Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 70
Telecommunications

§ 5-70-5. Form of license and registration.

Three (3) major forms of license shall be issued with the two (2) higher licenses carrying certification for one or more of the four (4) category(s), as defined within this chapter, for which qualified:

(1) Telecommunications system contractor.

(i) TSC license shall be issued to any person qualified under this chapter representing themselves, individually, or a firm or corporation engaging in, or about to engage in, the business of designing, installing, altering, servicing, and/or testing telecommunications systems.

(ii) Qualification shall be evidenced by passing the examination(s) for any or all of the categories of telecommunications systems described in this chapter, and applicants who hold an equivalent out-of-state license, as determined by this board, issued by another state shall be allowed to take the Rhode Island form TSC license examination. Applicants for TSC license who hold no equivalent form of TSC license issued in another state and show evidence of three (3) years of verifiable and continuous contracting experience, immediately preceding the date of application and are registered to conduct business in the state of Rhode Island, will be allowed to take the Rhode Island form of TSC examination. Applicants who do not meet these qualifications shall have been licensed as a Rhode Island telecommunication systems technician for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years, immediately preceding the date of application, in order to qualify to take the TSC examination, and shall have been registered to conduct business in the state of Rhode Island.

(iii) The holding of a TSC license shall entitle the holder individually to contract for, engage in, and/or perform the actual work of designing, installing the type(s) of telecommunications systems for which they were granted certification. No individual shall be required to hold more than one form of license.

(2) Telecommunications systems technician.

(i) TST license shall be issued to any person who passes the examination(s) as defined within this chapter for any or all of the categories of telecommunications systems described in this chapter.

(ii) The holding of a TST license shall entitle the holder individually to perform the actual work of installing, altering, servicing, and/or testing the type(s) of telecommunications systems for which they were granted certification. All the work performed shall be under the supervision of the holder of a TSC license.

(3) Telecommunications system limited installer.

(i) TSLI license shall be issued to any person who passes the examination as defined within this chapter and as described in this section.

(ii) The holding of a TSLI license shall entitle the holder to perform the actual work of installation of wiring, low-voltage surface raceway, enclosures, and wiring devices directly associated with a telecommunications system. Connection to, installation of, or servicing of telecommunications devices shall only be performed under the direct supervision of a holder of a TST or TSC license.

(4) Trainee/telecommunications apprentice.

(i) Registered telecommunications apprentices pursuant to § 28-45-13 may be employed to perform the actual work of installation of wiring, low-voltage surface raceway, enclosures, and wiring devices directly associated with a telecommunications system under the direct supervision of a holder of a TST or TSC license.

(ii) Trainees/telecommunications apprentices shall be required to register with the Rhode Island department of labor and training subsequent to employment by a person, firm, or corporation licensed as a TSC under this chapter; and prior to being permitted to perform any actual installation work.

(iii) The registered telecommunications apprentice shall not be permitted to make connection to, install, or service telecommunications devices. No more than two (2) registered telecommunications apprentices can be directly supervised by a single TSC or TST license holder.