Certificate of Competency Cards (Comp Cards)

COMPETENCY CARD RENEWALS City of Minneapolis Certificates of Competency are due to expire on November 1, of each year. Statements for the renewal of these certificates are mailed in the fall.

To facilitate the processing of your payment, please use the return envelope included with your payment. To avoid having to pay a late fee, your payment must be at the Minneapolis Finance Department on or postmarked by 11/30 of each year. Any payment made on or after 12/1/ of that year will be subject to a late fee.

Persons wishing to reciprocate a City of St. Paul certificate must first have their new St. Paul certificate in order to receive a new certificate from the City of Minneapolis.

COMPETENCY CARD EXAMS Effective June 1, 2007 the updated City of Minneapolis master and journeyman gasfitter, refrigeration and warm air exams will be available at the Thomson Prometric testing centers. These exams are based on the 2004 Minnesota State Mechanical, Fuel Gas and Plumbing Code in addition to other references. The complete list of references is available from Thomson Prometric at: www.prometric.com/Minnesota/mplscon.htm or by calling Thomson Prometric at 1-800-742-8738.

Also effective June 1, 2007 the City of Minneapolis master and journeyman Steam & Hot Water and Oil Burner Installer exams will be available at the Thomson Prometric testing centers. Candidate information bulletins on these exams are also available at Thomson Prometric.

NOTE The exams continue to be open book exams however, passing scores have been changed. A passing score of 75% is now required for all journeyman mechanical/hvac exams and 80% for all master mechanical/hvac exams. Please read your candidate bulletin carefully as only some of the reference materials are allowing into the testing center.

Passing scores for the master and journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter exams remain the same.

What is a Certificate of Competency?

A certificate issued by the City of Minneapolis that attests to the fact that the cardholder has the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to install, alter, repair, and service equipment and systems in a given trade.

Who needs one?

Persons working as journeymen or master heating, ventilating and air conditioning installer, gas fitter, refrigeration installer, steam and hot water systems installer, oil burner installer, or plumber/gas fitter within the city must first obtain a Certificate of Competency in the appropriate trade or trades. However, a Certificate of Competency does not qualify as a Trade License.

What is the difference between a license and a competency card?

In the City of Minneapolis, "license" is used to describe a business that has been granted a license and that may obtain permits to do work in Minneapolis in the mechanical and plumbing trades. A journeyman or master installer Certificate of Competency is required to work for a company licensed in Minneapolis.

What about apprentice cards?

The City of Minneapolis no longer issues or requires apprentice certificates. Plumbers are required to be enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program before obtaining a plumbing license. Apprenticeship information for workers in the mechanical/hvac trade is available from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, 1-800-342-5354 or on the DOLI web site.

How do I apply to take an exam?

Starting February 1, 2005 the City of Minneapolis Human Resources Department will no longer accept applications for Certificate of Competency examinations. This service will now be performed by Thomson Prometric, the same company that administers the examinations for the City. You can download an application packet from this site, or call Thomson Prometric at 1-800-742-8738. Along with the completed "Application for Eligibility", a $20.00 processing fee must be submitted to Thomson Prometric.

What qualifications are required to take the exam?

An applicant must have completed at least four years of appropriate trade-related education and four years of appropriate related training.

When you meet the qualifications, you may apply for either the journeyman or the master exam.

Plumber/Gas Fitter applicants must have taken and passed the journeyman or master State of Minnesota Plumber License exam. In addition, each applicant must demonstrate at least 1,600 hours of a combination of either on-the-job fuel-gas-related experience or fuel-gas-related education before applying for the examination. Also, an applicant may only apply for the same level of Minneapolis certificate as the State of Minnesota license that they hold.

A more detailed explanation of the qualifications from Section 278 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances can be found in the application packet.

Will I be notified if my application is approved?

If your application has been approved, Thomson Prometric will mail you a Candidate Information Bulletin that includes an Examination Registration Form. If not approved, your application will be returned to you with a letter of explanation.

How do I register to take an exam?

After you are notified by Thomson Prometric that your application has been approved, you may register to take the examination.

Thomson Prometric accepts mail and online registrations. For an additional fee, you may expedite your registration by phone or fax.

For more information go to the Thomson Prometric web site or you may call Thomson Prometric at 1-800-742-8738.

Where and how are the exams given?

Thomson Prometric provides computerized examinations at one of several Minnesota area testing centers. In the metro area, there are testing centers located in Arden Hills, Bloomington, Duluth, Rochester and Willmar. You may choose the center most convenient to you. Contact Thomson Prometric or visit their web site for addresses and driving directions.

These centers feature state-of-the-art exam administration designed for simplicity and security. Immediately upon completion of the examination, the candidate receives a certified score report with strength and weakness diagnostics. The examination is computerized only - there is no paper/pencil examination.

The Plumber/Gas Fitter examination no longer has a practical (brazing) portion.

Candidates with special needs should contact Thomson Prometric at 1-800-742-8738.

If I don't obtain a passing score, when can I take the exam again?

If you do not pass the exam, you must wait 90 days from the date of the exam. After that you may re-register online at www.prometric.com/Minnesota/mplscon or by calling Thomson Prometric at 1-800-742-8738. Another exam fee will be required.

Do I have to submit another application?

Your application is good for one year from the date of eligibility. If you do not pass the exam within one year, you must submit another Application for Eligibility and a $20.00 processing fee.

When I pass the exam, how will I get my Certificate of Competency?

To obtain your certificate, you must send a copy or copies of your passing score report along with a check or money order in the amount of $30.00, made payable to the Mpls Finance Department to:

City of Minneapolis, Inspections Division
Attn: Competency Cards
250 So 4^th Street, Rm 300
Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612)673-5892

Your passing score report also includes the above information.

The Plumber/Gas Fitter exam is a two-part examination but one certificate is issued, however you should send only one $30.00 payment.

Your card will be sent back to you by mail within 7-10 days of receiving your payment.

When will the exams be updated to conform to the new code?

The Refrigeration, Warm Air and Gas Fitter exams are in the process of being updated to the new mechanical code, and will be available June 1, 2007.

The Plumber/Gas Fitter exams have been updated to reflect changes to the State of Minnesota Plumbing Code. Code books area available at Minnesota’s Bookstore, 660 Olive Street, St. Paul, MN 55155 www.minnesotasbookstore.com

When will Minneapolis have Steam & Hot Water Systems and Oil Burner Installer exams?

City of Minneapolis master and journeyman Low pressure Steam & Hot Water and Oil Burner exams will be available from Thomson Prometric as of June 1, 2007.

What about reciprocity?

At this time, the only reciprocity agreement that the City of Minneapolis has is with the City of St. Paul. To receive a Minneapolis Certificate you must first have next years Certificate of Competency from the City of St. Paul. Send a copy of both sides of your St. Paul card. If both sides are not available, print your name, address and phone number on the copy. Indicate what trade or trades you want to reciprocate and send a check or money order in the amount of $30.00 payment per trade. Your check or money order made payable to the Minneapolis Finance Dept and along with the copy of your St. Paul card should be mailed to the Dept of Inspections, 250 So 4^th St, Rm 300, Minneapolis, MN 55415. On the outside of the envelope put “Attn Comp Cards”. Your Minneapolis certificate will be mailed back to you within a week of receiving your request.

For information on how to reciprocate a City of Minneapolis certificate to a St. Paul certificate you should contact the office of License, Inspection and Environmental Protection, 8 Fourth Street East, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55101, (651) 266-9119. www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/depts/liep

How can I get a duplicate of my card?

Your certificate must be in your possession while on the job. If you should misplace your card or your card becomes unreadable you may request a duplicate at no charge. Your request must be made in writing either by fax or mail. Your request should include your name, address, phone number and certificate number(s), sign and date your request. Fax your request to (612) 673-5814, Attn Comp Cards or by mail to the Dept of Inspections, 250 So 4^th St, Rm 300, Mpls, 55415. On the outside of the envelope put “Attn Comp Cards”. Duplicate cards may only be requested by the card holder.

How do I renew my compcard?

Renewal notices are mailed on October 1^st for the following year. If you have not received your renewal notice by October 15^th, please call 311 so we can verify your mailing address.

Is there a lower renewal rate when I retire?

No, the fee to renew your comp card remains at $30 per trade.

Can I obtain a refund for payment of my compcard?

No, once you have renewed your comp card, it is not refundable.