Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not provide services as a fire sprinkler contractor in the State unless the person is licensed by the State Fire Marshal. This subtitle does not prohibit: inspections and tests of fire sprinkler systems by insurance representatives if the representatives are acting in the performance of their assigned duties; inspections, tests, and repairs of fire sprinkler systems by full–time maintenance employees of a property owner if the employees: are knowledgeable about fire sprinkler systems; and are acting in the performance of their assigned duties for the property owner; inspections, tests, plan review, and ensuring the maintenance of fire sprinkler systems, emergency maintenance activity on fire sprinkler systems, or restoration to active service of operating or recently operated fire sprinkler systems by members of State, county, municipal, career, or volunteer fire departments, or authorities with jurisdiction if the members are acting in their capacity as members of the fire departments or authorities; installation of limited area fire sprinkler systems or emergency temporary repairs on fire sprinkler systems performed by master plumbers if the plumbers are acting in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission; or inspections, tests, preparation of design and specification documents, hydraulic calculations, layout, and plan review of fire sprinkler systems by Maryland professional engineers if the engineers are knowledgeable about fire sprinkler systems.