Iowa Code r. 661-275.7 - Denial, suspension, or revocation of licensure; civil penalties; and appeals

The department may deny, suspend, or revoke the license of a contractor, or assess a civil penalty to the contractor, if any provision of these rules or any other provision of law related to operation as a fire extinguishing system contractor is violated.

(1) Denial. The department may deny an application for licensure for reasons including, but not limited to:

a. If the applicant makes a false statement on the application form or in any other submission of information required for license. "False statement" means providing false information or failing to include material information, such as a previous criminal conviction or action taken by another jurisdiction, when requested on the application form or otherwise in the application process.

b. If the applicant fails to meet all of the requirements for licensure established in this chapter.

c. If the applicant is currently barred for cause from acting as a fire extinguishing system contractor in another jurisdiction.

d. If an applicant has previously been barred for cause from operating in another jurisdiction as a fire extinguishing system contractor and if the basis of that action reflects upon the integrity of the applicant in operating as a fire extinguishing system contractor. If an applicant is found to have been previously barred for cause from operating as a fire extinguishing system contractor in another jurisdiction and is no longer barred from doing so, the department will evaluate the record of that action with regard to the likelihood that the applicant would operate with integrity as a licensed contractor. If an applicant is denied under this provision, the applicant will be notified of the specific reasons for the denial.

e. Conviction of a felony offense, if the offense directly relates to the profession or occupation of the licensee, in the courts of this state or another state, territory or country. "Conviction" as used in this subrule includes a conviction of an offense that if committed in this state would be a felony without regard to its designation elsewhere, and includes a finding or verdict of guilt made or returned in a criminal proceeding even if the adjudication of guilt is withheld or not entered. A certified copy of the final order or judgment of conviction or plea of guilty in this state or in another state constitutes conclusive evidence of the conviction. If an applicant is denied under this provision, the applicant will be notified of the specific reasons for the denial.

f. Knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations in the practice of the licensee's profession or engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public. Proof of actual injury need not be established.

g. Willful or repeated violations of the provisions of this chapter.

(2) Suspension. A suspension of a license may be imposed by the department for any violation of these rules or Iowa Code chapter 100C or for a failure to meet any legal requirement to operate as a fire extinguishing system contractor in this state. Failure to provide any notice to the department as provided in these rules will be grounds for suspension. An order of suspension will specify the length of the suspension and will specify that correction of all conditions that were a basis for the suspension is a condition of reinstatement of the license even after the period of the suspension.

(3) Revocation.

a. A revocation is a termination of a license. A license may be revoked by the department for repeated violations or for a violation that creates an imminent danger to the safety or health of individuals protected by a fire extinguishing system incorrectly installed by a licensed contractor or when information comes to the attention of the department which, if known to the department when the application was being considered, would have resulted in denial of the license.

b. A new application for licensure from a contractor whose license had previously been revoked will not be considered for a period of one year after the effective date of the revocation and, in any event, until every condition that was a basis for the revocation has been corrected. The department may specify in the revocation order a longer period than one year before a new application for licensure may be considered. When a new application for licensure from a contractor whose license was previously revoked is being considered, the applicant may be denied licensure based upon the same information that was the basis for revocation even after any such period established by the department has expired.

(4) Disqualifications for criminal convictions limited. A person's conviction of a crime may be grounds for the denial, revocation, or suspension of a license in circumstances authorized by Iowa Code section 272C.15.

(5) Civil penalties. The department may impose a civil penalty of up to $500 per day during which a violation has occurred and for every day until the violation is corrected. A civil penalty may be imposed in lieu of or in addition to a suspension or may be imposed in addition to a revocation. A civil penalty will not be imposed in lieu of a revocation.

(6) Appeals. Any denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, or any civil penalty imposed upon a licensed contractor under this rule may be appealed by the contractor within 14 days of receipt of the notice by submitting a written request for a contested case appeal to the department. An appeal is subject to the provisions of 481-Chapters 9 and 10 governing contested cases.

Notes

Iowa Code r. 661-275.7

ARC 7873C, IAB 4/17/24, effective 5/22/24

Amended by IAB January 13, 2021/Volume XLIII, Number 15, effective 2/17/2021 Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024