SECTION 9.9. Requirements for Certificate Holder Renewal

(a) In order to maintain active status, certificate holders shall renew their certificate annually as specified in this section.

(b) AFS shall notify licensees of any of their employees' pending renewal deadlines and shall notify the individual if not employed by a licensee, in writing, at the address on file with AFS no later than March 15 of a year for the May 31 renewal date of that year.

(c) Certificate holders shall remit the nonrefundable $35 annual certificate renewal fee to AFS on or before May 31 of each year. Individuals who hold more than one certificate shall pay only one annual renewal fee.

(1) Failure to pay the nonrefundable annual renewal fee by the deadline shall result in a lapsed certificate.

(A) To renew a lapsed certificate, the individual shall pay the nonrefundable $35 annual renewal fee plus a nonrefundable $20 late-filing fee. Failure to do so shall result in the expiration of the certificate.

(B) If an individual's certificate lapses or expires, that individual shall immediately cease performance of any LP-gas activities authorized by the certificate.

(C) If an individual's certificate has been expired for more than two years from May 31 of the year in which the certificate lapsed, that individual shall comply with the requirements in §9.8 of this title (relating to Requirements and Application for New Certificate) or §9.13 of this title.

(2) Upon receipt of the annual renewal fee and any late-filing fee, AFS shall verify that all applicable requirements have been met. After verification, AFS shall renew the certificate and send a copy of the certificate, or exemption card, if applicable, and the individual may continue or resume LP-gas activities authorized by that certificate.

(d) Certificate holders shall successfully complete the continuing education requirements as specified in §9.51 and §9.52 of this title (relating to General Requirements for LP-Gas Training and Continuing Education, and Training and Continuing Education) to maintain active status.

(1) Failure to comply with the continuing education requirements by the assigned deadline shall result in a lapsed certificate.

(2) If a certificate lapses as specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the individual shall pay the $20 late fee.

(3) If an individual's certificate lapses or expires, that individual shall immediately cease performance of any LP-gas activities authorized by the certificate.

(4) If an individual's certificate has been expired for more than two years, that individual shall comply with the requirements in §9.8 or §9.13 of this title.

(e) Individuals renewing a certificate under §9.13 of this title must maintain a valid master or journeyman plumbers license or Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors license to renew their Commission certificate.

(f) Individuals renewing a certificate issued through reciprocal agreement under §9.18 of this title (relating to Reciprocal Examination Agreement with Other States) must maintain a valid certification in the state of original certification to renew their Commission certificate.

Source Note: The provisions of this §9.9 adopted to be effective February 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 947; amended to be effective August 25, 2003, 28 TexReg 6831; amended to be effective September 1, 2005, 30 TexReg 4810; amended to be effective March 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 843; amended to be effective January 6, 2020, 45 TexReg 127