Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine January 2022

S tate, National, Chapter News State national Chapter News

expired more than 5 years ago. The latest of the three applies. 2. The Board may consider violent or sexual convictions without regard to a timeline. Persons wanting to enter the HVACR industry having committed crimes that may preclude them from testing may still apply for a waiver. The Board ’ s decision could consider evidence based on: • The age of at which the offense was committed • The circumstances surrounding the offense • The length of time since the offense was committed • Subsequent work history since the offense was committed • Employment references since the offense was committed • Character references since the offense was committed • Relevance of the offense to the occupation license • Other evidence demonstrating that the licensure of the applicant does not pose a threat to the health or safety of the public. The legislature is concerned about rehabilitating and bringing felons into the mainstream but the Board is tasked with protecting consumers who trust the installers and techs with their belongings and family. It is not an easy tight rope to walk.

• Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree • Permitting the abuse of a minor • Engaging children in sexually explicit conduct • Computer child pornography • Computer exploitation of a child in the first degree • Felony adult abuse • Theft of property • Theft by receiving • Arson • Burglary • Felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act • Promotion of prostitution in the first degree • Stalking • Criminal attempt, criminal complicity criminal solicitation or criminal conspiracy … There are exemptions that prohibit the Licensing Board from denying license or license renewal. These are time lined July 24, 2019. Basically, a person licensed or in pursuit of a license via an education program prior to July 24, 2019 is not automatically disqualified from renewing or sitting for a license. There are two conditions that limit or provide guidance to the Board. 1. If the individual was not convicted of a sexual or violent crime, the Board cannot consider past crimes that are more than 5 years past the conviction or incarceration or parole that may have