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Construction Work Regulated?

Who Regulates Construction?

Requirements?

State General Contractor Exams
National Exams
State General Contractor Exams National Exams

Construction Work Regulated?

Plumbing, HVAC, electrical, boiler contractors and fire protection sprinkler contractors are required to be licensed at the state level.

Who Regulates Construction?

Plumbing contractors may obtain applications and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Division of Plumbing
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-0397/Fax (502) 573-1058
http://dhbc.ky.gov/PIb/Pages/default.aspx

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning contractors may obtain applications and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Division of HVAC
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5412
(502) 573-0395/Fax (502) 573-1401
http://dhbc.ky.gov/hvac/Pages/default.aspx

Electrical contractors may obtain application and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Division of Electrical
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-2002/Fax (502) 573-1598
http://dhbc.ky.gov/ed/Pages/default.aspx

Boiler contractors may obtain application and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Boiler Inspection Section
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-1708/Fax (502) 573-1058
http://dhbc.ky.gov/boilers/Pages/default.aspx

Fire sprinkler contractors may obtain application and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Fire Protection Systems
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-0385/Fax (502) 573-1695
http://dhbc.ky.gov/sfm/Pages/default.aspx

Underground Petroleum Storage Tank tradesmen may obtain application and certification information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Office of the State Fire Marshal
Hazardous Materials Section
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-1702/Fax (502) 573-1695
http://dhbc.ky.gov/sfm/Pages/Hazardousmaterials.aspx

Elevator tradesmen may obtain application and licensing information from:

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Division of Building Code Enforcement
Elevator Section
101 Sea Hero Road, Suite 100
Frankfort, KY 40601-5405
(502) 573-1694/Fax (502) 573-1059
http://dhbc.ky.govl'bce/elevators/Pages/default.aspx

Requirements?

Plumbing:
All applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Journeyman plumbing applicants must have 2 consecutive years of experience as an apprentice. Journeyman applicants must pass a written and practical exam with a passing score of 75% or better, including a minimum of 70% on each portion of the exam.

Applicants for a master plumbing license must pass a written trade and law examination with a minimum score of 80%, including a minimum of 75% on each portion of the exam. An applicant for a Master Plumber's license must have a valid Journeyman Plumbing license for a minimum of 2 yeas within the 5 years immediately preceding application. Additionally, an applicant for a Master Plumber's license must have been actively employed in plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber for a minimum of 2 years. Any person, firm or corporation engaged in plumbing must have $250,000 in general liability insurance and comply with all applicable laws regarding worker's compensation and unemployment insurance. Any Master or Journeyman plumber who fails to renew his license prior to expiration may have his license renewed upon payment of required renewal fee, a revival fee, and upon showing the completion of continuing education requirements. Licenses are renewed annually and expire at the end of the licensee's birth month.

License and exam fees are as follows:

Type of License / Exam Fee / license and renewal fee / Inactive Status fee / Reactivation fee

Journeyman / $50 / $60 / $30 / $30
Master / $150 / $250 / $125 / $125

HVAC: All applicants must be 18 yeas of age or older. An applicant for a Journeyman HVAC Mechanic license shall have been regularly and principally employed or engaged in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning trades for not less than 2 years, under the direction and supervision of a master HVAC contractor or have been regularly and principally employed or engaged in the performance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work for not less than 4 years in a jurisdiction other than Kentucky, as demonstrated by verifiable documentation. An applicant for a master HVAC contractor's license shall have at least 2 years of experience as a journeyman HVAC mechanic under the direction and supervision of a master HVAC contractor or have been regularly and principally employed or engaged in the practice of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contracting as a master HVAC contractor, or equivalent thereof, for not less than 5 years in a jurisdiction other than Kentucky, as demonstrated by verifiable documentation. If an applicant for a Master Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning contractor's license or Journeyman Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic license presents the board with proof of training and experience equivalent to the training and experience requirements of KRS 1988.658(1) or (2), whichever is applicable, acquired while serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, and actively engaged in that occupation as part of his or her military duties for not less than 2 years as annotated on the Department of Defense Form DD 214, the board shall accept that training and experience. The applicant shall meet the remaining applicable qualification requirements set forth in KRS 1988.658 (1) or (2). Master applicants must pass an exam containing business law and trade questions. A minimum score of 70% is required to pass either exam. All levels of Journeyman must pass an exam containing trade questions. A minimum score of 70% is required. No person, firm, or corporation shall practice heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contracting unless that person, firm, or corporation maintains general liability insurance in an amount not less than $500,000 and property damage insurance in an amount not less than $300,000 underwritten by an insurance carrier licensed and approved by the Kentucky Office of Insurance. Licenses are renewed annually and expire at the end of the licensee's birth month.

Exam and license fees are as follows:

License Type / Exam Fee / Renewal Fee / Inactive Fee / Restoration Fee / Reactivation Fee

Journeyman / $50 / $20 / $25 / $20
Master / $250 / $20/ $125 / $20
Exam fees cannot exceed actual cost of the exam.

Electricians:
All applicants must pass an examination. Applicants for an Electrical Contractor license must also submit proof that he or she has complied with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws and administrative regulations and has obtained a general liability insurance policy of not less than $500,000. Electrical contractors must also hold a master electrician's license or employ a licensed master electrician.

Applicants for a master electrician's license must have 6 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade and a training course in electrical work, acceptable to the department, or an additional 2 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade. An applicant for a master electrician's license may also qualify by having 5 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade and an associate's degree or diploma program in electrical technology at a college within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System after 1998.

Applicants for an electrician's license must have 4 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade and a training course in electrical work, acceptable to the department, or an additional 2 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade. An applicant for an electrician's license may also qualify by having 3 years of verifiable experience in the electrical trade and an associate's degree or diploma program in electrical technology at a college within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System after 1998. Licenses are renewed annually and expire at the end of the licensee's birth month.

Exam and license fees are as follows:
Type of License / Exam Fee / Application and Renewal Fee / Late Reinstatement Fee / Renewal for Lapsed Time plus renewal fee

Electrical Contractor / $60 / $200 / $50 / $200
Master Electrician / $100 / $100 / $50 / $100
Electrician / $100 / $50 / $50 / $50

Exam Fees cannot exceed actual cost of the exam

Additionally, any electrical license holder may ask that their license be placed in "inactive" status. Renewal fees for inactive licenses shall be 1/2 the fee for an active license. The fee to return a license to an active status from an inactive status shall be the remaining 1/2 renewal fee for that year.

Boilers:
No person shall engage in the business of in stalIing, erecting or repairing boilers unless he or she first obtains a license from the Executive Director on recommendation of the Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules. To qualify for a license, each person, firm or corporation must pass an examination prepared by the Board and administered by the department. Licenses are renewable annually, not later than the first of the month following the expiration date. Examination fees cannot exceed the actual cost of the exam. Boiler contractor fee is $250 for initial license and a renewal fee of $175.

Fire Protection Sprinkler Contractors:
An applicant for licensure as a fire protection sprinkler contractor (including range hood suppression system contractor and chemical suppression system contractors) shall possess a certificate of competency or have a certificate holder in his employ. Applicants must also meet insurance requirements including liability insurance coverage of not less than $250,000 1 person/maximum and $500,000 1 accident/maximum with errors and omissions included and workers' compensation insurance.

Kentucky also issues Certificates of Competency in the following areas:

a. Fire Protection Sprinkler System. Applicants must be certified at NICET Level Ill or Level IV in automatic sprinkler systems layout;

b. Chemical Suppression System (Limited). Applicants must possess a current training certificate from the manufacturers of UL-listed or FM-approved systems upon which they intend to work;

c. Chemical Suppression System (Unlimited). Applicants must be certified at NICET Level Ill or Level IV special hazards; and

d. Range Hood Suppression System. Applicants must possess a current training certificate from the manufacturers of UL-listed or FM-approved systems upon which they intend to work. The Contractor license fee is $250 for the initial application and renewal fee. The Certificate of Competency fee is $125 for the initial application and renewal fee. Licenses and certificates of competency are issued annually and expire at the end of the birth month.

Underground Petroleum Storage Tank Contractors (UPST):
Applicants must pass an examination and document 5 years of experience immediately prior to making application in the installation of, performance of repairs on site to, closure of, interior lining of, installation of corrosion protection to, or removal of a minimum of 6 underground storage tanks, except that:

a. Technical training of the type provided and documented by the manufacturer of the underground storage tanks and approved by the State Fire Marshal shall reduce the experience requirements by 1/3; or

b. ABS degree in engineering with a concentration in the area of underground containment systems or a Kentucky license to practice engineering shall reduce the experience requirements by 2/3. Applicants must also provide proof of financial capability for taking corrective action and for compensating a third party for bodily injury or property damage by submitting certificates of general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $500,000 and pollution liability insurance or other proof of financial capability to respond to damages in the minimum amount of $25,000 per occurrence. Licenses are issued through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction and must be renewed annually.

Exam and license fees are as follows:

License Type/ Exam Fee / Initial Application Fee / Renewal Fee / Re-Test Fee

UPST Contractor / $50 / $300 / $100 / $25

Elevators: An elevator mechanic may seek licensure in Kentucky by:

a. Verification that he or she has not less than 6 months of work experience in the elevator industry, in construction, maintenance, service, repair, or any combination of these activities as verified by current and previous employers, or
equivalent experience while serving in the United States military services. They must also pass, with a score of at least 70%, a written, oral, or computerized examination administered by the department based upon the most recent
referenced codes and standards; or

b. Submission of a certificate of completion from a nationally recognized training program for the elevator industry;

or

c. Submission of a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship program for elevator mechanics and proof of registration with the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

An applicant for elevator contractor licensure must employ at least 1 elevator mechanic and be able to verify a minimum of 3 years of experience as an elevator mechanic, via W-2's. Elevator contractors shall submit verification of general liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 for injury or death of any number of persons in any 1 occurrence, coverage of at least $500,000 for property damage in any 1 occurrence, and statutory workers' compensation insurance coverage.

An individua l who is a holder of both an elevator contractor and elevator mechanic license shall meet the continuing education requirements for an elevator contractor.

Exam and license fees are as follows:

License Type / Exam Fee / Initial Application Fee / Renewal Fee / Reactivation Fee

Contractor / N/A / $240 / $240 / $120
Mechanic / See Below / $96 / $96 / $48
Apprentice / N/A / NIA / NIA / N/A

Note:
The cost of the exam shall not exceed $100

Elevator contractor and elevator mechanic licenses are renewed annually. Proof of attendance and completion of 8 hours of continuing education before renewal is required. Each application for license renewal shall be filed no later than the last day of the licensee's birth month. Failure to renew within 60 days after the last day of the licensee's birth month shall terminate the license and the applicant shall comply with all requirements for a new license.

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS
Kentucky has reciprocal agreements with the state of Ohio for HVAC and electrical licensing. Kentucky also has a reciprocal agreement with the states of Louisiana, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia for electrical licensing.