HVAC Contractor Requirements - Alabama

Listed below are the current state requirements for a(n) HVAC Contractor in the state of Alabama.

Completion Requirements
8 clock hours of continuing education every 2 years.

Renewal Dates
License renewal occurs December 31 annually.
Continuing Education Hours are due 12/31 every other year based on the following:
Licensed in 2000 or years prior - CE due 12/31 even years
Licensed in 2001 or after:
odd year licensees - CE due 12/31 odd years
even year licensees - CE due 12/31 even years

Statute:
Chapter 31: Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors, Section 34-31-25

Special Designations or Stipulations:
Any person certified by the board may elect an inactive status certificate by notifying the board in writing.
The board must provide a list of those activities that an inactive status certificate holder may engage in, and a procedure for reinstatement as an active status certificate holder.

Audit Potential:
Random

Allowed Carry-Over Hours:
None

Applicable Course of Study:
Only approved institutions, organizations, or individuals may conduct continuing education courses.

The board approves course providers and instructors, not particular courses. Because of differences in individual needs each individual must exercise judgment in selecting courses for which continuing education is claimed and in choosing only those courses that will advance the individual’s knowledge.

Course providers may be, but are not limited to, colleges or universities, community colleges, technical colleges, junior colleges, trade associations, providers of self-study and/or distance education programs, third party professional examination companies, and others as determined by the board.

To qualify as an approved continuing education course provider:
(1) All courses offered by the provider must cover subject matter satisfying the requirements as approved by the board.
(2) The course offered must be presented by one or more instructors approved by the board.
(3) The course provider must maintain and submit to the board a certified class roster of all attending qualified individuals including social security number and certificate number.
(4) The course provider must provide each attending qualified individual with a certificate of completion within 30 days after completion of each course.
(5) Upon approval of the application, each approved provider must agree to conduct courses in accordance with the board requirements and must indicate its agreement by signing a continuing education provider agreement form provided by the board.

Contact Hours. Credit will be:
(1) Given only in multiples of two contact hours.
(2) Granted to the qualified individual only upon completion of an entire course.
Continuing education credit for courses that are not part of a college curriculum is given based on contact hours. A contact hour is 60 minutes of instruction. Credit is granted only for full contact hours.

Continuing education credit for a college course in the college curriculum is given based on college credit hours. One semester credit is equal to 16 contact hours; one continuing education unit is 10 contact hours.

Continuing education credit for a self-study/or distance education course is given based on the average number of contact hours needed to complete the course. The course must include a written examination having a minimum of 25 questions and a minimum-passing grade of 70. A provider must determine the average number of contact hours it takes to complete the self-study course and submit this information with its application for continuing education course provider approval.

Facilities. Facilities must be adequate to effectively teach the course content. Classrooms or instructional areas must be adequately lighted, heating/cooled, void of noise or distractions as much as possible, and equipped with multi media equipment such as marker board, overhead projector, TV/VCR or other teaching/learning equipment necessary to enhance learning. Classrooms must have sufficient seating to accommodate all participants. Safety equipment must be provided when teaching laboratory courses. Restroom facilities must be easily accessible and must accommodate both men and women participants. When applicable, reasonable accommodations must be made to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Laboratory or shop areas must be properly maintained and safe. Safety equipment such as safety glasses must be provided to all participants when instruction is provided in a shop or laboratory environment as applicable. Laboratory or shop areas must be adequately equipped with training equipment, mock-ups, or other live work projects relative to the course content. Courses provided via self-study or other distance means must provide a detailed outline describing the learning environment.

Course Syllabus. Institutions, organizations, or individuals that apply for certification for the purpose of awarding continuing education credit must submit to the Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors a course syllabus for each course. All course syllabi must include the following: Course title, course description, anticipated outcomes, a list of resource materials or textbook, and the length of the course. Continuing education courses must be in areas related to heating and air conditioning contracting concerning safety, technological advances, business management, or government regulations. Courses submitted for the intent of advertising or promoting products will not be accepted. However, specialized training on brand specific equipment will be considered only if all certified contractors are allowed to attend and participate and the intent of the course is not promotional in nature.

Instructors. Individuals who teach continuing education courses must first provide a resume to the State of Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors reflecting expertise within his/her area of specialty and prior teaching experience. Teaching experience may be either formal or informal.

Proof of Compliance:
The course provider must maintain and submit to the board a certified class roster of all attending qualified individuals including social security number and certificate number.

Non-Compliance Penalties:
The failure to complete the minimum continuing education during the two-year period will prevent the renewal of the certified contractor's license until proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements on time.

Disallowed Credits:
No credit will be granted for courses attended prior to becoming a certified contractor.

Exceptions or exemptions:
N/A

Did you find outdated or incorrect information? Let us know by sending an email to cen@csinet.org

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