Sec. 1208-3.2. Basic training programs

(a) General.

Except as otherwise provided in section 1208-5.4 of this Part, to obtain certification as a certified building safety inspector or as a certified code enforcement official, a person must complete the applicable basic training program described in subdivision (b) or (c) of this section within the time required by subdivision (d) of this section. Only basic training courses which are:

(1) developed and presented by the department; or

(2) approved and certified by the secretary pursuant to this Part and taught or presented by instructors approved and certified by the secretary pursuant to this Part, shall count toward completion of a basic training program.

The department may from time to time designate any basic training course(s) as prerequisite(s) for any other basic training course(s), and if the department makes any such designation, a student will not be permitted to take a basic training course unless such student shall have satisfied all prerequisite requirements applicable to such basic training course.

(b) Building safety inspector basic training program.

The building safety inspector basic training program includes at least 60 hours of training in the following topics:

Training program overview (1 hour) Historic role of codes (3 hours) New York State regulations (3 hours) Role of New York State in code enforcement practices (1.5 hours) Role of local government in code enforcement practices (2 hours) Legal issues (1.5 hours) Communication and the building safety inspector (l hour) Role of the media (1 hour) Recordkeeping (1 hour) The court system (1 hour) Liability issues (1 hour) Operational permits (1 hour) Review of the code books (2 hours) Property and occupancy classification (3 hours) Type of construction (1 hour) Building area (1 hour) Fire Code administrative issues (1 hour) Fire Code fire safety issues (1.5 hours) Emergency planning and the role of the BSI and CEO in providing post disaster assistance (2 hours) Fire service issues (1.5 hours) Existing building systems (1.5 hours) Existing fire-rated construction (2 hours) Existing interior finishes (1 hour) Existing fire protection systems (4 hours) Existing means of egress (2 hours) Fire safety during construction (1 hour) Occupancy specific issues (2 hours) Tents and membrane structures (1 hour) Hazardous materials (2 hours) Reference standards (4 hours) Property maintenance code (3 hours) Exam (4 hours)

(c) Code enforcement official basic training program.

The code enforcement official basic training program includes not less than a total of 120 hours of training, including the 60-hour building safety inspector basic training program described in subdivision (b) of this section and at least an additional 60 hours of training in the following topics:

Residential construction: Building planning (2 hours) Energy (2 hours) Foundation and footings (2 hours) Floor assembly (2 hours) Wall assembly (2 hours) Roof assembly (1 hour) Chimney assembly (1.5 hours) Mechanical issues (1.5 hours) Fuel gas issues (1 hour) Plumbing issues (1.5 hours) Electrical issues (2 hours) Plan review (5 hours) Swimming pools (1.5 hours) Existing residential construction (2.5 hours) Exam (2.5 hours) Commercial construction: Energy (2 hours) Mechanical issues (1 hour) Fuel gas issues (1 hour) Plumbing issues (1.5 hours) Design loads (1.5 hours) Structural requirements and documentation (2 hours) Foundation systems (1.5 hours) Building materials (1.5 hours) Wood framing (1.5 hours) Plan review (4 hours) Occupancy and construction area (1.5 hours) Mixed uses (1.5 hours) Fire-rated construction (2 hours) Egress (1.5 hours) Structural issues (1.5 hours) Fire protection issues (2 hours) Exam (2.5 hours)

(d) Time within which basic training program must be completed.

In general, a person must complete the entire basic training program applicable to such person's proposed level of certification within 18 months of the date on which he or she attended the first training course included in that basic training program. However, a person who is or who becomes employed as a building safety inspector or as a code enforcement official by a local government, county or State agency prior to completion of the applicable basic training program must complete that basic training program within the shorter of:

(1) 18 months after the date on which he or she attended the first training course included in such basic training program; or

(2) 18 months after the date of his or her initial appointment as a building safety inspector or as a code enforcement official.

Failure to complete a basic training program within the time period established in this subdivision shall result in the forfeiture of any and all accrued basic code enforcement training credit. The time period established in this subdivision for the completion of a basic training program may be extended by the secretary for good cause shown. An application for such an extension shall set forth the reason(s) supporting such a grant of an extension. Any such extension shall be in writing, signed by the secretary or the secretary's designee, and shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the secretary may prescribe.

(e) Waiver of specific basic training courses.

Upon application made by a person participating in a basic training program, the secretary may waive the requirement that such person take anyone or more of the basic training courses included in such basic training program, provided that such person submits proof of having successfully completed a fire or code enforcement training course which, in the opinion of the secretary, is equivalent to the basic training course for which waiver is requested, and which is a course offered by an accredited college, university, professional society, or by the International Code Council, or other state or nationally recognized organization. Upon preliminary approval of an application for waiver, the applicant will be required to take an examination in the basic training course for which waiver is requested. Failure to achieve a passing score on such examination will result in the denial of the waiver.

(f) For the purposes of this section, a student who obtains a waiver of the requirement that he or she take a particular course included in a basic training program pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section shall be deemed to have attended and participated in such course and to have achieved a passing score on the examination in such course.

(g) A student will be permitted to retake an examination only if the secretary grants such permission for good cause shown.