repealed
(Repealed by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.296.)
IC 25-28.5-1-18.1
Apprentice plumber; application for registration; certificate of
registration
Sec. 18.1. (a) An individual age seventeen (17) years or older
wanting to be registered by the commission as an apprentice plumber
shall, on a form provided by the commission, make application for
registration. The applicant shall also provide to the commission a
statement signed by a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman
plumber who is the employer of the applicant that the prospective
apprentice is the employer's employee and will work under the direct
and immediate personal supervision of a licensed contractor or
journeyman plumber.
(b) If the commission approves the application for registration, it
shall issue a certificate of registration as an apprentice plumber to the
applicant.
As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.3.
IC 25-28.5-1-18.3
Expiration of license
Sec. 18.3. A plumbing contractor's license expires upon the death
of the individual to whom it was issued.
As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.4.
IC 25-28.5-1-18.5
Temporary plumbing contractor's license; issuance
Sec. 18.5. Notwithstanding section 12 of this chapter, the
commission may issue a temporary plumbing contractor's license to
an applicant who has an ownership interest in or is an officer of a
contracting business if the plumbing contractor licensee operating the
business has died or is physically or mentally unable to operate the
business. The commission may issue the license for the period
needed to dispose of the contracting business or to otherwise meet
the emergency giving rise to the need for the license. However, a
temporary contractor's license may not be issued for a period,
including all renewals, exceeding two (2) years.
As added by P.L.248-1985, SEC.5.
IC 25-28.5-1-19
Reciprocity
Sec. 19. Upon the payment of the required fee, an applicant who
is a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber licensed or
registered in another state, territory, country, or province, shall
without examination, be granted a license as a plumbing contractor
or journeyman plumber by the Indiana Plumbing Commission:
Provided, That
(a) No such applicant shall be granted a license in a category he
is not licensed in another state.
(b) The individual applicant for a license as a plumbing contractor
or a journeyman plumber shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
(c) The requirements for the licensing or registration of plumbing
contractors or journeyman plumbers in such other state, territory,
country, or province, were, at the date of the applicant's last
registration or licensing, substantially equal to the requirements in
force in this state; and: Provided, That the same privilege of
registration or licensing is accorded by said state, territory, country
or province to licensees of the State of Indiana.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1; Acts 1973, P.L.252, SEC.14.)
As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.212.
IC 25-28.5-1-20
Nonresident applicants; service of process
Sec. 20. (a) Nonresident applicants for a license to act as a
plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber in Indiana shall file a
written application with the commission on a form to be provided by
the commission. The nonresident applicant shall also file a certified
copy of his license, or certificate of registration as a plumbing
contractor or journeyman plumber in the state wherein he resides.
(b) In addition, every nonresident applicant to be licensed as a
plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber shall file an irrevocable
appointment of the secretary of the commission as his agent for
service of process within this state.
(1) All process served upon the secretary of the commission as
agent for a nonresident plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber
shall be served in duplicate. One (1) copy shall be filed in the office
of the commission and one (1) copy shall be forwarded to the
nonresident licensee or registrant by the secretary by certified mail,
return receipt requested.
(2) Service of process upon the secretary, as provided in this
section shall be equivalent to personal service within the state upon
the nonresident licensee or registrant.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.213.
IC 25-28.5-1-21
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.260-1987, SEC.3.)
IC 25-28.5-1-22
Expiration of license or certificate of registration; renewal; fees
Sec. 22. (a) Every license or certificate of registration issued
under this chapter expires on a date established by the licensing
agency under IC 25-1-6-4 and shall be renewed biennially thereafter
upon payment of the required renewal fees.
(b) Applications for renewal shall be filed with the commission
in the form and manner provided by the commission. The application
shall be accompanied by the required renewal fee. The commission,
upon the receipt of the application for renewal and the required
renewal fee, shall issue to the renewal applicant a license or
certificate of registration in the category said applicant has
previously held. Unless a license is renewed, a license issued by the
commission expires on the date specified by the licensing agency
under IC 25-1-6-4.
(c) A license or certificate of registration lapses without any
action by the commission if an application for renewal has not been
filed and the required fee has not been paid by the established
biennial renewal date.
(d) If a license or certificate of registration has been expired for
not more than three (3) years, the license or certificate of registration
may be reinstated by the commission if the holder of the license or
certificate of registration meets the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6(c).
(e) If a license or certificate of registration has been expired for
more than three (3) years, the license or certificate of registration
may be reinstated by the commission if the holder of the license or
certificate of registration meets the requirements for reinstatement
under IC 25-1-8-6(d).
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.214; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.70; P.L.194-2005,
SEC.70; P.L.105-2008, SEC.55.
IC 25-28.5-1-23
Fees
Sec. 23. The fees to be charged by and paid to the commission by
licensees for all licenses and license renewals shall be established by
the commission under IC 25-1-8.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1976,
P.L.120, SEC.1; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.215; Acts 1982, P.L.113,
SEC.71; P.L.84-1998, SEC.26; P.L.194-2005, SEC.71.
IC 25-28.5-1-24
Disposition of fees; expenses of commission
Sec. 24. (a) All fees collected by the commission shall be
deposited with the treasurer of state to be deposited by the treasurer
in the state general fund.
(b) All expenses of the commission shall be paid from the state
general fund upon appropriation being made therefor in the manner
provided by law for the making of such appropriations.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1976,
P.L.119, SEC.22; P.L.194-2005, SEC.72.
IC 25-28.5-1-25
Repealed
(Repealed by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2570.)
IC 25-28.5-1-26
Repealed
(Repealed by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2570.)
IC 25-28.5-1-27
Investigations; motion of commission or complaint; approval
Sec. 27. Subject to IC 25-1-7, the commission may, upon its own
motion and shall, upon the verified complaint in writing of any
person setting forth specifically the wrongful act or acts complained
of, investigate any action or business transaction of any licensee in
accordance with IC 25-1-11. Approval by a majority of all members
of the commission shall be required for any action to be taken.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1977,
P.L.172, SEC.44; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.216; P.L.214-1993,
SEC.61.
IC 25-28.5-1-27.1
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.214-1993, SEC.91.)
IC 25-28.5-1-28
Proceedings for denial, suspension, or revocation of license; review
Sec. 28. (a) Proceedings before the commission for the suspension
or revocation of any license shall be conducted in the manner
provided by IC 4-21.5-3.
(b) Any person aggrieved by any action of the commission in
suspending or revoking his license or certificate of registration may
seek judicial review by following IC 4-21.5-5.
(c) Any person aggrieved by the commission's action in failing to
issue or renew a license or certificate of registration may seek
judicial review by following IC 4-21.5-5.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by P.L.7-1987,
SEC.126.
IC 25-28.5-1-29
Record of commission as evidence; conclusiveness of verdicts
Sec. 29. (a) The record of the commission (or a duly certified
copy thereof), shall be admissible in any proceedings at law or in
equity in any court of competent jurisdiction in this or any other state
in which the applicant, licensee or certificate of registration holder
charged or under investigation is a party, and where the issues of an
act involved in the proceedings are pertinent to the inquiry before the
commission and the verdict of the jury or judgment of the court in
any action at law or the decree of the court in any proceeding in
equity shall be prima facie as the facts at issue in the proceedings and
necessarily adjudicated therein.
(b) The verdict of the court or jury in any criminal prosecution in
a court of record of this or any other state in which the applicant,
licensee, or certificate of registration holder charged shall have been
the defendant shall be conclusive as to the facts charged and at issue
in such prosecution.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-30
Repealed
(Repealed by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.296.)
IC 25-28.5-1-31
Violations
Sec. 31. (a) A person who acts or advertises as a plumbing
contractor or journeyman plumber without first obtaining a license
from the commission or who continues to act as a plumbing
contractor or journeyman plumber after the person's license has been
suspended, revoked, or otherwise restricted under IC 25-1-11
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) A person who fails to renew the person's license and continues
to act as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber after the
license has expired commits a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) It is unlawful for a plumbing contractor to fail to include one
(1) of the following names on written or printed advertising for
plumbing services and on vehicles that are used to provide plumbing
services:
(1) The plumbing contractor's name.
(2) The name of the business with which the plumbing
contractor is associated.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1978,
P.L.2, SEC.2547; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.218; P.L.241-1989,
SEC.5; P.L.214-1993, SEC.62.
IC 25-28.5-1-32
Exceptions to application of chapter
Sec. 32. This chapter does not apply to the following:
(1) Contractors in work on bridges, roads, streets, highways,
railroads, or utilities and services incidental to the work.
(2) An authorized employee of the United States, the state, or a
political subdivision of the state if the employee does not
profess to be for hire and is acting within the scope of the
employee's employment.
(3) An officer appointed by a court when the officer is acting
within the scope of the officer's office as defined by law or
court order. When construction projects are not underway at the
time of the appointment of the officer by the court, and the
nature of the officer's appointment requires that plumbing must
be done, the officer must employ or contract with a registered
plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber.
(4) Public utilities with respect to construction, maintenance,
and development work performed by their own forces and
incidental to their business.
(5) The owner occupant of a dwelling of eight (8) or less
residential units when the owner occupant is installing, altering,
or repairing the plumbing system of the residential units.
(6) Construction, alteration, improvement, or repair of a
plumbing system, located on a site, the title of which is in the
name of the United States of America, or to construction,
alteration, improvement, or repair on a project where federal
law supersedes this article.
(7) An individual who is employed or acts as a maintenance
person at the individual's place of employment.
(8) Farmsteads, except for buildings built on the farmstead for
the purpose of public or commercial use.
(9) A sewer contractor, sewage disposal contractor, or an
excavation contractor or utility contractor who generally
engages in the business of installing, altering, or repairing
sewers, private or public sewage disposal systems, and water
distribution or drainage lines outside the foundation walls of a
building.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1980,
P.L.166, SEC.4; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.219; P.L.241-1989, SEC.6.
IC 25-28.5-1-33
Political subdivisions; power to regulate
Sec. 33. Nothing in this chapter shall limit the power of political
subdivision to regulate the quality and character of work performed
by plumbing contractors through the enforcement of building codes
and inspections, but no political subdivision shall require any
licensee under this chapter to submit to any other form of licensing:
Provided, however, That any political subdivision of this state may
require any person licensed as a plumbing contractor under the
provisions of this chapter to register with some public official of said
political subdivision in order that the plumbing inspection officials
of such political subdivision may have the records necessary to
inspect the work of persons licensed hereunder. Nothing herein
contained shall prohibit any political subdivision from charging a
reasonable fee for such registration. Failure to register as required by
a political subdivision, upon certification of said failure to the
commission, at the discretion of the commission may constitute a
basis for suspension of any plumbing contractor's license issued
under the provisions of this chapter. Repeated and intentional
violation of any such registration requirements may at the discretion
of the commission constitute a basis for the revocation of a plumbing
contractor's license, said proceeding for suspension or revocation to
be had under the provisions of section 26 of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-34
Repealed
(Repealed by Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.296.)
IC 25-28.5-1-35
Display of license; register available for public inspection
Sec. 35. (a) A plumbing contractor licensee shall prominently
display the licensee's license in the licensee's principal business
office. In the case of a partnership or corporation, the license of at
least one (1) partner, member, or officer of the corporation, or the
corporate license, must be displayed.
(b) The license number of a licensed plumbing contractor must be
recognizably displayed in all forms of written or printed advertising
for plumbing services and on all vehicles that are used to provide
plumbing services.
(c) A plumbing contractor, partnership, or corporation must
maintain a register listing:
(1) the name and license number of every plumbing contractor
currently employed there;
(2) the name and license number of every journeyman plumber
currently employed there; and
(3) the name and registration number of every apprentice
plumber currently employed there.
The register must be available for public inspection upon request.
(d) A plumbing contractor, journeyman plumber, or apprentice
plumber shall carry a facsimile of that person's license or certificate
of registration on a job location where the person is engaged in
plumbing contracting or the trade of plumbing. The plumbing
contractor, journeyman plumber, or apprentice plumber shall display
that person's license or certificate of registration upon the demand of
a state inspector or local building or plumbing inspector in Indiana
within that inspector's local jurisdiction or upon a customer's request.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1981,
P.L.222, SEC.220; P.L.248-1985, SEC.7; P.L.241-1989, SEC.7.
IC 25-28.5-1-36
Actions to recover for services by unlicensed or unregistered
plumbers barred
Sec. 36. No action or suit shall be instituted in any court of this
state to recover compensation for plumbing contracting services, or
for wages for work done which under the provisions of this chapter
constitutes plumbing, by a person who is not licensed or registered
under the provisions of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-37
Subpoena powers of commission; service and witness fees;
enforcement
Sec. 37. The commission conducting a hearing in any particular
case shall have power to subpoena and order production of books and
papers. In any hearing, the process issued by the commission shall
extend to all parts of the state and the process shall be served either
in like manner as are served writs of subpoena in the circuit court or
by any person designated by the commission for that purpose. The
person serving the process shall receive such compensation as may
be allowed by the commission not to exceed the fee prescribed by
law for similar services in the circuit courts and the fees shall be paid
in the same manner as provided in this chapter for fees of witnesses
subpoenaed at the instance of the commission. All witnesses who
shall be subpoenaed and who appear in any proceeding before the
commission shall receive the same fees and mileage as allowed by
law to witnesses in the circuit courts, which amount shall be paid by
the party at whose instance the subpoena was issued or upon whose
behalf the witness has been called. When any witness who has not
been subpoenaed at the instance of any party to the proceeding shall
be subpoenaed at the instance of the commission the fees and
mileage of the witness shall be paid from the funds appropriated to
the use of the commission in the same manner as other expenses of
the commission are paid.
Where in any proceeding before the commission, any witness
shall fail or refuse to attend upon subpoena issued by the commission
or any of their representatives, or appearing, shall refuse to testify or
shall refuse to produce any books and papers the production of which
is called for by the subpoena, the attendance of any witness and the
giving of his testimony and the production of the books and papers
required shall be enforced by any circuit court of this state.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.)
IC 25-28.5-1-38
Rules and regulations
Sec. 38. The Indiana Plumbing Commission is hereby authorized
and empowered to adopt, fix and establish all rules and regulations
necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of the
provisions of this chapter.
(Formerly: Acts 1972, P.L.188, SEC.1.) As amended by Acts 1980,
P.L.166, SEC.5.
IC 25-28.5-1-39
Loss of bid due to chapter violations; injunctive relief
Sec. 39. (a) As used in this section, "person" means an individual,
a corporation, a partnership, or other legal entity.
(b) If a person submits a written competitive bid for a project
involving the:
(1) alteration;
(2) construction;
(3) conversion;
(4) improvement;
(5) modernization;
(6) rehabilitation;
(7) remodeling;
(8) renovation;
(9) repair; or
(10) replacement of plumbing;
and that bid is not accepted because another person knowingly
violated this chapter, a person described in subsection (c) may bring
a civil action to enjoin the person who violated this chapter from
performing any activity under the competitive bid.
(c) The following persons may bring an action for injunctive relief
under subsection (b):
(1) The person who did not receive the bid.
(2) An organization or association that represents plumbers.
As added by P.L.20-1991, SEC.8.