B 26-0422 — Glazier Licensing Standards and Certification Act of 2025

StatementENGROSSED ofORIGINAL IntroductionA GlazierBILL Licensing3 Standards26-422 and5 CertificationIN ActTHE ofCOUNCIL 2025OF OctoberTHE 7,DISTRICT 2025OF Today,COLUMBIA alongside7 Councilmembers_________________________ Allen9 andTo Frumin,amend IChapter am28 introducingof theTitle Glazier47 Licensingof Standardsthe andDistrict Certification Act of 2025,Columbia legislationOfficial thatCode willto createestablish a licensing standards and certification standardrequirements for glaziers,glazier whoand areglazing highlycontractors, skilledand architecturalto glassadd 2 members representing glaziers and metalglazing technicians.contractors to the Board of Industrial Trades.

ThisBE billIT willENACTED ensureBY thatTHE glassCOUNCIL andOF metalTHE installationDISTRICT workOF inCOLUMBIA, theThat Districtthis meetsact themay highestbe standardscited ofas safety, quality, and energy efficiency, protecting both the workers“Glazier whoLicensing performStandards the job and theCertification residentsAct andof businesses2026”. that depend on their craftsmanship.

Glaziers install and maintain the glass and metal systems that shape the look and performance of our city’s buildings.

Their work affects how much energy a structure uses, how it withstands weather, and how safe it is for occupants and the public.

Yet, unlike electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, glaziers in the District are not required to be licensed.

This bill closes that gap by bringing the trade in line with other licensed construction professions to ensure consistent oversight, accountability, and public safety.

The need for this safeguard is not theoretical.

At the U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission headquarters in Maryland, a non-qualified glazing contractor was removed after a 3-by-15-foot acrylic panel fell from the 21st floor.

Only after certified technicians took over was the project completed safely.

Incidents like this underscore the importance of technical skill and the high stakes when that expertise is absent.

Licensing and certification are proven measures that reduce costly mistakes, prevent injuries, and protect taxpayers from expensive rework and litigation.

This legislation also advances the District’s goals for workforce development and sustainability.

As new public and private projects rise across the city, we must ensure that every stage of construction meets modern standards for safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.

A licensing standard for glaziers will help ensure that high-performance glass and metal systems support our climate goals while strengthening a skilled local workforce trained in modern building practices.

This bill is a straightforward reform that improves safety, ensures higher-quality construction, and sets clear standards for a critical trade.

By establishing professional licensing for glaziers, the District will strengthen oversight, reduce costly errors, and support a skilled local workforce prepared to meet the city’s growing development needs.

I look forward to working with my colleagues and industry partners to advance this legislation and help build a safer and more reliable D.C.

_____________________________ _____________________________ Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 4 _____________________________ Councilmember Matthew Frumin 8 A BILL _________________________ IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA _________________________ To amend Chapter 28 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to establish licensing standards and certification requirements for glazier and glazing contractors, and to add 2 members representing glaziers and glazing contractors to the Board of Industrial Trades.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as “Glazier Licensing Standards and Certification Act of 2025”.

(b) Section 47-2853.04(a) is amended by adding new paragraphs (13A)(18A) and (13B)(18B) to read ENGROSSED ORIGINAL as follows:

“(13A)“(18A) Glazier;

“(13B)“(18B) Glazing Contractor;”.contractor;

(1) Strike the phrase “,“consisting andof one15 shallmembers,” be a consumer member” and insert the phrase “,“consisting oneof shall17 bemembers,” a glazier certified under the AGMT program, one shall be a glazing contractor licensed in the District, and one shall be a consumer member.” in its place.

(2) Strike the phrase “The“and Boardone of Industrial Trades shall regulatebe thea practiceconsumer ofmember” plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other operating engineers, asbestos workers, elevator mechanics, elevator inspectors, except for those employed by the District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and elevator contractors.” and insert the phrase “The“one Boardshall ofbe Industriala Tradesglazier shalllicensed regulatein the practiceDistrict, ofone plumbers,shall gasfitters,be electricians,a refrigerationglazing andcontractor airlicensed conditioningin mechanics,the steamDistrict, and otherone operatingshall engineers,be asbestosa workers,consumer elevatormember.” mechanics, elevator inspectors not employed by the District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, elevator contractors, glaziers, and glazing contractors.” in its place.

(3) Strike the phrase “The Board of Industrial Trades shall regulate the practice of plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other operating engineers, asbestos workers, elevator mechanics, elevator inspectors, except for those employed by the District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and elevator contractors.” and insert the phrase “The Board of Industrial Trades shall regulate the practice of plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other operating engineers, asbestos workers, elevator mechanics, elevator inspectors not employed by the District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, elevator contractors, glaziers, and glazing contractors.” in its place.

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL Ҥ 47-2853.100.

“(a) The Board of Industrial Trades (“Board”) shall regulate and license glaziers and glazierglazing contractors to ensure that persons engaged in the occupation conform to applicable national safety and performance standards.” “(b)(1) An applicant for licensure as a glazierglazing contractor shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant:

“(B) Has complied with the bonding and insurance requirements established by therulemaking; rule;

and “(C) Meets any other requirements established by the BoardMayor through ENGROSSED ORIGINAL rulemaking.

“(A) PassedHas thepassed Architecturalan Glassexamination andon Metalglazing Technicianthat (“AGMT”)is certificationacceptable knowledge-basedto test and the practicalBoard; base test to become a certified AGMT Glazier and is in good standing;

andor “(B) MeetsHas anya othercertificate requirementsof establishedcompletion byof an apprenticeship program for glaziers that is registered with the BoardBureau throughof rulemaking.Apprenticeship Training, U.S.

“(2)Department Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of thisLabor, subsection,the untilDistrict rules are promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) of thisColumbia subsection,Apprenticeship theCouncil, Boardor mayan issueequivalent astate’s 2-yearapprenticeship licensecouncil; to an applicant who:

or “(C) Has comparable experience or a combination of education and experience that the Board deems equivalent to the above;

and “(D) Meets any other requirements established by the Mayor through rulemaking.

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL “(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, until rules are promulgated pursuant to paragraph (1)(D) of this subsection, the Board may issue a 2-year license to an applicant who:

or “(B) PassedHas thepassed AGMTan certificationexamination knowledge-basedon testglazing andacceptable the practical base test to becomethe aBoard. certified AGMT Glazier and is in good standing.

“(a) Unless licensed in accordance with this part, no person shall use the words or terms 97“licensed “glazier”glazier” or “glazing contractor” or any words describing a glazier specialty licensed by the Board of Industrial Trades to imply that the person is authorizedlicensed to perform the services of a glazier or glazing contractor in the District.

Fees;Rules.

rules.“(a)(1) No later than 365 days after the effective date of this part, the Mayor, pursuant to §2-501 et seq., shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this part;