Upon the death or the retirement of a licensed master fire suppression piping contractor, or upon the surrender, revocation or suspension of his or her license, his or her license, plate and seal shall immediately be surrendered to the commissioner. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent the legal representative of a deceased licensee, with the consent of the commissioner, from retaining such plate and seal for the purpose of completing all unfinished work of such deceased licensee for which plans have been approved and a permit issued, provided such work is performed by or under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed master fire suppression piping contractor and is completed within one year from the date of the death of the original licensee.