7. a. The board shall develop an examination to evaluate the knowledge, ability, and fitness of applicants to perform as landscape irrigation contractors and for the certification thereof and shall administer these examinations at least semi-annually at times and places to be determined by the board. The board shall provide adequate written notice of the time and place of the examination. An applicant who fails an examination may not retake the examination sooner than six months after the initial examination. The board shall issue a certificate to an applicant who successfully passes the examination and otherwise meets the standards and qualifications established by the board.

b. Each initial certificate issued pursuant to this act shall expire on January 31 of the second calendar year following issuance. All certificates issued thereafter shall remain valid for a period of two years and shall expire on January 31 of the second calendar year. A new certificate issued any time after the regular January 31 date of issuance shall remain valid until the regular January 31 date of expiration.

c. A person may seek renewal of a certificate upon submission of a renewal application, proof of having obtained any required continuing education credits and payment of the renewal fee established by the board.

d. If a renewal application and fee are not received by the board, the certificate shall expire, except that a person may renew a certificate within two years of its expiration upon payment of an appropriate fee to be set by the board. A new certificate, issued pursuant to the provisions of this act, shall be required of a person who fails to renew a certificate within two years of its expiration.

e. Each application for a business permit or its renewal shall be accompanied by proof of liability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance if workers’ compensation insurance is required by law, and the appropriate fee. The applicant or permittee shall notify the board of any insurance changes.

f. The board may, upon payment of appropriate fees, grant landscape irrigation contractors certificates without examination or upon partial examination to applicants licensed or certified by other states; provided that New Jersey landscape irrigation contractors are granted reciprocity by those states and those states’ standards are equal or comparable to those of New Jersey.

L.1991, c.27, s.7; amended 2009, c.229, s.6.