R710-11-4. Certificates of Registration

  (1) No person shall engage in the inspecting and testing of fire alarm systems without first receiving a certificate of registration issued by the SFM.

  (2) The following groups are exempted from the requirements of this part:

  (a) the AHJ that is performing the initial installation acceptance testing of the fire alarm system or ongoing inspections to verify compliance with the adopted NFPA standards and these rules; and

  (ii) the building owner or designee that performs additional periodic inspections beyond the annual inspection required in Section R710-11-7(2), to satisfy requirements set by company policy, insurance, or risk management.

  (3) Application for a certificate of registration to inspect and test fire alarm systems shall be made in writing to the SFM on forms provided by the SFM and signed by the applicant.

  (a) The SFM or his deputies may request picture identification of the applicant for a certificate of registration.

  (b) The applicant shall indicate on the application which of the three technician levels the applicant will apply for:

  (i) Basic Fire Alarm Technician;

  (ii) Fire Alarm Technician; or

  (iii) Master Fire Alarm Technician.

  (c) The application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied with proof of public liability insurance from the certificate holder or employing concern.

  (i) A public liability insurance carrier showing coverage of at least $100,000 for each incident, and $300,000 in total coverage shall issue the public liability insurance.

  (ii) The certificate of registration holder shall notify the SFM within 30 days after the public liability insurance coverage required is no longer in effect for any reason.

  (4) The SFM shall require all applicants for a certificate of registration as a technician to complete the following:

  (a) Basic Fire Alarm Technician shall:

  (i) pass a written examination on basic testing of fire alarm systems or shall be certified as a NICET I; and

  (ii) complete the manipulative skills task book.

  (iii) Work as a Basic Fire Alarm Technician shall be performed under direct supervision of a Fire Alarm Technician or Master Fire Alarm Technician.

  (b) Fire Alarm Technician shall:

  (i) pass all the requirements listed for Basic Fire Alarm Technician; and

  (ii) pass a written examination on basic testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems limited up to and including four story buildings or shall be certified as a NICET II.

  (c) Master Fire Alarm Technician shall;

  (i) pass all the requirements listed for Basic Fire Alarm Technician and Fire Alarm Technician; and

  (ii) pass a written examination on fire alarm systems in buildings over four stories, voice alarm/evacuation systems, and smoke control systems or shall be certified as a NICET III or as NICET IV.

  (5) Examinations.

  (a) All certification examinations given are open book examinations;

  (i) The applicant is allowed to use the statute, the administrative rule, and the NFPA standard that applies to the certification examination; and

  (ii) Any other materials to include cellular telephones are prohibited in the examination room.

  (b) Completion of the certification examination will not be allowed if it appears to the test administrator that the applicant has not prepared to take the examination.

  (c) Each certification examination taken has a time limit of two hours to completion.

  (i) To successfully pass the written examination, the applicant must obtain a minimum grade of 70%.

  (ii) Leaving the office or testing location before the completion of the examination voids the examination and will require the examination to be retaken by the applicant.

  (d) If there are different levels of proficiency in the subject matter, the lower proficiency level will be fully completed before the next higher proficiency will be administered.

  (e) To successfully complete the manipulative skills task book, all required skill tasks shall be signed as completed by a person duly qualified or certified in that skill.

  (6) Those applicants that have successfully completed the requirements outlined in Section R710-11-5, and are certified by NICET in the skills that correspond to the work to be performed by the applicant, shall have the requirement for written examination waived after appropriate documentation is provided to the SFM by the applicant.

  (7) Following receipt of the properly completed application and successful completion of required testing, the SFM shall issue a certificate of registration.

  (8) Original certificates of registration shall be valid for one year from the date of application. Thereafter, each certificate of registration shall be renewed annually and renewals shall be valid for one year from issuance.

  (9) Application for renewal shall be made as directed by the SFM.

  (10) Every holder of a valid certificate of registration shall take a re-examination every three years, from date of original certificate.

  (a) The re-examination shall consist of an examination for each level of certification, to be mailed to the certificate holder at least 60 days before the renewal date.

  (b) The re-examination will consist of questions that focus on changes in the last three years to the adopted NFPA standards, the statute, and the adopted administrative rules. The re-examination may also consist of questions that focus on practices of concern as noted by the board or the SFM.

  (c) The certificate holder is responsible to complete the re-examination and return it to the SFM in sufficient time to renew.

  (d) The certificate holder is responsible to return to the SFM the correct renewal fees to complete that certificate renewal.

  (11) The SFM may refuse to renew any certificate of registration pursuant to R710-11-8(2).

  (a) The applicant shall, upon such refusal, have the same rights as are granted by Section R710-11-8.

  (12) The holder of a certificate of registration shall submit such certificate for inspection, upon request of the AHJ.

  (13) Every certificate of registration shall indicate the type of act or acts to be performed and for which the applicant has qualified.

  (14) Any change in home address of any holder of a valid certificate of registration shall be reported in writing, by the registered person to the SFM within 30 days of such change.

  (15) A duplicate certificate of registration may be issued by the SFM to replace any previously issued certificate, which has been lost or destroyed.

  (16) No certificate of registration shall be issued to any person who is under 18 years of age.

  (17) Restrictive Use.

  (a) A certificate of registration may be used for identification purposes only as long as such certificate remains valid.

  (b) Regardless of the acts authorized to be performed by a licensed concern, only those acts for which the applicant for a certificate of registration has qualified shall be permissible by such applicant.

  (18) Right to Contest.

  (a) Every person who takes an examination for a certificate of registration shall have the right to contest the validity of individual questions of such examination.

  (b) Every contention as to the validity of individual questions of an examination shall be made within 48 hours after taking said examination.

  (c) The decision as to the action to be taken on the submitted contention shall be made by the SFM, and such decision shall be final.

  (d) The decision made by the SFM, and the action taken, shall be reflected in all future examinations, but shall not affect the grades established in any past examination.

  (19) Certificates of Registration shall not be transferable. The person to whom issued shall carry individual certificates of registration.

  (20) Every certificate shall be identified by a number. The certificate of registration shall be worn in a visible manner when inspecting and testing fire alarm systems.

  (21) New or existing employees desiring to attain a certificate of registration may perform the various acts required while under the constant direct supervision of a person holding a valid certificate of registration for a period not to exceed 90 days from the initial date of employment or beginning service in the field.