17-55-101. Licensure of electrical inspectors.

17-55-101. Licensure of electrical inspectors. (a) A person employed as an electrical inspector in the State of Arkansas shall hold an electrical inspector license issued by the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas. (b)(1) A person shall apply for licensure as an electrical inspector on a form approved by the board within thirty (30) days of employment as an electrical inspector. (2) Applications shall be made to the board and shall contain: (A) Proof of employment with the state or a political subdivision of the state as an electrical inspector in the State of Arkansas; (B)(i) Verification of work experience as required by rule of the board. (ii) Work experience shall include without limitation demonstrated knowledge of: (a) The standard materials and methods used in the installation of electric equipment; (b) Approved methods of construction to ensure the safety of persons and property; and (c) The requirements of the statewide standards for the construction, installation, and maintenance of electrical facilities and the performance of electrical work under § 20-31-104; and (C) Payment of a license fee as established by rule of the board that shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00). (c) An electrical inspector license: (1) Shall expire on January 1 of each year; and (2) May be renewed upon application to the board and submission of the following information: (A) Proof of continued employment as an electrical inspector in the State of Arkansas; (B) Payment of a renewal fee as established by rule of the board that shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00); and (C)(i) Proof of completion of at least sixteen (16) hours of continuing education. (ii) The board shall promulgate rules to set standards for continuing education for licensees under subdivision (c)(2)(C)(i) of this section. The rules shall include without limitation continuing education on the statewide standards for the construction, installation, and maintenance of electrical facilities and the performance of electrical work under § 20-31-104. (iii) The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions may conduct or sponsor continuing education classes for electrical inspectors. (d)(1) The board may revoke or suspend an electrical inspector's license for just cause subject to appeal and hearing before the board according to the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq. (2)(A) A civil penalty may be assessed against an electrical inspector by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions and subject to appeal and hearing before the board according to the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., if it is determined that the electrical inspector has violated a: (i) Provision of this chapter; (ii) Rule or order issued or promulgated by the board; or (iii) Condition of a license issued by the board. (B) For each violation, the civil penalty shall not exceed the following: (i) Two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first offense; (ii) Seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for a second offense; or (iii) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a third offense. (C) Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation for purposes of penalty assessment. (D) Assessment of a civil penalty by the board shall be made no later than two (2) years after the date of the occurrence of the violation. (E) If an electrical inspector against whom a civil penalty has been imposed fails to pay the penalty within sixty (60) days of the board's decision, the Director of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions may file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the civil penalty without paying costs or giving bond for costs. (F) Any penalties collected under this section shall be deposited as special revenues into the State Treasury to the credit of the Department of Labor and Licensing Special Fund, there to be used by the Department of Labor and Licensing in carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of this chapter. (e) If a person simultaneously holds an electrical inspector license and a license as a master electrician or a journeyman electrician, the person, when renewing his or her master electrician or journeyman electrician license, shall be exempt from the: (1) Renewal fee under § 17-28-301; and (2) Continuing education requirements for master electricians and journeyman electricians under § 17-28-311.