Sec. 1208-3.3. In-service training requirements

(a) General.

To maintain certification, a certified building safety inspector or a certified code enforcement official must satisfy the applicable in-service training requirements set forth in this section. In-service training courses shall count towards satisfaction of the in-service training requirement if they 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 or adjunct instructors approved and certified by the secretary pursuant to this Part; or

(3) approved and certified by the secretary pursuant to this Part as an online training course; or

(4) accepted by the secretary pursuant to this Part as a professional development elective; or

(5) accepted as professional certification by the International Code Councilor another nationally recognized organization in any of the following categories: “Code enforcement,” “Energy,” “Fire,” “Green building,” “Commercial, residential or special inspector,” or “Plans examiner,” or similar category as determined by the secretary. Certification in each category shall be deemed to be the successful completion of eight hours of in-service training for each professional certification received for the calendar year in which such professional certification was obtained.

(b) Building safety inspector in-service training requirement.

To maintain certification, a certified building safety inspector must successfully complete a minimum of six hours of in-service training each calendar year following the calendar year in which he or she received certification as a certified building safety inspector. The in-service training required during each calendar year shall include at least three hours of in-service training in training courses that are included within the descriptions set forth in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section and address subjects included in the main topic area of code enforcement and administration:

(1) Code enforcement and administration (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to):

(i) code enforcement practices and organization (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: inspection techniques; building system technology; legal issues affecting the building safety inspector; and the building safety inspector and diplomacy);

(ii) public policy considerations affecting building construction and maintenance (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: historic preservation; handicap accessibility issues; energy conservation; temporary structures; fire inspections and fire protection features; review of the reference standards; and means of egress issues);

(iii) occupancy classification and hazard recognition (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: occupancy classification; fire safety issues; hazardous materials storage; solid fuel-burning equipment; and unvented heaters); and

(iv) code interpretations and application (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: Uniform Code update; legal interpretations, and technical bulletins).

(c) Code enforcement official in-service training requirement.

To maintain certification, a certified code enforcement official must successfully complete a minimum of 24 hours of in-service training each calendar year following the calendar year in which he or she received certification as a certified code enforcement official. The in-service training required during each calendar year shall include at least 12 hours of in-service training in training courses that are included within the description set forth in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section. A minimum of three hours in the main topic area described in subdivision (b) of this section (“Code enforcement and administration”), and at least three hours of training in each of the following additional main topic areas:

(1) Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to):

(i) building systems (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: HVAC; plumbing; electrical; and fuel gas);

(ii) fire protection issues (suggested sub-topics include smoke detection/carbon monoxide detectors; fire sprinkler systems; kitchen hood systems; standpipe systems; smoke control systems; and fire apparatus access);

(iii) construction and structural issues (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: construction techniques; construction materials; design issues; and new technology in commercial construction);

(iv) plan review and building specification (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: plan review administration and plan review techniques).

(2) Energy Conservation Construction Code (suggested sub-topics include, but are not limited to: building science, thermal envelope, mechanical systems, lighting systems, and compliance methods).

(d) In addition to satisfying the required minimum number of in-service training hours in the topic areas specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of this section, the remaining training hours may be completed through professional development electives as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section or by obtaining a professional certification as provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this section.

(1) Code enforcement officials or building safety inspectors receiving annual inc service training from a professional development elective as provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, or by obtaining a professional certification as provided in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, either in whole or in part, shall submit to the department a professional development elective record form, as prescribed by the department, which shall state the training hours earned for the calendar year and any additional information as required by the department. Individuals receiving in-service training credit for a professional development elective shall at the request of the department provide documentation sufficient to confirm completion of such training course. Failure to submit adequate documentation shall result in a forfeit of the in-service training credit obtained for such training course and will result in a review to determine whether an individual's certification should be designated as inactive or be revoked.

(2) Each code enforcement official or building safety inspector who receives annual in-service training credit by attending a professional development elective or by obtaining a professional certification shall maintain, or ensure access by the department to, a record of completed in-service training which includes: title of the course, detailed description of the course, the number of contact hours completed, a certificate of completion issued by the sponsor, the sponsor's name, attendance verification, and the date and location of the course. Such records shall be retained by the building safety inspector or code enforcement official for at least three years from the date of completion and shall be available for review by the department.

(3) Code enforcement officials or building safety inspectors receiving all of their annual in-service training by attending and completing training courses that are included within the descriptions set forth in paragraphs (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this section shall not be required to maintain documentation regarding such in-service training.

(e) A review board shall be appointed by the secretary for the purpose of assisting the department on matters pertaining to professional development electives such as recommending elective courses that should be approved, recommending approved elective categories, recommending action on appeals in regards to electives, recommending revocations as a result of inadequate documentation of completion of professional development electives and other duties as determined by the secretary. The board shall be composed of not less than three code enforcement officials and two building safety inspectors.