35 Pa. Stat. § 7210.701

Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-95
Section 7210.701 - Training of inspectors
(a) Training program.--The department, in consultation with the advisory board, ICC, NCSBCS and other interested parties, shall by regulation adopt a program of required training and certification for all categories of code administrators. This education program shall include accessibility requirements contained in and referenced by the Uniform Construction Code. The department may contract with third parties to provide the code training and testing programs.
(b) Categories of inspectors.--
(1) The department, in consultation with the ICC and other interested parties, shall establish appropriate categories of code administrators.
(2) A code administrator may act in place of a lumber grading or inspection agency to satisfy the requirement set forth under section 2303.1.1 of the 2003 International Building Code or its successor code or section R404.2.1, R502.1, R602.1 or R802.1 of the 2003 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings or its successor code.
(c) Certification.--Upon determination of qualification, the department shall issue a certificate to the code administrator stating that he is so certified.
(d) Waiver.--The department shall by regulation establish a procedure for the consideration of requests for waivers of the initial training and certification requirements for individuals who present documentation that they have previously satisfied substantially similar training, testing and certification requirements. The department may also consider past work experience as an inspector when deciding a request for a waiver. Any waiver shall not apply to continuing education requirements.
(e) Current officials.--
(1) The department shall by regulation determine the time period for current code administrators to meet the training and certification requirements of this act. This time period shall not be less than three years and not exceed seven years from the effective date of this act for individuals conducting plan review and inspections of one-family or two-family residential property or not be less than five years and not exceed ten years for individuals conducting plan reviews and inspections on all other buildings and structures.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the department shall adopt regulations specifically providing for the department's administration and enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 11 (Accessibility) of the Uniform Construction Code and any other accessibility requirements contained in or referenced by the Uniform Construction Code until code administrators have been certified regarding accessibility provisions. The department shall maintain jurisdiction over the provisions of Chapter 11 (Accessibility) of the Uniform Construction Code and any other accessibility requirements contained in or referenced by the Uniform Construction Code until such time as municipal code administrators meet the requirements for certification.
(f) Continuing education.--The department shall by regulation adopt and implement the continuing education program, and all code administrators shall participate in the department's continuing education programs.
(g) Remedial education.--The department is empowered to require code administrators to participate in remedial education programs for just cause.
(h) Decertification.--The department is empowered to decertify code administrators for just cause. The department shall by regulation establish a procedure for the notification of code administrators of decertification and the right of the individual to receive a hearing before the department on decertification.
(i) List of code administrators.--The department shall maintain a list of code administrators, indicating the categories of certifications, which shall be made available to municipalities and, upon request, the public.
(j) Fees.--The department shall determine and approve reasonable fees for educational programs, testing and certification of code administrators. The department shall consult with the Department of Aging, the Department of Health or the Department of Public Welfare, as appropriate, to determine fees for health care facilities, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded or for persons with related conditions and State institutions.
(k) Insurance.--The department shall promulgate regulations requiring code administrators in third-party agencies to carry minimum levels of liability insurance.

35 P.S. § 7210.701

1999, Nov. 10, P.L. 491, No. 45, § 701, imd. effective. Amended 2004, July 15, P.L. 748, No. 92, § 5, imd. effective; 2006 , July 7, P.L. 1052, No. 108, § 2, effective in 60 days [ 9/5/2006]; 2008, Oct. 9, P.L. 1386, No. 106, § 4, imd. effective.