Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 49, December 6, 2024
Section 87-7-3 - Certification of Code Officials, Inspectors and Plans Reviewers3.1. Categories and Qualifications for Certification - The State Fire Commission may issue Certification to an individual within the following categories upon a sufficient showing that the person possesses these designated qualifications: 3.1.a. Code Official - the State Fire Commission may issue certification for a Code Official in a specific category to an applicant who receives a passing grade in all of the examinations required for that category, or in the alternative, one who is licensed to practice in this State as an Architect or Professional Engineer. The following category of examinations will be approved: 3.1.a.1. Building Code Official - successful completion of the training and examination necessary to be certified as a building code official, residential building code inspector, commercial building inspector, or building plans examiner by the International Code Council; or may complete an equivalent certification by an examination authority accepted by the State Fire Commission.3.1.a.2. Plumbing Code Official - successful completion of the training and examination necessary to be certified as a residential plumbing inspector, or commercial plumbing inspector, or plumbing plans examiner by the International Code Council; or an equivalent certification by an examination authority accepted by the State Fire Commission.3.1.a.3. Mechanical Code Official - successful completion of the training and examination necessary to be certified as a residential mechanical inspector, or commercial mechanical inspector, or mechanical plans examiner by the International Code Council; or an equivalent certification by an examination authority accepted by the State Fire Commission.3.1.a.4. Electrical Code Official - successful completion of the training and examination necessary to be certified as a residential electrical inspector, or commercial electrical inspector, or electrical plans examiner by the International Code Council; or an equivalent certification by an examination authority accepted by the State Fire Commission.3.1.a.5. Property Maintenance Code Official - successful completion of the training and examination necessary to be certified as a property maintenance and housing inspector by the International Code Council; or an equivalent certification by an examination authority accepted by the State Fire Commission. 3.1.a.6.i.Provided, a Property Maintenance Code Official certification shall only be permitted in a local jurisdiction which has adopted solely the International Property Maintenance Code ("IPMC").3.1.a.6.ii.Provided, any police officer(s), employed by a local jurisdiction, shall be permitted to enforce provisions of the property maintenance code pertaining to general property maintenance issues (high grass, rubbish and garbage, etc.) without certification. Such officer(s) shall not cite violations relating to any structure(s) intended for human occupancy. 3.1.b. Inspector - the State Fire Commission will issue certification for an Inspector in a specific category to an applicant who receives a passing grade in all of the examinations required for that category, or in the alternative, one who is licensed to practice in this State as an Architect or Professional Engineer. The following category of examinations will be approved: 3.1.b.1. Residential Building Inspector - B1 Residential Building Inspector. 3.1.b.2. Commercial Building Inspector - B2 Commercial Building Inspector.3.1.b.3. Residential Electrical Inspector - El Residential Electrical Inspector and hold a valid WV Master Electrician's License.3.1.b.4. Commercial Electrical Inspector - E2 Commercial Electrical Inspector and hold a valid WV Master Electrician's License. 3.1.b.5. Residential Mechanical Inspector - M1 Residential Mechanical Inspector. 3.1.b.6. Commercial Mechanical Inspector - M2 Commercial Mechanical Inspector. 3.1.b.7. Residential Plumbing Inspector - P1 Residential Plumbing Inspector.3.1.b.8. Commercial Plumbing Inspector - P2 Commercial Plumbing Inspector.3.1.b.9. Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector - 64 Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector. 3.1.b.10. Other Inspector Certifications - 21 Accessibility Inspector; CI Floodplain Inspector; 47 Reinforced Concrete Inspector; 92 Prestressed Concrete Inspector; 84 Structural Masonry Inspector; 86 Spray-applied Fireproofing Inspector; SI Structural Steel and Bolting Inspector; S2 Welding Inspector; EC Soils Inspector; DR Disaster Response Inspector; and 77 Commercial Energy Inspector. 3.1.c. Plans Examiner - the State Fire Commission will issue certification for a Plans Examiner in a specific category to an applicant who receives a passing grade in all of the examinations required for that category, or in the alternative, one who is licensed to practice in this State as an Architect or Professional Engineer. The following category of examinations will be approved: 3.1.c.1. Building Plans Examiner - B3 Building Plans Examiner. 3.1.c.2. Residential Building Plans Examiner - R3 Residential Building Plans Examiner.3.1.c.3. Electrical Plans Examiner - E3 Electrical Plans Examiner and hold a valid WV Master Electrician's License.3.1.c.4. Mechanical Plans Examiner - M3 Mechanical Plans Examiner.3.1.c.5. Plumbing Plans Examiner - P3 Plumbing Plans Examiner. 3.2. Any person holding valid certification as a building code official, building code inspector, or building code plans reviewer under the provisions of W.Va. Code R. 87-7-1 et seq., effective July 1, 2016, whose administrative activities are limited thereunder to fewer than all five categories listed in subdivisions 3.1.a. 1-5, may acquire certification and licensing for the remaining category or categories by demonstration of the qualifications established in subsection 3.1. of this section.3.3. Application for certification(s) shall be made in writing to the State Fire Commission upon forms designated or prescribed by the State Fire Marshal.3.4. The fee for certification is $75.00. 3.4.a. Applicants seeking certification(s) by the State Fire Commission shall be subject to the required fee of $75.00 for each class of certifications (i.e. $75.00 for one or all qualifying Code Official certification(s); $75.00 for one or all qualifying Inspector certifications; and/or $75.00 for one or all qualifying Plans Examiner certification(s).)