The Application for Engineer License (Form L_012_F, Boiler, Stationary and Refrigeration) is the form the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) uses for a new engineer license in Grade A, B, C or D. If you searched for a Philadelphia business license, note that this page covers one trade license only, the engineer license; L&I lists its other trade license applications on its own page. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF. The form is marked not to be mailed: L&I takes applications online or at the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
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What is L_012_F?
The Application for Engineer License, Boiler, Stationary and Refrigeration (Form L_012_F, printed as FORM - AB) is the one-page City of Philadelphia form used to apply for a NEW engineer license of Grade A, B, C or D. It is issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
The form has three parts:
- Part A, Type of License, where you select one grade and give the contact details of the applicant and, if applicable, of a business or company.
- Part B, Supplemental Information, where you verify the age, examination, experience, recommendation and photo requirements with a Yes box for each.
- Part C, Limits and Conditions, which states the conditions of the license, followed by the declaration and signature.
The four grades printed on the form are:
- Grade A – Steam Boiler, Stationary, and Refrigeration Engineers
- Grade B – Refrigeration Engineer Only
- Grade C – Portable and Stationary Engineer
- Grade D – Firefighters
The conditions in Part C tie every license to continued compliance with Chapter 9-501 and Title 4 of The Philadelphia Building and Construction Occupancy Code. They also allow a builder or installer to agree in writing with the purchaser of machinery to take responsibility for its safe condition and maintenance for no more than 60 days, provided a person licensed under this Section is in charge of the machinery.
L&I publishes this application among its trade license materials, next to separate applications for other trades such as plumbing, electrical and contractor licenses. This form is only for the engineer license.
Who needs to file L_012_F?
Individuals who want a NEW engineer license in Grade A, B, C or D from the City of Philadelphia complete this application. You select the one grade that fits: Grade A for steam boiler, stationary and refrigeration engineers; Grade B for refrigeration engineers only; Grade C for portable and stationary engineers; Grade D for firefighters.
Part B lists what you must be able to verify before you apply:
- You are at least 18 years of age.
- You have successfully completed the Philadelphia Engineer examination for your grade, administered by the International Code Council, within 12 months from submission of the application.
- You have two years' experience as an engineer or helper, documented through federal tax records.
- You have written recommendations from two licensed engineers.
- You have a 2 in. x 2 in. color photo identification.
If you apply through a business or company, the form also asks for the business name, address, email and phone number; this is needed only if applicable and if different from the applicant. The applicant signs the declaration. The form is headed for a NEW license, and it prints no instructions for other license procedures.
When to file L_012_F
Submit Form L_012_F when you are applying for a new engineer license of Grade A, B, C or D; the form prints no filing deadline and no renewal cycle. The one timing rule on it concerns the examination: the Philadelphia Engineer examination, administered by the International Code Council, must be completed successfully within 12 months from submission of the application, so plan the exam and the application together.
Gather the supporting items listed in Part B before you apply: federal tax records showing two years' experience, two written recommendations from licensed engineers and a color photo identification. L&I's trade license page does not state a processing time for this application.
Documents you need
- Federal tax records documenting two years' experience as an engineer or helper; Part B asks you to verify they are provided.
- Written recommendations from two licensed engineers, provided with the application.
- Photo identification, 2 in. x 2 in., in color, provided with the application.
How to fill out L_012_F
Select your license grade
In Part A, Type of License, select one: Grade A, Grade B, Grade C or Grade D. Choose the grade that matches the work you will be licensed to do.
Enter applicant information
Under Applicant / Business Information, enter the Applicant Name, Applicant Address, Applicant Email and Phone #.
Add business details if applicable
If a business or company is involved, enter the Business/Company Name (if different from applicant), its address, email and phone number. Leave this block empty if it does not apply.
Verify the Part B requirements
Check the Yes box for each item you can verify: at least 18 years of age, the examination within 12 months from submission, two years' documented experience, two written recommendations and the 2 in. x 2 in. color photo identification.
Read the Part C conditions
Part C states the limits and conditions of the license, including compliance with Chapter 9-501 and Title 4 of The Philadelphia Building and Construction Occupancy Code. Nothing is entered in this block.
Sign and date the declaration
Enter the Applicant's Signature and the Date. By signing you certify that the statements are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check the grade, the contact details and every Part B box, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Gather your attachments and submit through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit L_012_F
L&I accepts trade license applications online or in person at the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse. The form itself is headed DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION, and L&I's trade license page repeats Do not mail applications.
- Online: L&I says you can apply for its trade licenses online. The page that lists the trade license applications is https://www.phila.gov/documents/trade-license-materials/.
- In person: take your application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
Whichever channel you use, have the supporting items from Part B ready: the federal tax records, the two written recommendations and the 2 in. x 2 in. color photo identification. The form names no mailing address, fee or appointment rule; contact L&I for questions about those. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application; the form is headed DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION and L&I says not to mail applications.
- Selecting more than one license grade in Part A when the form says to select one.
- Checking Yes in Part B without having the two years' federal tax records, the two engineer recommendations or the photo ready to provide.
- Supplying a photo that is not 2 in. x 2 in. or not in color.
- Providing a recommendation from only one licensed engineer; the form calls for written recommendations from two.
- Not completing the Philadelphia Engineer examination for the chosen grade within 12 months from submission of the application.
- Using this form for something other than a NEW Grade A, B, C or D engineer license.
- Leaving the signature or date blank in the declaration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Philadelphia engineer license application?
It is Form L_012_F, the Application for Engineer License (Boiler, Stationary and Refrigeration), issued by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. You use it to apply for a new Grade A, B, C or D engineer license.
Is the Engineer License Application the same as a Philadelphia business license?
No. This form is one trade license application, for engineers. L&I issues trade licenses to individuals, businesses and inspectors and lists each application separately, so another trade or license type uses a different form.
Can I mail the engineer license application to L&I?
No. The form is headed DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION, and L&I's trade license page says not to mail applications. You can apply online or take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
What do I need to attach to Form L_012_F?
Part B asks you to provide federal tax records documenting two years' experience as an engineer or helper, written recommendations from two licensed engineers and a 2 in. x 2 in. color photo identification.
Do I have to pass an exam before applying for the engineer license?
Part B asks you to verify successful completion of the Philadelphia Engineer examination for your grade, administered by the International Code Council, within 12 months from submission of the application.
What are the engineer license grades on the form?
Grade A is for steam boiler, stationary and refrigeration engineers; Grade B for refrigeration engineers only; Grade C for portable and stationary engineers; Grade D for firefighters. You select one in Part A.
What happens if I make a false statement on the application?
The declaration says that if you knowingly make a false statement, you are subject to possible revocation of any licenses issued from the application and to the penalties prescribed by law or ordinance.
Can I fill out Form L_012_F online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application with L&I; you submit it through the channels L&I accepts.
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