(a) Term of expiration and renewals for master, journeyman, and apprentice plumbers.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Master, Journeyman, and Apprentice Plumber Licenses issued under the provisions of this part shall expire annually on December 31.
   2. (B) The license shall be renewed by February 1.
   3. (C) After February 1, a penalty of five dollars ($5.00) per month shall be added.

2. (2)

   1. (A) All restricted plumber licenses issued under the provisions of this part shall expire annually on June 30.
   2. (B) The license shall be renewed by August 1.
   3. (C) After August 1, a penalty of five dollars ($5.00) per month shall be added.

3. (3)

   1. (A) All plumbing and gas inspector’s certificates issued under the provisions of this part shall expire annually on June 30.
   2. (B) The license shall be renewed by August 1.
   3. (C) After August 1, a penalty of five dollars ($5.00) per month shall be added.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Arkansas Backflow Preventer Assembly Tester Competency Licenses shall expire on the date of the latest certification expiration date, but no later than thirty-six (36) months from the date of the applicant’s latest certification or recertification training date.
   2. (B) Renewals of Arkansas Certified Backflow Preventer Assembly Tester Licenses shall require documented completion of a department-approved recertification training course prior to the expiration date.
   3. (C) Arkansas Backflow Preventer Assembly Repair Competency Licenses do not expire but are invalid without a current Arkansas Backflow Preventer Assembly Tester Competency License.

5. (5)

   1. (A) All licenses shall be renewed annually within thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the license.
   2. (B) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may renew a license after:

(i) The thirty-day period if there is sufficient reason for not renewing in the time specified; and

1. (ii) Payment of penalties as prescribed by this part.
2. (6) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may set a system of staggered expiration dates for all licenses issued by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.

3. (7)

   1. (A) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may issue permits for less than (1) year.

   2. (B) The cost of such permits shall be determined based upon:

      1. (i) The number of months the permit is valid; divided by
      2. (ii) Twelve (12) months; multiplied by
      3. (iii) The amount of the annual fee.
4. (8) All unpaid fees or penalties related to a license must be paid in full prior to annual renewal unless the licensee is honoring an ongoing payment agreement with the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.

(b) Term of certification for plumbing inspector or gas inspector and renewals.

1. (1) All certificates (licenses) for plumbing inspectors shall be renewed each year.

2. (2) Applications for renewal shall be accompanied by the proper fee and a proof of eight (8) hours of refresher training issued by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.

   1. (c) Term of license and renewals for Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumber’s License.
3. (1) All Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumber’s Licenses issued under the provision of this part shall be renewed annually within thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the license.

4. (2) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may renew a license:

   1. (A) After the thirty-day period providing there is sufficient reason for not renewing such license in the specified time; and

   2. (B) Upon payment of penalties as prescribed by this part.

      1. (d) Terms of license and renewals for Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License.

5. (1)

   1. (A) Holders of a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License issued under the provisions of this part may renew annually within thirty (30) days after the expiration date of the license.

   2. (B) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may renew a license:

      1. (i) After the thirty-day period providing there is a sufficient reason for not renewing such license in the time specified; and
      2. (ii) Upon payment of penalties as prescribed by rule.

6. (2)

   1. (A) All Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s Licenses shall be reviewed annually by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section to determine if all restrictions have met all of the provisions of this part.
   2. (B) It shall be the responsibility of the license holder to notify the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section of address and contact changes in written form.
   3. (C) Late renewal fee and reinstatement rules and fees are addressed in the Qualifications and Rules Plumbing License.
7. (3) Holders of a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License shall acquire permits, inspections, and plan reviews for the restricted plumbing they are engaged in as required by state plumbing codes and local ordinances.
8. (4) Holders of a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License are responsible for ensuring proper sizing, materials, and components related to their installations and repairs with respect to the building plumbing they are connecting to.

(e) Restrictions.

1. (1) No plumbing inspector or gas inspector certified under this part shall perform inspections outside the area of his or her designated jurisdiction or the jurisdiction of the entity by which they were appointed unless designated to do so by agreement or appointed to do so by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
2. (2) Persons holding a Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumber’s License for the particular phase of restricted hospital maintenance plumbing shall not perform any plumbing service other than the restricted phase for which they are licensed.
3. (3) Persons holding a Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumber’s License shall not be eligible to use experience gained under such license to obtain credit toward other forms of licenses issued by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
4. (4) Persons holding a Restricted Hospital Maintenance Plumber’s License shall not transfer a license from one (1) phase of plumbing to any other phase or move from one (1) area of restriction to another without first resubmitting a new application to the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.

5. (5)

   1. (A) Persons holding a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License shall not perform plumbing service other than the restricted phase for which they are licensed.

   2. (B) In no instances shall this license be used to install, repair, or replace any portion of the water distribution or building drain system as they are:

      1. (i) Defined by the 2018 Arkansas Plumbing Code, 17 CAR pt. 65; and
      2. (ii) Designated by the administrative authority.
   3. (C) This license does not include any portion of the natural gas service or system.
6. (6) Persons holding a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License shall not be eligible to use experience gained under such license to obtain credit toward other forms of licenses issued by the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section.
7. (7) Persons holding a Restricted Water and Sewer Service Line Installation Plumber’s License shall not transfer a license from one (1) phase of plumbing to any other phase.

(f) Deferment of Master or Journeyman Plumber License.

1. (1)

   1. (A) A master or journeyman plumber holding a current license may make application to the Plumbing and Natural Gas Section for deferment of such license.
   2. (B) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section, upon receipt of such application, may grant deferment of license.
   3. (C) Deferments shall be made annually at a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) per year.
2. (2) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section shall grant a deferment without regular or reinstatement fees to members of the armed services or their spouses in accordance with Section XVIII of these rules.
3. (3) The Plumbing and Natural Gas Section may grant a courtesy deferment without regular or reinstatement fees to a master or journeyman plumber who becomes legally appointed or employed as a plumbing inspector.