For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have meanings respectively ascribed to them herein unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(1) APPRENTICE GAS FITTER OR PLUMBER. A person other than a master or journeyman gas fitter or plumber, who is engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of gas pipe, equipment, apparatus, and appliances, and shall work directly under the supervision of a journeyman or master gas fitter or plumber, and who has successfully fulfilled the registration requirements of the board and has been duly registered by the board as such for the current year. The apprentice shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.

(2) BOARD. The State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board as renamed by this chapter. The board shall examine, certify, and regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters on a statewide basis pursuant to this chapter.

(3) CERTIFICATION. The process of testing at the state level to determine the knowledge and skill of an individual with respect to plumbing and gas fitting, and the issuing of certificates to indicate that an individual has passed the examination.

(4) GAS FITTING, GAS SYSTEMS, or GAS WORK. The installation, repair of pipes, fixtures, fittings, appliances, or apparatus necessary for supplying natural gas for residential or commercial use from the point of delivery and all gas piping before connection to the combustion zone and including the applicable venting of flue gases to the outside atmosphere and the provisions for air for combustion and ventilation, including all gas fitting work further defined by any board rules and all codes currently adopted by the board. This chapter shall not be construed to prevent any contractor certified by the Alabama Board of Heating Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors from installing, replacing, or performing service or repair on natural gas fired air heating/cooling appliances, excluding piping to them provided the installing contractor has a valid certificate issued by the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors.

(5) JOURNEYMAN GAS FITTER. Every person who engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of gas work, who has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a journeyman gas fitter certificate by the board, and possesses a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The journeyman gas fitter shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.

(6) JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER. Any person who engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of plumbing systems, who has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a journeyman plumber certificate by the board, and possesses a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The journeyman plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.

(7) MASTER GAS FITTER. Any person or legal entity that engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of gas systems, that has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, that has been issued a master gas fitter certificate by the board, and that posses a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The master gas fitter shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request. This person may at any time register with the board as principal for any business, firm, or corporation.

(8) MASTER PLUMBER. Any person or legal entity that engages in or works at the actual installation, repair, or replacement of plumbing systems, that has successfully fulfilled the examination requirements of the board, has been issued a master plumber certificate by the board, and that possess a valid and current annual certificate issued by the board. The master plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request. This person may at any time register with the board as principal for any business, firm, or corporation.

(9) MEDICAL GAS PIPING FITTER. A master plumber or master gas fitter who holds a current certificate for installation of medical gas piping. A journeyman plumber, journeyman gas fitter, apprentice plumber, or apprentice gas fitter who holds a current certificate for installation of medical gas piping shall be entitled to install medical gas piping under the direction of a master plumber or master gas fitter whose certificate entitles him or her to install medical gas piping. An apprentice plumber or apprentice gas fitter who holds a current certificate for medical gas piping shall at all times be under the direct supervision of either a master or journeyman who also holds a current certificate. The medical gas piping fitter shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate issued by the board. The certificate shall be available for inspection on request.

(10) MEDICAL GAS PIPING. Piping used solely to transport gases used for medical purposes.

(11) PLUMBING, PLUMBING SYSTEMS, or PLUMBING WORK. All work associated with the installation, repair, or replacement of pipes, fixtures, or other apparatus necessary either for supplying water or for removing liquid or waterborne waste located on private property. The term is also used to denote installed fixtures, backflow prevention devices, drainage, vents, and water distribution systems located on private property, and all plumbing work further defined by board rules and all codes currently adopted by the board, with the exception of work allowed by this chapter.

(12) PERSON or PERSONS. Any individual, apprentice plumber, apprentice gas fitter, corporation, professional corporation, limited liability company, or other legal entity, or any combination thereof.

(13) PRINCIPAL. The individual responsible for the contracting, superintending, installation, maintenance, or repair of plumbing or gas fitting systems, or both, for any legal entity, who is actively and continuously connected with the conduct of the business, and is responsible to the board for those responsibilities. The individual shall qualify to be a certified master gas fitter or a certified master plumber, or both. In addition, a principal must meet these requirements.

a. At least one active employee of the legal entity shall be a duly registered and certified master gas fitter or plumber as defined in this section, actively and continuously connected with the conduct of the business and registered with the board as the principal of the business.

b. The principal master gas fitter or master plumber shall have in his or her possession a current annual certificate issued by the board. The certificate shall be available for the inspection on request.

(14) REGISTRATION. The process of application with the board with regard to apprentice plumbers, apprentice gas fitters, all corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies and all other legal entities engaging in the business of plumbing or gas fitting, or both, within the State of Alabama.