(a) To qualify for an apprentice, journeyman, journeyman restricted, master, master restricted, or limited license, an applicant shall meet the requirements of this section.

(b) An applicant for a master heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license shall:

(1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under a journeyman, journeyman restricted, limited, or master restricted license for not less than 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a master heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor and have been so employed for not less than 1,875 hours in the year prior to application; and

(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.

(c) An applicant for a master restricted heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor license shall:

(1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing refrigeration, air-conditioning, forced air heating, hydronic heating, or ventilation services under a journeyman, journeyman restricted, limited, or master restricted license for not less than 3 years of active experience under the direction and control of a master or master restricted heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration contractor and have been so employed for not less than 1,875 hours in the year prior to application; and

(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.

(d) An applicant for a limited heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration license shall:

(1) have been regularly and principally employed in providing forced air heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under a journeyman license for not less than 2 years of active experience under the direction and control of the holder of a master, master restricted, or limited license under this title, and have been so employed for not less than 1,000 hours in the year prior to application; and

(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.

(e) An applicant for a journeyman license shall:

(1) have held, for a period of at least 3 years, an apprentice license, and during that period shall have completed at least 1,875 hours of training in providing heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration services under the direction and control of a licensed contractor; and

(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.

(f) An applicant for a journeyman restricted license shall:

(1) have held, for a period of at least 3 years, an apprentice license, and during that period shall have completed at least 1,875 hours of training in providing forced air heating, hydronic heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services under the direction and control of a licensed contractor; and

(2) pass an examination administered by the Board.

(g) (1) The Board may credit not more than 3 years of formal course of study or professional training in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services if, in the opinion of the Board, the study or training provided comparable experience.

(2) The Board may credit not more than 6 years of work experience in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services that fails to meet the requirements of subsection (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), or (f)(1) of this section if, in the opinion of the Board:

(i) the work provided comparable experience; and

(ii) the failure of the applicant to meet the requirements is not attributable to fault or neglect on the part of the applicant.

(3) The Board shall credit not more than 3 years of work experience in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services to any applicant under this section who has been teaching formal courses of study in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, or refrigeration services for purposes of satisfying the requirements of subsections (b)(1), (c)(1), (d)(1), (e)(1), or (f)(1) of this section.