11 NCAC 08 .0602             NATURE OF PROBATIONARY CERTIFICATE

(a)  A probationary certificate may be issued as a building inspector, electrical inspector, mechanical inspector, plumbing inspector, or fire inspector, as set forth in the rule in this Chapter specific to the type of probationary certificate being sought, to any newly employed or newly promoted code-enforcement official who lacks a standard certificate that covers the new position. A probationary certificate shall be issued for three years and shall not be renewed. During the three-year period, the official shall complete the requirements set forth in the rule in this Chapter specific to the type of probationary certificate being sought to qualify for the appropriate standard certificate. A probationary certificate shall authorize the official, during the effective period of the certificate, to hold the position of the type, level, and jurisdiction specified. A probationary certificate may be placed on inactive status by written request. While on inactive status, the code-enforcement official shall not administer nor enforce the State Building Code for the probationary certificate held. Once a probationary certificate is placed on inactive status, the three-year effective period is tolled. The certificate shall be conditioned on the applicant's completion of a high school diploma, or a high school equivalency certificate, and meeting one of the following:

(1)           working under supervision sufficient, as determined by a supporting letter provided for in 11 NCAC 08 .0706(b), to protect the public health and safety;

(2)           possessing a minimum of one year of design, construction, or inspection experience working under a certified inspector or under a licensed professional engineer, licensed architect, licensed contractor, or registered interior designer;

(3)           possessing one of the education or experience qualifications listed in the rule in this Chapter specific to the area of code enforcement for which the probationary certificate is issued; or

(4)           making a passing grade of at least 70 percent on courses for certification in building, electrical, fire, mechanical, or plumbing inspection at levels I, II, or III in each area of code enforcement for which the probationary certificate is issued.

(b)  A probationary certificate as a residential changeout inspector set forth in 11 NCAC 08 .0734 may be issued to any employed code-enforcement official, whose employment can be verified pursuant to 11 NCAC 08 .0734(d)(2), who lacks a standard certificate as a residential changeout inspector and who successfully completes a residential changeout inspections course set forth in 11 NCAC 08 .0734(c)(3). A probationary certificate shall be issued for three years and shall not be renewed. During the three-year period, the official shall complete the requirements set forth in the rules in this Chapter, specific to an area of code enforcement, to qualify for the corresponding standard certificate. A probationary certificate as a residential changeout inspector shall authorize the inspector, during the effective period of the certificate, to hold the position set forth in 11 NCAC 08 .0734(a). A probationary certificate may be placed on inactive status by written request. While on inactive status, the code-enforcement official shall not administer nor enforce the State Building Code. Once a probationary certificate is placed on inactive status, the three-year effective period is tolled. The probationary certificate shall be conditioned on the applicant's completion of a high school diploma, or a high school equivalency certificate, and working under the direct supervision of a person who possesses, or persons who collectively possess, standard certificates as an electrical inspector III, mechanical inspector III, and plumbing inspector III, or an individual holding a residential changeout inspector certificate and five years of code enforcement experience.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143-151.12(1); 143-151.12(2); 143-151.13;

Eff. June 28, 1979; Amended Eff. December 1, 1982;

Temporary Amendment Eff. January 1, 1983; For a Period of 120 Days to Expire on April 30, 1983;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2017; July 18, 2002; October 1, 1992; February 1, 1991; May 1, 1983;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2019;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2025; August 1, 2020.