§ 9.01. Central examining boards.

A.

The Central Examining Boards ("CEBs") are created in order to provide for procedures to register and license individuals who perform a variety of construction trades in the County, to issue Certificates of Competency to individuals practicing the various construction trades in the County, to ensure that individuals practicing the various construction trades are properly insured, and to provide the public a means by which to register complaints, mediate disputes, and to be heard with respect to issues which arise during construction.

B.

For purposes of this article, a "Professional Member" shall be an individual who has been active in his/her respective craft or trade for not less than ten (10) years within the County.

C.

For purposes of this Article, a "Consumer Representative" shall be any person who resides in the County who is not, and has never been, a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the board or a member of any closely related profession.

D.

The Board of Plumbers, Board of General Construction Trades, Board of Mechanical Contractors and Specialty Mechanical Contractors, and Board of Engineered Construction Trades are established as County CEBs, and each shall consist of nine (9) members, and nine (9) alternates. These nine-member CEBs shall be comprised of five (5) members, and five (5) alternates appointed by the County Commission consisting of three (3) Professional Members, three (3) Professional Member alternates, two (2) Consumer Representatives, and two (2) Consumer Representative alternates. The Broward County League of Cities shall appoint four (4) members, and four (4) alternates, consisting of three (3) Professional Members, and three (3) Professional Member alternates, and one (1) Consumer Representative, and one (1) Consumer Representative alternate.

E.

The Board of Electricians CEB is established, and shall consist of seven (7) members, and seven (7) alternates. The County Commission shall appoint four (4) members, and four (4) alternates, consisting of three (3) Professional Members, three (3) Professional Member alternates, and one (1) Consumer Representative, and one (1) Consumer Representative alternate. The Broward County League of Cities shall appoint three (3) members, and three (3) alternates, consisting of three (3) Professional Members and three (3) Professional Member alternates.

F.

The Board of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Contractors CEB is established, and shall consist of six (6) members, and six (6) alternates. The County Commission shall appoint three (3) Professional Members and three (3) Professional Member alternates. The Broward County League of Cities shall appoint three (3) Professional Members, and three (3) Professional Member alternates.

G.

Each of the individuals appointed by the County Commission to each CEB shall be nominated by a Commissioner, and approved by a majority of the County Commission. The County Commission shall adopt an appointment process which provides for the appointment of Professional Members, Consumer Representatives, and alternates to the CEBs. Once appointed, the members appointed by the County Commission shall serve until the expiration of their term, or until a successor is duly appointed.

H.

The CEB members appointed by the Broward County League of Cities shall serve for a term of four (4) years, or until a successor is duly appointed.

I.

All Members of the CEBs may serve three (3) consecutive four-year terms.

J.

The County Commission or the Broward County League of Cities, whichever is the appointing authority, may remove, either by its own action or upon recommendation of the majority of the members of the respective CEB, any member or alternate for misconduct, incompetence, or neglect of duty.

K.

Any vacancy occurring on a CEB shall be filled for the remainder of the former member's term of office by appointment of the County Commission when the former member was a County Commission appointee, or by the Broward County League of Cities when the former member was a Broward County League of Cities appointee.

L.

As to its respective craft or trade, each CEB shall have the powers and duties to:

(1)

Submit to the County Commission rules and regulations with regard to the requirements for the issuance and revocation of certificates of competency. The County Commission shall enact the rules and regulations by ordinance.

(2)

Contract with independent testing services to compose, administer and grade tests given for the purpose of granting certificates of competency to individuals practicing specific crafts and trades. A testing agency which contracts with the County shall not, through itself or any subsidiary, offer instructions to applicants for the purpose of passing the tests.

(3)

Adopt reasonable fees to be paid by applicants to cover the costs of the respective CEBs, including administrative staff to be provided by the County Administrator.

M.

Certificates of Competency as provided in the laws of the State of Florida which are issued by each CEB created hereunder shall be valid countywide.

N.

After adoption of this provision, Municipalities shall not issue new certificates of competency based on examination in any of the above trades or crafts. Municipalities may renew those certificates of competency previously issued by the Municipalities between October 1, 1975, and the adoption of this provision.

O.

Each CEB shall be supplied office space by the County and shall meet a minimum of eight (8) times a year.

P.

The Liquefied Petroleum Gas Contractors CEB shall only be required to meet a minimum of four (4) times a year. In the event that any person requests to be heard by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Contractors CEB on any matter, other than a complaint of a violation of Chapter 9 of the County Code, as amended, the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Contractors CEB shall meet to consider such matter no later than thirty (30) days after receipt of the request to be heard from the applicant.

Q.

All certificates of competency issued by the CEBs prior to the adoption of this Section shall remain in full force and effect unless revoked for cause.

R.

The County Attorney shall represent each of the CEBs.

( Election of 11-6-18 )