(1) In addition to the requirements of s. 527.02, any person applying for a license to engage in category I, category II, or category V activities must prove competency by passing a written examination administered by the department or its agent with a grade of 70 percent or above in each area tested. Each applicant for examination shall submit a $20 nonrefundable fee. The department shall by rule specify the general areas of competency to be covered by each examination and the relative weight to be assigned in grading each area tested.

(2) Application for examination for competency may be made by an individual or by an owner, a partner, or any person employed by the license applicant. Upon successful completion of the competency examination, the department shall register the examinee.

(a) Qualifier registration automatically expires if the individual terminates active employment in the area of examination for a period exceeding 24 months, or fails to provide documentation of continuing education. If the qualifier registration has expired, the individual must apply for and successfully complete an examination by the department in order to reestablish qualifier status.

(b) Every business organization in license category I, category II, or category V shall employ at all times a full-time qualifier who has successfully completed an examination in the corresponding category of the license held by the business organization. A person may not act as a qualifier for more than one licensed location.

(3) Qualifier registration expires 3 years after the date of issuance. All such qualifiers may renew their qualification upon application to the department, payment of a $20 renewal fee, and documentation of the completion of a minimum of 16 hours of approved continuing education courses, as defined by department rule, during the previous 3-year period. Applications for renewal must be made 30 calendar days before expiration. Persons failing to renew before the expiration date must reapply and take a qualifier competency examination in order to reestablish qualifier status.

(4) A qualifier for a business must actually function in a supervisory capacity of other company employees performing licensed activities. A separate qualifier shall be required for every 10 such employees.

(5) In addition to all other licensing requirements, each category I and category V licensee must, at the time of application for licensure, identify to the department one master qualifier who is a full-time employee at the licensed location. This person shall be a manager, owner, or otherwise primarily responsible for overseeing the operations of the licensed location and must provide documentation to the department as provided by rule. The master qualifier requirement shall be in addition to the requirements of subsection (1).

(a) In order to apply for certification as a master qualifier, each applicant must have been a registered qualifier for a minimum of 3 years immediately preceding submission of the application, must be employed by a licensed category I or category V licensee, or applicant for such license, and must pass a master qualifier competency examination. Master qualifier examinations shall be based on Florida’s laws, rules, and adopted codes governing liquefied petroleum gas safety, general industry safety standards, and administrative procedures. The applicant must successfully pass the examination with a grade of 70 percent or above. Each applicant for master qualifier registration must submit to the department a nonrefundable $30 examination fee before the examination.

(b) Upon successful completion of the master qualifier examination, the department shall issue the examinee a master qualifier registration. A master qualifier may transfer from one licenseholder to another upon becoming employed by the company and providing a written request to the department.

(c) A master qualifier registration expires 3 years after the date of issuance and may be renewed by submission to the department of documentation of completion of at least 16 hours of approved continuing education courses during the 3-year period; proof of employment; and a $30 certificate renewal fee. The department shall define by rule approved courses of continuing education.

(6) A vacancy in a qualifier or master qualifier position in a business organization which results from the departure of the qualifier or master qualifier shall be immediately reported to the department by the departing qualifier or master qualifier and the licensed company.

(a) If a business organization no longer possesses a duly designated qualifier, as required by this section, its liquefied petroleum gas licenses shall be suspended by order of the department after 20 working days. The license shall remain suspended until a competent qualifier has been employed, the order of suspension terminated by the department, and the license reinstated. A vacancy in the qualifier position for a period of more than 20 working days shall be deemed to constitute an immediate threat to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(b) Any category I or category V licensee who no longer possesses a master qualifier but currently employs a qualifier as required by this section has 60 days within which to replace the master qualifier. If the company fails to replace the master qualifier within the 60-day period, the license of the company shall be suspended by order of the department. The license shall remain suspended until a competent master qualifier has been employed, the order of suspension has been terminated by the department, and the license reinstated.

(7) The department may deny, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke any qualifier or master qualifier registration for any of the following causes:

(a) Violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order of the department;

(b) Falsification of records relating to the qualifier or master qualifier registration; or

(c) Failure to meet any of the renewal requirements.

(8) Any individual having competency qualifications on file with the department may request the transfer of such qualifications to any existing licenseholder by making a written request to the department for such transfer. Any individual having a competency examination on file with the department may use such examination for a new license application after making application in writing to the department. All examinations are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

(9) If a duplicate license or duplicate qualifier or master qualifier registration certificate is requested by the licensee, a fee of $10 must be received before issuance of the duplicate license or certificate.

(10) All revenues collected herein shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter.

History.—s. 3, ch. 2003-132; s. 32, ch. 2013-251; s. 20, ch. 2018-84; s. 89, ch. 2019-3.