City of Saratoga Springs, NY Article II Authorization Required

§ 171-5 Generally.

A. No person shall act as a master plumber or a nonresident plumber in the City of Saratoga Springs without first having obtained authorization to do so in accordance with this chapter.

B. No person authorized to act as a master plumber or a nonresident plumber shall perform plumbing work in the City of Saratoga Springs without first having obtained a plumbing permit for that work in accordance with this chapter.

§ 171-6 Master plumbers; examination and metal plate or sign required.

No person shall engage in the trade, business or calling of a master plumber or perform plumbing work in the City of Saratoga Springs as a master plumber until he or she has first passed examination and procured from the Board a metal plate or sign indicating that he or she has met all requirements to act as an employing or master plumber. Such plate or sign shall be conspicuously posted at the place where such business is conducted. Any person retiring, abandoning, or not actually engaged in such trade, business or calling hereinbefore mentioned shall surrender to the Board such metal plate or sign and shall not again engage in such trade, business or calling until he or she has again procured a metal plate or sign as herein provided.

§ 171-7 Master plumbers; registration required.

Registration of master plumbers shall be required in accordance with § 46 of the General City Law.

§ 171-8 Master plumbers; examination.

A. Every person who desires to act as a master plumber shall make written application for examination on a form approved by the Board.

B. No person shall be examined unless he or she shall have had practical experience of at least five years as a journeyman plumber and is able to furnish satisfactory evidence of such experience.

C. The Board shall have authority to develop examination questions and conduct examinations, in the Board's discretion. Questions shall be designed to determine the applicant's knowledge, fitness and qualifications to act as a master or employing plumber. The Board shall set the time and place for each examination.

D. If an applicant shall fail the examination, he or she may take the next scheduled examination without additional applications or fees. If the applicant fails twice, he or she shall not be eligible for another examination until one calendar year from the date of the second failed examination. An applicant who fails an examination shall have the right to appeal that failure at a hearing before the Board. Applications for such hearings shall be made to the Board in writing within 30 days following notification of the failed examination. The Board shall issue its decision on the appeal in writing to the applicant.

E. The Board shall have authority to make reasonable inquiries into the applicant's work background to determine that he or she is a worker of good repute, character and responsibility.

§ 171-9 Master plumbers; issuance of certificate of competency.

A. Upon an applicant's achieving a score of at least 75% on the written part of the examination, and a grade of "pass" on the practical part, and having demonstrated to the Board that he or she is a worker of good repute, character and responsibility, the Board shall issue a certificate of competency to the applicant, and the applicant shall thereafter be authorized to act as a master plumber.

B. Each certificate of competency shall be valid for one year, and may be thereafter renewed each year without further examination, unless duly revoked or suspended according to this chapter.

C. Upon receipt of a certificate of competency, the master plumber shall register with the Board of Health or with the Examining Board of Plumbers, as directed, and shall thereupon be issued a certificate of registration.

D. The Board shall issue to each master plumber upon registration a metal plaque or sign, in a form approved by the Board. That plaque or sign shall thereafter be conspicuously displayed in the plumber's place of business.

E. A registered master plumber shall keep his or her address as specified on the certificate of registration current at all times, and shall notify the Examining Board of Plumbers of each change of address.

F. Any holder of a certificate of competency or certificate of registration who loses said certificate may apply in writing to the Board for a duplicate certificate in a form approved by the Board.

§ 171-10 Plumbing permit.

A. No person shall perform plumbing work in the City of Saratoga Springs until he or she has been issued a plumbing permit for that work.

B. The Plumbing Inspector shall issue plumbing permits in a form approved by the Board.

C. A nonresident plumber who applies for a plumbing permit shall demonstrate by credible documents that he or she holds a certificate of competency, or equivalent document, issued by the Examining Board of Plumbers in another city.

D. The Plumbing Inspector shall have authority to investigate into the validity of any documents and/or other evidence submitted by a nonresident plumber as proof of a certificate of competency, or equivalent document, from another city.

E. The Plumbing Inspector shall have authority to attach reasonable conditions to any plumbing permit.

F. Each plumbing permit shall authorize the holder to perform only the work described therein, at the location or locations specified.

G. Each plumbing permit shall show a date of expiration, and a new application shall be submitted for any extension of time.