Each applicant for certification shall be required to fulfill the standards established for determining ability and proficiency and qualifications in the area of expertise specified on the application.

A.    Ability and proficiency.

    1.    Level One (journeyman).  Applicants desiring to obtain certification at Level One shall provide evidence that one (1) of the following experience and education standards have been attained:

        a.    Four (4) years of practical experience in the specified trade or directly related area of expertise for which certification is desired.

        b.    Successful completion prior to July 1, 1981, of a registered apprenticeship established in accordance with the Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship Act in trade for which certification is desired.

        c.    An associate degree in a curriculum related to the trade for which certification is desired and two (2) years of practical experience in the trade for which certification is desired.

        d.    A bachelor's degree in the study of engineering in a curriculum related to the trade for which certification is desired and one (1) year of practical experience in the trade for which certification is desired.

    2.    Level two (master).  Applicants desiring to obtain certification at Level Two shall furnish evidence that they have met the following experience or standards:  one (1) year of experience supervising the installation or repair of the specific types of materials, equipment or related apparatus utilized in the trade for which certification is desired and either:

        a.    Four (4) years of practical experience in the specific trade or directly related area of expertise for which certification is desired.

        b.    Successful completion prior to July 1, 1981, of a registered apprenticeship established in accordance with the Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship Act in the trade for which certification is desired.

        c.    An associate degree in the trade for which certification is desired and two (2) years of practical experience in the specific area of expertise for which certification is desired; or

        d.    A bachelor's degree in the study of engineering in a curriculum related to the trade for which certification is desired.

B.    Qualifications.

    1.    The applicant shall be examined by the agent or board in order to determine his qualifications. The examination shall be based on current pertinent provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and shall correspond to the level of certification specified in the application.

        a.    The examination may be, in the discretion of the agent or board, in a written or oral format.

        b.    The examination shall be offered at least once every three (3) months.

        c.    An applicant must correctly answer seventy-five percent (75%) of the questions on the examination to be deemed qualified.

    2.    Should an applicant fail the qualifications examination, such person shall be eligible to retake the examination at the next regularly scheduled testing date.

    3.    If the applicant fails the examination on the second attempt, then such person shall not be reconsidered for certification within twelve (12) months of the date of such failure.

C.    Certificate.  If upon examination an applicant fulfills the ability, proficiency and qualification standards within the area and level of certification specified, the agent or board shall deliver to such person a certificate to that effect.