(a) Application for a master plumber or journeyman plumber examination, temporary permit, or license shall be made to the Department of Health with fees.

(b) No license or permit shall be transferable.

(c) Unless the applicant is entitled to a renewal of license, a license shall be issued only after the applicant passes a satisfactory examination showing fitness.

(d)

(1) An applicant for the master plumber examination shall have a minimum of five (5) years of plumbing experience.

(2) An applicant for the journeyman plumber examination shall have a minimum of four (4) years of plumbing experience.

(e) The Committee of Plumbing Examiners of the State Board of Health shall approve an applicant for master plumber or journeyman plumber examination provided that the applicant is currently licensed as a master plumber or journeyman plumber in another state or political subdivision of that state whose plumbing laws and codes are similar to those of this state.

(f) The committee may approve an applicant for examination who is not currently licensed in another state or its political subdivision or who has no plumber licensing background, provided the applicant shows proof of experience as a plumber in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. The proof of experience may be in the form of records, affidavits, or bona fide evidence from licensing agencies, former employers, or persons who can attest to the applicant's work background as a plumber.

(g) The committee may consider applicants for the master plumber examination who are registered professional engineers with special expertise in plumbing engineering.

(h) An individual applying for and obtaining a license as a journeyman plumber shall be eligible for the master plumber examination after being licensed as journeyman plumber for one (1) year. In cases of extreme hardship, the committee may waive the one-year requirement in whole or in part.

(i) The committee shall consider an apprentice plumber for the journeyman plumber examination, provided the apprentice plumber has successfully completed the training as defined under the plumber apprenticeship regulations.