SB 591 Summary

• Establishes a 90-day grace period from November 1, 2015, for plumbing and mechanical apprentices to either register with the Construction Industries Board or take a journeyman examination without disciplinary action for prior non-registration.

• Requires all plumbing and mechanical apprentices to maintain current and valid registration certificates or proof of proper application at all times while working, with copies on file at the employer's primary place of business.

• Allows persons with 3+ years of continuous apprenticeship work experience under a licensed contractor, or those with military exemptions, to apply for journeyman examinations during the grace period with one retest permitted after 30 days of initial failure.

• Persons failing to register or pass the journeyman examination within the 90-day grace period are deemed in violation of the Plumbing Licensing Law or Mechanical Licensing Act for each day of non-compliance, with a 90-day wait before retesting after proper apprentice registration.

• Grace period cannot be extended and no exceptions are authorized beyond military exemptions already allowed by the Construction Industries Board.