§ 6-243. Eligibility, licensure by examination.

A completed application package for examination must be filed at least two weeks prior to the appropriate regularly scheduled county electrical competency board meeting for which the applicant seeks to be included on the agenda. The board shall review the application to determine the applicant's eligibility for examination. The examination shall cover knowledge of basic principles of contracting in the field for which the applicant is applying and basic principles for business and law.

To be eligible for certification by examination, the applicant must meet the following criteria, through information and documentation supplied with the application, and prior to taking the exam:

(a)

The applicant shall provide a credit report from a Department of Business and Professional Regulation approved credit-reporting agency, demonstrating evidence of financial responsibility, as required by Rule 61G6-5.003(2)(a),(b) F.A.C.

(b)

The applicant shall have no outstanding judgments or have been convicted of a felony. This requirement may be waived by the board on a case-by-case basis with appropriate documentation.

(c)

The applicant must be at least 22 years of age and must meet the relevant experience requirements for the field in which he or she seeks to obtain a certification, as provided below. For the purposes of experience requirements, one year of experience shall be equivalent to a minimum of 2,000 person-hours.

An applicant shall meet one of the following, as relevant to his or her chosen field:

(a)

Has, within the six years preceding the filing of the application, at least three years of proven management experience in the trade or education equivalent thereto, or a combination thereof, but not more than one-half of such experience may be educational equivalent;

(b)

Has, within the eight years immediately preceding the filing of the application, at least four years experience as a foreman, supervisor or contractor in the trade for which he or she is making application;

(c)

Has, within the 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application, at least six years of comprehensive training, technical education, or supervisory experience associated with an electrical or alarm system contracting business, or at least six years of technical experience in electrical or alarm system work with the Armed Forces or a governmental entity;

(d)

Has, within the 12 years immediately preceding the filing of the application, been licensed for three years as a professional engineer who is qualified by education, training or experience to practice electrical engineering; or

(e)

Has any combination of qualifications under subparagraphs (a)—(c) totaling six years of experience.

(f)

For purposes of this subsection "supervisory" means a person having the experience gained while having the general duty of overseeing the technical duties of the trade, provided that such experience is gained by a person who is able to perform the technical duties of the trade without supervision.

(g)

For the purposes of this subsection, at least 40 percent of the work experience for an alarm system contractor I must be in types of fire alarm systems typically used in a commercial setting.

(h)

Every applicant who is qualified shall be allowed to take the examination three times, notwithstanding the number of times the applicant has previously failed the examination. If an applicant fails the examination three times, the board shall require the applicant to complete additional college-level or technical education courses in the area of deficiency, as determined by the board, as a condition of future eligibility to take the examination. The applicant must also submit a new application that meets all registration requirements at the time of its submission and must pay all appropriate fees.

The following information and documents relative to the experience requirements are required in order to process an application. These documents and the requested information are board approved and cannot be substituted.

(1)

Past employment must be listed in chronological order, starting with most current employment, and must include a detailed job description.

(2)

An experience affidavit form confirming employment must be completed using an Okaloosa County Verification of Experience Form. An out-of-state experience affidavit must be supplemented by verification on the company letterhead of applicant's employer. Explanations must include a timeframe and a description of work duties and functions. A DD214 military form with supporting documentation may be used as proof of experience.

From the date of board approval, an applicant shall have one calendar year to have taken and scored a grade of at least 75 percent or above on the Standard Business and Law Practice Exam and on an examination in the particular field for which the application is being made; to be prepared, proctored and graded by the approved testing agency. When the passing score is achieved, the applicant shall proceed with application for state licensure. Upon receipt of a state license the applicant shall provide to the department of growth management, the state license, business tax receipt, proof of general liability insurance, worker's compensation exemption insurance and a hold harmless agreement to obtain a certificate of competency. The department shall issue the certificate of competency when the above-mentioned documentation is provided and all fees are paid in full.

If an applicant fails to take the exam within the one calendar year after board approval, then the applicant will be required to reapply to the board for reapproval.

Applicants who have taken and failed the exam six months prior to the effective date of this article, will be allowed an additional six months after the effective date of this article to continue to take the exam without prior board approval.

(Ord. No. 07-48, § 2(Exh. A), 9-4-08)