Subcommittee approves HVACR rule cleanups: inspector registration, retest cadence, elimination of class C license

The Rules Subcommittee approved multiple rule changes from the Department of Labor and Licensing that implement Act 746 and related cleanups affecting the HVACR, boiler, elevator and electrical programs.

Lindsay Moore, director of code enforcement, told the committee the board has started a registration and no‑charge annual training program for local inspectors to improve consistency and consumer protection. Moore said, "An untrained inspector ... affects the consumer. It affects the business, and, it can cost both of them money. And we're trying to get the best trained people out there to protect the industry, to protect the consumer."

The rule package shortens the retest interval for returning workers from five years to three years to reflect rapid technological change in equipment such as ductless mini‑splits; it eliminates the legacy class C license (historically used for low‑scope service operations) and transitions existing holders into class B licenses that allow more work; and it aligns continuing education to an 8‑hour requirement per three‑year code cycle rather than 4 hours per year.

Committee members pressed for outreach and clarity. Representative Lademan and Senator Rice asked whether the change would impede young apprentices from working with parents; Moore said federal and state child‑labor laws continue to apply and the program will not interfere with supervised work by minors. Representative Beatty asked how many class C license holders exist; Moore said she did not have exact numbers at the table but believed the count was under 200 and that notices were sent to licensees after the law took effect.

Why it matters: the changes are intended to modernize licensing to reflect current equipment and practices, standardize inspector competence, and reduce regulatory friction for small businesses while preserving consumer protections.

Next steps: the committee approved the rules 'without objection.' Moore and staff offered to follow up with legislators on specific provider and CEU‑provider counts if members requested further information.