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Review of HVAC/R Testing and Licensing Proposed Final Report. Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Keenan Konopaski September 14, 2005. Study Objectives Overview. 1. What is HVAC/R, and who is doing the work? 2. What are current licensing, certification, and testing requirements?
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Review of HVAC/R Testing and LicensingProposed Final Report Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Keenan Konopaski September 14, 2005
Study Objectives Overview 1. What is HVAC/R, and who is doing the work? 2. What are current licensing, certification, and testing requirements? 3. How do these compare with other trades in Washington, and with other states? • In addressing these objectives, JLARC identified four issues that merit recommendations for improvement. JLARC Review of HVAC/R
Issue #1: Certification Requirements • Issue:Existing requirements do not guarantee trainees have electrical knowledge or experience. • Recommendation: L&I should assure that technicians have electrical knowledge and experience before certification. • May be achieved by requiring trainees to perform a minimal level of electrical work or specific tasks in the course of the required 4,000 hours. • L&I and OFM Concur. JLARC Review of HVAC/R report page 19
Issue #2: Training Rationale • Issue:There is a lack of clarity in rationale for training hours, and firms are not universally aware of options to reduce training hours. • Recommendation: L&I should more clearly explain its methodology for determining training requirements and clarify agency rules to inform HVAC/R technicians of their options to reduce required training hours. • L&I and OFM Concur. JLARC Review of HVAC/R report page 20
Issue #3: Certifying Non-Electrical Work • Issue:Electrical work is the only technical aspect of HVAC/R that is licensed, but HVAC/R work can involve safety issues in other areas, such as gas plumbing. • Recommendation: L&I should provide fiscal and public safety estimates of scenarios for certifying other aspects of HVAC/R work. • L&I and OFM Concur. JLARC Review of HVAC/R report page 21
Issue #4: Electrical Board Composition • Issue:Specialty electricians, such as HVAC/R, are not specifically represented on the Electrical Board. • Recommendation: If the Legislature wishes tomore broadly represent regulated entities with knowledge of trade-specific equipment, it should revisit the Board’s current composition. • L&I and OFM Concur. JLARC Review of HVAC/R report pages 22-24