1. (a) Any individual who is currently licensed as a master or journeyman plumber by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners or who is currently licensed with a Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation may register with the License and Permit Section of the Gas Services Division (the Section) and be granted an exemption to the Category D licensing and examination requirements (including insurance, and training and continuing education) provided the applicant:

   1. (1) holds an active license in compliance with Texas Occupations Code, §1302.260, relating to Issuance and Term of License, and §1301.351, relating to License, Endorsement, or Registration Required;
   2. (2) submits a legible photocopy of a current Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor or Master or Journeyman Plumbers certificate;
   3. (3) submits a legible photocopy of a picture state-issued identification card or driver's license;
   4. (4) submits a properly completed LPG Form 16B; and
   5. (5) pays the $50 registration fee.
2. (b) This exemption does not become effective until the registration/examination exemption certificate is issued by the Section.
3. (c) The registration/examination exemption accrues to the individual and is nontransferable.
4. (d) Any individual granted such exemption shall maintain registered status at all times. Upon failure to maintain registered status, the individual shall immediately cease all affected LP-gas activities until proper status has been regained.
5. (e) In order to maintain an exemption, each individual issued a registration/examination exemption certificate shall pay a $20 annual renewal fee to the Section on or before May 31 of each year. Failure to pay the annual renewal fee by May 31 shall result in a lapsed exemption. If an individual's exemption lapses, that individual shall cease all LP-gas activities until the exemption has been renewed. To renew a lapsed exemption, the applicant shall pay the $20 annual renewal fee plus a $20 late-filing fee. Failure to do so shall result in the expiration of the registration/examination exemption. If an individual's registration/examination exemption has been expired for more than two years, that individual shall complete all requirements necessary to apply for a new exemption.
6. (f) Any individual who is issued this exemption agrees to comply with the current edition of the LP-Gas Safety Rules. In the event the exempt individual surrenders, fails to renew, or has the licensed revoked either by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners or the Department of Licensing and Regulation, that individual shall immediately cease performing any LP-gas activities granted by this section. The exemption certificate shall be returned immediately to the Section and all rights and privileges surrendered.

Source Note:The provisions of this §9.13 adopted to be effective February 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 947; amended to be effective September 1, 2005, 30 TexReg 4810.