Virginia Law

Article 4. Certification of Elevator Mechanics.

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Accessibility mechanic" means an individual who is engaged in erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing or maintaining wheelchair lifts, incline chairlifts, dumbwaiters with a capacity limit of 300 pounds, and private residence elevators, in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.).

"Certified accessibility mechanic" means an individual who is certified by the Board in accordance with this article to engage in work as an accessibility mechanic.

"Elevator mechanic" means an individual who is certified by the Board in accordance with this article to engage in erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, repairing, testing or maintaining elevators, escalators, or related conveyances in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

"Limited use/limited application endorsement" means an addition to the certification record of a certified accessibility mechanic authorizing the certificate holder to erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair, test, or maintain limited use/limited application elevators as defined by the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

2004, c. 188; 2007, c. 424; 2009, cc. 184, 586; 2010, cc. 81, 207.

A. No person shall engage in, or offer to engage in, work as an elevator mechanic or accessibility mechanic in the Commonwealth unless he has been certified under the provisions of this article. Individuals shall not be subject to certification as an elevator mechanic or accessibility mechanic when working under the direct and immediate supervision of an elevator mechanic or certified accessibility mechanic who is certified in the specialty for which work is being performed. Individuals certified as elevator mechanics or accessibility mechanics shall not be required to hold any other professional or occupational license or certification; however, nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an individual from holding more than one professional or occupational license or certification.

B. Any individual desiring to be certified as an elevator mechanic or accessibility mechanic shall file a written application on a form prescribed by the Board. The application shall be accompanied by a fee set by the Board pursuant to § 54.1-201. The application shall contain, at a minimum, the applicant's name, place of employment, business address, and information on the knowledge, skills, abilities and education or training of the applicant.

C. Accessibility mechanics desiring to work on limited use/limited application elevators, as defined by the Uniform Statewide Building Code, shall obtain a limited use/limited application endorsement on their certification.

D. Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent a person who is not certified as an elevator mechanic or accessibility mechanic from performing maintenance that is not related to the operating integrity of an elevator, escalator, or related conveyance.

2004, c. 188; 2007, c. 424; 2010, cc. 81, 207; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 151.

A. The Board shall issue a certificate to practice as an elevator mechanic or certified accessibility mechanic in the Commonwealth to any applicant who has submitted satisfactory evidence that he has successfully:

1. Completed the educational requirements as required by the Board, which shall at a minimum include such requirements as the Board determines will establish minimum competency on the part of the applicant;

2. Completed the experience requirements as required by the Board, which shall at a minimum consist of at least three years in the elevator industry; and

3. Passed an examination offered or approved by the Board.

B. The Board may issue a certificate to practice as an elevator mechanic or a certified accessibility mechanic to any applicant who has completed a training and education program approved by the Board that is equal to or exceeds the requirements established by the Board for all applicants.

2004, c. 188; 2007, c. 424; 2009, cc. 184, 586; 2010, cc. 81, 207.

A. Whenever the Governor declares a state of emergency in accordance with § 44-146.17 or in the event of a work stoppage by elevator mechanics and the Board determines that the number of elevator mechanics is insufficient to meet the demands of the emergency or work stoppage, the Board shall issue an emergency certificate to practice as an elevator mechanic under the following conditions:

1. A contractor licensed under the provisions of this chapter (a) attests to the Board, in a form prescribed by the Board, that an applicant has an acceptable combination of documented experience and education to perform work as an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision of an elevator mechanic and (b) provides such proof thereof as required by the Board; and

2. The applicant attested to the Board by the licensed contractor applies to the Board for emergency certification as an elevator mechanic.

As used in this subsection, "direct and immediate supervision" means proper supervision but does not include line of sight supervision.

B. Each such certification shall be valid for a period of 45 days from the date of issuance and for such geographic areas or such elevators, escalators, or related conveyances as the Board may designate. Such certification shall entitle the certificate holder to engage in work as an elevator mechanic. The Board shall renew such certification as often as necessary to ensure that there is a sufficient number of elevator mechanics to meet the demands of the emergency. No fee shall be charged for application for such certification or any renewal thereof.

C. The Board may delegate to the Director of the Department the authority to issue such emergency certifications. The Director shall inform the Board of the issuance of any certifications.

2007, c. 424; 2009, cc. 184, 586.

A. Whenever a contractor licensed under the provisions of this chapter demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board that there is a shortage of elevator mechanics, the Board shall issue temporary certifications under the following conditions:

1. The licensed contractor attests to the Board, in a form prescribed by the Board, that after due diligence, the licensed contractor is unable to find an elevator mechanic from the list of elevator mechanics maintained by the Board to perform elevator work;

2. The applicant has an acceptable combination of documented experience and education to perform work as an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision of an elevator mechanic and provides such proof thereof as required by the Board;

3. The applicant applies for such temporary certification as an elevator mechanic; and

4. The applicant pays an application fee as set by the Board.

As used in this subsection, "direct and immediate supervision" means proper supervision but does not include line of sight supervision.

B. Each such temporary certification shall be valid for a period of up to 45 days from the date of issuance, provided the applicant continues at all times to be employed by the licensed contractor. The Board shall renew such certification as often as necessary to ensure that there is a sufficient number of elevator mechanics to meet the shortage.

C. The Board may delegate to the Director of the Department the authority to issue such temporary certifications or renewals thereof. The Director shall inform the Board of the issuance of any such certifications or renewals.

2009, cc. 184, 586.

A. The Board shall establish in the regulations requirements for continuing education as a prerequisite to renewal of any certificate issued under this article. The Board shall require evidence of knowledge of the Uniform Statewide Building Code changes as a prerequisite to renewal of any certificate issued under this article. In addition, the Board may require continuing education for any individual who is found to be in violation of law or regulations governing the practice of an elevator mechanic certified under this article.

B. An elevator mechanic or a certified accessibility mechanic, as a condition of recertification and as part of the recertification application, shall attest to the Board that he has completed at least eight hours of continuing education, approved by the Board, in the specialty of elevator/escalator contracting. The Board may establish such requirements for approval of training instructors, the criteria for the continuing education and such other regulations to ensure the protection of the public interest. Such criteria shall include approval of curriculum sponsored by national or state professional elevator industry associations approved by the Board.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to certifications issued by the Board under § 54.1-1142.1 or 54.1-1142.2.

2004, c. 188; 2007, c. 424; 2009, cc. 184, 586; 2010, cc. 81, 207.