Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4101:7 - Certification of Building Departments, Building Department Personnel, Local Boards of Building Appeals, and Fire Protection System Designers
Chapter 4101:7-3 - Building Department Personnel
Section 4101:7-3-01 - Residential and non-residential building department personnel certification
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 4101:7-3-01
Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 16, 2024
Residential and non-residential building departments shall have personnel qualified to execute the duties required to enforce the rules of the board. Only those certified individuals employed by or under contract with a particular political subdivision are authorized to exercise enforcement authority within that same jurisdiction.
Exception: Inspectors performing industrialized unit inspections on behalf of the board of building standards.
(A) Building department personnel certification classifications. The certifications issued by the board of building standards are as follows:
(1)
Building official.
(2) Interim
building official.
(3) Residential
building official.
(4) Interim
residential building official.
(5)
Master plans examiner.
(6) Interim
master plans examiner.
(7) Master
plans examiner trainee.
(8)
Residential plans examiner.
(9)
Interim residential plans examiner.
(10) Residential plans examiner
trainee.
(11) Building plans
examiner.
(12) Interim building
plans examiner.
(13) Building plans
examiner trainee.
(14) Electrical
plans examiner.
(15) Interim
electrical plans examiner.
(16)
Electrical plans examiner trainee.
(17) Plumbing plans examiner.
(18) Interim plumbing plans
examiner.
(19) Plumbing plans
examiner trainee.
(20) Mechanical
plans examiner.
(21) Interim
mechanical plans examiner.
(22)
Mechanical plans examiner trainee.
(23) Fire protection plans
examiner.
(24) Interim fire
protection plans examiner.
(25)
Fire protection plans examiner trainee.
(26) Building inspector.
(27) Interim building inspector.
(28) Building inspector trainee.
(29) Residential building
inspector.
(30) Interim residential
building inspector.
(31)
Residential building inspector trainee.
(32) Fire protection inspector.
(33) Interim fire protection
inspector.
(34) Mechanical
inspector.
(35) Interim mechanical
inspector.
(36) Mechanical
inspector trainee.
(37) Residential
mechanical inspector.
(38) Interim
residential mechanical inspector.
(39) Residential mechanical inspector
trainee.
(40) Electrical safety
inspector.
(41) Electrical safety
inspector trainee.
(42)
Industrialized unit inspector.
(43)
Interim industrialized unit inspector.
(44) Residential industrialized unit
inspector.
(45) Interim residential
industrialized unit inspector.
(46)
Plumbing inspector.
(47) Interim
plumbing inspector.
(48) Plumbing
inspector trainee.
(49) Medical gas
piping inspector.
(B) Multiple personnel certifications held. A person may hold more than one certification.
(C) Conflict of interest. No certified employee or person who contracts for services within the jurisdictional area of a residential or non-residential building department shall perform services for any department which would require that person or employee to exercise authority or make an evaluation of any work furnished by him or by a private contractor that employs him on a full-time, part-time, or incidental basis. Further, such employee or person shall not engage in conduct that is prohibited or considered a conflict of interest pursuant to Chapter 102. of the Revised Code.
(D) Seals. No holder of a certification issued by the board of building standards is authorized to secure a seal in any form or of any type for use in the performance of any of their duties.
(E) Experience requirements of the applicant to qualify for certification.
(1) General
experience. To qualify for certification, applicants must have experience
directly related to buildings or structures within the scope of the
"Residential Code of Ohio" for residential certifications or experience
directly related to buildings or structures within the scope of the "Ohio
Building Code" for non-residential certifications.
(a) In evaluating experience of an applicant,
the board of building standards may find the following enforcement, inspection,
or plans examination experience to be acceptable:
(i) Experience gained prior to 1984, with a non-residential building
department certified by the board of building standards to exercise enforcement
authority for buildings or structures within the scope of groups regulated by
the rules of the board; or
(ii)
Experience gained with the department of commerce, division of industrial
compliance or an agency or jurisdiction outside the state of Ohio
enforcing a model residential code, for residential certifications, or a model
non-residential building code, for non-residential certifications, of a
national model code organization or a code adopted for the respective buildings
or structures of the types regulated by the rules of the board; or
(iii) Certification by the department of
commerce, division of industrial compliance, as a plumbing inspector when
application is made for board certification as a plumbing inspector;
or
(iv) Experience
gained as an employee of a certified residential
or non-residential building department and who is a holder of a board
certification other than that for which application is being made as prescribed
in this rule.
Exceptions:
(a)
Certified building department employees who are applicants for plumbing
inspector certification shall comply with paragraph (E)(16) of this
rule.
(b) Certified building
department employees who are applicants for electrical safety inspector
certification shall comply with paragraph (E)(17) of this rule.
(b)
The board of building standards shall
not credit experience gained while acting in violation of rules adopted by the
board to establish equivalent experience.
(c)
The board
of building standards may credit experience which provides knowledge of
different construction methods, processes, or types as it determines
applicable, but shall not credit construction experience that does not provide
required knowledge including, but not limited to, the installation of floor and
wall coverings, the installation of roofing materials or roofing systems, or
the finishing of concrete.
(d)
For a residential or non-residential
certification, the board of building standards shall credit one year of the
required experience obtained through education credit pursuant to paragraph
(F)(6) of this rule.
(e)
Individuals certified as non-residential building
officials, master plans examiners, or building inspectors must make application
to the board but individuals will qualify without further testing and without
providing related experience to become a residential building official,
residential plans examiner, and/or residential building
inspector.
(2)
Building official. An applicant for a building official certification shall
meet one of the following requirements:
(a) At
least five years of experience in non-residential building design and
construction for buildings or structures within the scope of groups regulated
by the rules of the board while registered in Ohio as an architect or
professional engineer;
(b) At least
ten years of experience as a general contractor or superintendent of building
construction for buildings or structures dealing with all phases and trades of
construction including the responsibility for obtaining approvals and
inspections within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board;
or
(c) At least five years of
experience employed full-time as a residential building official in a certified
residential building department.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(3) Residential building official. An
applicant for a residential building official certification for a residential
building department shall meet one of the following requirements:
(a) Ohio registration as an architect or
professional engineer; or
(b) At
least five years of experience as a residential contractor or non-residential
contractor or superintendent with responsibility for obtaining approvals and
inspections of structures regulated by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(4) Master plans examiner. An applicant for a
non-residential master plans examiner certification shall meet one of the
following requirements:
(a) At least five
years of experience in building design , construction, or plans examination for buildings or structures
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board while registered
in Ohio as an architect or professional engineer;
(b) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(5) Residential plans examiner. An applicant
for a residential plans examiner certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) Ohio registration as an
architect or professional engineer;
(b) At least five years of experience in
building design and construction for residential or non-residential buildings
or structures regulated by the rules of the board; or
(c) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(6) Building plans examiner. An applicant for
a building plans examiner certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience as a full-time building inspector in a certified non-residential
building department; or
(b)
Ohio
registration as an architect or professional engineer; or
(c) At least ten years of experience as a
full-time skilled tradesman for structural carpentry, masonry, steel erection,
or concrete construction work, subject to inspection under a model building
code of a national model code organization or a code adopted for
non-residential buildings or structures, within the scope of groups regulated
by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(7) Electrical plans examiner. An applicant
for an electrical plans examiner certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience as a full-time electrical safety inspector in a certified building
department;
(b) At least five years
of experience as an electrical safety inspector, certified pursuant to Chapter
3783. of the Revised Code and employed full-time by the Ohio department of
commerce, division of industrial compliance; or
(c)
Ohio registration as an
architect or professional engineer; or
(d) At least ten years of experience as a
full-time journeyman electrician or equivalent for the installation of
electrical systems, subject to inspection under either a
model building code of a
national model code organization or a code adopted for
buildings or structures,
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(8) Plumbing plans examiner. An applicant for
a plumbing plans examiner certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience as a full-time plumbing inspector in a certified building
department;
(b) At least five years
of experience as a plumbing inspector, certified pursuant to Chapter 3703. of
the Revised Code, employed full-time by either the Ohio department of commerce,
division of industrial compliance, or by a county board of health; or
(c)
Ohio registration as an
architect or professional engineer; or
(d) At least ten years of experience as a
full-time journeyman plumber or equivalent for the installation of plumbing
systems, subject to inspection under either a model building code of a national
model code organization or a code adopted for buildings or structures, within the
scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(9) Mechanical plans examiner. An applicant
for a mechanical plans examiner certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience as a full-time building inspector or
mechanical inspector in a certified building department;
(b) At least five years of experience as a
full-time residential building official, residential plans examiner,
residential building inspector, or residential mechanical inspector in a
certified residential building department; or
(c)
Ohio registration as an
architect or professional engineer; or
(d) At least ten years of experience as a
full-time skilled tradesman for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning
("HVAC") systems and associated refrigeration, fuel gas, and heating piping
work, subject to inspection under a model building code of a national model
code organization or a code adopted for non-residential buildings or
structures, within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(10) Fire protection plans examiner. An
applicant for a fire protection plans examiner certification shall meet one of
the following requirements:
(a) At least five
years of experience as a full-time certified fire safety inspector in a fire
department or as a certified fire protection inspector for a non-residential
building department with experience inspecting non-residential fire protection
systems;
(b) At least five years of
experience as a full-time certified fire protection system designer with
experience designing non-residential fire protection systems;
(c) At least five years of experience as a
full-time building inspector in a certified non-residential building
department; or
(d)
Ohio
registration as an architect or professional engineer; or
(e) At least ten years of experience as a
full-time skilled tradesman for the installation of fire protection systems
(automatic sprinkler systems, alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems,
standpipe systems, fire alarm and detection systems and fire pump systems),
subject to inspection under a model non-residential building code of a national
model code organization or a code adopted for non-residential buildings or
structures, within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(11) Building inspector. An applicant for a
building inspector certification shall meet one of the following requirements:
(a) At least five years of experience
in
structural carpentry, masonry, steel erection, or concrete construction work
subject to inspection under a model building code of a national model code
organization or a code adopted for non-residential buildings or structures
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board
as a skilled tradesman, a supervisor, or a construction
contractor;
(b) At least five
years of experience as a full-time non-residential building official,
master plans examiner. non-residential mechanical
inspector, residential building official, residential plans examiner,
residential building inspector, or residential mechanical inspector in a
certified residential building department; or
(c) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(12) Residential building inspector. An
applicant for residential building inspector certification shall meet one of
the following requirements:
(a) At least three
years of experience as a contractor or supervisor for residential or
non-residential buildings or structures regulated by the rules of the
board;
(b) At least three years of
experience as a skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under a code
adopted for buildings or structures regulated by the "Residential Code of Ohio"
or the "Ohio Building Code"; or
(c)
Successful completion of a trainee program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this
rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(13) Fire protection inspector. An applicant
for fire protection inspector certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience in the installation of fire protection systems (automatic sprinkler
systems, alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems, standpipe systems,
fire alarm and detection systems and fire pump systems) subject to inspection
under a model non-residential building code of a national model code
organization or a code adopted for non-residential buildings or structures
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board; or
(b) At least five years of experience as a
certified fire safety inspector or a certified fire protection system designer.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(14) Mechanical inspector. An applicant for a
mechanical inspector certification shall meet one of the following
requirements:
(a) At least five years of
experience as a skilled heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)
system and associated refrigeration, fuel gas, and heating piping tradesman for
work subject to inspection under a model building code of a national model code
organization or a code adopted for non-residential buildings or structures
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board;
(b) At least five years of experience as a
full-time building official, master plans examiner, or
building inspector in a certified non-residential building department, or
a full-time residential building official, residential plans examiner,
residential building inspector, or residential mechanical inspector in a
certified residential building department; or
(c) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(15) Residential mechanical inspector. An
applicant for a residential mechanical inspector certification shall meet one
of the following requirements:
(a) At least
three years of experience as an HVAC system contractor or supervisor for
residential or non-residential buildings regulated by the rules of the
board;
(b) At least three years of
experience as a skilled tradesman for HVAC systems and the associated
refrigeration, fuel gas, and heating piping for residential or non-residential
buildings regulated by the rules of the board; or
(c) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(16) Plumbing inspector. An applicant for a
plumbing inspector certification shall meet one of the following requirements:
(a) At least seven years of experience in the
installation of plumbing, subject to inspection under either a
model building code of a
national model code organization or a code adopted for
buildings or structures and
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board;
(b) A degree in engineering or architecture
and three years of experience in plumbing system design; or
(c) Successful completion of a trainee
program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule.
(17) Electrical safety inspector. An
applicant for an electrical safety inspector (ESI) certification shall meet one
of the following experience requirements:
(a)
Journeyman electrician or equivalent for four years, two years as an
electrician foreman, and two years of experience as a building department ESI
trainee;
(b) Journeyman electrician
or equivalent for four years and three years of experience as a building
department ESI trainee pursuant to paragraph (F)(5) of this rule;
(c) Four years of experience as a building
department ESI trainee;
(d)
Journeyman electrician or equivalent for six years; or
(e) An electrical engineer registered in the
state of Ohio.
(18)
Industrialized unit inspector. An applicant for an industrialized unit
inspector certification shall meet one of the following requirements:
(a) At least five years of experience as a
construction contractor or supervisor for non-residential buildings or
structures within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the
board;
(b) At least five years of
experience as a skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under a model
building code of a national model code organization or a code adopted for
non-residential buildings or structures within the scope of groups regulated by
the rules of the board;
(c) At
least five years of experience as a skilled tradesman for work subject to
inspection under a residential dwelling code, a model building code of a
national model code organization or a code adopted for non-residential
buildings or structures regulated by the rules of the board; or
(d) Certification as a building inspector as
specified in paragraph (E)(11) of this rule.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(19) Residential industrialized unit
inspector. An applicant for a residential industrialized unit inspector
certification shall meet one of the following requirements:
(a) At least three years of experience as a
construction contractor or supervisor for non-residential buildings or
structures within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board or as
a construction contractor or supervisor for residential buildings or structures
regulated by the rules of the board;
(b) Certification as a building inspector,
residential building inspector, or industrialized unit inspector; or
(c) At least three years of experience as a
skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under a residential dwelling
code, a model building code of a national model code organization or a code
adopted for non-residential buildings or structures regulated by the rules of
the board.
In evaluating the experience requirements for this certification, the board may accept applicable experience as specified in paragraph (E)(1) of this rule.
(20) Medical gas piping inspector. An
applicant for a medical gas piping inspector certification shall provide
evidence verifying that the applicant has been certified by an "American
Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE)" recognized third party certifier in
accordance with ASSE standard 6020.
(F) Personnel certification application, filing and processing. Applications for certification shall be sent to the office of the board at least two weeks prior to a certification hearing. The application shall expire if not approved within one year of receipt by the board. Applications for certification as an electrical safety inspector shall be submitted at least two weeks prior to a meeting of the electrical safety inspector advisory committee.
Each applicant shall also submit, with the application, an application fee of fifty dollars and evidence sufficient to show the board that the applicant is qualified. Such evidence may include proof of the statements made in the application, documentary evidence, affidavits, transcripts, diplomas, published data, photographs, or legible reproductions of the same, or any other documentation.
(1) Certification
process. Upon receipt of a completed application and an
application fee of fifty dollars, the board of building standard's
certification committee shall review the application and make a recommendation
to the board of building standards.
Exception: Upon receipt of a completed application for certification as an electrical safety inspector, the electrical safety inspector advisory committee shall review the application and make a recommendation to the board of building standards.
The committee may ask for additional information to be submitted by the applicant prior to making a recommendation to the board. If the committee requests additional information from the applicant, failure to submit the requested information within ninety days from the date of the request may be cause for disapproval of the application by the board. After receiving a recommendation from the committee, the board shall hold a certification hearing to take action on the application. The applicant may be present at the certification hearing to respond to any questions from the board and all interested persons appearing at such certification hearing may be given an opportunity to comment.
(a)
Certification, approval or denial. Following the certification hearing, the
board may approve, approve with conditions, table pending further review and/or
receipt of additional documentation, deny the application for certification, or
take such other action as the board deems appropriate. If the board requests
additional information, failure to submit the requested information within
ninety days from the date of the request shall be cause for disapproval of the
application by the board. The board may request an interview of the applicant
by the certification committee to assist the board in making its evaluation of
an application.
If the application is denied, in whole or in part, by the board of building standards, the applicant shall be notified in writing of such denial, the reason for the denial, and their rights of appeal pursuant to sections 3781.10 and 3781.101 and Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.
Hearings shall be held by the board of building standards and appeals shall be permitted on any proceedings for certification as provided in section 119.07 of the Revised Code and in paragraph (F)(7)(a)(v) of this rule.
(b) Records. The board shall
retain, as a part of applications which have been approved, any or all
documents submitted or electronic versions of such documents, which shall be
properly marked for identification and ownership.
(c) Board action. All applications shall be
considered individually by the board and the action taken shall be recorded in
the minutes, noted on the application form, and the applicant notified as
required.
(d) Examinations. All
applicants shall furnish the board evidence of passing the board approved
examinations for the appropriate certification category issued by a national
model code organization or a testing agency or entity recognized by the board.
The board shall maintain a list of approved
examinations. Examinations required for certification may be completed
before application is made for certification by the board.
(2) Issuance of certificate and renewal.
(a) Issuance of certification.
(i) Upon submission of an application for
certification for which the experience requirements are approved but evidence
of successfully completing the required examination modules is not included, a
one-time interim certification shall be issued to the applicant. No extensions
shall be granted. The certificate shall state the interim certification
classification being issued pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule, expiration
date, and limitations, if any, under which it has been issued. For the purpose
of this paragraph the one-time interim certification period is for two years.
Exception: Applicants for certification as an electrical safety inspector whose application is approved are then qualified to begin examination only and, before exercising enforcement duties for a political subdivision, must submit evidence of successfully completing the required examination in order to receive electrical safety inspector certification.
Before the end of the interim certification period, the certificate holder shall submit evidence of successfully completing the required examination modules and meeting any other certification requirements.
(a) If the interim
certification has expired prior to completing all of the requirements, the
board may consider certification of the individual if the applicant presents
evidence of completing the outstanding examination(s) required in paragraph
(F)(1) (d) of this rule within the year following the expiration.
(b) Upon expiration, the individual shall not
perform any duties for which the interim certification was received but may
enter the trainee program as required in paragraph (F)(5) of this
rule.
(ii) Upon
submission of an application for certification for which the experience
requirements are approved and evidence of successfully completing the required
examination modules and completion of the "Ohio
Building Code Academy" required by paragraph (F) (4)(a) of this rule is
included, an appropriate certificate shall be issued to the applicant. The
certificate shall state the certification classification being issued,
expiration date, and limitations, if any, under which it has been issued. For
the purpose of this paragraph a certification period is for three
years.
(iii)
No application fee is required for conversion of
interim to full certification.
(b) Renewal. It shall be the responsibility
of the certificate holder to notify the board of a change of primary mailing
address when it changes and to renew at three-year intervals.
(c) Applications for renewal. Applications
for renewal of a certification shall be submitted to the board of building
standards at least thirty days prior to the expiration date. In addition to a
completed renewal application form prescribed by the board, applicants for
renewal of certification shall submit a certification renewal fee of thirty
dollars and evidence of having attended board-sponsored required continuing
education courses or their board-approved equivalents and, other than medical
gas piping inspectors, successfully completed thirty hours of approved
educational courses prior to the expiration of the current certification.
Exceptions:
(i)
Applications for renewal of medical gas piping inspector certifications shall
include evidence verifying that the applicant's certification by an "ASSE"
recognized third-party certifier, in accordance with "ASSE" standard 6020, has
been renewed.
(ii) Applicants for
renewal of master plans examiner certifications shall include evidence
verifying current active registration as an Ohio registered design
professional.
(d)
Failure to renew. Any individual whose certification has expired through
failure to renew may obtain a renewal within one year from the date of its
expiration provided the holder has met all requirements for renewal, including
payment of the renewal fee. All applications for renewal of expired
certifications shall be processed as renewals during the one year period
following expiration. All applications for renewal of expired certifications
submitted more than one year following the expiration shall be processed as a
new application. The holder of a
certification that has expired shall not perform any duties for which a
certification is required.
(3)
Elective
temporary suspension. Certifications may be placed in elective temporary
suspension upon written request to and approval by the board. Except for
emergency circumstances, requests shall be in writing at least sixty days prior
to the certification expiration date and supported by satisfactory evidence
that the holder is withdrawing from active employment for which the
certification is required.
(a)
Restoring certification. Certifications placed in
elective temporary suspension for a period of time not to exceed one three-year
term following the expiration date may be restored to active status by the
board upon written request. The request shall be supported by satisfactory
evidence that the holder has completed thirty hours of continuing education for
that certification and any board-sponsored mandatory training required, or
their board-approved equivalents, during the time the certification was in
suspension prior to the date of reinstatement. Payment of the thirty-dollar
renewal fee shall accompany the request.
(b)
Failure to
restore certification. Certifications placed in elective temporary suspension
for a period of time exceeding one three-year term following the original
certification expiration date may be restored to active status by the board
upon written request supported by evidence of passing of the appropriate
examinations prescribed by the board, completion of the "Ohio Building Code
Academy," and payment of the thirty-dollar renewal fee.
(4) Continuing education.
(a) Holders of board certifications shall:
(i) Complete the "Ohio Building Code Academy"
requirements during their initial certification period. Individuals who have completed the "Ohio Building Code
Academy" within thirty-six months immediately preceding the date of receipt of
initial certification may attend "Code Administration and Skills Training"
provided by the board in lieu of the "Ohio Building Code Academy."
Exceptions:
(a)
Individuals certified as medical gas piping inspectors pursuant to paragraph
(E)(20) of this rule.
(b)
Individuals certified as industrialized unit inspectors or residential
industrialized unit inspectors.
(ii) Complete at least thirty hours of board approved
continuing education in their respective classification prior to the expiration
date of the certification for each certification period other than their first.
Beginning with certification renewal applications
submitted on or after January 1, 2020, of those thiry hours, at least three
hours of continuing education shall be dedicated to the subject of code
administration, three hours shall be dedicated to existing buildings, and one
hour shall be dedicated to ethics.
(a)
Exceptions:
(i) Medical gas piping
inspectors, who maintain their certification in accordance with ASSE standard
6020.
(ii) The board shall extend a
certification period upon receipt of documentation certifying that a holder of
board certification has been called to active military duty described in
division (A)(3)(c) of section
5903.12
of the Revised Code during the current or previous certification period by the
total number of months that the holder of the certification spent on active
military duty. For the purposes of this paragraph, any portion of a month
served on active duty shall be considered one full month.
(b) Failure to complete. Failure to complete
the number of hours required shall result in forfeiture of the
certification.
(c) Proof of
completion. It shall be the responsibility of the certificate holder to furnish
the board with proof of completion of all board approved courses for which
credit is sought.
(d) Continuing
education courses approved for health, safety, and welfare ("HSW") credit by
the "American Institute of Architects" shall be recognized for fulfilling the
continuing education requirements of this rule.
(iii)
Attend
mandatory continuing education courses prescribed by the board.
(b) Approval process for
continuing education courses.
(i) Applications
for approval. Applications for continuing education course approval shall be on
forms prescribed by the board and submitted at least seven days prior to the
meeting of the board's education committee or the electrical safety inspectors
advisory committee for continuing education courses for electrical safety
inspectors. (A meeting schedule is available on the board of building
standards' web page at http://www.com.ohio.gov/dico/bbs/)
(ii) Application review. Upon receipt of a
complete application for course approval, the board of building standards
education committee shall review the application and make a recommendation to
the board. Following receipt of the committee's recommendation, the board may
approve, table pending further review and/or receipt of additional
documentation, deny the application for course approval, or take such other
action as the board deems appropriate.
(a)
Course approval number. Approved courses will be issued a course approval
number with the prefix "BBSyyyy" based on the calendar year
.
(b) Course approval expiration. Continuing
education course approval will expire on December thirty-first of each
year.
(c) Course update. The
instructor or sponsor of any course(s) intended to be taught in a subsequent
year, upon or near the expiration date of a current approval, shall resubmit an
application for each course requesting an update. If approved, the instructor
or sponsor shall receive a new approval and approval number for each course for
the subsequent year. Any application for a course update shall be processed
administratively as long as the course content has not changed.
(iii) Course credit. Board
approved courses shall establish hour equivalencies for continuing education
credit for each of the certification classifications requested. Course credit
shall only be given for training in the respective certification
classification. Courses approved for more than one certification classification
may be applied to each certification for which training is required. No credit
shall be approved for duplicate courses within the same certification period.
Instructors of board approved courses may apply three course hours for every
one course hour taught toward their own board certification continuing
education requirements except for duplicate courses within the same
certification period.
(iv) Approved
course sponsor requirements. The following are requirements that apply to all
approved continuing education courses:
(a)
Date(s), time(s), and location(s) the course will be taught shall be provided
to the board prior to the course presentation;
(b) If course content is modified, the course
must be resubmitted for course approval;
(c) When promoting an approved course, the
instructor shall make full and accurate disclosure regarding course title,
course approval number, number of contact hours, certifications for which
approval has been given, and all fees to be charged;
(d) Course sponsors shall provide
participants with a certificate of completion containing the name of the
participant, title of approved course, BBS approval number, date and location
of session, number of contact hours awarded, certification types for which
course is approved, and signature of authorized sponsor or
instructor;
(e) The sponsors of an
approved continuing education course shall provide the board with a legible
copy of a list of participants who completed the course including: course name,
date, and location of the session;
(f) Participants must attend the complete
course(s) as presented by the instructor to receive the contact hours approved
by the board. No partial credit shall be given to any participant failing to
complete the entire course as approved. The sponsor shall verify the
participant's attendance and completion of the course; and,
(g) The board does not provide retroactive
approval for continuing education courses presented prior to submission of an
application for approval.
(5) Trainee program requirements. Individuals
seeking certification as a trainee shall meet the requirements of this section.
(a) Trainee applicants. Trainees shall meet
the following requirements:
(i) A trainee
applicant shall be a full time employee of a political subdivision.
(ii) A trainee applicant shall be under the
direct supervision of a trainee supervisor.
(iii) A master plan examiner trainee
applicant shall also be a graduate of an NAAB, EAC-ABET, or similarly
accredited architecture or engineering university program.
(iv) A building, mechanical, electrical,
plumbing, or fire protection plans examiner trainee applicant for a
non-residential building department shall:
(a)
Be a graduate of an "NAAB", "EAC-ABET", or similarly accredited architecture or
engineering university program; or
(b) Have at least one year of experience as:
(i) A full-time building inspector, fire
protection inspector, plumbing inspector, electrical safety inspector, or
mechanical inspector in a certified non-residnetial building department, of the
division of industrial compliance in the Ohio department of commerce, or of
county boards of health; or
(ii) A
full-time residential building official, residential plans examiner,
residential building inspector, or residential mechanical inspector in a
certified residential building department; or
(iii) A full-time designer working under the
direct supervision of a design professional preparing construction documents of
any discipline directly related to buildings or structures within the scope of
groups regulated by the Ohio building codes.
(c) Submit evidence of eligibility to receive
the education credit pursuant to paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(v) A residential plans examiner
trainee applicant for a residential building department shall meet one of the
following:
(a) Have at least one year of
experience as a full-time designer working under the direct supervision of a
design professional preparing construction documents;
(b) Have at least one year of experience as a
skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under a residential or
non-residential code adopted for buildings or structures regulated by the
"Residential Code of Ohio" or the "Ohio Building Code"; or
(c) Submit evidence of eligibility to receive
the education credit pursuant to paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(vi) A building inspector or
mechanical inspector trainee applicant for a non-residential building
department shall:
(a) Have at least one year
of experience as a skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under
either a model building code of a national model code organization or a code
adopted for buildings or structures and within the scope of groups regulated by
the rules of the board; or
(b)
Submit evidence of eligibility to receive the education credit pursuant to
paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(vii) The building inspector or mechanical
inspector trainee applicant for a residential building department shall
(a) Have at least one year of experience as a
skilled tradesman for work subject to inspection under a residential or
non-residential code adopted for buildings or structures regulated by the
"Residential Code of Ohio" or the "Ohio Building Code"; or
(b) Submit evidence of eligibility to receive
the education credit pursuant to paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(viii) A plumbing inspector
trainee applicant shall:
(a) Have at least
three years of experience in the installation of plumbing systems subject to
inspection under either a model building code of a national model code
organization or a code adopted for buildings or structures and within the scope
of groups regulated by the rules of the board; or
(b) Submit evidence of eligibility to receive
the education credit pursuant to paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(ix) An electrical safety
inspector trainee applicant shall:
(a) Have at
least two years of experience in the installation of electrical systems subject
to inspection under either a model building code of a national model code
organization or a code adopted for buildings or structures and within the scope
of groups regulated by the rules of the board; or
(b) Submit evidence of eligibility to receive
the education credit pursuant to paragraph (F)(6) of this rule.
(b) Trainee
supervisors. A trainee supervisor shall:
(i)
Be a full time employee of the same political subdivision as the trainee and
shall be available to the trainee during normal working hours;
(ii) Currently possess the certification for
which the trainee is being trained except that a master plans examiner may
supervise any elective plans examiner trainee;
(iii) Be responsible for no more than two
trainees at one time and shall immediately notify the board of the trainee(s)
under supervision;
(iv) Notify the
board of any change in supervisor or trainee status within thirty
days;
(v) Supervise, check, and
sign the trainee's inspections and reports or a plans examiner trainee's plans
examinations; and
(vi) Provide to
the board a report documenting at least twenty-five inspections or plans
examinations made yearly by the trainee under the direct supervision of the
trainee supervisor, with an evaluation of the trainee at the end of the first
six months of the program, at the end of one year, and annually
afterward.
(c) Trainee
sponsor requirements. The trainee sponsor (county, township, or municipal
corporation) shall:
(i) Direct the
appropriate building official to certify to the board that the trainee is a
full time employee of the county, township, or municipal corporation and is
under the direct supervision of an individual possessing the certification for
which the trainee is being trained; and
(ii) Provide the trainee with a copy of the
current rules of the board.
(d) Trainee certification. The board shall
issue a trainee certification to each applicant who has met the qualification
requirements. The certification shall expire not more than six years from the
date of applicant approval by the board. After a minimum of two years, or four
years for electrical safety inspector trainees, and upon satisfactory
completion of the trainee program pursuant to paragraph (F)(5)(e) of this rule,
the trainee may apply for certification in the respective classification. The
trainee certification is not renewable and upon expiration the individual may
not reapply as a new trainee for a period of one year. The board may approve a trainee program on a case-by-case
basis in lieu of the requirements of paragraph (F)(5)(e) of this rule that
provides an equivalent level of training and education based on the individual
applicant's documented experience.
(e) Trainee course and work requirements.
(i) Plans examiner trainees:
(a) A master plans examiner trainee, prior to
completion of the trainee program, shall:
(i)
Perform at least twenty-five plans examinations yearly while under the direct
supervision of the trainee supervisor;
(ii) Attend and successfully complete at
least ten hours of approved code education courses yearly, including completion
of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required in paragraph (F)(3) of this
rule;
(iii) Complete the
appropriate examination requirements; and
(iv) Become registered in Ohio as an
architect or professional engineer.
(b) A residential plans examiner trainee,
prior to completion of the trainee program, shall:
(i) Perform at least twenty-five plans
examinations yearly while under the direct supervision of the trainee
supervisor;
(ii) Attend and
successfully complete at least one-hundred hours of approved code education
courses, including completion of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required
in paragraph (F)(3) of this rule; and
(iii) Complete the appropriate examination
requirements.
(c) An
elective plans examiner trainee, prior to completion of the trainee program,
shall:
(i) Perform at least twenty-five plans
examinations yearly while under the direct supervision of the trainee
supervisor;
(ii) Attend and
successfully complete at least two-hundred hours of approved code education
courses, including completion of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required
in paragraph (F)(3) of this rule;
(iii) Complete the appropriate examination
requirements.
(ii) Inspector trainees:
(a) A non-residential building, mechanical,
or plumbing inspector trainee, prior to completion of the trainee program,
shall:
(i) Perform at least twenty-five
inspections yearly while under the direct supervision of the trainee
supervisor;
(ii) Attend and
successfully complete at least two-hundred hours of approved code education
courses, including completion of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required
in paragraph (F)(3) of this rule; and
(iii) Complete the appropriate examination
requirements.
(b) A
residential building, mechanical, or plumbing inspector trainee, prior to
completion of the trainee program, shall:
(i)
Perform at least twenty-five inspections yearly while under the direct
supervision of the trainee supervisor;
(ii) Attend and successfully complete at
least one-hundred hours of approved code education courses, including
completion of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required in paragraph (F)(3)
of this rule; and
(iii) Complete
the appropriate examination requirements.
(c) An electrical safety inspector trainee,
prior to completion of the trainee program, shall:
(i) Perform at least twenty-five inspections
yearly while under the direct supervision of the trainee supervisor;
(ii) Attend and successfully complete at
least two-hundred hours of approved code education courses, including
completion of the "Ohio Building Code Academy" as required in paragraph (F)(3)
of this rule; and
(iii) Complete
the appropriate examination requirements.
(6) Education credit. An
applicant for a board certification may obtain credit for one year of the
required experience through education pursuant to the following:
(a) Documentation. Supporting documentation
shall be provided and may include a certificate of completion, a career
passport, a transcript, a college degree or diploma granted by an accredited or
state sponsored institution.
(i) The applicant
shall document nine hundred or more contact hours of training in an approved
vocational education program at the high school or adult level; or
(ii) The applicant shall document the
completion of a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree program in building
design or construction.
(b) Educational programs. Education credit
shall not be prorated or combined for partial or full credit and shall be
awarded only upon successful completion of a specific educational program.
Miscellaneous course work or isolated classes shall not be considered.
(i) Vocational programs. Vocational
instructional programs that are acceptable for credit include:
(a) Air conditioning, heating, and
ventilation.
(b)
Carpentry.
(c)
Electricity.
(d) Masonry.
(e) Plumbing and pipefitting.
(f) Firefighting.
(ii) Technical programs. Technical education
instructional programs offering associate degrees that are acceptable for
credit include:
(a)
Architectural/construction technology.
(b) Heating and air conditioning
technology.
(c) Fire science
technology.
(iii) Other
programs. The successful completion of other specific vocational instructional
programs of a minimum of nine hundred contact hours or technical education
instructional programs may be considered by the board if the training is
directly related to the design and construction of buildings or structures
within the scope of groups regulated by the rules of the board.
An applicant for electrical safety inspector trainee may obtain credit for one year of required experience through the completion of approved vocational training in the fundamentals of electricity.
(7) Certification,
revocation or suspension. In accordance with division (E) of section
3781.10
of the Revised Code, a certification may be revoked or suspended upon receipt
by the board of building standards of a written complaint from any person
affected by the exercise of the authority granted under such certification, or
by the board on its own motion pursuant to this paragraph.
(a) Complaint process. Upon receipt of a
complaint against a holder of a certification that is substantiated to the
satisfaction of the board or upon the board's own motion:
(i) The board shall decide whether the
information submitted warrants causing an investigation to be initiated or
sending a notice of opportunity for hearing as outlined in paragraph
(F)(7)(a)(iv) of this rule;
(ii) If
a formal investigation is warranted, the subject of the investigation shall be
notified that an investigation has been initiated by the board;
(iii) Upon completion of the investigation,
findings shall be reported to the board.
(iv) The board may dismiss the complaint,
table the matter for future action, or initiate action to suspend or revoke the
certification. If the board decides to initiate action to suspend or revoke the
certification it shall notify the certificate holder of the charges, pursuant
to paragraph (F)(7)(c) of this rule, by certified mail, return receipt
requested. The certificate holder shall be informed that a hearing, if desired,
must be requested within thirty days from the date of the mailing to request a
hearing before the board. The order shall inform the certificate holder that
counsel may represent the certificate holder at the hearing. Failure by the
certification holder to request a hearing within thirty days from the date of
the mailing of the notification may cause the board, after a hearing, to uphold
an order revoking or suspending certification.
(v) In the event that the certificate holder
timely requests a hearing, the board shall decide to either conduct a hearing
or appoint a hearing officer to conduct a hearing.
(a) Board decision to hold a hearing.
(i) The board shall schedule a hearing to be
held seven to fifteen days after receipt of the request.
(ii) The board may continue or postpone the
hearing upon application by the party or upon its own motion.
(iii) The board shall conduct a hearing
during which parties and witnesses can be examined and offer testimony in a
manner that prevents unnecessary delay, and that ensures the development of a
clear and adequate record. The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the
provisions of sections
3781.10,
3781.101,
and
119.09 of
the Revised Code.
(b)
Board decision to appoint a hearing officer. The hearing officer shall submit,
within thirty days after the conclusion of the hearing, a written report of the
finding of fact and recommendations to the board for its
consideration.
(vi)
Following the hearing or following receipt of the hearing officer's report, the
board shall take action. The party affected shall be sent a certified copy of
the board's action and informed by certified mail, return receipt requested,
that the certification holder may appeal the order within fifteen days to the
court of common pleas in Franklin county pursuant to sections
3781.10,
3781.101,
and
119.12
of the Revised Code.
(b)
Building department personnel certification, hearings and appeals. Hearings
shall be held by the board of building standards and appeals shall be permitted
on any proceedings for certification as provided in section
119.07
of the Revised Code and in paragraph (F)(7)(a) of this rule.
(c) Grounds for revocation or suspension. The
board shall revoke or suspend an individual's certification if the board
concludes that the individual has committed one or more of the following:
(i) The practice of fraud or deceit in
obtaining the certification;
(ii) A
felony or crime involving moral turpitude;
(iii) Gross negligence, incompetence,
misconduct in performance of duties, or engaging in conduct that is considered
a conflict of interest;
(iv)
Failure to complete the continuing education requirements prior to expiration
date of the certificate;
(v)
Violation of the duties described in section 104 of rule 4101:1-1-01 of the Administrative Code for non-residential certifications and section 104 of rule 4101:8-1-01 of the Administrative Code for residential certifications.
(d) Revocation or suspension. In the event of
suspension or revocation of a certification, the individual shall no longer
hold out to the public or any jurisdiction that the individual is certified to
exercise enforcement authority or holds the board certification which has been
suspended or certification revoked. During a suspension, the certificate holder
shall comply with the training, reporting, auditing, or other remedial action
required by the board. In addition to such other authority the board may have,
the board is authorized to revoke the individual's certification for failure to
comply with such remedial requirements.
(e) Probationary status. In the event of an
investigation in which the board decides not to immediately suspend or revoke
an individual's certification, the board may place the individual on
probationary status for a period of time and require remedial action as the
board deems appropriate. During this time the certificate holder shall comply
with the training, reporting, auditing, or other remedial action required by
the board. In addition to such other authority the board may have, the board is
authorized to revoke or suspend the certificate holder's certification for
failure to comply with such remedial requirements.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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