(a) Any individual who is currently licensed as a master or journeyman plumber by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners or who is currently licensed with a Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors License issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation may register with AFS and be granted an exemption to the Category D licensing and examination requirements (including insurance, and training and continuing education) provided the applicant:      
        (1) holds an active license in compliance with Texas Occupations Code, §1302.260, relating to Issuance and Term of License, and §1301.351, relating to License, Endorsement, or Registration Required;       
        (2) submits a legible copy of a current Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor or Master or Journeyman Plumbers certificate;       
        (3) submits a legible copy of a picture state-issued identification card or driver's license;       
        (4) submits a properly completed LPG Form 16B; and       
        (5) pays the $50 registration fee, except as described in subsection (g) of this section.       
      (b) This exemption does not become effective until the exemption card is issued by AFS.     
      (c) The exemption accrues to the individual and is nontransferable.     
      (d) Any individual granted such exemption shall maintain registered status at all times. Upon failure to maintain registered status, the individual shall immediately cease all affected LP-gas activities until proper status has been regained.     
      (e) In order to maintain an exemption, each individual issued an exemption card must maintain a valid master or journeyman plumbers license or Class A or B Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors license. Each individual shall also pay a $20 annual renewal fee to AFS on or before May 31 of each year. Failure to pay the annual renewal fee by May 31 shall result in a lapsed exemption. If an individual's exemption lapses, that individual shall cease all LP-gas activities until the exemption has been renewed. To renew a lapsed exemption, the applicant shall pay the $20 annual renewal fee plus a $20 late-filing fee. Failure to do so shall result in the expiration of the exemption. If an individual's exemption has been expired for more than two years, that individual shall complete all requirements necessary to apply for a new exemption.     
      (f) Any individual who is issued an exemption under this section agrees to comply with the current edition of the rules in this chapter. In the event the exempt individual surrenders, fails to renew, or has the license revoked either by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners or the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, that individual shall immediately cease performing any LP-gas activities granted by this section.     
      (g) A military service member, military veteran, or military spouse shall be exempt from the original registration fee pursuant to the requirements in §9.14 of this title (relating to Military Fee Exemption). An individual who receives a military fee exemption is not exempt from renewal fees specified in §9.9 of this title.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §9.13 adopted to be effective February 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 947; amended to be effective September 1, 2005, 30 TexReg 4810; amended to be effective December 24, 2012, 37 TexReg 9913; amended to be effective January 4, 2016, 41 TexReg 238; amended to be effective January 6, 2020, 45 TexReg 127