§ 143-151.13. Required standards and certificates for Code-enforcement officials. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 143‑151.13.  Requiredstandards and certificates for Code‑enforcement officials.

(a)        No person shallengage in Code enforcement under this Article unless that person possesses oneof the following types of certificates, currently valid, issued by the Boardattesting to that person's qualifications to engage in Code enforcement: (i) astandard certificate; (ii) a limited certificate provided for in subsection (c)of this section; or (iii) a probationary certificate provided for in subsection(d) of this section. To obtain a standard certificate, a person must pass anexamination, as prescribed by the Board or by a contracting party under G.S.143‑151.16(d), that is based on the North Carolina State Building Codeand administrative procedures required for Code enforcement. The Board mayissue a standard certificate of qualification to each person who successfullycompletes the examination. The certificate authorizes that person to engage inCode enforcement and to practice as a qualified Code‑enforcement officialin North Carolina. The certificate of qualification shall bear the signaturesof the chairman and secretary of the Board.

(b)        The Board shallissue one or more standard certificates to each Code‑enforcement officialdemonstrating the qualifications set forth in subsection (b1) of this section.Standard certificates are available for each of the following types ofqualified Code‑enforcement officials:

(1)        Building inspector.

(2)        Electricalinspector.

(3)        Mechanicalinspector.

(4)        Plumbing inspector.

(5)        Fire inspector.

(b1)      The holder of astandard certificate may practice Code enforcement only within the inspectionarea and level described upon the certificate issued by the Board. A Code‑enforcementofficial may qualify and hold one or more certificates. These certificates maybe for different levels in different types of positions as defined in thissection and in rules adopted by the Board.

(b2)      A Code‑enforcementofficial holding a certificate indicating a specified level of proficiency in aparticular type of position may hold a position calling for that type ofqualification anywhere in the State. With respect to all types of Code‑enforcementofficials, those with Level I, Level II, or Level III certificates shall bequalified to inspect and approve only those types and sizes of buildings asspecified in rules adopted by the Board.

(c)        A Code‑enforcementofficial holding office as of the date specified in this subsection for thecounty or municipality by which he is employed, shall not be required to possessa standard certificate as a condition of tenure or continued employment butshall be required to complete such in‑service training as may beprescribed by the Board. At the earliest practicable date, such official shallreceive from the Board a limited certificate qualifying him to engage in Codeenforcement at the level, in the particular type of position, and within thegovernmental jurisdiction in which he is employed. The limited certificateshall be valid only as an authorization for the official to continue in theposition he held on the applicable date and shall become invalid if he does notcomplete in‑service training within two years following the applicabledate in the schedule below, according to the governmental jurisdiction'spopulation as published in the 1970 U.S. Census:

Counties and Municipalities over 75,000 population – July1, 1979

Counties and Municipalities between 50,001 and 75,000– July 1, 1981

Counties and Municipalities between 25,001 and 50,000– July 1, 1983

Counties and Municipalities 25,000 and under – July 1,1985

All fire prevention inspectors holding office – July1, 1989. Fire prevention inspectors have until July 1, 1993, to complete in‑servicetraining.

An official holding a limitedcertificate can be promoted to a position requiring a higher level certificateonly upon issuance by the Board of a standard certificate or probationarycertificate appropriate for such new position.

(d)        The Board mayprovide for the issuance of probationary or temporary certificates valid forsuch period (not less than one year nor more than three years) as specified bythe Board's rules, or until June 30, 1983, whichever is later, to any Code‑enforcementofficial newly employed or newly promoted who lacks the qualificationsprescribed by the Board as prerequisite to applying for a standard certificateunder subsection (a). No official may have a probationary or temporarycertificate extended beyond the specified period by renewal or otherwise. TheBoard may provide for appropriate levels of probationary or temporarycertificates and may issue these certificates with such special conditions orrequirements relating to the place of employment of the person holding thecertificate, his supervision on a consulting or advisory basis, or other mattersas the Board may deem necessary to protect the public safety and health.

(e)        The Board shall,without requiring an examination, issue a standard certificate to any personwho is currently certified as a county electrical inspector pursuant to G.S. 153A‑351.The certificate issued by the Board shall authorize the person to serve at theelectrical inspector level approved by the Commissioner of Insurance in G.S.153A‑351.

(f)         The Board shallissue a standard certificate to any person who is currently licensed topractice as a(n):

(1)        Architect,registered pursuant to Chapter 83A;

(2)        General contractor,licensed pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 87;

(3)        Plumbing or heatingcontractor, licensed pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 87;

(4)        Electrical contractor,licensed pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 87; or,

(5)        Professionalengineer, registered pursuant to Chapter 89C;

provided the person successfullycompletes a short course, as prescribed by the Board, relating to the StateBuilding Code regulations and Code‑enforcement administration. Thestandard certificate shall authorize the person to practice as a qualified Code‑enforcementofficial in a particular type of position at the level determined by the Board,based on the type of license or registration held in any profession specifiedabove.  (1977,c. 531, s. 1; 1979, cc. 521, 829; 1983, c. 90; 1987, c. 827, ss. 225, 227;1989, c. 681, s. 17; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1021, s. 5; 1991, c. 133, s.1; 2007‑120, s. 1; 2008‑124, s. 8.1.)