Section 9A-302 - Qualifications of applicants(a) To qualify for an apprentice, journeyman, journeyman restricted, master, master restricted, or limited license, an applicant shall meet the requirements of this section.(b) An applicant for a master heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license shall: (1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under a journeyman, journeyman restricted, limited, or master restricted license for not less than 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a master heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor and have been so employed for not less than 1,875 hours in the year prior to application; and(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.(c) An applicant for a master restricted heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license shall:(1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing refrigeration, air-conditioning, forced air heating, hydronic heating, or ventilation services under a journeyman, journeyman restricted, limited, or master restricted license for not less than 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a master or master restricted heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor and have been so employed for not less than 1,875 hours in the year prior to application; and(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.(d) An applicant for a limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration license shall:(1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing forced air heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under a journeyman license for not less than 2 years of active experience under the direction and control of the holder of a master, master restricted, or limited license under this title, and have been so employed for not less than 1,000 hours in the year prior to application; and(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.(e) An applicant for a journeyman license shall:(1) have held, for a period of at least 4 years, an apprentice license, and during that period shall have completed at least 6,000 hours of training in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration services under the direction and control of a licensed contractor; and(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.(f) An applicant for a journeyman restricted license shall:(1) have held, for a period of at least 3 years, an apprentice license, and during that period shall have completed at least 1,875 hours of training in providing forced air heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under the direction and control of a licensed contractor; and(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.(g)(1) The Board may credit not more than 3 years of formal course of study or professional training in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services if, in the opinion of the Board, the study or training provided comparable experience.(2) The Board may credit not more than 6 years of work experience in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services that fails to meet the requirements of subsection (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), or (f)(1) of this section if, in the opinion of the Board:(i) the work provided comparable experience; and(ii) the failure of the applicant to meet the requirements is not attributable to fault or neglect on the part of the applicant.(3) The Board shall credit not more than 3 years of work experience in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services to any applicant under this section who has been teaching formal courses of study in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services for purposes of satisfying the requirements of subsections (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), or (f)(1) of this section.Amended by 2023 Md. Laws, Ch. 340, Sec. 1, eff. 10/1/2023.