S.B. 85

1

UTAH CONSTRUCTION TRADE LICENSING
2 ACT AMENDMENTS
3 2010 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins
6 House Sponsor: Rebecca P. Edwards
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies provisions of the Utah Construction Trade Licensing Act relating to
11 plumbers and electricians.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . modifies definitions applicable to supervision of apprentice plumbers and
15 electricians so that the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
16 specifies what is reasonable direction, oversight, inspection, and evaluation of a
17 person's work;
18 . removes two classes of persons from those who may engage in acts or practices
19 included within the practice of construction trades without being licensed; and
20 . makes technical changes.
21 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
22 None
23 Other Special Clauses:
24 None
25 Utah Code Sections Affected:
26 AMENDS:
27 58-55-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 215

28 58-55-305, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 228
29
30 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
31 Section 1. Section 58-55-102 is amended to read:
32 58-55-102. Definitions.
33 In addition to the definitions in Section 58-1-102 , as used in this chapter:
34 (1) (a) "Alarm business or company" means a person engaged in the sale, installation,
35 maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring of an alarm system,
36 except as provided in Subsection (1)(b).
37 (b) "Alarm business or company" does not include:
38 (i) a person engaged in the manufacture and sale of alarm systems when that person is
39 not engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or
40 monitoring of alarm systems, and the manufacture or sale occurs only at a place of business
41 established by the person engaged in the manufacture or sale and does not involve site visits at
42 the place or intended place of installation of an alarm system; or
43 (ii) an owner of an alarm system, or an employee of the owner of an alarm system who
44 is engaged in installation, maintenance, alteration, repair, replacement, servicing, or monitoring
45 of the alarm system owned by that owner.
46 (2) "Alarm company agent" means any individual employed within this state by a
47 person engaged in the alarm business.
48 (3) "Alarm system" means equipment and devices assembled for the purpose of:
49 (a) detecting and signaling unauthorized intrusion or entry into or onto certain
50 premises; or
51 (b) signaling a robbery or attempted robbery on protected premises.
52 (4) "Apprentice electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as an
53 apprentice electrician who is learning the electrical trade under [approved] the immediate
54 supervision of a master electrician, residential master electrician, a journeyman electrician, or a
55 residential journeyman electrician.
56 (5) "Apprentice plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as an apprentice
57 plumber who is learning the plumbing trade under [approved] the immediate supervision of a
58 master plumber, residential master plumber, journeyman plumber, or a residential journeyman

59 plumber.
60 [(6) "Approved supervision" means the immediate supervision of apprentices by
61 qualified licensed electricians or plumbers as a part of a planned program of training.]
62 [(7)] (6) "Board" means the Electrician Licensing Board, Alarm System Security and
63 Licensing Board, or Plumbers Licensing Board created in Section 58-55-201 .
64 [(8)] (7) "Combustion system" means an assembly consisting of:
65 (a) piping and components with a means for conveying, either continuously or
66 intermittently, natural gas from the outlet of the natural gas provider's meter to the burner of the
67 appliance;
68 (b) the electric control and combustion air supply and venting systems, including air
69 ducts; and
70 (c) components intended to achieve control of quantity, flow, and pressure.
71 [(9)] (8) "Commission" means the Construction Services Commission created under
72 Section 58-55-103 .
73 [(10)] (9) "Construction trade" means any trade or occupation involving:
74 (a) (i) construction, alteration, remodeling, repairing, wrecking or demolition, addition
75 to, or improvement of any building, highway, road, railroad, dam, bridge, structure, excavation
76 or other project, development, or improvement to other than personal property; and
77 (ii) constructing, remodeling, or repairing a manufactured home or mobile home as
78 defined in Section 58-56-3 ; or
79 (b) installation or repair of a residential or commercial natural gas appliance or
80 combustion system.
81 [(11)] (10) "Construction trades instructor" means a person licensed under this chapter
82 to teach one or more construction trades in both a classroom and project environment, where a
83 project is intended for sale to or use by the public and is completed under the direction of the
84 instructor, who has no economic interest in the project.
85 [(12)] (11) (a) "Contractor" means any person who for compensation other than wages
86 as an employee undertakes any work in the construction, plumbing, or electrical trade for
87 which licensure is required under this chapter and includes:
88 (i) a person who builds any structure on his own property for the purpose of sale or
89 who builds any structure intended for public use on his own property;

90 (ii) any person who represents himself to be a contractor by advertising or any other
91 means;
92 (iii) any person engaged as a maintenance person, other than an employee, who
93 regularly engages in activities set forth under the definition of "construction trade";
94 (iv) any person engaged in any construction trade for which licensure is required under
95 this chapter; or
96 (v) a construction manager who performs management and counseling services on a
97 construction project for a fee.
98 (b) "Contractor" does not include an alarm company or alarm company agent.
99 [(13)] (12) (a) "Electrical trade" means the performance of any electrical work involved
100 in the installation, construction, alteration, change, repair, removal, or maintenance of facilities,
101 buildings, or appendages or appurtenances.
102 (b) "Electrical trade" does not include:
103 (i) transporting or handling electrical materials;
104 (ii) preparing clearance for raceways for wiring; or
105 (iii) work commonly done by unskilled labor on any installations under the exclusive
106 control of electrical utilities.
107 (c) For purposes of Subsection [(13)] (12)(b):
108 (i) no more than one unlicensed person may be so employed unless more than five
109 licensed electricians are employed by the shop; and
110 (ii) a shop may not employ unlicensed persons in excess of the five-to-one ratio
111 permitted by this Subsection [(13)] (12)(c).
112 [(14)] (13) "Employee" means an individual as defined by the division by rule giving
113 consideration to the definition adopted by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of
114 Workforce Services.
115 [(15)] (14) "Engage in a construction trade" means to:
116 (a) engage in, represent oneself to be engaged in, or advertise oneself as being engaged
117 in a construction trade; or
118 (b) use the name "contractor" or "builder" or in any other way lead a reasonable person
119 to believe one is or will act as a contractor.
120 [(16)] (15) (a) "Financial responsibility" means a demonstration of a current and

121 expected future condition of financial solvency evidencing a reasonable expectation to the
122 division and the board that an applicant or licensee can successfully engage in business as a
123 contractor without jeopardy to the public health, safety, and welfare.
124 (b) Financial responsibility may be determined by an evaluation of the total history
125 concerning the licensee or applicant including past, present, and expected condition and record
126 of financial solvency and business conduct.
127 [(17)] (16) "Gas appliance" means any device that uses natural gas to produce light,
128 heat, power, steam, hot water, refrigeration, or air conditioning.
129 [(18)] (17) (a) "General building contractor" means a person licensed under this
130 chapter as a general building contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and
131 knowledge to perform or superintend construction of structures for the support, shelter, and
132 enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind or any of the
133 components of that construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and
134 manufactured housing installation, for which the general building contractor shall employ the
135 services of a contractor licensed in the particular specialty, except that a general building
136 contractor engaged in the construction of single-family and multifamily residences up to four
137 units may perform the mechanical work and hire a licensed plumber or electrician as an
138 employee.
139 (b) The division may by rule exclude general building contractors from engaging in the
140 performance of other construction specialties in which there is represented a substantial risk to
141 the public health, safety, and welfare, and for which a license is required unless that general
142 building contractor holds a valid license in that specialty classification.
143 [(19)] (18) (a) "General engineering contractor" means a person licensed under this
144 chapter as a general engineering contractor qualified by education, training, experience, and
145 knowledge to perform construction of fixed works in any of the following: irrigation, drainage,
146 water, power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, railroads, highways,
147 tunnels, airports and runways, sewers and bridges, refineries, pipelines, chemical and industrial
148 plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, piers, and foundations, or any of
149 the components of those works.
150 (b) A general engineering contractor may not perform construction of structures built
151 primarily for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, and chattels.

152 [(20)] (19) "Immediate supervision" means reasonable direction, oversight, inspection,
153 and evaluation of the work of a person[, in or out of the immediate presence of the supervising
154 person, so as]:
155 (a) as the division specifies in rule;
156 (b) by, as applicable, a qualified electrician or plumber;
157 (c) as part of a planned program of training; and
158 (d) to ensure that the end result complies with applicable standards.
159 [(21)] (20) "Individual" means a natural person.
160 [(22)] (21) "Journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
161 journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to wire,
162 install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
163 [(23)] (22) "Journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a
164 journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge
165 to engage in the plumbing trade.
166 [(24)] (23) "Master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master
167 electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan,
168 layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of electrical apparatus and equipment
169 for light, heat, power, and other purposes.
170 [(25)] (24) "Master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as a master
171 plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to properly plan and
172 layout projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade.
173 [(26)] (25) "Person" means a natural person, sole proprietorship, joint venture,
174 corporation, limited liability company, association, or organization of any type.
175 [(27)] (26) (a) "Plumbing trade" means the performance of any mechanical work
176 pertaining to the installation, alteration, change, repair, removal, maintenance, or use in
177 buildings, or within three feet beyond the outside walls of buildings of pipes, fixtures, and
178 fittings for:
179 (i) delivery of the water supply;
180 (ii) discharge of liquid and water carried waste; or
181 (iii) the building drainage system within the walls of the building.
182 (b) "Plumbing trade" includes work pertaining to the water supply, distribution pipes,

183 fixtures and fixture traps, soil, waste and vent pipes, and the building drain and roof drains
184 together with their devices, appurtenances, and connections where installed within the outside
185 walls of the building.
186 [(28)] (27) (a) "Ratio of apprentices" means, for the purpose of determining
187 compliance with the requirements for planned programs of training and electrician apprentice
188 licensing applications, the shop ratio of apprentice electricians to journeyman or master
189 electricians shall be one journeyman or master electrician to one apprentice on industrial and
190 commercial work, and one journeyman or master electrician to three apprentices on residential
191 work.
192 (b) On-the-job training shall be under circumstances in which the ratio of apprentices
193 to supervisors is in accordance with a ratio of one-to-one on nonresidential work and up to
194 three apprentices to one supervisor on residential projects.
195 [(29)] (28) "Residential and small commercial contractor" means a person licensed
196 under this chapter as a residential and small commercial contractor qualified by education,
197 training, experience, and knowledge to perform or superintend the construction of
198 single-family residences, multifamily residences up to four units, and commercial construction
199 of not more than three stories above ground and not more than 20,000 square feet, or any of the
200 components of that construction except plumbing, electrical work, mechanical work, and
201 manufactured housing installation, for which the residential and small commercial contractor
202 shall employ the services of a contractor licensed in the particular specialty, except that a
203 residential and small commercial contractor engaged in the construction of single-family and
204 multifamily residences up to four units may perform the mechanical work and hire a licensed
205 plumber or electrician as an employee.
206 [(30)] (29) "Residential building," as it relates to the license classification of residential
207 journeyman plumber and residential master plumber, means a single or multiple family
208 dwelling of up to four units.
209 [(31)] (30) "Residential journeyman electrician" means a person licensed under this
210 chapter as a residential journeyman electrician having the qualifications, training, experience,
211 and knowledge to wire, install, and repair electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat,
212 power, and other purposes on buildings using primarily nonmetallic sheath cable.
213 [(32)] (31) "Residential journeyman plumber" means a person licensed under this

214 chapter as a residential journeyman plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and
215 knowledge to engage in the plumbing trade as limited to the plumbing of residential buildings.
216 [(33)] (32) "Residential master electrician" means a person licensed under this chapter
217 as a residential master electrician having the qualifications, training, experience, and
218 knowledge to properly plan, layout, and supervise the wiring, installation, and repair of
219 electrical apparatus and equipment for light, heat, power, and other purposes on residential
220 projects.
221 [(34)] (33) "Residential master plumber" means a person licensed under this chapter as
222 a residential master plumber having the qualifications, training, experience, and knowledge to
223 properly plan and layout projects and supervise persons in the plumbing trade as limited to the
224 plumbing of residential buildings.
225 [(35)] (34) "Residential project," as it relates to an electrician or electrical contractor,
226 means buildings primarily wired with nonmetallic sheathed cable, in accordance with standard
227 rules and regulations governing this work, including the National Electrical Code, and in which
228 the voltage does not exceed 250 volts line to line and 125 volts to ground.
229 [(36)] (35) (a) "Specialty contractor" means a person licensed under this chapter under
230 a specialty contractor classification established by rule, who is qualified by education, training,
231 experience, and knowledge to perform those construction trades and crafts requiring
232 specialized skill, the regulation of which are determined by the division to be in the best
233 interest of the public health, safety, and welfare.
234 (b) A specialty contractor may perform work in crafts or trades other than those in
235 which he is licensed if they are incidental to the performance of his licensed craft or trade.
236 [(37)] (36) "Unlawful conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-501 .
237 [(38)] (37) "Unprofessional conduct" is as defined in Sections 58-1-501 and 58-55-502
238 and as may be further defined by rule.
239 [(39)] (38) "Wages" means amounts due to an employee for labor or services whether
240 the amount is fixed or ascertained on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis for
241 calculating the amount.
242 Section 2. Section 58-55-305 is amended to read:
243 58-55-305. Exemptions from licensure.
244 (1) In addition to the exemptions from licensure in Section 58-1-307 , the following

245 persons may engage in acts or practices included within the practice of construction trades,
246 subject to the stated circumstances and limitations, without being licensed under this chapter:
247 (a) an authorized representative of the United States government or an authorized
248 employee of the state or any of its political subdivisions when working on construction work of
249 the state or the subdivision, and when acting within the terms of the person's trust, office, or
250 employment;
251 (b) a person engaged in construction or operation incidental to the construction and
252 repair of irrigation and drainage ditches of regularly constituted irrigation districts, reclamation
253 districts, and drainage districts or construction and repair relating to farming, dairying,
254 agriculture, livestock or poultry raising, metal and coal mining, quarries, sand and gravel
255 excavations, well drilling, as defined in Section 73-3-25 , hauling to and from construction
256 sites, and lumbering;
257 (c) public utilities operating under the rules of the Public Service Commission on
258 construction work incidental to their own business;
259 (d) sole owners of property engaged in building:
260 (i) no more than one residential structure per year and no more than three residential
261 structures per five years on their property for their own noncommercial, nonpublic use; except,
262 a person other than the property owner or individuals described in Subsection (1)(e), who
263 engages in building the structure must be licensed under this chapter if the person is otherwise
264 required to be licensed under this chapter; or
265 (ii) structures on their property for their own noncommercial, nonpublic use which are
266 incidental to a residential structure on the property, including sheds, carports, or detached
267 garages;
268 (e) (i) a person engaged in construction or renovation of a residential building for
269 noncommercial, nonpublic use if that person:
270 (A) works without compensation other than token compensation that is not considered
271 salary or wages; and
272 (B) works under the direction of the property owner who engages in building the
273 structure; and
274 (ii) as used in this Subsection (1)(e), "token compensation" means compensation paid
275 by a sole owner of property exempted from licensure under Subsection (1)(d) to a person

276 exempted from licensure under this Subsection (1)(e), that is:
277 (A) minimal in value when compared with the fair market value of the services
278 provided by the person;
279 (B) not related to the fair market value of the services provided by the person; and
280 (C) is incidental to the providing of services by the person including paying for or
281 providing meals or refreshment while services are being provided, or paying reasonable
282 transportation costs incurred by the person in travel to the site of construction;
283 (f) a person engaged in the sale or merchandising of personal property that by its design
284 or manufacture may be attached, installed, or otherwise affixed to real property who has
285 contracted with a person, firm, or corporation licensed under this chapter to install, affix, or
286 attach that property;
287 (g) a contractor submitting a bid on a federal aid highway project, if, before
288 undertaking construction under that bid, the contractor is licensed under this chapter;
289 (h) (i) a person engaged in the alteration, repair, remodeling, or addition to or
290 improvement of a building with a contracted or agreed value of less than $3,000, including
291 both labor and materials, and including all changes or additions to the contracted or agreed
292 upon work; and
293 (ii) notwithstanding Subsection (1)(h)(i) and except as otherwise provided in this
294 section:
295 (A) work in the plumbing and electrical trades on a Subsection (1)(h)(i) project within
296 any six month period of time:
297 (I) must be performed by a licensed electrical or plumbing contractor, if the project
298 involves an electrical or plumbing system; and
299 (II) may be performed by a licensed journeyman electrician or plumber or an individual
300 referred to in Subsection (1)(h)(ii)(A)(I), if the project involves a component of the system
301 such as a faucet, toilet, fixture, device, outlet, or electrical switch;
302 (B) installation, repair, or replacement of a residential or commercial gas appliance or a
303 combustion system on a Subsection (1)(h)(i) project must be performed by a person who has
304 received certification under Subsection 58-55-308 (2) except as otherwise provided in
305 Subsection 58-55-308 (2)(d) or 58-55-308 (3);
306 (C) installation, repair, or replacement of water-based fire protection systems on a

307 Subsection (1)(h)(i) project must be performed by a licensed fire suppression systems
308 contractor or a licensed journeyman plumber;
309 (D) work as an alarm business or company or as an alarm company agent shall be
310 performed by a licensed alarm business or company or a licensed alarm company agent, except
311 as otherwise provided in this chapter;
312 (E) installation, repair, or replacement of an alarm system on a Subsection (1)(h)(i)
313 project must be performed by a licensed alarm business or company or a licensed alarm
314 company agent;
315 (F) installation, repair, or replacement of a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning
316 system (HVAC) on a Subsection (1)(h)(i) project must be performed by an HVAC contractor
317 licensed by the division;
318 (G) installation, repair, or replacement of a radon mitigation system or a soil
319 depressurization system must be performed by a licensed contractor; and
320 (H) if the total value of the project is greater than $1,000, the person shall file with the
321 division a one-time affirmation, subject to periodic reaffirmation as established by division
322 rule, that the person has:
323 (I) public liability insurance in coverage amounts and form established by division
324 rule; and
325 (II) if applicable, workers compensation insurance which would cover an employee of
326 the person if that employee worked on the construction project;
327 (i) a person practicing a specialty contractor classification or construction trade which
328 the director does not classify by administrative rule as significantly impacting the public's
329 health, safety, and welfare;
330 (j) owners and lessees of property and persons regularly employed for wages by owners
331 or lessees of property or their agents for the purpose of maintaining the property, are exempt
332 from this chapter when doing work upon the property;
333 [(k) (i) a person engaged in minor plumbing work incidental to the replacement or
334 repair of a fixture or an appliance in a residential or small commercial building, or structure
335 used for agricultural use, as defined in Section 58-56-4 , provided that no modification is made
336 to:]
337 [(A) existing culinary water, soil, waste, or vent piping; or]

338 [(B) a gas appliance or combustion system; and]
339 [(ii) except as provided in Subsection (1)(e), installation for the first time of a fixture or
340 an appliance is not included in the exemption provided under Subsection (1)(k)(i);]
341 [(l) a person who ordinarily would be subject to the plumber licensure requirements
342 under this chapter when installing or repairing a water conditioner or other water treatment
343 apparatus if the conditioner or apparatus:]
344 [(i) meets the appropriate state construction codes or local plumbing standards; and]
345 [(ii) is installed or repaired under the direction of a person authorized to do the work
346 under an appropriate specialty contractor license;]
347 [(m)] (k) a person who ordinarily would be subject to the electrician licensure
348 requirements under this chapter when employed by:
349 (i) railroad corporations, telephone corporations or their corporate affiliates, elevator
350 contractors or constructors, or street railway systems; or
351 (ii) public service corporations, rural electrification associations, or municipal utilities
352 who generate, distribute, or sell electrical energy for light, heat, or power;
353 [(n)] (l) a person involved in minor electrical work incidental to a mechanical or
354 service installation;
355 [(o)] (m) a student participating in construction trade education and training programs
356 approved by the commission with the concurrence of the director under the condition that:
357 (i) all work intended as a part of a finished product on which there would normally be
358 an inspection by a building inspector is, in fact, inspected and found acceptable by a licensed
359 building inspector; and
360 (ii) a licensed contractor obtains the necessary building permits; and
361 [(p)] (n) a delivery person when replacing any of the following existing equipment with
362 a new gas appliance, provided there is an existing gas shutoff valve at the appliance:
363 (i) gas range;
364 (ii) gas dryer;
365 (iii) outdoor gas barbeque; or
366 (iv) outdoor gas patio heater.
367 (2) A compliance agency as defined in Subsection 58-56-3 (4) that issues a building
368 permit to a person requesting a permit as a sole owner of property referred to in Subsection

369 (1)(d) shall notify the division, in writing or through electronic transmission, of the issuance of
370 the permit.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-7-09 11:04 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel