It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 5-6-34 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-6 entitled "Electricians" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 5-6-34. ADD} {DEL Certification of electric sign contractors and electric sign installers without examination. DEL} {ADD Certification of electric sign contractors and electric sign installers. -- ADD}

After July 1, 1991 and at any time prior to January 1, 1992 the division shall, without examination, upon payment of the fees herein provided, issue a certificate "ACF or CF" to any applicant therefor who shall present satisfactory evidence that he has the qualifications for the type of license applied for, and who has been engaged in the occupation or business of installing, servicing, maintaining and testing of electric signs covered by such license within this state for a period of five (5) years in the case of a certificate "ACF" and three (3) years in the case of a certificate "CF" prior to July 1, 1991. Any person who, being qualified to obtain a certificate "ACF or CF" under this section, is prevented from making application therefor by reason of service in the armed forces of the United States during the period between July 1, 1991 and January 1, 1992 shall have three (3) months after discharge to make an application. No person shall be liable for prosecution for making electric sign installations, etc., without a license for the first six (6) months after July 1, 1991.

{ADD Any apprentice having completed a training period of not less than two (2) years shall be eligible to take a journeyman's examination; provided, however, after September 1, 1995 and at any time prior to March 1, 1996, any apprentice employed and sponsored by a sign company shall be eligible to take a journeyman's examination, notwithstanding the aforesaid mentioned training period. ADD}

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.