Continuing Competency - It's BACK!
In the last few weeks, there has been significant movement on the continuing competency requirements for builders. The Bureau of Commercial Services will be releasing information about various methods to get credit in the coming days. However, all of these will be based on the language in the legislation that "pre-approved" these methods. Additional methods will follow as the rules are developed.
Below is an unofficial Q&A written by Lee Schwartz, Executive Vice President of MAHB. He notes that he and his team were able to get the Bureau to allow retroactive credit back to January 1, 2009 for these pre-approved methods. For more information about the original legislation, go to: www.hbagta.com
WHAT WILL QUALIFY FOR CONTINUING COMPETENCY?
Any approved prelicensure course may be taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement. To find a complete list of approved prelicensure courses click on this link: https://www2.dleg.state.mi.us/colaCourses/ . Next, under "Course Type" select "Residential Builders Prelicensure". Sponsors who offer approved prelicensure courses can offer those same courses to meet the continuing competency requirements
Any construction code update course approved by the Bureau of Construction Codes may be taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement.
Any fire safety or workplace safety course approved or sponsored by an agency within the Department of Energy Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG), such as Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) may be taken to fulfill the continuing competency requirement.
The subject matter of continuing competency activities may be offered by a high school, intermediate school district, community college, university, Bureau of Construction Codes, MIOSHA, fire safety, trade association, or a proprietary school licensed by the Department if approved by the Department to offer prelicensure courses.
Continuing competency may be earned by serving as a lecturer or discussion leader in an approved course.
The Department is in the process of promulgating rules that will provide additional means of meeting the continuing competency requirements.
IF I TOOK ANY OF THESE COURSES BEFORE TODAY, WILL THEY COUNT?
Yes, the Department has decided any of the above taken from January 1, 2009 onward will count toward the continuing competency credits.
WILL THE EPA LEAD TRAINING QUALIFY FOR CONTINUING COMPETENCY CREDIT?
As this time these classes will not count for continuing competency credits, however it is likely they will count after the rules are finalized so hang on to your records.
HOW MANY HOURS DO I HAVE TO HAVE?
Licensees who have had their license for less than six years will be required to have 6 hours of continuing competency before the 2011 licensing cycle. Builders who have had their license for more than six years will be required to have three hours of continuing competency, 1 hour of codes, 1 hour of safety, and 1 hour of legal issues, before the 2011 licensing cycle.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SEND TO THE DEPARTMENT TO SHOW I'VE FULFILLED MY CONTINUING COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS?
Nothing. You are on the honor system just as you are for meeting the requirement to have a current Michigan Residential Code book.
BUT, if you have a complaint filled against you will have to prove to the department you've done the work, The department will also be conducting random audits of licensees to assure compliance.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SHOW I'VE DONE MY CONTINUING COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS?
For now, any written proof you've taken an approved prelicensure , building code or fire or workplace safety course will do. Remember, you have to keep this documentation for five years.
Our March 8th General Membership meeting has "moved" to Morse Moving and Storage which is located at 2040 Traversefield Drive.
We were saddened to hear that Dick Erickson, a long time HBA member and avid proponent of the industry, passed away this morning at Munson Hospital.
