Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 510 - Building Code Commission
Chapter 00 - N/A
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 11 - RISBC-11 Rhode Island Certification of Building Officials, Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical
Section 510-RICR-00-00-11.2 - Qualifications

1. BUILDING OFFICIAL - The building official, to be eligible for appointment, shall have had at least five (5) years' experience in construction, design, or supervision. The building official shall be generally informed on the quality and strength of building materials, on the accepted requirements of building construction, on good practice in fire prevention, on the accepted requirements regarding light and ventilation, on the accepted requirements for safe exit facilities, and on other items of equipment essential for the safety, comfort, and convenience of occupants, and shall be certified under the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-107.6 and shall possess an international code council (ICC) certification as a certified building official (CBO), except that the qualifications outlined in this section shall not be required in the case of a building official holding a current state certification prior to July 1, 2010. The building official shall pass upon any question relative to the mode, manner of construction, or materials to be used in the erection or alteration of buildings or structure. The building official shall require compliance with the provisions of the state building code of al rules lawfully adopted and promulgated thereunder, and of laws relating to construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, and integral equipment, and location, use, occupancy, and maintenance of buildings and structures, except as may be otherwise provided for. The building official or his or her assistant shall have the right of entry to buildings or structures, for the proper performance of his or her duties during normal business hours, except that in the case of an emergency the building official shall have the right of entry at any time, if the entry is necessary in the interest of public safety.

2. BUILDING INSPECTOR - (a) The appropriate local authority may appoint one or more local full time or part time inspectors to assist the building official in the performance of his or her duties and in the enforcement of this code

3. PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL INSPECTORS - Each of these specialized inspectors shall have had at least five (5) years of practical experience in his own particular field. He shall have the ability to read and understand codes and ordinances relating to his specialized work, the ability to read plans and specifications and to recognize deviations from such plans or specifications in the field, ability to write concise narrative reports for correction of violations observed on job sites, and the ability to enforce regulations firmly and impartially and to maintain satisfactory working relations with contractors and property owners. The plumbing inspector shall have a masters or journeyman license from the Rhode Island Board of Examining Plumbers. The Electrical Inspector shall have a Class A or B license from the Rhode Island Board of Electricians. The Mechanical Inspector shall have a Pipefitter Master I Contractor or journeyman, license from the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.

4. An applicant for the certification program may have less than the required number of years' experience as stipulated in § 11.2(A)(1) of this Part but the issuance of their certificate by the Building Commissioner will be withheld until such applicant has met the requirements of said section.

A. The holder of a license of an architect or engineer issued by the State of Rhode Island shall be deemed equivalent to the above qualifications in the following manner:

B. If the applicant does not satisfy the Committee through interview that he meets the qualifications of §§ 11.2(A)(1) or 11.2.1 of this Part, the applicant shall be permitted to take a written "equivalency test" administered by the Commission. A passing grade of 70% shall be required.

C. The holder of a nationally recognized certification as a Certified Building Official (CBO) issued by any of the model code organizations including the International Code Council shall be deemed equivalent to the minimum requirements of this code for Building Official or Building Inspector, provided that the holder has served in a building code enforcement position previously.

D. The holder of a nationally recognized certification in any other specialty shall be submitted to the Committee for consideration for equivalency, provided that the holder has served in a code enforcement position previously.