§ 21-15-223. REPRIMAND, REVOCATION, SUSPENSION, REFUSAL TO RENEW.

(a)

Authority. After receiving a written request to act from the administrative authority, the Board may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of any licensee or reprimand any licensee whom the Board finds:

(1)

Has engaged in conduct involving fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation to obtain a license;

(2)

Has been grossly negligent or incompetent as a plumber, or has engaged in other professional misconduct;

(3)

Violates, in the performance of work as a plumber, the county Plumbing and Gasfitting Code or the plumbing or gasfitting code of any subdivision in the state in which the licensee has performed plumbing or gasfitting work;

(4)

Commits an unfair or deceptive trade practice as defined in § 13-301 of the Commercial Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland;

(5)

Has failed to maintain a regular place of business;

(6)

Makes any false or misleading statement in an application to the Board or during any proceeding before the Board; or

(7)

Sells, lends, or otherwise allows any improper use of a license or obtains permits for others to do plumbing or gasfitting work.

(b)

Master plumber. If a master plumber licensee fails to adequately train and control persons selling or estimating plumbing work the licensee is to perform, the Board may:

(1)

Suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the licensee's license; or

(2)

Reprimand the licensee.

(c)

Hearing. Before deciding whether to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license or whether to reprimand a licensee, the Board shall:

(1)

At least 5 days before the public hearing provided under paragraph (2) of this subsection, provide the licensee:

(i)

A written statement of the allegations made against the licensee; and

(ii)

A written notice that a public hearing concerning these allegations will take place; and

(2)

Conduct a public hearing at which all interested parties may testify.

(d)

Duration of a suspension. If the Board decides to suspend a license, the Board shall determine the duration of the suspension.

(e)

Reapplication.

(1)

If the Board revokes a license, the Board may not consider an application for reinstatement until at least 6 months after the date of the revocation.

(2)

After 6 months, the Board may reinstate a revoked license.

(1988 Code, § 7-246) (Bill No. 72-00, § 2, 7-1-2004; Bill No. 89-09, § 4, 1-3-2010)