Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0780 - Commerce and Insurance
Subtitle 0780-02 - Division of Fire Prevention
Chapter 0780-02-09 - Third-Party Inspections and Third-Party Plans Review
Section 0780-02-09-.02 - REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0780-02-09-.02

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) In an exempt jurisdiction, a person may engage a third-party plans examiner to perform a review of plans and specifications, and a third-party inspector to perform building construction inspections, in lieu of such examinations or inspections being performed by the exempt jurisdiction. A third-party inspector or third-party plans examiner must be appropriately registered with the Division at the time the inspection or examination is performed.

(2) An applicant may only have one (1) registration as a third-party plans examiner and one (1) registration as a third-party inspector. If an applicant holds multiple qualifications sufficient to register as a third-party examiner or a third-party inspector, such as being registered as both an architect and an engineer, the applicant shall designate which qualification shall be tied to the third-party registration.

(3) An applicant may request registration with the Division as the following:

(a) Third-party plans examiner; or

(b) Third-party inspector.

(4) An applicant for registration as a third-party plans examiner shall submit the following to the Division:

(a) A completed application for registration on a form as prescribed by the Division; and

(b) Proof of one (1) of the following:
1. Active registration as an engineer with the Tennessee state board of examiners for architects and engineers;

2. Active registration as an architect with the Tennessee state board of examiners for architects and engineers; or

3. Active certification from the International Code Council (ICC) or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as a plans examiner.

(5) An applicant for registration as a third-party inspector shall submit the following to the Division:

(a) A completed application for registration on a form as prescribed by the Division; and

(b) Proof of one (1) of the following:
1. Active registration as an engineer with the Tennessee state board of examiners for architects and engineers;

2. Active registration as an architect with the Tennessee state board of examiners for architects and engineers;

3. Active certification from the International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other nationally or internationally recognized certifying organization; or

4. Active state certification as a building, fire, mechanical, or plumbing inspector.

(6) A certificate of registration as a third-party inspector or third-party plans examiner shall expire when the corresponding engineer registration, architect registration, or professional certification expires and shall renew with the corresponding registration or certification so long as the person intends to continue acting as a third-party plans examiner or third-party inspector.

(7) Each registrant shall notify the Division within fifteen (15) days if the registrant's engineer's license, architect's license, or certification becomes invalid.

(8) Any registration as a third-party inspector or third-party plans examiner shall automatically terminate if the registrant's corresponding engineer's license, architect's license, or certification is revoked or otherwise becomes invalid.

(9) The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or the Commissioner's designee, may revoke a registration as a third-party inspector or third-party plans examiner following notice and an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in T.C.A. § 4-5-301 et seq., if:

(a) The individual is found to be inadequately performing plans review or inadequately enforcing the adopted code, including but not limited to properly performing timely inspections;

(b) The individual has provided false or misleading information to the Division;

(c) The individual has provided false or misleading information as part of any third-party plans examination or third-party inspection;

(d) The individual concealed a conflict of interest in the performance of third-party plans examination or third-party inspection;

(e) The individual has had their registration as an engineer or architect with the Tennessee state board of examiners for architects and engineers, state certification as a building, fire, mechanical, or plumbing inspector, or any other similar state regulatory board, revoked; or

(f) The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance determines any other grounds with the showing of good cause.

(10) The Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance, or the Commissioner's designee, may refuse to issue a registration as a third-party inspector or third-party plans examiner to an individual for any of the grounds set out in paragraph (9).

Authority: Chapter 771, Public Acts of 2024 and T.C.A. § 68-120-101.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee 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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