All master plumbers performing the work described in § 214-7 above must be licensed in the City of Cortland. A master plumber is permitted to employ registered journeyman and apprentice to assist the master plumber in performing the work described in § 214-7 above. It is a violation of this chapter to open a plumbing business in the City of Cortland, or to display a sign or other advertisement in the City, before a license has been obtained pursuant to this chapter.
Master plumber licenses may only be issued to:
A. 
Persons who pass the examination as prescribed below in this § 214-4; or
B. 
Persons holding a master plumber license from another city or county in New York State who are approved for a Cortland license by the Plumbing Inspector. Such persons may apply for a Cortland license by submitting proof of the out-of-city license, together with a financial and trade reference, and a listing of the largest five projects completed with contact information, to the Inspector or their designee for evaluation. The Commissioner has sole discretion whether to approve or disapprove this application.
Persons who wish to receive a master plumber's license by examination must first take and pass a standardized, written examination approved by the Plumbing Inspector and administered by a private entity, such as Prometric. All examinations shall be written by the applicant and must be in English. The time and place of holding examinations shall be left to the discretion of the testing entity.
A. 
Persons applying for such examination shall file with the Plumbing Inspector an application on such forms as may be prescribed by the Plumbing Inspector. All such applicants shall furnish such information as the Plumbing Inspector may require concerning the applicant's fitness and qualifications to receive a license. All applications must be under oath. Applications will be received by the Plumbing Inspector at times and locations to be maintained on the City of Cortland website or posted in City Hall.
B. 
Each applicant for a master plumbing license shall be required to furnish two references who must be master plumbers licensed in the City of Cortland or in another city or county in New York State. The application must include written proof of such license in the current calendar year. One of these references shall sign under oath on forms prescribed, certifying to the time the applicant has been employed by such reference as a journeyman plumber.
C. 
The Plumbing Inspector may double the fee of an application from any person who at the time of making the application may be unlawfully engaged in business as a master plumber in the City of Cortland. The Inspector shall refuse any application from a person who cannot read or write in the English language.
D. 
Any applicant who is aggrieved by any action, including the failure of the Plumbing Inspector to provide an application form, may appeal to the Director of Code Enforcement within a period of five business days following the day upon which the decision of the Plumbing Inspector is first made known to them. On any appeal so taken, the Director shall have the authority to approve, modify, or vacate any such decision.
A. 
No application will be received from any person who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States. All applicants must submit proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
B. 
Master plumber. No person shall be examined unless they shall have had an experience of at least five years as a journeyman plumber and is able to furnish satisfactory evidence of such fact.
C. 
Mechanical technician. No person shall be examined unless they shall have had an experience of at least years as a mechanical technician or journeyman plumber and is able to furnish satisfactory evidence of at least two years' experience as a heating, ventilating, gas and air-conditioning mechanic or proof of experience as above and attendance at a school of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning training or an equivalent combination of experience and education, with affidavits supporting such qualifications.
D. 
Type B plumber. Must provide documentation of previous experience and qualifications and insurance.
A. 
Every licensed plumber and licensed heating contractor actively engaged in the business of plumbing or heating in the City of Cortland must have on file in the Plumbing Inspector's office a certificate of insurance approved by the City's Insurance Agent covering the following:
(1) 
General liability.
(2) 
Property damage.
(3) 
Workers' compensation.
(4) 
Licensed B plumbers are required to carry underground explosion insurance.
B. 
Contractor should check with Plumbing Inspector to ascertain minimum coverage
A. 
If a written license is lost by the holder thereof, the Board of Plumbers must issue a duplicate license. The charge for such duplicate license shall be $25.
B. 
Upon request for proof of licensing, the Board shall issue a written statement indicating that the records of the Board show that a license was issued to a specific person on a specific date. The charge for such written proof shall be $25.
C. 
All licenses of master plumbers must be renewed on a yearly basis.
No license, after being issued to a master plumber, Class B plumber or mechanical technician, shall be leased, loaned, rented, transferred or sold. A person not actually engaged in the field of plumbing, HVAC or gas piping must obtain inactive license status and pay the annual fee. Inactive status license holders must reinstate their license and pay the annual renewal fee before commencing any future plumbing, HVAC, or gas piping work. Failure to renew an annual license will constitute a fee for inactive license for each year of inactivity. If inactive for three or more years, the license owner must submit a new application and pay the fee required for a new applicant.