Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 720-X-4 — Fees

720 Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.01 Forms, Requirements, And Fee Schedule

(1) All required forms shall be made available in hard copy at the Board’s office as well as in downloadable form on the Board’s website.

(2) Requirements for issuance of certificates:

(a) Apprentice:

1. No written exam to be taken.

2. Submit completed Apprentice Registration form.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Pay required fee(s).

(b) Journeyman Plumber:

1. Submit completed Application for Examination.

2. Provide verifiable proof of two (2) years of current work experience as an apprentice plumber OR of completion of a Board-approved apprentice training program.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Pay required fee(s).

5. Receive a passing score on the written examination.

(c) Journeyman Gas Fitter:

1. Submit completed Application for Examination.

2. Provide verifiable proof of two (2) years of current work experience as an apprentice gas fitter OR of completion of a Board-approved apprentice training program.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Pay required fee(s).

5. Receive a passing score on the written examination.

(d) Master Plumber:

1. Submit completed Application for Examination.

2. Provide verifiable proof of one (1) year of current work experience as a journeyman plumber.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Receive a passing score on the written examination.

5. Receive a passing score on the business law examination

6. Pay required fee(s):

(e) Master Gas Fitter:

1. Submit completed Application for Examination.

2. Provide verifiable proof of one (1) year of current work experience as a journeyman gas fitter.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Receive a passing score on the written examination.

5. Receive a passing score on the business law examination.

6. Pay required fee(s):

(f) Medical Gas Pipe Fitter:

1. Provide verifiable proof of certification at any level by the Board in either plumbing or gas fitting.

2. Provide verifiable proof of certification as a Medical Gas Installer/Brazer from the National Inspection Testing and Certification Corporation (NITC) or equal certification from another Board-approved medical gas certification entity or agency.

3. Pay required fee(s).

(g) Reciprocal Certification under Code of Ala. 1975, §34-37-11:

1. Submit completed request for reciprocal certification.

2. Provide verifiable proof of current licensing/certification in good standing with a state with which the Board has a valid and current reciprocity agreement.

3. Submit completed and executed form, “Declaration of U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Presence of an Alien”.

4. Receive a passing score on the business law examination.

5. Pay required fee(s).

(3) Fees:

(a) Apprentice:

1. Initial Registration Fee: $35.00

2. Annual Registration Renewal Fee: $35.00

3. Late Annual Registration Penalty: $35.00

(b) Journeyman Level:

1. Non-Refundable Examination Fee: $110.00

2. Initial Application Processing Fee: $50.00

3. Initial Certificate Fee: $75.00

4. Annual Certificate Renewal Fee: $75.00

5. Inactive Fee: $0.00

6. Late Annual Certificate Renewal Penalty: $75.00

(c) Master Level:

1. Non-Refundable Examination Fee(s):

a. Written Exam: $160.00

b. Business Law Exam: $100.00

2. Initial Application Processing Fee: $50.00

3. Initial Certificate Fee: $175.00

4. Annual Certificate Renewal Fee: $175.00

5. Inactive Fee: $0.00

6. Late Annual Certificate Renewal Penalty: $175.00

(d) Medical Gas Pipe Fitter:

1. Renewal Fee: $25.00

(e) Business:

1. Initial Registration Fee: $25.00

2. Annual Registration Renewal Fee: $25.00

3. Late Annual Registration Renewal Penalty: $25.00

(f) Miscellaneous Fees:

1. Records Request: $15.00 + $.25 per page

2. License Verification: $15.00

3. Application for Alternative Assessment: $15.00

(4) Fines: All violations not related to gas work shall carry a minimum fine of $500.00. All violations related to gas work shall carry a minimum fine of $1000.00. Maximum fine limits shall be determined by state law.

History

• Author: Kelly Butler, James M. Morgan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, as amended, §§34-37-2, 34-37-6.
• Filed February 27, 1992. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 5, 1999; effective September 9, 1999. Amended: Filed September 18, 2002; effective October 23, 2002. Amended: Filed February 18, 2003; effective March 25, 2003. Amended: Filed December 11, 2003; effective January 15, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: July 21, 2004; effective August 25, 2004. Amended: Filed November 15, 2007; effective December 20, 2007. Amended: Filed June 6, 2014; effective July 11, 2014. Amended: Filed February 5, 2016; effective March 21, 2016. Amended: Filed June 14, 2018; effective July 29, 2018. Repealed and New Rule: Published June 30, 2020; effective August 14, 2020. Amended: Published June 30, 2021; effective August 14, 2021; operative January 1, 2022. Amended: Published September 30, 2024; effective November 14, 2024, operative January 1, 2025. Amended: Published August 29, 2025; effective October 13, 2025, operative January 1, 2026.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.02 Applicant For Journeyman Or Master Certification From Another State

(1) The board may allow an individual who holds a license, certification, or classification in another state as a Journeyman Plumber; Journeyman Gas Fitter; Master Plumber; or Master Gas Fitter to become certified at the corresponding level in Alabama under the following conditions:

(a) Applicant must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or, if applicant is an alien, proof of lawful presence.

(b) Applicant must provide verification from the other state’s examining/certifying agency that the applicant is currently licensed, certified, or classified at the level corresponding to the level of certification requested in Alabama.

(c) Applicant must provide verification from the other state’s examining/certifying agency that the applicant is in good standing and has no pending disciplinary actions in said state.

(d) Applicant must receive a minimum score of seventy (70) on the board’s test for the corresponding level of certification in Alabama.

(2) All information must be provided on forms approved by the board. Once all required documentation has been submitted, the board or its designee will review and verify the accuracy thereof. No application will be considered complete and forwarded for review until all information and official documentation has been received at the board’s office. Applications expire ninety (90) days after initial submission.

History

• Author: Kelly Butler, James M. Morgan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, as amended, §34-37-2(a).
• New Rule: Filed July 1, 2019; effective August 15, 2019.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.03 Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act Applicants

(1) Pursuant to the statutory requirements found in Act 2018-540, as codified at Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6, any applicant for certification as a journeyman plumber, journeyman gas fitter, master plumber, or master gas fitter who is considered an “eligible individual” under Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6(c) shall be issued a certificate under the following conditions:

(a) he or she must possess a valid license or certificate issued by another state, district, or territory of the United States, or from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard; and

(b) the licensing or certification requirements of the issuing body must be greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this board, as determined by the executive director’s review; and

(c) the applicant must submit a completed application which documents compliance with the board’s certification requirements.

Upon satisfaction of these conditions, the application will be submitted to the executive director for review. Approval will result in the issuance of the appropriate certificate to the eligible individual allowing him or her to continue working at the same certification level for one (1) year. All approvals will be reported to the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(2) In the event the applicant’s certifying jurisdiction did not promulgate certification requirements greater than or substantially similar to the certification requirements of this board, as determined by the executive director’s review, the applicant will be notified of the specific requirements which must be met prior to receiving certification from the State of Alabama. In accordance with Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6(b)(2), the eligible individual concurrently will be granted a temporary permit to continue working in the same field and at the same certification level for one hundred eighty (180) days while he or she completes the specific requirements necessary to obtain a certificate from this board. Subject to the approval of the executive director, such temporary certification period may be extended as necessary to promote the intent of the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act. All temporary certifications will be reported to the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

(3) Any applicant for certification as a journeyman plumber, journeyman gas fitter, master plumber, or master gas fitter who is considered an “eligible individual” under Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6(c) and who properly submits a request for waiver of the initial license fee shall receive the same within thirty (30) days of the board’s receipt of the required documentation for waiver.

(4) A completed application submitted pursuant to this section will be administratively expedited.

History

• Author: Kelly Butler, James M. Morgan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, as amended, §34-37-2 and §31-1-6.
• New Rule: Filed July 1, 2019; effective August 15, 2019.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.04 Emergency Certifications

(1) When a state of emergency is declared by the Governor of the state of Alabama pursuant to Code of Ala. 1975, §31-9-8, the Executive Director is authorized to waive requirements for the issuance of a certificate for journeyman plumber, journeyman gas fitter, master plumber, or master gas fitter for an out-of-state applicant, provided the applicant can produce a current equivalent license or certificate from another state, district, or territory of the United States, or from any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard. At the request of the Executive Director, any applicant for emergency certification shall produce verifiable evidence of the applicant’s good standing in the state of origin as a condition precedent to consideration of an application.

(2) The Executive Director is also authorized to waive one-half (1/2) of the applicable fee set forth in r. 720-X-4-.01.

(3) Where the state of emergency does not affect the entire state, any certification issued pursuant to this regulation shall be valid only in the counties designated in the Governor’s proclamation.

(4) Certification granted pursuant to this regulation may be issued for the duration of the state of emergency, beginning at the declaration of the state of emergency and ending when the state of emergency is declared by the Governor to have ceased, or, in the alternative, when the state of emergency expires under its own terms.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3), no certification granted pursuant to this regulation shall be valid for longer than sixty (60)days.

(6) Certifications granted hereunder are non-renewable and non-transferable.

(7) Certifications granted hereunder shall be governed by the same statutory and regulatory requirements which govern any other certification issued by this board.

(8) At all times during the state of emergency, each emergency certificate holder shall keep available for inspection his board-issued proof of certification granted hereunder.

History

• Author: Kelly Butler, James M. Morgan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, as amended, §34-37-2.
• New Rule: Filed July 1, 2019; effective August 15, 2019.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.05 Reciprocity With Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board

(1) An individual who holds a current Employee Competency Card with a Service Technician (Residential & Commercial) endorsement from the Alabama Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board ("LP Board") may apply for reciprocity from the Board and receive certification as a Master Gas Fitter under the following conditions:

(a) Applicant must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or, if applicant is an alien, proof of lawful presence;

(b) Applicant must provide verification from the LP Employment Board that he or she possesses a current and valid Employment Endorsement Card with a Service Technician (Service & Residential) endorsement;

(c) Applicant must provide verification from the LP Board that he or she has possessed and exercised with field application the Employee Endorsement Card for a minimum of three (3) years since acquisition;

(d) Applicant must provide verification from the LP Board that he or she is in good standing and has no pending disciplinary actions.

(2) Upon verification of the application and its contents, administrative approval will be granted and a Master Gas Fitter certificate will be issued to the applicant upon payment of all prescribed fees.

(3) Any reciprocity application where a negative disciplinary history from the LP Board has been found will be subject to the director's review and approval.

History

• Author: James M. Morgan
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §34-37-2.
• New Rule: Published August 31, 2022; effective October 15, 2022.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 720-X-4-.06 Academic Credit For Military Education, Training And Experience

(1) Per the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act (Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6), an applicant shall be issued a license, pending approval, if the requirements of the original issuing state or governing body are substantially equivalent to that required by the Board.

(2) Per the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act (Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6), if an applicant is approved for licensure, the board will waive the initial licensing fee when a transfer of station is ordered by the Armed Forces or reserves of the United States.

(3) Per the Military Family Jobs Opportunity Act (Code of Ala. 1975, §31-1-6), temporary licenses shall be issued to applicants for a 180-day period, so that the applicant can begin practice while completing the requirements for full licensure.

(4) Per Code of Ala. 1975, §31-12A-1, et seq., the Board will accept from an applicant satisfactory evidence of education, training, or service, completed as a service member, toward qualification of a license or certification.

(5) An institution governed by the Board will award a veteran enrolled in the institution for courses that part of the veteran’s military training or service and that meet the standards of the American Council on Education or equivalent academic credit based upon the institution’s admission standards.

(6) An armed services member who is deployed shall not pay dues or fees for the renewal of his or her license or have to obtain continuing education credits when (1) circumstance associated with the military duty prevent obtaining the training and a waiver has been submitted to the Board, or (2) the service member performs the licensed or certified plumbing or gas fitting work as part of his or her military duties as annotated on the DD214, or (3) performing any other act typically required for the renewal of the license or certification.

The Board may require the licensee to receive additional continuing education credits within one (1) year for the end of deployment.

History

• Author: James Morgan, Tara Hetzel
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, 34-37-2, Act 2013-350
• New Rule: Published June 28, 2024; effective August 12, 2024.
• Penalty: N/A