(a) An applicant for licensure as a master plumber shall submit evidence, satisfactory to the Board, and verified by oath or affirmation, that the applicant:

(1) Has received a journeyman’s certificate issued in any state following completion of a plumbing apprenticeship program that meets or exceeds the Federal Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training Standards and, thereafter, performed plumbing services for 2 years under the supervision of a master plumber or an individual holding a similar level of licensure in another state; or has performed plumbing services for 7 years under the supervision of a master plumber or a plumber holding a similar level of licensure in another state and, thereafter, successfully completed the apprenticeship equivalency test approved by the Board and administered by a Delaware vocational-technical school;

(2) Has achieved the passing score on a written, standardized examination, designated by the Board and approved by the Division, for licensure as a Delaware master plumber after fulfilling the experience and/or training requirements of this section;

(3) Has not received any administrative penalties regarding the applicant’s practice, including, but not limited to, fines, formal reprimands, license suspension or revocation (except for license revocation for nonpayment of license renewal fees), probationary limitations, and consent agreements which contain conditions placed by a Board on the applicant’s occupational conduct or practice, including the voluntary surrender of a license, certificate, registration, or other authorization to provide plumbing services. The Board may determine after a hearing whether the imposition of a particular administrative penalty is grounds to deny licensure.

(4) Does not have an impairment related to drug or alcohol use that would limit the applicant’s ability to provide plumbing services in a manner that is not detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the public;

(5) Does not have any disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending against the applicant in any jurisdiction where the applicant has previously been or is currently authorized to provide plumbing services; or have a criminal conviction record relating to an incident, the circumstances of which substantially relate to providing plumbing services. An applicant who has such a criminal conviction record must request appropriate authorities provide information about the record directly to the Board in sufficient specificity to enable the Board to make a determination of whether the record is substantially related to providing plumbing services. In determining whether a crime is substantially related to the professions regulated by this chapter, the Board may not consider a conviction where more than 10 years have elapsed since the date of the conviction, if there have been no other criminal convictions in the intervening time. After a hearing or review of documentation that the applicant meets the specified criteria for a waiver, the Board, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, or during the time between meetings, the Board President or the President’s designee, may waive this paragraph (a)(5) herein if it finds all of the following:

a. For waiver of a felony conviction, where the crime was committed against a person, more than 3 years have passed since the date of the conviction and for all other felonies, more than 2 years have elapsed since the date of conviction. At the time of the application the applicant may not be incarcerated, on work release, on probation, or on parole at Level III Supervision or higher, or serving any part of a suspended sentence and must be in substantial compliance with all court orders pertaining to fines, restitution and community service.

b. For waiver of a misdemeanor conviction or violation, at the time of the application the applicant may not be incarcerated, on work release, on probation, on parole or serving any part of a suspended sentence and must be in substantial compliance with all court orders pertaining to fines, restitution and community service.

c. The applicant is capable of practicing plumbing services in a competent and professional manner.

d. The granting of the waiver will not endanger the public health, safety or welfare.

(6) Has not been convicted of a felony sexual offense.

(b) The Board may waive the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) or (5) of this section for good cause.

(c) Each applicant shall provide the information requested on the application form approved by the Board. All evidence of experience must be submitted by affidavit on forms approved by the Board. An application form may not require an applicant to submit a photograph of himself or herself, or information related to citizenship, place of birth, length of state residency, or personal references.

(d) If the Board finds that false information has been intentionally provided to the Board, it shall report its finding to the Attorney General’s Office for further action.

(e) If the Board refuses to accept, or rejects, an application and the applicant believes that the Board acted without justification, or imposed a higher or different standard to the applicant than to other applicants, or in some other unlawful manner contributed to or caused the refusal or rejection of the application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.

71 Del. Laws, c. 185, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 296, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 436, § 15; 77 Del. Laws, c. 199, §§ 10-12; 78 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§ 24, 25; 82 Del. Laws, c. 197, § 1.