Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine February 2018

Arkansas HVACR Licensing Board is comprised of two class “A” contractors, two class “B” contractors, one representative of the commercial contractors, one engineer, one consumer representative, and one person from the Health Department who provides the supervision and direction of the program. (13) The program has operated under the same structure and fee schedule for the almost 27 years of its existence. Rather than serving as a barrier to honest work and the preservation of the incumbent contractor, the licensing program in Arkansas is an opportunity to those wanting to serve the public in a trade that welcomes those who are trained and willing to continue to hone their craft for the service of their community. Entry to the trade is easy and affordable. A person only needs to work for a licensed company and pay a $25 annual fee as a registrant. Virtually all companies pay the fee for the registrant. After two years of experience, the person can sit for an open book test, earn a score of 70, and then pay the appropriate license fee, $100 to $200 depending on the size / capacity of equipment and type of service offered to the public. As a licensee and entrepreneur, they may offer their service the public as a business to install and service equipment according the appropriate codes which are designed to protect public health and safety and equipment efficacy. Code and regulation compliance is inspected

by state and city inspectors. When a mistake is found, contractors are always given the opportunity to make the correction. It is a methodology of consumer protection that serves the public and educates and encourages the contractor. Only when a person refuses to make the necessary correction are they called before the Licensing Board for a review of the claim. Even then, the defendant may appear to present their case or reasoning. Regretfully, when it has gone that far, the malefactor usually does not appear in the same way that they “ran out” on the homeowner. The Board may then assess a penalty and suspend the license. This gives the defendant an opportunity to review their behavior, make the customer whole, pay outstanding fines, and renew their license. Hopefully the result will be a rehabilitated licensee who is now ready to serve the public in a manner that is safe and honorable. So when does Health and Safety trump anti-licensing and deregulation? The answer is clear, when the health and safety of the consumer is at risk. Who should be involved in the determination of licensing? Again it is clear--those involved in the industry in consultation with the legislature, governmental agencies, and consumer representatives. The HVACR industry does not fear an honest review of our law and our industry. We do feel that it should be a partnership rather than a rush of group think which could leave the