12532-12534

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 12532-12534




12532.  (a) No person shall engage in business as a service agency
unless registered by the Secretary of Food and Agriculture pursuant
to this chapter and unless the current registration fee and any
penalty has been paid.
   (b) Applications for registration shall be in writing on a form
prescribed by the department, and shall be accompanied by the
required fee.
   (c) A service agency shall forward to the department the name or
names of service agents employed by them, with the appropriate fees
required by Section 12535.
   (d) A device may only be placed in service by a sealer or a
service agency. A device used by a public utility in connection with
measuring gas, electricity, water, steam, or communication service
subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission is
exempt from the requirements of this chapter.
   (e) Except as provided in subdivision (f), no person who repairs a
device is required to be registered if the device is placed into
service by a sealer or service agency.
   (f) Vapor measuring devices operating at greater than 11 inches
water column shall be installed by a service agency.
   (g) In the event of any change in the legal status of a registered
service agency, the new legal entity shall obtain a new registration
prior to operating as a service agency.
   (h) A service agency may employ or designate a licensed service
agent to act for the service agency and shall be responsible for all
acts of that person.



12533.  Prior to the issuance of its registration or in order to
maintain its current registration, a service agency shall do all of
the following:
   (a) (1) Possess, or have available for use, standards and testing
equipment necessary to meet the minimum testing requirements
contained in the "Notes" section of the specific device regulation
set forth in Division 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Title 4 of
the California Code of Regulations, for each type of device for which
the service agency is providing service.
   (2) When applicable, the standards and testing equipment shall
meet the specifications and tolerances published in the most current
National Institute of Standards and Technology 105 Series Handbooks
for Field Standard Weights (NIST Class F), Field Standard Measuring
Flasks, and Graduated Neck Type Volumetric Field Standards.
   (b) Ensure that every service agent in its employ has a current
service agent license.
   (c) Possess a current copy of Division 9 (commencing with Section
4000) of Title 4 of the California Code of Regulations, Field
Reference Manual.


12534.  Commencing January 1, 2001, a service agency shall use
suitable and sufficient standards that are permanently and uniquely
identified, and have a current certificate of accuracy provided by
the department or by a laboratory certified pursuant to Section
12314, in the determination of a correct device.