Section 299N.05 License Required

299N.05 LICENSE REQUIRED.

Subdivision 1.Licensure requirement.

A full-time firefighter employed on or after July 1, 2011, by a fire department is not eligible for permanent employment without being licensed as a firefighter by the board.

Subd. 2.Optional licensing.

A volunteer firefighter may receive or apply for licensure under this section and section 299N.04 under the same terms as full-time firefighters.

Subd. 3.Prior appointment.

A full-time firefighter or a volunteer firefighter who has received a permanent appointment with a fire department prior to July 1, 2011, shall be licensed by the board at the request of the firefighter upon providing the board with a statement signed by the chief firefighting officer of the fire department that employs the full-time or volunteer firefighter.

Subd. 4.Newly employed firefighters.

Any full-time firefighter employed by a fire department on or after July 1, 2011, must obtain a license from the board. To obtain a license, an individual not covered by subdivision 3 must provide the board with a statement signed by the chief firefighting officer of the fire department that employs the full-time firefighter that the individual has met the certification requirements of section 299N.04.

Subd. 5.Issuance of license.

The board shall license any individual who meets the requirements of subdivision 3 or 4. A license is valid for three years from the date of issuance, and the fee for the license is $75.

Subd. 6.License renewal.

A license shall be renewed so long as the firefighter and the chief firefighting officer provide evidence to the board that the licensed firefighter has had at least 72 hours of firefighting training in the previous three-year period. The fee for renewing a firefighter license is $75, and the license is valid for an additional three years.

Subd. 7.Duties of chief firefighting officer.

It shall be the duty of every chief firefighting officer to ensure that all full-time firefighters have a license from the board beginning July 1, 2011. Each full-time firefighter, volunteer firefighter, and chief firefighting officer may apply for licensure after January 1, 2011.

Subd. 8.Revocation; suspension; denial.

The board may revoke, suspend, or deny a license issued or applied for under this section to a firefighter or applicant if the firefighter or applicant has been convicted of a felony recognized by the board as a crime that would disqualify the licensee from participating in the profession of firefighting.

Subd. 9.Fees; appropriation.

Fees collected under this section must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to a special account and are appropriated to the board to pay costs incurred under sections 299N.04 and 299N.05.

History:

2009 c 153 s 4