Tssa contractors number

[slo-115]

Do any of you fellas know how long it takes to get your tssa # ?(after submitting all the appropriate paper work) Do you need to prove your liability insurance before a number is issued? Thanks

[Porcupinepuffer]

You'll have the opportunity to ask the TSSA inspector since you have to schedule a meeting with him before they'll issue you the license. You'll want to do your homework and know as much as possible beforehand. You'll be additionally charged for the fees by the hour, so you don't want to spend all day chatting with the dude.

[slo-115]

Emailed the application to the tssa august 14th, on the 16th it was processed, called and scheduled a site inspection on the 19th at 9am. By 2pm that day i received confirmation email that i was good to go. Have 15 days to work without a contractors number, they will issue me a number the beginning of this week. Was a very positive tssa experience ,i was surprised how knowledgeable the inspector was on both oil and gas equipment.

[viking]

So out of couriosity, what did they ask of you? Did you meet at your place of buisness, on a job site?
Did they want to make sure you had appropriate licences, tools, equipment etc?

I am an employee for a company so I have no experience with this. I do teach a G3 class so would be some good info to pass along.

Thanks, Mike

[walker]

what did actually ask of you?

I'm still puzzled on how they can ask to see previous work done by you if you couldn't legally do any work without the contractor license in the first place

[Admin]

As far as I know anyone can start an HVAC business and apply for a TSSA contractor registration number.  That person must hire someone with G1, G2 or G3 certification to do the work.  Usually the person registering as a contractor already has gas certification, but I'm not sure what the TSSA can inspect if someone starts a new business with no previous experience.

[walker]

Thats my plan anyhow.  I work for a company now, but I want to start up my own thing for work on the side.  I basically have all the tools and a truck, I just need the contractor license and insurance I guess,  I'm just getting hung up on this tssa inspection thing.

[slo-115]

Sorry fellas,
Back in the day you could just apply and get a tssa contractors license #. In 3 years they would do the audit. In 2009 they changed the rules (too many donkeys hacking equipment in) now after filling out and submitting the form they come out for a "pre inspection" They want to verify that your not an idiot and have the tools and knowledge to run a outfit sufficiently. You do not need insurance to get a #, but standard 5mil liability for a one man show is cheap, (less then 1000 a year) if you want additional environment pollution insurance bend over it will be 3-4 times more. He really didn't ask any crazy questions, he just shot the shit about trade related issues. He reviewed the correct way to fill out a pressure tag and immediate/non immediate hazard forms. He gave me both a book of pressure tags and hazard tags, and reviewed the responsibility of a contractor and all the regulations 211,213,215.

[Porcupinepuffer]

Sorry fellas,
"pre inspection" They want to verify that your not an idiot and have the tools and knowledge to run a outfit sufficiently.  he just shot the shit about trade related issues. He reviewed the correct way to fill out a pressure tag and immediate/non immediate hazard forms. He gave me both a book of pressure tags and hazard tags, and reviewed the responsibility of a contractor and all the regulations 211,213,215.

This was what I was under the impression they were now doing it for. More of a meet and greet to make sure you are aware of everything TSSA related in regards to the act and the regulations. As well as making sure you're not completely retarded and suffering with severe down-syndrome.  They know their stuff down to a fine art. I was impressed by how knowledgeable the last few TSSA guys were I met. the audits you need to do every so many years seem like a pain in the rear, but oh well.

[walker]

I just had one done, the inspector came over, went through some regulatory stuff, checked I had the proper tools (purge tool, pressure test gauge, manometer, combustion analyzer although he said it wasn't mandatory.)  He issued me a pass, and I got my license in the mail a week later.  It cost about $450 to pre-pay for my first inspection over the next 1-3 years, and about $385 for the pre-inspection he came to do.

[Hvacpimp]

At the end of the day they want to make sure that you have paid your $$$ and that you are not a complete waste of skin. I know a salesman that got it without any tools or work vehicles. The only thing they made him do is buy a code book and show proof of purchase on site. I've been through this before. It's all luck of the draw and who you get which will depend on how in depth they take your assessment. Don't worry you will be fine. I stressed out about this too but don't worry unless you are an absolute hot mess!

[Jeffwang]

will TSSA send a check list before inspection? thx