198B.090 Certification of professional classifications -- Training program for building code administration and enforcement. (1) The department shall create and administer a certification program with sufficient testing procedures to certify the following professional classifications: (a) Building inspector; (b) Plans and specifications inspector; and (c) Plumbing inspector. (2) The testing procedures shall be sufficient to reflect the ability of the person applying for certification to inspect in accordance with those local, state, and federal building codes, fire codes, plumbing codes, or health and safety codes, that are applicable to the inspection duties for which he or she requests certification. (3) The department shall conduct or sponsor preentry and in-service education and training programs on the technical, legal, and administrative aspects of building code administration and enforcement. For this purpose it may cooperate and contract with educational institutions, area development districts, local, regional, state or national building officials' organizations, and any other appropriate organization. (4) The department shall create and administer an educational program designed to prepare building officials, code enforcement officers, and other persons interested in obtaining from the department a certification as a building inspector, plans and specifications inspector, or plumbing inspector. The program shall be designed to ensure uniform statewide enforcement of the applicable state building and plumbing codes. Training material coverage shall be adequate to prepare the participants with a working knowledge of construction design, specification terms, and the state building codes applicable to the particular field in which the applicant requests certification. (5) Plumbing inspectors who are in compliance with KRS 318.090 as state inspectors and KRS 318.140 as city-county inspectors, shall be considered in compliance with subsections (1)(c) and (2) of this section and shall not be required to be retested by the department prior to consideration for certification as a plumbing inspector. The department shall review the plumbing inspector's qualifications and credentials for compliance with KRS 318.090 or 318.140 prior to issuing a certification to the inspector's certificate applicant. (6) Attendance at the training sessions shall not be mandatory prior to testing for certification if the applicant's previous education or experience qualifies the applicant to obtain a passing score on the required certification test. (7) Training sessions shall be held as frequently as is felt necessary by the commissioner to adequately provide for local and state building inspection needs. (8) The department's plans and specifications review staff and the field inspection staff shall attend the training and become certified in accordance with this section. (9) All building inspectors, plans and specification inspectors, and plumbing inspectors shall be certified or enrolled and actively pursuing department certification within ninety (90) days after employment as an inspector. (10) The department shall establish a schedule of fees to cover the cost of the education, testing, and certification programs to be paid by the applicants for certification. The fees shall not exceed the actual cost of the services performed by the department to administer the programs listed in this section. (11) The department may reimburse building officials, code enforcement officers, and other employees of the state and its subdivisions for related expenses incurred by them for attendance at in-service training programs approved by the department. Effective: June 29, 2017 History: Amended 2017 Ky. Acts ch. 169, sec. 9, effective June 29, 2017. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 24, sec. 253, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 308, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 9, effective June 17, 1978. 2018-2020 Budget Reference. See State/Executive Branch Budget, 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 169, Pt. I, L, 9, (1) at 1338.