Read the full stored bill text
Statement of Introduction Glazier Licensing Standards and Certification Act of 2025 October 7, 2025 Today, alongside Councilmembers Allen and Frumin, I am introducing the Glazier Licensing Standards and Certification Act of 2025, legislation that will create a licensing and certification standard for glaziers, who are highly skilled architectural glass and metal technicians. This bill will ensure that glass and metal installation work in the District meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and energy efficiency, protecting both the workers who perform the job and the residents and businesses 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.
_____________________________ _____________________________ 1 Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 2 3 4 _____________________________ 5 Councilmember Matthew Frumin 6 7 8 A BILL 9 _________________________ 10 11 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 12 13 _________________________ 14 15 16 To amend Chapter 28 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code to establish licensing 17 standards and certification requirements for glazier and glazing contractors, and to add 2 18 members representing glaziers and glazing contractors to the Board of Industrial Trades. 19 20 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act 21 may be cited as “Glazier Licensing Standards and Certification Act of 2025”. 22 Sec. 2. Subchapter I-B of Chapter 28 of Title 47 of the District of Columbia Official Code is 23 amended as follows: 24 (a) The table of contents is amended by adding a new designation for part F-ii to read as 25 follows: 26 “Part F-ii. Glazier Licensing and Certification. 27 “§ 47-2853.100. Definitions. 28 “§ 47-2853.100a. Eligibility requirements; AGMT certification. 29 “§ 47-2853.100b. Representations and advertising. 30 “§ 47-2853.100c. Temporary license. 31 “§ 47-2853.100d. Fees; rules.”. 32
2
(b) Section 47-2853.04(a) is amended by adding new paragraphs (13A) and (13B) to read as 33 follows: 34 “(13A) Glazier; 35 “(13B) Glazing Contractor;”. 36 (c) Section 47-2853.06(d) is amended as follows: 37 (1) Strike the phrase “, and one shall be a consumer member” and insert the phrase “, 38 one shall be a glazier certified under the AGMT program, one shall be a glazing contractor licensed in 39 the District, and one shall be a consumer member.” in its place. 40 (2) Strike the phrase “The Board of Industrial Trades shall regulate the practice of 41 plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other 42 operating engineers, asbestos workers, elevator mechanics, elevator inspectors, except for those 43 employed by the District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and 44 elevator contractors.” and insert the phrase “The Board of Industrial Trades shall regulate the practice 45 of plumbers, gasfitters, electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, steam and other 46 operating engineers, asbestos workers, elevator mechanics, elevator inspectors not employed by the 47 District of Columbia or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, elevator contractors, 48 glaziers, and glazing contractors.” in its place. 49 (c) A new part F-ii is added to read as follows: 50 “Part F-ii. Glazier Licensing and Certification. 51 “§ 47-2853.100. Definitions. 52 “For the purposes of this part, the term: 53
3
“(1) “Glazier” means any person who erects, constructs, installs, alters, services, or 54 repairs aluminum windows, curtain walls, interior glass partitions, glass handrails, aluminum 55 entrances, skylights, storefronts, and general architectural glass and metal installation. 56 “(2) “Glazing contractor” means a sole proprietor, firm, or corporation who, for 57 compensation, engages in erecting, constructing, installing, altering, servicing, and repairing 58 aluminum windows, curtain walls, interior glass partitions, glass handrails, aluminum entrances, 59 skylights, storefronts, and general architectural glass and metal installation. 60 “§ 47-2853.100a. Eligibility requirements. 61 “(a) The Board of Industrial Trades (“Board”) shall regulate and license glaziers and glazier 62 contractors to ensure that persons engaged in the occupation conform to applicable national safety and 63 performance standards.” 64 “(b)(1) An applicant for licensure as a glazier contractor shall establish to the satisfaction of 65 the Board that the applicant: 66 “(A) Has under their employ no less than 3 licensed or temporarily licensed 67 glaziers who perform the work described by the applicant in the application; 68 “(B) Has complied with the bonding and insurance requirements established by 69 the rule; and 70 “(C) Meets any other requirements established by the Board through 71 rulemaking. 72 “(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, until rules are promulgated 73 pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) of this subsection, the Board may issue a 2-year license to an applicant 74 who: 75
4
“(A) Has under their employ no less than 3 licensed or temporarily licensed 76 glaziers who perform the work described by the applicant in the application; and 77 “(B) Has complied with applicable bonding and insurance requirements 78 established by the Board. 79 “(c)(1) An applicant for licensure as a glazier shall establish to the satisfaction of the Board 80 that the applicant: 81 “(A) Passed the Architectural Glass and Metal Technician (“AGMT”) 82 certification knowledge-based test and the practical base test to become a certified AGMT Glazier and 83 is in good standing; and 84 “(B) Meets any other requirements established by the Board through 85 rulemaking. 86 “(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, until rules are promulgated 87 pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, the Board may issue a 2-year license to an applicant 88 who: 89 “(A) Has a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship program for Glazier 90 registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, U.S. Department of Labor, the District of 91 Columbia Apprenticeship Council, or an equivalent state’s apprenticeship council; or 92 “(B) Passed the AGMT certification knowledge-based test and the practical 93 base test to become a certified AGMT Glazier and is in good standing. 94 “§ 47-2853.100b. Representations and advertising. 95 “(a) Unless licensed in accordance with this part, no person shall use the words or terms 96
5
“glazier” or “glazing contractor” or any words describing a glazier specialty licensed by the Board of 97 Industrial Trades to imply that the person is authorized to perform the services of a glazier or glazing 98 contractor in the District. 99 “§ 47-2853.100c. Temporary license. 100 “(a) Notwithstanding § 47-2853.100a, in the event of emergency circumstances, the Board 101 may, pursuant to rule, issue a temporary license for a period not to exceed 30 days. 102 “§ 47-2853.100d. Fees; rules. 103 “(a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, including §§ 47-2853.10 and 104 47-2853.11, the fee for the issuance, renewal, or reinstatement of a license under this part shall be 105 $260; and 106 “(2) Application fees paid under this section shall not be refundable, even if the 107 applicant withdraws his or her application for licensure, certification, or registration, or is found to be 108 not qualified. 109 “(b)(1) No later than 365 days after the effective date of this part, the Mayor, pursuant to §2-110 501 et seq., shall issue rules to implement the provisions of this part; provided, that both a glazier 111 representative and glazier contractor representative have been appointed to the Board of Industrial 112 Trades as required by § 47-2853.06(d). 113 “(2) If a glazier representative and glazier contractor representative are not appointed 114 within 180 days after the effective date of this part, the Mayor shall begin the rulemaking process to 115 implement the provisions of this part, to be complete within no later than 365 days after the effective 116 date.”. 117 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 118
6
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 119 statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 120 October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 121 Sec. 4. Effective date. 122 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 123 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review as 124 provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 125 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 126