Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine November 2022

News Magazine Reprint

FEATURE STORY

B. Felony waiver form 3. Write a check for the felony applicant only. Do not include any other applicants on the forms or as part of the check. Payment for other applicants should not be included on the check for the felony applicant. 4. Send in the required forms and the check to the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, HVACR Program. Understand that the process may take 6 to 8 weeks and you are only allowed to work the applicant for 4 weeks before receiving the approval and card. The application for the felony waiver must be accompanied with documentation of • 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 staff then processes the application and the Board determines the outcome. It should be noted that Board approval of the waiver does not negate the responsibility of the contractor for the employee’s behavior. As a quick overview which will help you the contractor, the applicants, the HVACR staff and Board: 1. Do not include felony applicant with any other applicants. 2. Do not send payment for the felony applicant as part of payment for other applicants. 3. Do not send payment for the felony applicant until the Board has approved their application. 4. Give a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks for the process to work through. All this effort may seem frustrating and laborious; however, remember it was created by the legislature trying to help felons to re-enter society, make a living, and be a productive citizen and family member. The contractor, the Board, the Legislature, and your customers all take a risk but is worth it if a person having made a mistake can earn a second chance in life. At least that is the intent of the legislature. Of course, that decision is up to you, the contractor.