1. (a) The Board shall issue without examination a master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license to any licensee holding a current, active or inactive master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license, or a similar license issued by a subdivision of the State, if the licensee:

   1. (1) files an application for a license under this title by 1 year after the date that the members of the Board are appointed; and
   2. (2) submits with the application the prescribed fee and proof of eligibility required by the Board.

2. (b) The Board shall issue without examination a master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license, whether a subdivision of the State requires a local license or not, to an individual who:

   1. (1) has lawfully provided heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services in a subdivision of the State for at least 5 years immediately prior to 1 year after the date the members of the Board are appointed;
   2. (2) files an application for a license under this title prior to 1 year after the date the members of the Board are appointed; and
   3. (3) submits with the application the prescribed fee and proof of eligibility required by the Board.

3. (c) The Board shall issue without examination a journeyman license to an individual holding a current, active or inactive, journeyman license, or a similar license issued by a subdivision of the State, if the individual:

   1. (1) files an application for a license under this title prior to December 31, 1994; and
   2. (2) submits with the application the prescribed fee and proof of eligibility required by the Board.

4. (d) The Board shall issue without examination a journeyman license, whether a subdivision of the State requires a local license or not, to an individual who:

   1. (1) has lawfully provided heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services in a subdivision of the State:

      1. (i) under the direction and control of one or more individuals who meet the requirements for a master license under subsection (a) or (b) of this section; and
      2. (ii) for at least 3 years prior to December 31, 1994;
   2. (2) holds an apprentice license at the time of the application;
   3. (3) files an application for a license under this title prior to December 31, 1994; and
   4. (4) submits with the application the prescribed fee and proof of eligibility required by the Board.

5. (e)

   1. (1) The Board shall issue without examination a journeyman license to an individual who has successfully completed an apprentice program in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration approved by the Apprenticeship and Training Council.
   2. (2) The Board shall issue without examination a journeyman restricted license to an individual who has successfully completed an apprentice program in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration approved by the Apprenticeship and Training Council.

6. (f)

   1. (1) All applicants for a master, master restricted, or limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license on or after 1 year after the date the members of the Board are appointed shall submit to examination under this title.
   2. (2) The application shall include all information required by the Board regarding proof of eligibility.

7. (g)

   1. (1) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, all applicants for a journeyman license on or after January 1, 1995 shall submit to examination under this title.
   2. (2) The application shall include all information required by the Board regarding proof of eligibility.

8. (h) An applicant who qualifies for a license under subsection (a) or (b) of this section but fails to apply for the license within the 1-year period:

   1. (1) may take an examination under this title to be licensed;
   2. (2) may not be required to obtain a journeyman license or an apprentice license; and
   3. (3) may provide services as a master, master restricted, or limited license holder after obtaining the appropriate license.

9. (i) An individual who holds a limited license or a master restricted license issued under subsection (a) or (b) of this section may take an examination administered by the Board to qualify for a master license or an additional master restricted license without meeting the requirements of § 9A-302 of this subtitle, if the individual:

   1. (1) submits to the Board on or before December 31, 1996 an application on the form that the Board provides; and
   2. (2) pays to the Board an application fee established by the Board.

Acts 1992, c. 649; Acts 1993, c. 293; Acts 1994, c. 436, § 1, eff. June 1, 1994; Acts 1995, c. 318, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1998, c. 667 , § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, c. 475, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1999.