ARLINGTON, Va. - Citizens of Terre Haute, Ind., will have something Jan. 1, 2005, that they have not had before - licensing requirements for HVACR contractors. The city council met and approved amendments to Chapter 4 of the Terre Haute City Code, article 10, "Contractors and Skilled Trades." The code specifically identifies NATE certification as a license requirement.

Terre Haute is the first city in the United States to specifically adopt NATE certification as a mechanism for awarding a license to a contractor operating in that city.

Sec. 4-117, "Licensure of Heating and Cooling Contractors," states, "In order to obtain licensure as a heating and cooling contractor, the contractor must employ at least one full-time employee who is certified for heating and cooling work by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), or equivalent. The applicant for licensure shall present a copy of NATE or equivalent certification at the time of application."

The section also states, "The contractor's license shall specify the certified individual responsible for the licensure of the business. This person shall be responsible for the activities of the business, and shall be designated as the supervisor. This person shall not be listed as a supervisor for more than one heating and cooling contractor."

Carl Smith, NATE's director of marketing and public relations said, "This is an exciting day for NATE, and hopefully only the first of many such actions by municipal bodies."

Publication date: 12/27/2004