Continuing Education Requirements to Affect Contractors

Continuing education requirements passed by the 2007 Legislature will soon be affecting construction contractors as they prepare for future CCB license renewals. Many contractors are just becoming aware of these new continuing education requirements, and have called the HBA to get additional information. The following information is offered to help you learn what classes you’ll be required to take in order to renew your license in the future. Requirements differ between contractors with residential and commercial endorsements, both in the number of educational hours required, the topics involved, and the effective date of when the requirements take effect.

Residential Contractors

How many hours are required?

Residential contractors will have to take 16 hours of continuing education.

When am I Required to Complete the Education By?

Continuing education requirements take effect for residential contractors on October 1, 2011. You will be required to have completed 16 hours of education by your first CCB license renewal occurring on or after that date. For example, if your CCB license next renews on September 15, 2011, you would not need to complete your continuing education until May 1, 2013, but a contractors who renews on October 15, 2011 would have to complete the 16 hours of continuing education prior to October 15, 2011. Any education taken after July 1, 2009 counts towards your requirements.

What topics are required?

For your first license renewal between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2013, you will have to complete 8 ‘core’ hours and 8 elective hours of education. Of the 8 ‘core hours’, 3 hours must be a specific Building Exterior Shell Training (BEST) class, 3 hours must a CCB-offered class on laws, regulations and business practices, and 2 hours must be in building codes and/or green or sustainable building. The remaining 8 hours of electives may be taken in any business-related subject that you see fit.

For license renewals beginning October 1, 2013 and afterwards, you’ll have to complete 5 ‘core’ hours and 11 elective hours. The 3-hour Building Exterior Shell Training (BEST) class will no longer be a requirement after October 1, 2013, but all other ‘core’ class requirements will remain the same.

Who must take the classes?

As currently written, the rules allow the 16 hours of education to be completed by anybody who works for your company. That could be you, a corporate officer, a responsible managing individual (RMI), an employee, or any combination of these persons.

Where can I take the classes from?

While the Home Builders Association will be offering a large number of classes to help members meet the education requirements, the CCB allows you to take classes from any of the following providers: post-secondary institutions such as colleges or

universities; trade schools; trade associations; professional societies; private companies; public agencies; business associations; contractor-provided in-house training programs; non-profit organizations; or manufacturers or businesses in the construction industry. Remember that while elective classes can be taken from any of the above, the ‘core’ courses must be taken from a CCB-approved education provider.

What if I hold both a residential and commercial endorsement on my license?

Education requirements differ for residential and commercial contractors. If you have both a residential and commercial endorsement on your CCB license, you will have to meet requirements for both. Fortunately, classes you take may apply to both requirements.

How do I prove I’ve taken the classes?

Providers of the ‘core’ education classes will be required to notify the CCB when you complete any of the ‘core’ classes. Contractors will be required to certify they have completed the full 16 hours when they renew their license. Contractors will also be required to maintain records of course completion for two years following the renewal of their license. The HBA will also maintain electronic records for association-offered classes taken by members.

Is anyone exempt from the continuing education requirements?

Only residential developer licensees are exempt from the education requirements. No contractors are “grandfathered” in based on the length of time they have been licensed.

Commercial Contractors

Commercial contractors have to take more education hours than residential contractors, with the number of hours required tied to the number of “key employees” employed by the contractor. Many smaller contractors fall into this category, as they have a commercial endorsement on their license that allows them to work on larger buildings.

When do continuing education requirements take effect for commercial contractors?

Commercial contractors must complete their continuing education hours prior to their first license renewal beginning July 1, 2010.

How many hours are required for commercial contractors?

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 1 with five or more key employees, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 80 hours during the preceding license period.

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 1 with four key employees, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 64 hours during the preceding license period.

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 1 with three key employees, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 48 hours during the preceding license period.

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 1 with two key employees, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 32 hours during the preceding license period.

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 1 with one key employee, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 16 hours during the preceding license period.

For a commercial general or specialty contractor – level 2, the contractor must certify that one or more key employees completed at least 32 hours during the preceding license period.

What is a “key employee” for the purposes of determining the number of education hours a commercial contractor must take?

The CCB defines a key employee as a corporate officer, manager, superintendent, foreperson, lead person or any other person who exercises management or supervisory authority over the construction activities of the business.

The number of key employees is determined by the number of such persons employed by the commercial contractor as of the previous date of license issuance, reissuance or renewal.

What continuing education records must commercial contractors keep?

Commercial contractors must keep records of key employees’ participation in continuing education classes for at least 24 months following license renewal.

Are any commercial contractors exempt from the continuing education requirements?

Yes. In addition to commercial contractors endorsed only as commercial developers, the following are exempt: licensed plumbing contractors, licensed electrical contractors, licensed boiler contractors, licensed elevator contractors, renewable energy contractors, pump installation contractors, and limited sign contractors.

What kind of classes are commercial contractors required to take?

Unlike residential contractors, commercial contractors are not required to take any specific classes. They must simply complete a minimum number of hours based on the number of key employees.

Where can I take the classes from?

As with the residential contractor requirements, the CCB allows you to take classes from any of the following providers: post-secondary institutions such as colleges or