Title of Regulation: 18VAC50-22. Board for Contractors Regulations (amending 18VAC50-22-30).

Statutory Authority: §§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information:

November 2, 2012 - 11 a.m. - Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations, 2nd Floor, Board Room 3, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA

Public Comment Deadline: December 21, 2012.

Agency Contact: Eric L. Olson, Executive Director, Board for Contractors, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-2785, FAX (804) 527-4401, or email contractors@dpor.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia provides the board the authority to establish regulations. Section 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia provides the authority for the board to promulgate regulations for the licensure of contractors in the Commonwealth. The content of the regulations is up to the discretion of the board, but shall not be in conflict with the purposes of the statutory authority.

Purpose: Recent statutory and policy changes made by federal and state agencies that directly affect the regulant population of the board, as well as changes in the industry, warrant review and promulgation of regulations to ensure that they accurately reflect these changes and the current requirements and standards, and that they are consistent and clear. Ensuring that the regulations are as clear as possible will facilitate the regulations' compliance with the statutes and board's requirements, which will better protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

Substance: The new specialty accessibility services contracting and a definition of the scope of practice for this specialty is added to the current regulations. Also included is a separate specialty for contractors that perform work on limited use limited application (LULA) elevators.

The definition of manufactured/modular building contracting is amended to add the provisions of the current HUD requirements.

Issues: These changes are implemented to bring the current regulations into compliance with changes in statutes and regulations that have already been determined to be advantageous to the public. The failure of the Board for Contractors to bring its regulations into compliance with these changes could result in potential damage to businesses and individuals.

Failure to bring the manufactured housing contractors into conformity with current HUD requirements would place the Commonwealth out of compliance, which could result in action being taken by HUD. It would be advantageous to comply with the federal requirements.

Department of Planning and Budget's Economic Impact Analysis:

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The Board of Contractors (Board) proposes to add four occupational definitions to its definitions of specialty services.

Result of Analysis. There is insufficient information to ascertain whether benefits will likely exceed costs for these proposed changes.

Estimated Economic Impact. The Board of Contractors Regulations include a list of defined specialty services which contractors may be certified to provide. The Board now proposes to add four new specialty definitions to this list. Specifically, the Board proposes to add accessibility services contracting (ASC), accessibility services contracting limited use limited application (ASL), industrialized building contracting (IBC) and manufactured home contracting (MHC) to the list of specialty services.

Board staff reports that the definitions for manufactured home contracting (MHC) and industrialized building contracting (IBC) are being added so that these regulations conform to Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) requirements and that ASC and ASL are being added so that contractors can work on wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts and dumbwaiters in private homes without getting a more comprehensive elevator/escalator specialty. Board staff also reports that regulatory changes to flesh out the rights and responsibilities that will fall to contractors that work in these new specialties are being promulgated separately in another regulatory action that will follow. It will likely be more possible to measure the costs and benefits of adding these specialties in that regulatory action than it is in this one.

Businesses and Entities Affected. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) reports that the Board currently licenses 117 elevator/escalator contractors and 958 modular/manufactured home contractors.

Localities Particularly Affected. No locality will be particularly affected by this proposed regulatory action.

Projected Impact on Employment. There is insufficient information to measure the impact that this regulatory action will have on employment in the Commonwealth.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. This regulatory action will likely have no effect on the use or value of private property in the Commonwealth.

Small Businesses: Costs and Other Effects. There is insufficient information to measure the impact that this regulatory action will likely have on small businesses in the Commonwealth.

Small Businesses: Alternative Method that Minimizes Adverse Impact. There is insufficient information to measure the impact that this regulatory action will likely have on small businesses in the Commonwealth.

Real Estate Development Costs. This regulatory action will likely have no effect on real estate development costs in the Commonwealth.

Legal Mandate. The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Administrative Process Act and Executive Order Number 14 (10). Section 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include, but need not be limited to, the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the regulation would apply, the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and the impact on the use and value of private property. Further, if the proposed regulation has adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include (i) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the regulation; (ii) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents; (iii) a statement of the probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iv) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation. The analysis presented above represents DPB's best estimate of these economic impacts.

Agency's Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The department concurs with the approval.

Summary:

These proposed amendments add a new specialty to incorporate businesses that perform work related to the Certified Accessibility Mechanic program and amend the manufactured home specialty to comply with changes to the Code of Federal Regulations by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

18VAC50-22-30. Definitions of specialty services.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter unless a different meaning is provided or is plainly required by the context shall have the following meanings:

"Accessibility services contracting" (Abbr: ASC) means the service that provides for all work in connection with the constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or maintenance of wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a capacity limit of 300 pounds, and private residence elevators in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63). The EEC specialty may also perform this work. This specialty does not include work on limited use-limited application (LULA) elevators.

"Accessibility services contracting – LULA" (Abbr: ASL) means the service that provides for all work in connection with the constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing, or maintenance of wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a capacity limit of 300 pounds, private residence elevators, and limited use-limited application (LULA) elevators in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63). The EEC specialty may also perform this work.

"Alternative energy system contracting" (Abbr: AES) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair or improvement, from the customer's meter, of alternative energy generation systems, supplemental energy systems and associated equipment annexed to real property. No other classification or specialty service provides this function. This specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions.

"Asbestos contracting" (Abbr: ASB) means that the service which that provides for the installation, removal, or encapsulation of asbestos containing materials annexed to real property. No other classification or specialty service provides for this function.

"Asphalt paving and sealcoating contracting" (Abbr: PAV) means that the service which that provides for the installation of asphalt paving and/or or sealcoating, or both, on subdivision streets and adjacent intersections, driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, running tracks, and play areas, using materials and accessories common to the industry. This includes height adjustment of existing sewer manholes, storm drains, water valves, sewer cleanouts and drain grates, and all necessary excavation and grading. The H/H classification also provides for this function.

"Billboard/sign contracting" (Abbr: BSC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or dismantling of any billboard or structural sign permanently annexed to real property. H/H and BLD are the only other classifications that can perform this work except that a contractor in this specialty may connect or disconnect signs to existing electrical circuits. No trade related plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work is included in this function.

"Blast/explosive contracting" (Abbr: BEC) means that the service which that provides for the use of explosive charges for the repair, improvement, alteration, or demolition of any real property or any structure annexed to real property.

"Commercial improvement contracting" (Abbr: CIC) means that the service which that provides for repair or improvement to nonresidential property and multifamily property as defined in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The BLD classification also provides for this function. The CIC classification does not provide for the construction of new buildings, accessory buildings, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas work.

"Concrete contracting" (Abbr: CEM) means that the service which that provides for all work in connection with the processing, proportioning, batching, mixing, conveying and placing of concrete composed of materials common to the concrete industry. This includes but is not limited to finishing, coloring, curing, repairing, testing, sawing, grinding, grouting, placing of film barriers, sealing and waterproofing. Construction and assembling of forms, molds, slipforms, pans, centering, and the use of rebar is also included. The BLD and H/H classifications also provide for this function.

"Electronic/communication service contracting" (Abbr: ESC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of electronic or communications systems annexed to real property including telephone wiring, computer cabling, sound systems, data links, data and network installation, television and cable TV wiring, antenna wiring, and fiber optics installation, all of which operate at 50 volts or less. A firm holding an ESC license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards. The ELE classification also provides for this function.

"Elevator/escalator contracting" (Abbr: EEC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement or removal of elevators or escalators permanently annexed to real property. A firm holding an EEC license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards. No other classification or specialty service provides for this function.

"Environmental monitoring well contracting" (Abbr: EMW) means that the service which that provides for the construction of a well to monitor hazardous substances in the ground.

"Environmental specialties contracting" (Abbr: ENV) means that the service which that provides for installation, repair, removal, or improvement of pollution control and remediation devices. No other specialty provides for this function. This specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions.

"Equipment/machinery contracting" (Abbr: EMC) means that the service which that provides for the installation or removal of equipment or machinery including but not limited to conveyors or heavy machinery. Boilers exempted by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code but regulated by the Department of Labor and Industry are also included in this specialty. This specialty does not provide for any electrical, plumbing, process piping or HVAC functions.

"Farm improvement contracting" (Abbr: FIC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair or improvement of a nonresidential farm building or structure, or nonresidential farm accessory-use structure, or additions thereto. The BLD classification also provides for this function. The FIC specialty does not provide for any electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting functions.

"Fire alarm systems contracting" (Abbr: FAS) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, or improvement of fire alarm systems which operate at 50 volts or less. The ELE classification also provides for this function. A firm with an FAS license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.

"Fire sprinkler contracting" (Abbr: SPR) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, alteration, addition, testing, maintenance, inspection, improvement, or removal of sprinkler systems using water as a means of fire suppression when annexed to real property. This specialty does not provide for the installation, repair, or maintenance of other types of fire suppression systems. The PLB classification allows for the installation of limited area sprinklers as defined by BOCA. This specialty may engage in the installation of backflow prevention devices in the fire sprinkler supply main and sprinkler system when the installer has received formal vocational training approved by the board that included instruction in the installation of backflow prevention devices.

"Fire suppression contracting" (Abbr: FSP) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of fire suppression systems including but not limited to halon and other gas systems; dry chemical systems; and carbon dioxide systems annexed to real property. No other classification provides for this function. The FSP specialty does not provide for the installation, repair, or maintenance of water sprinkler systems.

"Gas fitting contracting" (Abbr: GFC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of gas piping and appliances annexed to real property. A firm with a GFC license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.

"Home improvement contracting" (Abbr: HIC) means that the service which that provides for repairs or improvements to one-family and two-family residential buildings or structures annexed to real property. The BLD classification also provides for this function. The HIC specialty does not provide for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting functions. It does not include high rise buildings, buildings with more than two dwelling units, or new construction functions beyond the existing building structure other than decks, patios, driveways and utility out buildings.

"Industrialized building contracting" (Abbr: IBC) means the service that provides for the installation or removal of an industrialized building as defined in the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (13VAC5-91). This classification covers foundation work in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63) and allows the licensee to complete internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical, and HVAC systems. It does not allow for installing additional plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC work such as installing the service meter or installing the outside compressor for the HVAC system. The BLD classification also provides for this function.

"Landscape irrigation contracting" (Abbr: ISC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of irrigation sprinkler systems or outdoor sprinkler systems. The PLB and H/H classifications also provide for this function. This specialty may install backflow prevention devices incidental to work in this specialty when the installer has received formal vocational training approved by the board that included instruction in the installation of backflow prevention devices.

"Landscape service contracting" (Abbr: LSC) means that the service which that provides for the alteration or improvement of a land area not related to any other classification or service activity by means of excavation, clearing, grading, construction of retaining walls for landscaping purposes, or placement of landscaping timbers. The BLD classification also provides for this function.

"Lead abatement contracting" (Abbr: LAC) means that the service which that provides for the removal or encapsulation of lead-containing materials annexed to real property. No other classification or specialty service provides for this function, except that the PLB and HVA classifications may provide this service incidental to work in those classifications.

"Liquefied petroleum gas contracting" (Abbr: LPG) means that the service which that includes the installation, maintenance, extension, alteration, or removal of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances used in transporting, storing or utilizing liquefied petroleum gas. This excludes hot water heaters, boilers, and central heating systems that require a HVA or PLB license. The GFC specialty also provides for this function. A firm holding a LPG license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.

"Manufactured home contracting" (Abbr: MHC) means the service that provides for the installation or removal of a manufactured home as defined in the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations (13VAC5-95). This classification does not cover foundation work; however, it does allow installation of piers covered under HUD regulations. It does allow a licensee to do internal tie-ins of plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC equipment. It does not allow for installing additional plumbing, gas, electrical, or HVAC work such as installing the service meter or installing the outside compressor for the HVAC system. No other specialty provides for this function.

"Marine facility contracting" (Abbr: MCC) means that the service which that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of any structure the purpose of which is to provide access to, impede, or alter a body of surface water. The BLD and H/H classifications also provide for this function. The MCC specialty does not provide for the construction of accessory structures or electrical, HVAC or plumbing functions.

"Masonry contracting" (Abbr: BRK) means that the service which that includes the installation of brick, concrete block, stone, marble, slate or other units and products common to the masonry industry, including mortarless type masonry products. This includes installation of grout, caulking, tuck pointing, sand blasting, mortar washing, parging and cleaning and welding of reinforcement steel related to masonry construction. The BLD classification and HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.

"Modular/manufactured building contracting" (Abbr: MBC) means that service which provides for the installation or removal of a modular or manufactured building manufactured under ANSI standards. This classification does not cover foundation work; however, it does allow installation of piers covered under HUD regulations. It does allow a licensee to do internal tie ins of plumbing, gas and electrical or HVAC equipment. It does not allow for installing additional plumbing, electrical, or HVAC work such as installing the service meter, or installing the outside compressor for the HVAC system. The H/H and BLD classifications also provide for this function.

"Natural gas fitting provider contracting" (Abbr: NGF) means that the service which that provides for the incidental repair, testing, or removal of natural gas piping or fitting annexed to real property. This does not include new installation of gas piping for hot water heaters, boilers, central heating systems, or other natural gas equipment which requires a HVA or PLB license. The GFC specialty also provides for this function. A firm holding a NGF license is responsible for meeting all applicable tradesman licensure standards.

"Painting and wallcovering contracting" (Abbr: PTC) means that the service which that provides for the application of materials common to the painting and decorating industry for protective or decorative purposes, the installation of surface coverings such as vinyls, wall papers, and cloth fabrics. This includes surface preparation, caulking, sanding and cleaning preparatory to painting or coverings and includes both interior and exterior surfaces. The BLD classification and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.

"Radon mitigation contracting" (Abbr: RMC) means that the service which that provides for additions, repairs or improvements to buildings or structures, for the purpose of mitigating or preventing the effects of radon gas. This function can only be performed by a firm holding the BLD classification or CIC (for other than one-family and two-family dwellings), FIC (for nonresidential farm buildings) or HIC (for one-family and two-family dwellings) specialty services. No electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions are provided by this specialty.

"Recreational facility contracting" (Abbr: RFC) means that the service which that provides for the construction, repair, or improvement of any recreational facility, excluding paving and the construction of buildings, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC functions. The BLD classification also provides for this function.

"Refrigeration contracting" (Abbr: REF) means that the service which that provides for installation, repair, or removal of any refrigeration equipment (excluding HVAC equipment). No electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC functions are provided by this specialty. This specialty is intended for those contractors who repair or install coolers, refrigerated casework, ice-making machines, drinking fountains, cold room equipment, and similar hermetic refrigeration equipment. The HVAC classification also provides for this function.

"Roofing contracting" (Abbr: ROC) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, removal or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks. This includes roofing system components when installed in conjunction with a roofing project, application of dampproofing or waterproofing, and installation of roof insulation panels and other roof insulation systems above roof deck. The BLD classification and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function.

"Sewage disposal systems contracting" (Abbr: SDS) means that the service which that provides for the installation, repair, improvement, or removal of septic tanks, septic systems, and other on-site sewage disposal systems annexed to real property.

"Swimming pool construction contracting" (Abbr: POL) means that the service which that provides for the construction, repair, improvement or removal of in-ground swimming pools. The BLD classification and the RFC specialty also provide for this function. No trade related plumbing, electrical, backflow or HVAC work is included in this specialty.

"Vessel construction contracting" (Abbr: VCC) means that the service which that provides for the construction, repair, improvement, or removal of nonresidential vessels, tanks, or piping that hold or convey fluids other than sanitary, storm, waste, or potable water supplies. The H/H classification also provides for this function.

"Water well/pump contracting" (Abbr: WWP) means that the service which that provides for the installation of a water well system, which includes construction of a water well to reach groundwater, as defined in § 62.1-255 of the Code of Virginia, and the installation of the well pump and tank, including pipe and wire, up to and including the point of connection to the plumbing and electrical systems. No other classification or specialty service provides for construction of water wells. This regulation shall not exclude PLB, ELE or HVAC from installation of pumps and tanks.

Note: Specialty contractors engaging in construction which that involves the following activities or items or similar activities or items may fall under the CIC, HIC and/or FIC specialty services, or they may fall under the BLD classification.

Appliances	Fireplaces	Rubber linings
Awnings	Fireproofing	Sandblasting
Blinds	Fixtures	Scaffolding
Bulkheads	Floor coverings	Screens
Cabinetry	Flooring	Sheet metal
Carpentry	Floors	Shutters
Carpeting	Glass	Siding
Casework	Glazing	Skylights
Ceilings	Grouting	Storage bins and lockers
Chimneys	Grubbing	Stucco
Chutes	Guttering	Temperature controls
Conduit rodding	Insulation	Terrazzo
Curtains	Interior decorating	Tile
Curtain walls	Lubrication	Vaults
Decks	Metal work	Vinyl flooring
Doors	Millwrighting	Wall panels
Drapes	Mirrors	Wall tile
Drywall	Miscellaneous iron	Waterproofing
Epoxy	Ornamental iron	Weatherstripping
Exterior decoration	Partitions	Welding
Facings	Protective coatings	Windows
Fences	Railings	Wood floors
Fiberglass	Rigging

FORMS (18VAC50-22)

Contractor Licensing Information, 27INTRO (5/09).

Trade-Related Examinations and Qualifications Information, 27EXINFO (5/09).

License Application, 27LIC (rev. 4/10).

Class C License Application (Short Form), 27CSF (rev. 4/10).

Additional License Classification/Specialty Designation Application, 27ADDCL (rev. 4/10).

Change of Qualified Individual Application, 27CHQI (rev. 4/10).

Change of Designated Employee Application, 27CHDE (rev. 4/10).

Changes of Responsible Management Form, 27CHRM (eff. 5/09).

Experience Reference, 27EXP (8/07).

Certificate of License Termination, 27TERM (5/09).

Education Provider Registration/Course Approval Application; Contractors Prelicense and Continuing Education, 27EDREG (rev. 6/09).

Certificate of License Termination, 27TERM (5/09).

Education Provider Listing Form, 27EDLIST (5/09).

Financial Statement, 27FINST (5/09).

Additional Qualified Individual Experience Reference Form, 27QIEXP (5/09).

Contractor Licensing Information, A503-27INTRO (9/12).

Requirements for Qualified Individuals, A503-27EXINFO (9/12).

License Application, A503-27LIC (9/12).

Expedited Class A License Application, A503-2705A_ELIC (9//12).

Class C License Application (Short Form), A503-027CSF (9/12).

Additional Specialty Designation Application, A503-27ADDSP (9/12).

Change in Qualified Individual and Designated Employee Application, A503-27CH_QIDE (9/12).

Change of Responsible Management Application, A503-27CHRM3 (7/11).

Certificate of License Termination, A503-27TERM (3/11).

Education Provider Registration/Course Approval Application, A503-27EDREG (10/11).

Education Provider Listing Application, A503-27EDLIST (3/11).

Financial Statement, A503-27FINST (7/11).

Additional Qualified Individual Experience Reference Form, A503-27QIEXP (3/11).